Hacking News: New Stargate 3DS flashcart

[Technicmaster0]

Really?But isn't it like a Sky3DS (emulating a cartridge, no software), so if a normal retail cartridge would work, Stargate should work?

I ment the DS mode. 3DS mode works with all major CFWs and oFWs. DS mode is not compatible with luma 3ds - probably because luma messes with the DS boot command sequence.

 

[Centimetro]

Yo what's the best place to buy this in the US? If fast shipping is more of a concern than price.

I've been out of the game fora long time. Last time I was active Realhotstuff.com was the place for US orders, but that seems not to be the case anymore.

 

[Quantumcat]

Yo what's the best place to buy this in the US? If fast shipping is more of a concern than price.

I've been out of the game fora long time. Last time I was active Realhotstuff.com was the place for US orders, but that seems not to be the case anymore.

Ask yourself if you really want it before shelling out any money (really only if you have a lot of money to burn and/or want to have it for your collection)

 

[Centimetro]

Ask yourself if you really want it before shelling out any money (really only if you have a lot of money to burn and/or want to have it for your collection)

I think I get what you mean (apparently you can hack the system much cheaper with a vanilla DS card and play 3ds backups that way), but I'm actually asking for my sister who will be getting it for my niece, neither of who are savvy. I am doing reserach for them (currently dont even own a 3DS), and I thought that would be easiest way for them to do things.

Is hacking the system low maintenance enough for the hack to "last" when dealing with noobs? Or are firmware update and such a major concern. Because that was my worry and why I thought Stargate might be way to go.

 

[Quantumcat]

I think I get what you mean (apparently you can hack the system much cheaper with a vanilla DS card and play 3ds backups that way), but I'm actually asking for my sister who will be getting it for my niece, neither of who are savvy. I am doing reserach for them (currently dont even own a 3DS), and I thought that would be easiest way for them to do things.

Is hacking the system low maintenance enough for the hack to "last" when dealing with noobs? Or are firmware update and such a major concern. Because that was my worry and why I thought Stargate might be way to go.

Firmware updates are no longer a concern with B9S. Luma 6.6 still works with the latest firmware despite being a year and a half old (? not sure on exact age)

 

[BvanBart]

I bought one. And here is a small review about my sample. Hence: it is OK

I ordered it on the "official" Stargate 3DS store. Also paid a little extra so it would be on time before the holidays. My thoughts where: when I buy a flashcard I do not need to softmod my 3DS so the warranty would not be void.
So yesterday the guy from DHL delivered the package on time.

> Box and content of package
I received the package and opened it. Nice! Free goodies ! The shopkeeper send me a free screen protector for the 3DS XL.
The box looks ok and is made from ROHS paper... so they think about perserving nature!
Inside I found the Stargate 3DS and the Micro SD USB stick. The Stargate 3DS logo is branded on the USB reader.

The card itself feels a little flimsy. The buttons on the bottom feel very lose. When I press to right it clicks, when I press to the left it makes no sound and I already wonder if it's broken.
We'll see...



> Installation and putting games on the MicroSD
The card is already pre-installed with the latest Firmware (1.0 at this moment).
There is an update available for the DS mode but for now we have nothing else to update.
You can download the DS files from their website.

Games can not be put in a folder. This is a real bummer for me. I really like to keep things tidy and organised... but this just will become a mess.

I downloaded some games from various websites so I hoped I could play them.



> Compatibility and playing games
The compatibility should be fair when a new flashcard is launched. I knew the newest Pokemon games did not run yet... so I tried some older games.

