Hacking Playing GBA games on DS/L?

[Deleted User]

So I updated to 9.2 for my 3DS because of the Gateway announcement and decided upon buying a DS Lite for my DSTwo Flashcard. To my surprise, my flashcard still works on the newest 3DS firmware and my DS Lite has been shipped.

Since I wont be leaving 9.2 on my XL due to Gateway, and since I have a spare Ace3ds Plus as well as a DS Lite I was wondering if there were any way I can play GBA games on my DS Lite? I figured that the Lite already can play GBA games using Slot-2 and was wondering if there was some way for my flashcard using Slot-1 to use the hardware to run the roms, or if I would have to buy a separate flashcard or hardware pass in order to play?

 

[Foxi4]

The best way is indeed Slot-2 devices since they allow native support rather than emulation, but there's a decent emulator for the DSTwo called TempGBA. Aside from that, there's a DS/i GBA emulator called gbaemu4ds, but it's a bit more limited since it can't take advantage of the DSTwo's extra firepower.

 

[Deleted User]

The best way is indeed Slot-2 devices since they allow native support rather than emulation, but there's a decent emulator for the DSTwo called TempGBA. Aside from that, there's a DS/i GBA emulator called gbaemu4ds, but it's a bit more limited since it can't take advantage of the DSTwo's extra firepower.

What Slot-2 devices would you recommend? Surely they'd all be out of production by now, or not run as easy as DS roms on a flashcard.

 

[Foxi4]

What Slot-2 devices would you recommend? Surely they'd all be out of production by now, or not run as easy as DS roms on a flashcard.

I'd suggest an EZFlash IV - you can still get one relatively easily in comparison to other kits and it should cover most of your needs.

 

[Deleted User]

I'd suggest an EZFlash IV - you can still get one relatively easily in comparison to other kits and it should cover most of your needs.

It seems more expensive than the EZ 3 in 1 thingy. Is it really worth the extra few bucks?

 

[Foxi4]

It seems more expensive than the EZ 3 in 1 thingy. Is it really worth the extra few bucks?

It is, as it's completely independent of your Slot-1 solution. The EZFlash 3-in-1 is a bit of a different beast - it adds rumble functionality, additional RAM for Homebrew and the DS internet browser and can be used as a GBA flashcart, albeit you'll have to use a ROM loading solution such as the GBAExpLoader to get games "onto it" from your Slot-1 device. The EZFlash 4 doesn't require you to do so since it has its own SD slot to load from and its own menu, however it will not add the fancy features the 3-in-1 does. As it stands, the EZFlash IV is more desirable as a GBA flash solution while the 3-in-1 is more of a DS expansion pack of sorts.

 

[Deleted User]

It is, as it's completely independent of your Slot-1 solution. The EZFlash 3-in-1 is a bit of a different beast - it adds rumble functionality, additional RAM for Homebrew and the DS internet browser and can be used as a GBA flashcart, albeit you'll have to use a ROM loading solution such as the GBAExpLoader to get games "onto it" from your Slot-1 device. The EZFlash 4 doesn't require you to do so since it has its own SD slot to load from and its own menu, however it will not add the fancy features the 3-in-1 does. As it stands, the EZFlash IV is more desirable as a GBA flash solution while the 3-in-1 is more of a DS expansion pack of sorts.

Would you recommend a place to buy it from? I already have a Micro SD adapter if that helps.

 

[Foxi4]

Would you recommend a place to buy it from? I already have a Micro SD adapter if that helps.

Adapters aren't uncommon, but it's good that you already have one - saves you the hassle of looking for one. As far as store recommendations are concerned, I can't really help you in this regard, but I'm sure you'll find advice from seasoned online shoppers around here. The EZFlash IV has become a bit of a prized item around here as of late and you'll be sure to find some people bragging about where they got one from.

 

[Deleted User]

Adapters aren't uncommon, but it's good that you already have one - saves you the hassle of looking for one. As far as store recommendations are concerned, I can't really help you in this regard, but I'm sure you'll find advice from seasoned online shoppers around here. The EZFlash IV has become a bit of a prized item around here as of late and you'll be sure to find some people bragging about where they got one from.

Could that be why the price is $40? It's $18 more expensive than the 3in1 so I imagine that'd be due to it becoming prized.

 

[Foxi4]

Could that be why the price is $40? It's $18 more expensive than the 3in1 so I imagine that'd be due to it becoming prized.

It's out of production now, so prices are getting pretty high since the demand's there, but the supply isn't. You should be able to find them cheaper than $40 though.

 

[Deleted User]

It's out of production now, so prices are getting pretty high since the demand's there, but the supply isn't. You should be able to find them cheaper than $40 though.

They cost $40-50 right now. It'd be cheaper just to get another Supercard DSTwo which I might do.

 

[Technicmaster0]

It's out of production now, so prices are getting pretty high since the demand's there, but the supply isn't. You should be able to find them cheaper than $40 though.

But there were some batches produced lately. I think that the price comes from the hardware (it needs faster memory than Slot-1 cards etc.). The models currently on the marked use a MiniSD and not a MicroSD card!
Do you use an EZ4 or EZ 3in1? Because the value of the 3in1 expansion pack really depends on the slot-1 card. If the OP has a Wood R4i or another card with native 3in1 support I'd suggest to go with the expansion pack. It feels very luxury.
Otherwise the EZ4 would be better because the OP wouldn't have to go through all the menus. But it's menu is not half as good as the menu of the crappiest slot-1 flashcards.