Hacking DSTwo Questions (Noob so beware!)

[Kaysick]

Hello everyone! I just got my 3DS yesterday and I've heard about the Wii Homebrew / DS flash cart scene so i had to check it out for 3DS. Before I get started, it is 5:25 am and I'm typing this on my phone so I'm sorry for mistakes.

I did a bit of research before typing this so it seems that the DSTwo is the most reliable flash cart out there at the moment.

• Where can you purchase a DSTwo flash cart and how much is it?
  How reliable is it when playing DS/GBA/SNES games on the 3DS?
  How am I able to put games on the DSTwo?

If there's somewhere you can link an FAQ about placing games in that would be much appreciated. I dont really have any adapter for micro SD cards but i can possibly use my Android phone for that.

I also have read up on it that it can run games on WiFi, does this actually work well? I've read that the DSi has an improved connection speed or something so its probably not to the extent of that.

About updating the thing, how does that work? Ive read that you should do the cart first then the 3DS but I already updated my 3DS when I opened it so will that be a problem?


If you can answer my questions and any others, that would be much appreciated. This seems like a nice community so I hope you can help me out. Thanks in advance!

 

[metroid maniac]

DSTwo has pretty much perfect compatibility with DS games. GBA games and SNES games are probably a little hit-and-miss though I dont own a DSTwo so I cannot say for certain.
Roms are placed on a Micro SD card that can be inserted into the DSTwo, and roms can simply be drag-and-dropped onto the card. This also contains the software the DSTwo runs. (Different to the firmware, that is on a chip built into the DSTwo)
The DSTwo can play games on Wifi to the same extent as you would be able to on a DS Lite. So when it comes to DSi enhanced games like Pokemon Black/White (IIRC...) then you will not have access to cameras, or WPA Wifi Encryption.
The DSTwo is unique because it has a built in CPU. This means it can update itself simply by being inserted into the 3DS. On the downside, it means battery life might be poorer than retail DS carts.

 

[EyeZ]

This faq should help you out http://eng.supercard.sc/manual/dstwo/faq.htm

 

[Kaysick]

This faq should help you out http://eng.supercard.sc/manual/dstwo/faq.htm

What's funny is that I'm so tired that I read that FAQ but I really don't remember any of it. My apologies.

Thank you both for the quick responses so far.

 

[Rydian]

1 - Generally about $35 and up, $35 being what you can expect at a low-price chinese store, if you get one from a US-based import store it'll likely cost more.
http://www.zhuzhuchina.com/store/products.php
http://realhotstuff.com/
http://www.nds-card.com/

2 - DS games run natively and work fine. GBA/SNES on the other hand, is not perfect, not all games run, those that do can be laggy (really laggy in some places), the DS is NOT suggested for emulation since it's rather weak. I know the 3DS is new, but flash carts only run in DS-mode, meaning they can only access the power of the original 2004 model of the DS. If you're looking for emulation on a handheld, look elsewhere like the PSP.

3 - The DSTwo has a MicroSD slot, you put the ROM files on the MicroSD and it reads the folders and lets you browse to select your games to run.

4 - http://gbatemp.net/topic/290190-the-supercard-dstwo-beginners-guide/

5 - Wifi works, but only if your connection is WEP. WPA and WPA2 will not work, end of story, so if you want online you'll likely need to change your routers settings as WEP was cracked years ago so routers started using WPA and WPA2 by default.

6 - You will need to buy a DSTwo that's already been updated for the latest firmware then. Check the product pages on the stores to see if they update their carts first, and if so how far.
http://gbatemp.net/topic/315784-flash-carts-and-dsi3ds-updates/
When you get the cart, stop accepting 3DS updates (and turn all the automatic download and update settings off) because one update could be enough to make the 3DS stop accepting the DSTwo.

 

[Kaysick]

1 - Generally about $35 and up, $35 being what you can expect at a low-price chinese store, if you get one from a US-based import store it'll likely cost more.
http://www.zhuzhuchina.com/store/products.php
http://realhotstuff.com/
http://www.nds-card.com/

2 - DS games run natively and work fine. GBA/SNES on the other hand, is not perfect, not all games run, those that do can be laggy (really laggy in some places), the DS is NOT suggested for emulation since it's rather weak. I know the 3DS is new, but flash carts only run in DS-mode, meaning they can only access the power of the original 2004 model of the DS. If you're looking for emulation on a handheld, look elsewhere like the PSP.

3 - The DSTwo has a MicroSD slot, you put the ROM files on the MicroSD and it reads the folders and lets you browse to select your games to run.