3DS games:

Brain Training: Runs great!
Castlevania - Mirror of Fate: Runs great!
Hyrule Warriors Legends: Runs great!
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Runs great!
Mario & Luigi - Dream Team Bros: Runs great!
Mario & Luigi - Superstar Saga Bowsers Minions: Runs great!
Metroid Prime - Federation Force: Runs great!
Monster Hunter Stories: Runs great! (import save even works from the demo)
Nintendogs and Cats: Runs great!
Paper Mario Sticker Star: Runs great!
Pokemon Ultra Sun: Creates error on card! Make sure you have another small card with at least one other game on it to fix this problem!
Pokemon Y: Runs great!
Proffesor Layton and the Miracle Mask: Runs great!
Rayman 3D: Runs great!
Sonic Generations: Runs great!
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS: Runs great!
The Legend of Zelda - Tri Force Heroes: Runs great!
Xenoblade Chronicles: Runs great!
Yoshi's New Island: Runs great!​

DS games:

Metroid Prime Hunters: Runs great!
Iridion: Runs great!​

> Customer service and aftercare
When you buy a flashcard at the "official store" you would suggest that you can just mail the team behind it. But that was far from the truth.
For my questions I can mail to [email protected] but when I bought the cartridge and I wanted to return it because it looks like mine is not working as it should
I needed to contact my supplier. (not so "official" anymore).Also the supplier has a typo on almost every page: instead of using @gmail.com he uses @gamil.com.
The supplier has not answered my mail yet... He offered me after 3 weeks(!!) that I return the card and he will give me a refund. The problem there is that it costs a lot
to send something back with tracking.


> Final verdict and advise
I am very pleased to say that my second opinion is OK with the Stargate. It still is pretty fragile but it manages to play almost all the roms I want.
Now I am waiting for the first update so I can play Pokemon Ultra Sun and Metroid.

My advise for now... order only when you do not want the hassle of a softmod (if there is one I don't know... but it sounds more promising then this card) you could buy this card.
But this is not made for clumsy people or small children.

> Overall score: 8/10

 

[Flame]

I bought one. And here is a small review about my sample. Hence: it is not good

I ordered it on the "official" Stargate 3DS store. Also paid a little extra so it would be on time before the holidays. My thoughts where: when I buy a flashcard I do not need to softmod my 3DS so the warranty would not be void.
So yesterday the guy from DHL delivered the package on time.

> Box and content of package
I received the package and opened it. Nice! Free goodies ! The shopkeeper send me a free screen protector for the 3DS XL.
The box looks ok and is made from ROHS paper... so they think about perserving nature!
Inside I found the Stargate 3DS and the Micro SD USB stick. The Stargate 3DS logo is branded on the USB reader.

The card itself feels a little flimsy. The buttons on the bottom feel very lose. When I press to right it clicks, when I press to the left it makes no sound and I already wonder if it's broken.
We'll see...

View attachment 109044 View attachment 109045

> Installation and putting games on the MicroSD
The card is already pre-installed with the latest Firmware (1.0 at this moment).
There is an update available for the DS mode but for now we have nothing else to update.
You can download the DS files from their website.

Games can not be put in a folder. This is a real bummer for me. I really like to keep things tidy and organised... but this just will become a mess.

I downloaded some games from various websites so I hoped I could play them.

View attachment 109046 View attachment 109047

> Compatibility and playing games
The compatibility should be fair when a new flashcard is launched. I knew the newest Pokemon games did not run yet... so I tried some older games.
Unfortunately the only game I could play without problems was Nes Remix. All the other games froze, or did not start at all.

3DS games:

Sonic Mania: Did start but froze when you start the first level
Castlevania: Dit start but froze on intro scene
Pokemon Y: Could not create save file and black screen
Zelda Tri Force: Black screen at first, after many tries it starts but when you play the 3DS says there has been an error, please restart the system
Nes Remix 3DS: Could play but after a minute or so the game crashes and the 3DS says that the card has been removed.​

DS games:

Metroid Prime Hunters: Runs great!
Iridion: Runs almost great, although some stuttering in gameplay?​

> Customer service and aftercare
When you buy a flashcard at the "official store" you would suggest that you can just mail the team behind it. But that was far from the truth.
For my questions I can mail to [email protected] but when I bought the cartridge and I wanted to return it because it looks like mine is not working as it should
I needed to contact my supplier. (not so "official" anymore).Also the supplier has a typo on almost every page: instead of using @gmail.com he uses @gamil.com.
The supplier has not answered my mail yet... I will keep you updated on this one.


