Here compares Gateway 3ds, sky3ds and r4 3ds card for you to choose the best 3DS Flashcard for your 3DS or 3DS XL console.
Gateway 3ds
The Gateway ‘mode’ (launcher) once launched either via the DS exploit (on 4.x systems) or the GO exploit have the following functions:
Attention: It is possible to install eShop titles (CIA) on the emunand using BigBlueMenu, however this tool is derivative of Nintendo’s IP/Dev tools and should not be linked on these forums.
Online play is possible using either the CIA or 3DZ method.
Summary, Gateway 3DS is ideal if you own an older-style 3DS or 3DSXL with firmware below 9.2 and:
SKY3DS
There are two variants of the Sky3DS:
The Sky3DS works by emulating a real cartridge. As a result it will not allow the use of eShop titles or Homebrew. (It should be noted however that due to being able to update the SYSNAND to 9.5 you can still access the eShop and purchase games)
A physical button is used to cycle through the ROMs on the cartridge, the delay between game swaps is a couple of seconds and varies depending on the speed of the micro SD inserted in the Sky3DS itself.
Online play – ROMs are copied to the Sky3DS using the DiskWriter tool from their website. The tool will inject a public header into the ROM allowing online play. The template used in this process can be modified to include a private header.
Regionthree can be used in conjunction with the Sky3DS in order to bypass region locks (EU/US/JP) on the original 3DS,3DSXL and 2DS. It will not work with the New 3DS or New 3DSXL.
Sky3DS is ideal if you:
start your NEW 3DS/NEW 3DS XL trip with the R4 flashcard like r4i gold 3ds. Bringing you the entire world of homebrew games and apps – all available as free downloads on line. The R4i Gold 3DS was one of the first cards on the market that works on the new Nintendo 3DS in DS mode.
Gateway 3ds
The Gateway ‘mode’ (launcher) once launched either via the DS exploit (on 4.x systems) or the GO exploit have the following functions:
- Emunand – A copy of the NAND is run from a partition created on the SD card inserted in the 3DS (can be updated to 9.5)
- Classic Mode – Emunand with the ROM loader and signature check hacks disabled, used to play retail carts requiring a higher firmware version that the ‘real’ SYSNAND has
- Dump Cartridge – dumps the game cartridge inserted into the 3DS onto the SD inserted in the 3DS. This can be used without the Gateway ‘Red’ cartridge inserted.
- Backup SYSNAND
- Downgrade SYSNAND (can be used to downgrade SYSNAND to 4.5 using these packs.
- Format Emunand – (re)creates the Emunand by copying SYSNAND to the SD card
Attention: It is possible to install eShop titles (CIA) on the emunand using BigBlueMenu, however this tool is derivative of Nintendo’s IP/Dev tools and should not be linked on these forums.
Online play is possible using either the CIA or 3DZ method.
Summary, Gateway 3DS is ideal if you own an older-style 3DS or 3DSXL with firmware below 9.2 and:
- Would like to load homebrew
- Would like to run copies of eShop games (and DLC)
- Would like to play out-of-region games
SKY3DS
There are two variants of the Sky3DS:
- The original release which allows up to 10 ROMs to be used.
- The second revision which allows an unlimited number of ROMs to be cycled through by adding/removing them from the micro SD and will allow up to 31 ROMs to be stored on a single micro SD
The Sky3DS works by emulating a real cartridge. As a result it will not allow the use of eShop titles or Homebrew. (It should be noted however that due to being able to update the SYSNAND to 9.5 you can still access the eShop and purchase games)
A physical button is used to cycle through the ROMs on the cartridge, the delay between game swaps is a couple of seconds and varies depending on the speed of the micro SD inserted in the Sky3DS itself.
Online play – ROMs are copied to the Sky3DS using the DiskWriter tool from their website. The tool will inject a public header into the ROM allowing online play. The template used in this process can be modified to include a private header.
Regionthree can be used in conjunction with the Sky3DS in order to bypass region locks (EU/US/JP) on the original 3DS,3DSXL and 2DS. It will not work with the New 3DS or New 3DSXL.
Sky3DS is ideal if you:
- Own a New 3DS
- Own an Original 3DS or 3DSXL or 2DS with firmware over 9.2
- Are either not interested in homebrew or you have the ability to use ninjhax to launch homebrew (ninjhax does not require a Sky3DS but does require firmware <9.2)
- Do not mind paying for eShop games (and DLC) or do not wish to play them
start your NEW 3DS/NEW 3DS XL trip with the R4 flashcard like r4i gold 3ds. Bringing you the entire world of homebrew games and apps – all available as free downloads on line. The R4i Gold 3DS was one of the first cards on the market that works on the new Nintendo 3DS in DS mode.
- Allowing you to take your N3DS to a whole new level of multimedia playback.
- Join the homebrew revolution and have access to thousands of games and applications created by developers and given away free.
- The R4i Gold 3DS Card will put true multimedia right into your pocket via your New Nintendo 3DS system. Whether you want to take your 3ds and turn it into a movie player, or just want to sit back, relax, and read the latest and greatest eBooks – it's all possible!
- What' s more, play some of the best classic GBA,NES and SNES games on your NEW 3DS(XL) with the R4i gold 3ds. With freeware emulators available for the R4i, you'll be going all retro on your 3DS system.
- With support for up to 32GB sized mirco SD cards, the R4i gold 3ds will give you all the storage you need to fill up your card with the best games, apps, movies, music and more!