r4i

R4i is a brand name used by several third-party manufacturers for a family of flash cartridges designed for Nintendo handheld consoles, including the DS, DS Lite, DSi, and, in some models, the 3DS. The devices are compact cartridges that insert into the system’s game slot and rely on a microSD or microSDHC memory card for storage. Operation is driven by a firmware kernel supplied by the card maker, loaded from the microSD, which provides a graphical menu, file browser, and support for running game backups and homebrew software. Compatibility and features vary by model and system revision; some R4i cards are marketed as DS/DS Lite or DS/DSi compatible, while others are specifically designed for the 3DS family to run DS software.

Variants and branding are diverse; examples include R4i Gold, R4i SDHC, and R4i 3DS, among many others. Because many products share a similar design and kernel, the line is often described as a family of clone products rather than a single, unified device. Use of R4i devices is legal in some jurisdictions when used for legitimate homebrew and backups; however, they are commonly associated with piracy and may be illegal to use for pirated games depending on local laws and terms of service.

Notes on history and status: the market for R4i devices peaked during the DS era and early 3DS years, with many vendors discontinuing or shifting focus as newer hardware and security measures emerged. While some models still circulate in various regions, official support and up-to-date kernels are harder to obtain, and devices may vary significantly in quality and compatibility.