[REVIEW] AceKard R.P.G. - 8G PRO Opzioni

[Evrain]

AceKard R.P.G. - 8G PRO
[ English Version | Versione Italiana ]

Quick Links
Homepage: www.acekard.com
System Updates: GbaRL.it Download Archive

Our thanks to Acekard Team and their outlet BambooGaming.com for the sample provided.

A long time has passed since the first Slot-1 design was unveiled to scene sites: after the first, awkward attempts, every major manufacturer has opted for this format, releasing more and more perfect units, free of problems and pre-processing steps. Obviously, we've now come to the point where adding new features is extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Many of you are already aware of Team Acekard, whose curtain call was a Slot-1 solution, called AceKard+, although its popularity wasn't too high. Now, after 10 months worth of development, they're back, taking the scene by storm with an atypical flashcard: the AceKard R.P.G.

Introduction & Features

The acronym in the name stands for Real Play Gear, meaning that this product, in the manufacturer's intentions, is aimed towards maximum simplicity for unexperienced users, as well as full flexibility for hackers and more expert developers, with solid support to both games and homebrew code.

At the time of this review, the flashcard is not yet available for purchase: the sample we've been given by the AK Team, even though fully completed and stable on the hardware side, is having its packaging still being defined. Those aspects will be further developed through our review.

For now, let's take a look at the declared features for this card:

• Dual Memory System: an internal high-speed NAND memory chip with a capacity of 8 Gbit (1 Gbyte) and a dedicated slot for external microSD/TF memory card
• SDHC Support: the latest evolution of the Secure Digital standard allows for storage medias up to 8 Gbytes to be used with the R.P.G., leading to massive amounts of space
• Full Compatibility: 100% support for Clean Dump, no need for external patchers
• DLDI Autopatching: homebrew code will be automatically patched with the relevant DLDI driver, making its use immediate and hassle-free
• PassCard: the card doubles as a third generation PassCard device, useful for booting Slot-2 flash cartridges
• “Quick Exchange” Technology: games, programs and saves can be swapper between NAND and microSD card without resorting to a PC
• Auto Save Type Detection: the game/homebrew's save type is automatically determined, although the user can set a different size if he so wishes
• U-Disk: the NAND chip can be used as a flash drive, using the on-board mini USB connector (USB 2.0)
• Auto Trimming: games are freed of redundant data when copied to and from the NAND flash
• Open Source OS: the system software, easily skinnable and with full touchscreen controls, can be freely modified via the publicly released source code (a copy of which is hosted in our own File Archive)
• "Write Balance" Technology: the NAND memory life is extended via a smart management of read/write operations
• Direct savegames backup: instead of relying on battery-backed RAM, savegames are stored in the internal EEPROM, then written to media as the console is switched back on

That's not the end of it: the above list, which applies to retail units, is expanded with upcoming features, such as multiple saver files and Action Replay cheating support. Indeed, the card's features have impressed us, due to being the first adding peculiar characteristics to the one now common to flash kits: we're talking, for example, of its dual memory system and full OS-based file management, along with the open sourcecode.

Update - 24/02/2008: we can confirm how those promises have been kept in full. The open-source philosophy, along with the manufacturer's dedication, noticeably lengthened this list. Now AR cheats are fully supported, along with user-created shortcuts, DS-Linux can now take advantage of both data storages and, particularly impressive, the EZ V 3-in-1 is supported straight out of the box, even automatically patching most GBA games. Something we weren't expecting, we have to admit: it's the first time we witness such a powerful system software.

On paper, this is a high-end dev kit, easy to use and with special features geared towards hackers and programmers alike. Is that the truth? We'll soon find out.

[Evrain]

Final Thoughts

Finally this lengthy review has come to an end. Five days of testing and a dangerously high number of coffee mugs gulped down, we're ready to write down our evaluation.
No doubt, in the endless battle for "best Slot-1 card" a new challenger has just entered the arena: the AceKard R.P.G. 8G PRO aims straight for the top and only barely misses it, due to its still undecided packaging and some minor flaws in design. Aside from those, this is the flashcard of choice for power users, thanks to its unbelievably flexible and customizable OS, while keeping it newbie-friendly with perfect compatibility, intuitive file management system, homebrew auto-patching and virtually enormous amount of storage space. If you're about to buy a Slot-1 flashcard, we'd strongly advise to give this AceKard R.P.G. a serious thought.

To reduce everything to a simple list, here's our pro's and con's breakdown:

Pro's
+ Multilanguage interface, intuitive and easy to use
+ 100% compatibility, even with "troublesome" games
+ Dual memory: 1Gb of fast and reliable NAND, up to 4 Gb of next-gen SDHC
+ Integrated PassMe: it even boots GBA games...
+ Fully open source OS, all you need is a compiler and some skills
+ Easily skinnable, even by unexperienced users
+ Excellent manufacturing quality and reliability
+ Internal file management system
+ Almost istantaneous loading/writing of games, programs and savegames
+ The team is always keen on helping and tackling issues


Con's
- If the packaging stays the same, the lack of a mini USB cable will put newcomers at loss of what to do in order to access the NAND chip
- The microSD slot is slightly too large and you need to press the memory card past the flashcard's border, in order to lock it in place
- Absence of an integrated media player: true, MoonShell will be included in the retail package, but we still would've enjoyed something embedded into the OS
- That sticker: okay, it feels so '70, but we hate it. Really, we do.


Review written by Evrain for GBARL.it. Thanks to Nemo_DS for support during hardware tests.
Unauthorized copying and editing is forbidden outside of Network RL.