ROM Hack How to start a 3DS translation hack?

Myria

Myria

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How do I start making a translation hack for 3DS? I'd like to translate Club Nintendo Picross Plus to English.

I'm an experienced reverse engineer, so things like disassembling the game executable and ARM assembly language aren't a problem for me. I also know how to decrypt the game executable and unpack the romfs.

What I don't know how to do is actually apply my patches to the game executable and romfs to run them on my 3DS.

My 3DS is A9LH'd.
 
CakeLancelot

CakeLancelot

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In order to apply the changes made to code.bin, you can use Luma's built-in functionality (look under Enable region/language emulation and external .code), rebuilding the game, or HANS.
For testing romfs changes it is similar, you can use either layeredFS, rebuilding the game, HANS, or the built-in functionality in Luma nightlies.
Each of these methods has it's disadvantages and advantages - if you want I can elaborate on it a bit more.
If you really want to get into romhacking to translate games I would recommend joining this Discord channel specifically tailored for it. Lots of knowledgeable people there that can help you along the way.
 
CakeLancelot

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Gamerjin said:
Actually, if you dont mind, i would like to hear about this...
Click to expand...
Sure - Here's each method at a glance.

Code.bin Patching
  • Luma - Built in to the Luma3DS CFW, this is probably the most convenient if you have an a9lh 3ds. Kind of annoying to toggle since the modifying the Luma settings requires a reboot.
  • HANS - This only requires access to the homebrew launcher, so especially with soundhax pretty much anyone can use this method. Easy to toggle code.bin modifications on or off to test.
  • Game Rebuilding - Rebuilding the game executable from scratch. If you want to go this method you probably want to make a script in batch or bash so you don't have to type the commands out a million times. Rebuilding as a CXI is the way to go to test on an emulator like Citra, while physical hardware you probably want 3DS or CIA format.
RomFS Patching
  • Luma - This feature is only built into the nightly/hourly version. I haven't tried it yet therefore have no idea how effective it is. Uses a romfs.bin file so it's not exactly plug-and-play like layeredFS can be.
  • LayeredFS - Allows you to patch the game to load files from the sd card. Probably the best for quick tests as you can drag and drop files - however the game's load time may be affected.
  • HANS - Uses a .bin file and loads the entire custom romFS from the get-go, similiar to Luma romFS patching. Requires some hex editing before the .bin file is usable. Best for releases, worst for testing.
  • Game Rebuilding - See above.
 
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Help Users
  • Sicklyboy @ Sicklyboy:
    @TwoSpikedHands, I'll preface this with the fact that I know nothing about the game, but, I think it depends on what your goals are. Are you trying to make a definitive version of the game? You may want to refocus your efforts on the EU version then. Or, are you trying to make a better US version? In which case, the only way to make a better US version is to keep on plugging away at that one ;)
  • Sicklyboy @ Sicklyboy:
    I'm not familiar with the technicalities of the differences between the two versions, but I'm wondering if at least some of those differences are things that you could port over to the US version in your patch without having to include copyrighted assets from the EU version
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    @Sicklyboy I am wanting to fully change the game and bend it to my will lol. I would like to eventually have the ability to add more characters, enemies, even have a completely different story if i wanted. I already have the ability to change the tilemaps in the US version, so I can basically make my own map and warp to it in game - so I'm pretty far into it!
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    I really would like to make a hack that I would enjoy playing, and maybe other people would too. swapping to the EU version would also mean my US friends could not legally play it
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    I am definitely considering porting over some of the EU features without using the actual ROM itself, tbh that would probably be the best way to go about it... but i'm sad that the voice acting is so.... not good on the US version. May not be a way around that though
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    I appreciate the insight!
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    @TwoSpikedHands just switch, all the knowledge you learned still applies and most of the code and assets should be the same anyway
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    and realistically they wouldn't

    be able to play it legally anyway since they need a ROM and they probably don't have the means to dump it themselves
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    why the shit does the shitbox randomly insert newlines in my messages
  • Veho @ Veho:
    It does that when I edit a post.
  • Veho @ Veho:
    It inserts a newline in a random spot.
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    never had that i don't think
  • Karma177 @ Karma177:
    do y'all think having an sd card that has a write speed of 700kb/s is a bad idea?
    trying to restore emunand rn but it's taking ages... (also when I finished the first time hekate decided to delete all my fucking files :wacko:)
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    @Karma177 that sd card is 100% faulty so yes, its a bad idea
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    even the slowest non-sdhc sd cards are a few MB/s
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjCivnt5t50
  • Karma177 @ Karma177:
    @The Real Jdbye it hasn't given me any error trying to write things on it so I don't really think it's faulty (pasted 40/50gb+ folders and no write errors)
  • DinohScene @ DinohScene:
    run h2testw on it
     +1
  • DinohScene @ DinohScene:
    when SD cards/microSD write speeds drop below a meg a sec, they're usually on the verge of dying
     +1
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    Samsung SD format can sometimes fix them too
  • Purple_Heart @ Purple_Heart:
    yes looks like an faulty sd
  • Purple_Heart @ Purple_Heart:
    @Psionic Roshambo i may try that with my dead sd cards
     +1
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    It's always worth a shot
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    @The Real Jdbye, I considered that, but i'll have to wait until i can get the eu version in the mail lol
  • I @ I-need-help-with-wup-wiiu:
    i need help with nusspli failed downloads, can someone respond to my thread? pretty please:wub:
    I @ I-need-help-with-wup-wiiu: i need help with nusspli failed downloads, can someone respond to my thread? pretty please:wub: