M3 DS Real

The M3 DS Real is a flash card adapter that can be used as to run homebrew Nintendo DS applications, and play media files (photos, videos, music) on the Nintendo DS Lite. It is one of many third-party rewritable game cartridge solutions that provide this functionality. The M3 DS Real is one of the newest of such devices, and is referred to a "SLOT-1" device since it fits in DS game slot (SLOT-1) on the top of the DS Lite vs. the Game Boy Advance game slot (SLOT-2) at the bottom of the player.

M3 DS Real 1
MSRP $45.00
Release date November, 2007
Brand M3adapter
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Pros & Cons14
Reviews8
Details
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Competitors3
Comments2
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
8 reviews
85
negative
mixed
positive
8 positive
0 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

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Pros:
Do you agree?
Supports GBA homebrew with expansion pack
+7agreedisagree

Supports larger 4GB+ MicroSD cards
+7agreedisagree

Fits flush in to DS SLOT-1
+6agreedisagree

GBA Expansion Pack fits flush into DS SLOT-2
+5agreedisagree

No other software, hardware, patches, firmware required
+4agreedisagree

Use of SLOT-1 device alone does not appear to affect battery life significantly
+4agreedisagree

Simple, easy-to-use DS homebrew solution
+3agreedisagree

Includes USB MicroSD flash card reader
+3agreedisagree

Simple, fast M3Sakura firmware
+3agreedisagree

built in software: contacts, calendar, notes, calculator and unit conversion.
-1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
Slow loading and GUI with TouchPod firmware
+2agreedisagree

GBA Expansion Pack severely drains battery (to 1 hour or so with a full charge) whether in use to play GBA games or not.
+1agreedisagree

USB Micro SD flash card reader was garbage and had to be replaced within a week.
+1agreedisagree

Menu was better (clearer layout and more easily skinned) with M3 DS Simply
+1agreedisagree


8 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!

Details

How it works

This solution is one of the most comprehensive and simple DS homebrew solutions to come out so far. Earlier generations of DS homebrew adapters required were fairly confusing and were plagued with several issues: 1) DS/GBA compatibility issues, 2) they required flashing of the DS firmware, and 3) homebrew applications needed to be patched before use. All of these problems have been addressed with the latest M3 device. Simply, drag your homebrew and media files on to a MicroSDHC card (sold separately) with the included USB MicroSD reader attached to your PC, slide the MicroSD card into the M3 DS Real, and then power up the DS with the M3 DS loaded in the DS game slot. The M3 DS Real loads an interface that allows you to load homebrew applications/games and play media files stored on the MicroSD card.

Features

  • 100% DS homebrew compatibility
  • Fits flush into SLOT-1
  • No patching required, DLDI auto-patcher
  • Upgradeable with new software releases from website
  • GBA compatibility with optional GBA expansion pack
  • Robust skinnable GUI
  • Supports high-capacity MicroSD cards (4GB+)
  • Built-in PassMe support
  • Includes Media-Ex application + Moonshell media player

Included

  • Genuine M3 DS Real for Slot-1
  • USB MicroSD/TransFlash reader
  • Holder case
  • Box
  • GBA Expansion Device with RAM  for Slot-2 *
  • Rumble pack for Slot-2 *

* included with M3 DS Real Perfect Bundle

Controversy

There is controversy surrounding this and other similar devices, since in the process of allowing the running of homebrew applications, the device can be used for piracy. Technically the software development kits used to develop the homebrew software are also subject to speculation since they are not officially licensed by Nintendo.

Pricing and Packages

The M3 DS Real retails for around $45 by itself, but is also available in several bundles that include SLOT-2 expansion packs. These packages can include (1) the SLOT-2 rumble pack, and/or (2) the SLOT-2 GBA expansion pack. The M3 DS Real Perfect Bundle includes both expansion packs and sells for around $65. The GBA expansion pack allows you to play GBA homebrew, and also adds RAM that is used to speed up homebrew applications, most notably the media player and the Web browser. The M3 DS Real was released November 2007 in North America. The M3 DS Real is an improvement over the previous generation M3 DS Simply, adding expansion pack functionality and high-capacity MicroSD support.