> Final verdict and advise
At the moment my opinion about Stargate 3DS is not good. It does not play games as advised, the emulators are not available (while they advertise with it) and it feels very fragile.
Yes you can choose games by just pressing the buttons on the bottom of your 3DS but be aware: when playing a game these buttons are still active. Accidental presses can be a big
"meh" over here. Furthermore when your buttons break you are out of options. You can select the games in the DS mode and then it reboots in to the game you just chose, however
to enter this mode you need to press both buttons ad once. So if one is broken or worse both: you are looking ad a non working card.

My advise for now... order only when you do not want the hassle of a softmod (if there is one I don't know... but it sounds more promising then this card) you could buy this card.
But this is not made for clumsy people or small children.

> Overall score: 5

5 out of 100? if its out of 10... why? it cant play any games even DS one's...

if you are giving it on future bases the score.... i bet this will get few updates, and that is it.


RIP your money

 

[BvanBart]

5 out of 100? if its out of 10... why? it cant play any games even DS one's...

if you are giving it on future bases the score.... i bet this will get few updates, and that is it.


RIP your money

I hope they can fix a lot of compatibility issues with updates and I think my card is just faulty...
And I indeed edited my point. A 5 was for the hopes and there is potential... but what I have now is nothing compared to what it should be.

 

[Technicmaster0]

There is another review, a german one: http://beyondconsoles.blogspot.de/2017/12/stargate-3ds-review-stargate-3dscom.html

 

[Trash_McPhail]

I bought one. And here is a small review about my sample. Hence: it is not good

I ordered it on the "official" Stargate 3DS store. Also paid a little extra so it would be on time before the holidays. My thoughts where: when I buy a flashcard I do not need to softmod my 3DS so the warranty would not be void.
So yesterday the guy from DHL delivered the package on time.

> Box and content of package
I received the package and opened it. Nice! Free goodies ! The shopkeeper send me a free screen protector for the 3DS XL.
The box looks ok and is made from ROHS paper... so they think about perserving nature!
Inside I found the Stargate 3DS and the Micro SD USB stick. The Stargate 3DS logo is branded on the USB reader.

The card itself feels a little flimsy. The buttons on the bottom feel very lose. When I press to right it clicks, when I press to the left it makes no sound and I already wonder if it's broken.
We'll see...

View attachment 109044 View attachment 109045

> Installation and putting games on the MicroSD
The card is already pre-installed with the latest Firmware (1.0 at this moment).
There is an update available for the DS mode but for now we have nothing else to update.
You can download the DS files from their website.

Games can not be put in a folder. This is a real bummer for me. I really like to keep things tidy and organised... but this just will become a mess.

I downloaded some games from various websites so I hoped I could play them.

View attachment 109046 View attachment 109047

> Compatibility and playing games
The compatibility should be fair when a new flashcard is launched. I knew the newest Pokemon games did not run yet... so I tried some older games.
Unfortunately the only game I could play without problems was Nes Remix. All the other games froze, or did not start at all.

3DS games:

Sonic Mania: Did start but froze when you start the first level
Castlevania: Dit start but froze on intro scene
Pokemon Y: Could not create save file and black screen
Zelda Tri Force: Black screen at first, after many tries it starts but when you play the 3DS says there has been an error, please restart the system
Nes Remix 3DS: Could play but after a minute or so the game crashes and the 3DS says that the card has been removed.​

DS games:

Metroid Prime Hunters: Runs great!
Iridion: Runs almost great, although some stuttering in gameplay?​

> Customer service and aftercare
When you buy a flashcard at the "official store" you would suggest that you can just mail the team behind it. But that was far from the truth.
For my questions I can mail to [email protected] but when I bought the cartridge and I wanted to return it because it looks like mine is not working as it should
I needed to contact my supplier. (not so "official" anymore).Also the supplier has a typo on almost every page: instead of using @gmail.com he uses @gamil.com.
The supplier has not answered my mail yet... I will keep you updated on this one.


