Over the past four years, we - the LNH team - have been working hard on a project that some of you guys may have already heard about: an open-source flashcart that supports the DS, DSi and 3DS (in DSi mode), by the name of DSpico.


The project evolved from a simple flashcart, to a collection of individual components that work together. Each component has been separated in their own repositories, and can be modified to your liking. Each repository comes with their own README's and documentation.The DSpico project consists of the following components:

• DSpico Hardware - The hardware of the DSpico.
• DSpico Firmware - The firmware for the DSpico.
• DSpico Bootloader - Bootloader for the DSpico.
• DSpico DLDI - The DLDI for the DSpico.
• WRFUxxed exploit - Full-access DSi-mode exploit for WRFU Tester that can be used with DSpico.
• Pico Launcher - Front-end for Pico Loader.
• Pico Loader - DS(i) rom loader. Supports various flashcards, including the DSpico.

Guides to build your own DSpico, as well as instructions for compiling the software are also available. We tried to make the process as friendly as possible. An overview of the features can be found on the website, although each README has much more extensive documentation.

DSpico project index and guide: https://github.com/LNH-team/dspico
Our website: https://www.lnh-team.org/

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Here are a few images of DSpico:

Spoiler: Images

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QUICK FAQ (will be updated over time)​

- Q: Why use micro-usb over usb-c ?
- A: When we were making the hardware, using USB-C introduced more components that simply didnt fit on the board. We also had concerns of the usb-c port fitting nicely in the cartridge port, and fragility concerns with the shell.

- Q: Where can I order one ?
- A: Your best shot is joining a group buy, or finding a store that manufactures DSpico. We (the LNH Team) will not sell any boards.

- Q: How is compatibility ?
- A: Most of the DS library, as well as homebrew, should work. We do not have an official compatibility list, and we are aware of a few titles that do not work correctly at the moment.

- Q: Does this plays 3ds executables ?
- A: No.

- Q: Am I forced to use Pico launcher ?
- A: No. For instance, Wood menu and TwilightMenu++ work just fine. And vice versa as well, pico launcher is usable on other flashcarts.

- Q: Can i use ntrboot with this ?
- A: Yes, you can perform ntrboot on both 3ds and DSi. We recommend powering the board via micro-usb for DSi ntrboot.

- Q: I need assistance. Where do i go ?
- A: Join the DSi hacking discord, there is a dedicated dspico channel where you can ask your questions.

 

[Apache Thunder]

@Apache Thunder, gm9i on ak2i work perfectly

I've just now gotten my Ak2i to DLDI init from my build of ntr-hb-menu. I had to use the version of the DLDI driver Gm9i was using.

Right now I'm switching around mSD cards because I"m having an odd issue where I'm able to boot things off the Ak2i but on the next reboot my bootloader hangs. I think it's just due to my Ak2i being a bit cursed. It sometimes doesn't init in time for DSi System Menu to show the Nintendo logo on boot so it may be related to that.

 

[TheStonedModder]

Is there a group order for these going on yet?


Figured I should ask before placing this oshpark order

 

[rvtr]

Is there a group order for these going on yet?


Figured I should ask before placing this oshpark order

There are Canada, US, and Europe group buys in the DSi Mode Hacking server.

 

[HPR]

What is the difference between this and a regular DS flashcart? I assume it can play DSi games, no?

 

[Ghost]

I definitely want this for my collection

 

[XLuma]

What is the difference between this and a regular DS flashcart? I assume it can play DSi games, no?

id suggest reading the project's component's readmes as everyting brings its own bits of innovation. Yes it can play dsi games, in dsi mode with the wrguxxed exploit

 

[Flame]

I'm using PCBway.

Hopefully i don't f up in a big way.

 

[XLuma]

I'm using PCBway.

Hopefully i don't f up in a big way.