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This report was started November 26, 2007 at 3:55 pm by Erik
with the last edit occurring September 18, 2009 at 6:28 pm by Vance Hanin
This page has been viewed 13232 times, with 95 edits by 13 contributors.
See the full report history »

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Competitors

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Comments

1.  avatar digitalscrap.net said:

Does anyone know if worldwide wifi works with this product for use with homebrews?
Jan 05, 2008 4:01pm
2.  avatar gamekool said:

yes....you need a rumble ram pack to do
Nov 11, 2008 3:45am
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

dustinpearson

avatar
June 19, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
62
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
3 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Supports GBA homebrew with expansion pack
  • Supports larger 4GB+ MicroSD cards
  • Fits flush in to DS SLOT-1
  • GBA Expansion Pack fits flush into DS SLOT-2
  • Use of SLOT-1 device alone does not appear to affect battery life significantly

Cons

  • GBA Expansion Pack severely drains battery (to 1 hour or so with a full charge) whether in use to play GBA games or not.
  • USB Micro SD flash card reader was garbage and had to be replaced within a week.
  • Menu was better (clearer layout and more easily skinned) with M3 DS Simply

Competitors

dustinpearson prefers M3 DS Real over CycloDS Evolution, R4DS Revolution R4 DS, Ninjapass X9TF
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Erik

avatar
November 26, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
0 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Supports GBA homebrew with expansion pack
  • Supports larger 4GB+ MicroSD cards
  • Fits flush in to DS SLOT-1
  • No other software, hardware, patches, firmware required
  • Simple, easy-to-use DS homebrew solution
  • Includes USB MicroSD flash card reader

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Competitors

Erik prefers M3 DS Real over CycloDS Evolution, R4DS Revolution R4 DS
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Adam Phillip Hirst

avatar
June 26, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
3 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • Supports GBA homebrew with expansion pack
  • Supports larger 4GB+ MicroSD cards
  • Fits flush in to DS SLOT-1
  • GBA Expansion Pack fits flush into DS SLOT-2
  • No other software, hardware, patches, firmware required
  • Use of SLOT-1 device alone does not appear to affect battery life significantly
  • Simple, easy-to-use DS homebrew solution
  • Includes USB MicroSD flash card reader
  • Simple, fast M3Sakura firmware

Cons

  • Slow loading and GUI with TouchPod firmware
  • GBA Expansion Pack severely drains battery (to 1 hour or so with a full charge) whether in use to play GBA games or not.
  • Menu was better (clearer layout and more easily skinned) with M3 DS Simply

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Vance Hanin

avatar
September 18, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
0 cons
love itlove it
have ithave it

Pros

  • Supports GBA homebrew with expansion pack
  • Supports larger 4GB+ MicroSD cards
  • Fits flush in to DS SLOT-1
  • GBA Expansion Pack fits flush into DS SLOT-2
  • Use of SLOT-1 device alone does not appear to affect battery life significantly
  • Includes USB MicroSD flash card reader
  • Simple, fast M3Sakura firmware

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

ltfodder

avatar
July 31, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
86
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
1 con
love itlove it
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Supports GBA homebrew with expansion pack
  • Supports larger 4GB+ MicroSD cards
  • Fits flush in to DS SLOT-1
  • GBA Expansion Pack fits flush into DS SLOT-2
  • Use of SLOT-1 device alone does not appear to affect battery life significantly
  • Includes USB MicroSD flash card reader

Cons

  • USB Micro SD flash card reader was garbage and had to be replaced within a week.

Competitors

ltfodder prefers M3 DS Real over Ninjapass X9TF, CycloDS Evolution, R4DS Revolution R4 DS
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

raing3

avatar
March 27, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
0 cons
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Supports GBA homebrew with expansion pack
  • Supports larger 4GB+ MicroSD cards
  • Fits flush in to DS SLOT-1
  • GBA Expansion Pack fits flush into DS SLOT-2
  • No other software, hardware, patches, firmware required
  • Simple, easy-to-use DS homebrew solution

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

kirby22003

avatar
April 19, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
80
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
1 con

Pros

  • Supports GBA homebrew with expansion pack
  • Supports larger 4GB+ MicroSD cards
  • No other software, hardware, patches, firmware required
  • Simple, fast M3Sakura firmware

Cons

  • Slow loading and GUI with TouchPod firmware

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

asatruer

avatar
December 10, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
want itwant it

Pros

  • built in software: contacts, calendar, notes, calculator and unit conversion.

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Competitors

asatruer prefers M3 DS Real over R4DS Revolution R4 DS
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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This product is also known as:

M, 3, M3