> Final verdict and advise
At the moment my opinion about Stargate 3DS is not good. It does not play games as advised, the emulators are not available (while they advertise with it) and it feels very fragile.
Yes you can choose games by just pressing the buttons on the bottom of your 3DS but be aware: when playing a game these buttons are still active. Accidental presses can be a big
"meh" over here. Furthermore when your buttons break you are out of options. You can select the games in the DS mode and then it reboots in to the game you just chose, however
to enter this mode you need to press both buttons ad once. So if one is broken or worse both: you are looking ad a non working card.

My advise for now... order only when you do not want the hassle of a softmod (if there is one I don't know... but it sounds more promising then this card) you could buy this card.
But this is not made for clumsy people or small children.

> Overall score: 2/10
Might be edited after my problems have been solved.

Thanks for the honest and in depth review, sadly, it would appear it's a waste of time considering this cart in it's current state.

 

[Technicmaster0]

Thanks for the honest and in depth review, sadly, it would appear it's a waste of time considering this cart in it's current state.

But he seems to have gotten a faulty card. Productions are faulty from time to time.

 

[BvanBart]

But he seems to have gotten a faulty card. Productions are faulty from time to time.

Honestly I doubt that... But it is always possible. The reseller is not fast with responding. 1 week after sending a mail I get a reply...

 

[Technicmaster0]

Honestly I doubt that... But it is always possible. The reseller is not fast with responding. 1 week after sending a mail I get a reply...

I've got a stargate myself and I never had a problem with a freeze during a 3ds game. Sounds either like a too slow microsd, a contact issue or a faulty production. Metroid Prime Pinball for DS had one quick lag but that was absolutely no problem.
It may really be a bad/ very, very slow MicroSD.

 

[BvanBart]

I tried 3 different brand SD's. So no I refuse to believe that.

 

[Technicmaster0]

I tried 3 different brand SD's. So no I refuse to believe that.

Then it's probably a faulty unit which should be replaced by the shop.

 

[BvanBart]

Then it's probably a faulty unit which should be replaced by the shop.

I hope so... the shop is very slow in answering...

 

[garyopa]

I ordered it on the "official" Stargate 3DS store.

there no such thing as an official stargate store only resellers listed on their website that ordered stock direct from them.

My I ask the name ofthis webshop no link just web domain site.

Thanks

 

[aos10]

I think I get what you mean (apparently you can hack the system much cheaper with a vanilla DS card and play 3ds backups that way), but I'm actually asking for my sister who will be getting it for my niece, neither of who are savvy. I am doing reserach for them (currently dont even own a 3DS), and I thought that would be easiest way for them to do things.

Is hacking the system low maintenance enough for the hack to "last" when dealing with noobs? Or are firmware update and such a major concern. Because that was my worry and why I thought Stargate might be way to go.

is it ok for your niece to download roms from sites that have ads on them and risk getting viruses?
Do they know how to use those sites?

 

[BvanBart]

there no such thing as an official stargate store only resellers listed on their website that ordered stock direct from them.

My I ask the name ofthis webshop no link just web domain site.

Thanks

It is on their reseller list.

 

[TankedThomas]

Man, I haven't paid any attention to this but... it just doesn't seem worth it. The card looks nice, it seems like a great idea (execution, not so much), but on top of having NTRboot/NTRhax available now, it just seems like it'd be more efficient to use custom firmware, get a cheap DS flashcard, and buy a bigger (micro)SD card. That, and FreeShop is so much safer (though safer ban-wise is debatable but still).

Part of me wants to get one just to check it out - the hardware looks rather nice and I'd love to play around with that.