4 - http://gbatemp.net/topic/290190-the-supercard-dstwo-beginners-guide/

5 - Wifi works, but only if your connection is WEP. WPA and WPA2 will not work, end of story, so if you want online you'll likely need to change your routers settings as WEP was cracked years ago so routers started using WPA and WPA2 by default.

6 - You will need to buy a DSTwo that's already been updated for the latest firmware then. Check the product pages on the stores to see if they update their carts first, and if so how far.
http://gbatemp.net/topic/315784-flash-carts-and-dsi3ds-updates/
When you get the cart, stop accepting 3DS updates (and turn all the automatic download and update settings off) because one update could be enough to make the 3DS stop accepting the DSTwo.

Man this is a post! Thanks for typing this all up. This has answered all my questions so far.

 

[Rydian]

I'm a nerd, I type(o) fast.

 

[Kaysick]

I'm a nerd, I type(o) fast.

Nothing wrong with being a nerd

I checked realhotstuff and it says they can update to v1.19 on request. Should I do that? I checked the version its supposed to be working for the newest 3DS update and it seems to be that. I just want to be sure

(Time for bed)

 

[metroid maniac]

Nothing wrong with being a nerd

I checked realhotstuff and it says they can update to v1.19 on request. Should I do that? I checked the version its supposed to be working for the newest 3DS update and it seems to be that. I just want to be sure

(Time for bed)

That is a good idea. Buying it pre-updated is a good thing to do.

 

[Rydian]

Yup, 1.19 with the latest EoS data on the MicroSD is what's needed to run on 3DS 4.5.x.

 

[Adrock4]

I bought a DSTWO off of nds-card.com, and it came with the (then) most recent version of the firmware. Realhotstuff is probably fine, but I'm confirming that nds-card does so without any hassle.

Also, Rydian's pretty much right about the emulation with the DSTWO. GBA can be alright, but SNES is pretty lacking. Other consoles work like you'd think they would (8-bit stuff works just fine, etc.). The Android phone you said you had is probably your best bet for portable emulation as far as 16-bit and up is concerned (depending on the model of your phone), especially coupled with an iControlPad. It's a bit pricy, but it works natively with a majority (pretty much any emulator you'd want) of Android emulators.

 

[Kaysick]

I bought a DSTWO off of nds-card.com, and it came with the (then) most recent version of the firmware. Realhotstuff is probably fine, but I'm confirming that nds-card does so without any hassle.

Also, Rydian's pretty much right about the emulation with the DSTWO. GBA can be alright, but SNES is pretty lacking. Other consoles work like you'd think they would (8-bit stuff works just fine, etc.). The Android phone you said you had is probably your best bet for portable emulation as far as 16-bit and up is concerned (depending on the model of your phone), especially coupled with an iControlPad. It's a bit pricy, but it works natively with a majority (pretty much any emulator you'd want) of Android emulators.

How long did the shipping take when you ordered it from nds-card.com?

 

[Originality]

Couple weeks to the UK. Christmas week included. Got it this morning.

 

[Chary]

In my opinion, DStwo's GBA emu is fine. I hardly find problems with it. Although SNES can have problems from time to time, especially when playing stuff like Super Mario RPG. All in all, it's my favorite flashcart.

 

[Kaysick]

I just ordered the DSTwo

I can't wait for it. I'll reference this thread so I know what to do once it arrives. Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[Shin Lee]

Quick question about getting a DSTwo can I still do all the streetpass thing? Also if I buy a like a 3DS game would I be able to play it? Thanks in advance

 

[EthanObi]

Quick question about getting a DSTwo can I still do all the streetpass thing? Also if I buy a like a 3DS game would I be able to play it? Thanks in advance

This has been said MANY times,
FLASH CARTS DO NOT AFFECT THE 3DS SYSTEM ITSELF IN ANY WAY.

 

[Rydian]

Streetpass works, 3DS games work, but they might want you to update, and updating might stop the DSTwo from working.
http://gbatemp.net/topic/315784-flash-carts-and-dsi3ds-updates/

 

[Shin Lee]

This has been said MANY times,
FLASH CARTS DO NOT AFFECT THE 3DS SYSTEM ITSELF IN ANY WAY.

well from rydian post they he said they could affect so I think your wrong lol. ALso thanks for the quick reply guys

 

[Rydian]

No, flash carts don't affect the 3DS.

3DS GAMES might want to update the 3DS, and when the 3DS is updated it might refuse to run the DSTwo.