Hard copies are the best. I have only done one challenge on an emulator, and I did the same challenge at the same time on another game, but the hard copy. Anyway, you should consider joining the Christmas challenge event. :) You get a nifty emblem for participating, as long as you at least update once. If you wanna see what emblems are, check out my profile and click emblems. I have a ton, but you'll get the gist haha.
Oh and FireRed blows. ;(