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! Then I won a SaveDongle as well, with one condition : write a review about the device. Actually I really don't mind writing this review, since it's an awesome device with a lot of features!! I couldn't insert the images in the post, I had to make a pdf version in attachment. So here it is : First of all, I’d like to thank the R4i team for letting me discover this awesome device. I really couldn’t believe my eyes when I received a mail from them, telling me I won a copy of the R4i SaveDongle. Thank you!!
I) Presentation
Here is what I saw when I opened the package : (photo in attachment
)First thought : “Nice, it will fit perfectly in my pocket!”
For the record, its size is 7.5cm x 4.5cm. It looks robust, I won't complain about it.
No useless manual, everything you need is there : http://www.r4i-sdhc.com
II) Features
Now it’s getting interesting! The R4i SaveDongle is a device which allows us to backup and restore a savegame from virtually any NDS/DSi/3DS game cartridge! You read well : even the 3DS cartridges!!
And when I mean “backup and restore”, I mean “savegame sharing” as well. Indeed, the R4i-team is cooperating with the games-engine site, encouraging users to share their saves. You don’t have to be the best anymore to play the entire game, just download a save, swap your own with the one you downloaded, and there you go!
--> http://www.games-engine.com/SaveDongle/
The software provided on the site is very easy to use, and the support from the team is amazing – we can update the SaveDongle firmware.
For example, I tried to change my Super Mario 3D Land save, but I couldn’t make another save work but my own. I notified it by mail, but they were already working on the issue! As I write this article, it’s been a week since I got my Save Dongle, and it’s already been updated to firmware 1.3, and the software updated to version 1.4!
Moreover, you need to know that 3DS savegames are encrypted. But with the Save Dongle software, you can easily decrypt/encrypt any save to work on your cartridge, in less than 30 seconds!
III) Personal thoughts
Some people may say the SaveDongle is another copy of those already existing backup devices. I deeply disagree. No other team made a tool as complete as the SaveDongle for a backup/sharing purpose, building the first solid DS/3DS savegame sharing community. This device is by far the most reliable, and user-friendly. The 3DS savegame encryption was a real hassle before the software update, and I speak from my own experience!!
If I had to give a mark, I’d give it 9/10, just for its potential.
CONS:
It seems Nintendo has changed the encryption system since Super Mario 3D Land, so we'll have to wait until the savegame encryption system gets cracked again. The R4i team will then release a firmware/software update to fix this issue.
