nds-bootstrap:

Thanks to the work of ahezard, Gericom, Apache, Robz8, _catcatcat, and shutterbug2000 and other contributors, we can now load NDS games from the SD card, without any flashcard/SLOT-1 card.

Don't expect high compatibility, but do expect many, many updates.

Compatibility listing:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LRTkXOUXraTMjg1eedz_f7b5jiuyMv2x6e_jY_nyHSc/edit#gid=0

The official Discord server for nds-bootstrap:
https://discordapp.com/invite/7bxTQfZ

The thread for the recommended loader (by Robz8):
https://gbatemp.net/threads/twloader-ctr-mode-nds-app.448375/

SRLoader for softmodded DSis (by Robz8):
https://gbatemp.net/threads/srloader-nds-app-for-dsi.472200/

If you're more of a forwarder person:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/nds-forwarder-cias-for-your-home-menu.426174/

Link to the releases page:
https://github.com/ahezard/nds-bootstrap/releases

Anti-Piracy patch list by Robz8
https://gbatemp.net/threads/ap-patch-preservation.477536/

Also, thank you to our testers:
Historian
JoshuaDoes
thejsa
Alerdy
PokeAcer

Spoiler: Videos

Also, a video thanks to Robz8:


And another thanks to Alerdy:

 

[mikey420]

So basically saving works if you have the card to save to? Otherwise not yet?

 

[metroid maniac]

So basically saving works if you have the card to save to? Otherwise not yet?

Yep. Saving isn't patched at all, so it saves exactly where it used to.

 

[adrifcastr]

We need a flashing neon banner at the top of the OP saying to expect minimal compatibility and loading issues.

Something Like this?

 

[Xenon Hacks]

congrats you guys have been working on this for quite some time.

 

[ddraco]

Something Like this?
View attachment 72882

i saw it coming that hacksn5s4 becomes a inside joke

 

[thekarter104]

It kinda defeats the purpose of running DS games from SD

This just came out but yeah, I hope saving will be supported in the future.

 

[Deleted User]

It's finally here.

Running NDS games off of the 3DS's SD card is now a reality.

Thanks to the work of ahezard, Gericom, Apache, Robz8, _catcatcat, and myself, we can now load games from the SD card, without any flashcard/SLOT-1 card.

As promised, a release is here, on Christmas/Christmas Eve.

Don't expect high compatibility or save support yet, but do expect many, many updates.

Have fun!

Some games that work well with this version:

Warioware: Touched
Mario Kart DS (if you have a physical MKDS card for saving)
Bomberman
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent
Space Invaders DS
MegaMan ZX
Yoshi Touch & Go

Link to the future updater, not recommended for now (by Alerdy):
https://github.com/Alerdy/ReBootstrap

The thread for the recommended loader (by Robz8):
https://gbatemp.net/threads/twloader-ctr-mode-nds-app.448375/

If you're more of a forwarder person:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/nds-forwarder-cias-for-your-home-menu.426174/

Also, thank you to our testers:
Historian
JoshuaDoes
thejsa
Alerdy
PokeAcer

Also, a video thanks to Robz8:

I just directed this to some writers over at wololo for ya. Great work guys. I knew you could do it. You made a lot of progress from the Desume ports haha

 

[Small Kat]

You're the person who didnt do the requested homebrews...
(Unless i didnt see them)

 

[hacksn5s4]

ds download play needs to be fixed i tried it and it causes communication error on both 3ds

 

[xtheman]

You're the person who didnt do the requested homebrews...
(Unless i didnt see them)

He is working for free and doesn't have to do your requests.

 

[Jacklack3]

Everyone off the Hype Train for NDS rom loading.

And onto the Hype Train for save support!

 

[ianolivia]

ds download play needs to be fixed i tried it and it causes communication error on both 3ds

"Don't expect high compatibility or save support yet, but do expect many, many updates."

 

[adrifcastr]

ds download play needs to be fixed i tried it and it causes communication error on both 3ds

 

[Small Kat]

He is working for free and doesn't have to do your requests.

Its not just me, many people voted on "that thread", and I just thought he focus on the homebrews he said he'd worked on.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Yep. Saving isn't patched at all, so it saves exactly where it used to.

This brings me back to the early days of DS flashcarts, where you needed a PassMe device with a real cart inserted and the ROM on the slot-2 cart would save to the NDS cart. Feels like we traveled back in time

 

[xtheman]

Its not just me, many people voted on "that thread", and I just thought he focus on the homebrews he said he'd worked on.

Maybe he is working on it in his free time. Maybe he found bigger projects (like this) to work on. Maybe he lost interest in it.
I voted in the thread but I'm not shitting on him for not showing off a Dosbox emulator yet.

 

[Wiidii100]

Hurray, Taiko DS works! (kinda)

 

[wg93589]

MKDS isn't working for me.

 

[metroid maniac]

This brings me back to the early days of DS flashcarts, where you needed a PassMe device with a real cart inserted and the ROM on the slot-2 cart would save to the NDS cart. Feels like we traveled back in time

Cheap as chips slot-1 cards are an innovation we should all be thankful for.

 

[Deleted User]

Its not just me, many people voted on "that thread", and I just thought he focus on the homebrews he said he'd worked on.

If you're doing something for free or as a hobby you can drop or continue what you want. Im sure others will agree as well. A hobby is a hobby. Be happy someone even considered your homebrew request instead of not hearing anything at all.

Be grateful for what you have