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R4 Revolution DS Games

The R4 Revolution for Nintendo DS is a flash cart, expanding the functionality of your DS by allowing it to read and use data on a MicroSD card. A MicroSD card plugs into the R4 and the R4 then plugs into your DS, allowing the handheld console to read the data on the MicroSD. While there aren't any games exclusive to the R4, the card can do many of the same things similar flash carts can do. With the R4 and a MicroSD card for storage, you can download homebrew, user created, games and use your Nintendo DS for viewing pictures, listening to music and watching video files.

Homebrew Games
- Homebrew games are games for the Nintendo DS created by users and independent programmers; these aren't commercially released games. Homebrew games typically aren't as high-quality as commercial games when it comes to graphics quality and presentation, but they're often free. With a sizable homebrew community, there are plenty of homebrew DS games to keep you busy until you can afford your next commercial game. Genres range from strategy and simulation games similar to chess or "Civilization," to shooters and first person shooter games similar to "Quake" and "Doom."
Applications
- Homebrew applications take your Nintendo DS beyond gaming, giving the console much more functionality. With apps like "DS2Win Fusion," your DS shows your Windows-based PC's desktop, acting like a remote desktop tool. Applications like "Colors!" and "NitroTracker" unleash your creative side as you paint and make art with "Colors!" and create your own beats and songs with "NitroTracker." Your DS begins to function more like a smartphone with personal organizers "DSOrganize" and "SvSIP," which allows your DS to use Voice over Internet Protocol and act like a phone when near a Wi-Fi connection. There are even gag apps like "Rickroll DS," tricking your friends into listening to Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up."
Moonshell
- While technically an app, "Moonshell" deserves special mention for its functionality. This single app lets you play music, view pictures and watch videos over your Nintendo DS. While the amount of media you can store depends on the size of the SD or MicroSD card you use with your R4, it makes taking both your music and games with you easier, since they're all played through your Nintendo DS. If you don't yet have "Moonshell" on your R4, it's one of the few officially-supported apps, with a download available on the official R4 website.
Considerations
- Before rushing out and buying an expensive 16GB MicroSDHC card, ensure it works with your R4. Many versions of the R4 only work with standard 2GB MicroSD cards. The newer R4 Ultra and R4i support larger-capacity MicroSDHC cards, with the R4i also compatible with the newer Nintendo DSi, an upgrade to the original and Nintendo DS Lite.
Warning
- Do not download commercial games in the form of ROM files. ROM files are digital copies of games. Nintendo expressly states that "It is illegal to download and play a Nintendo ROM from the Internet." Even if you own a physical copy of a game that you bought in the store, it is still illegal to download a second copy online. Even older games you can no longer purchase in stores are illegal to download, so stay away from commercial ROMs all together.

Nintendo DS