If you are unsure, join the dsi hacking discord, people have/currently are figuring out ordering off of manufacturers with correct component swaps and instructions

 

[TheStonedModder]

Is this true? It seems like it make adding IR support to this cart much easier

 

[XLuma]

Is this true? It seems like it make adding IR support to this cart much easier

View attachment 542772

yes this is true, but it doesnt really help with anything. In fact, the commands for IR were documented on nesdev some time ago already. DSpico comes with a dev port, and supports SPI commmunications so im fairly confident that an addon for dspico with IR could be made

 

[DSoryu]

New important compatibility fixes and improvements just dropped recently for pico-loader!

Check out the latest builds here: https://github.com/LNH-team/pico-loader/actions/runs/19899055716

1. EZ Flash Parallel Support!​

• Thanks to @lifehackerhansol this flashcard is now supported.
  Note: Speed related issues may still be expected, as this is related to hardware limitations rather than a software problem.

2. Games Using the "Homebrew Header" Anti-Piracy (AP) Trick​

• Nanashi No Gemu (including the English fan translation)
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates

3. Improvements to the AP Detection/Patching Engine​

Thanks to these improvements, the following games are now fully playable:

• Solatorobo: Red the Hunter.
• Saga 3: Shadow or Light.
• Other untested titles with known AP issues may also work fine.

Note: Saga 3: Shadow or Light has been a consistent problem in other known loaders, including nds-bootstrap.

 

[Jiro2]

You probably should add to the FAQ "does ntrboot work using this?"

 

[SuffahBish]

New important compatibility fixes and improvements just dropped recently for pico-loader!

Check out the latest builds here: https://github.com/LNH-team/pico-loader/actions/runs/19899055716

1. EZ Flash Parallel Support!​

• Thanks to @lifehackerhansol this flashcard is now supported.
  Note: Speed related issues may still be expected, as this is related to hardware limitations rather than a software problem.

2. Games Using the "Homebrew Header" Anti-Piracy (AP) Trick​

• Nanashi No Gemu (including the English fan translation)
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates

3. Improvements to the AP Detection/Patching Engine​

Thanks to these improvements, the following games are now fully playable:

• Solatorobo: Red the Hunter.
• Saga 3: Shadow or Light.
• Other untested titles with known AP issues may also work fine.

Note: Saga 3: Shadow or Light has been a consistent problem in other known loaders, including nds-bootstrap.

Might be a dumb question but are R4iLS carts supported? Considering they're basically the basically the same thing as the Ace3DS+ just with a different file name and encryption.

 

[chrisis685]

Might be a dumb question but are R4iLS carts supported? Considering they're basically the basically the same thing as the Ace3DS+ just with a different file name and encryption.

I have a cheap unlabelled R4iLS clone (I think; at least that's what I have to use with AOS) with the red PCB and "Deep Labyrinth" as game shown when entering it into a DS, and Pico Loader (as well as Pico Launcher) work perfectly fine with the ACE3DS build for me... so I assume "original" R4iLS carts (do these even exist?) should work as well...

 

[receptions]

This is genuinely so cool. Geeking out over the blueprints

 

[SylverReZ]

I have a cheap unlabelled R4iLS clone (I think; at least that's what I have to use with AOS) with the red PCB and "Deep Labyrinth" as game shown when entering it into a DS, and Pico Loader (as well as Pico Launcher) work perfectly fine with the ACE3DS build for me... so I assume "original" R4iLS carts (do these even exist?) should work as well...

Might be a dumb question but are R4iLS carts supported?

Yes, most of the Ace3DS+ & R4iLS flashcarts are supported with Pico-Loader.

Considering they're basically the basically the same thing as the Ace3DS+ just with a different file name and encryption.

Exactly this, and different headers for the boot file. The Ace3DS+ looks for 'ACEP' whereas R4iLS cards look for 'R4XX', both of the files share about the same encryption scheme and key.

 

[Aep]

Open source? holy shit

 

[SuffahBish]

Tried it on an R4iLS cart. Works well. It's really not ready to replace wood on this cart but it has real potential. The games that do launch run as you'd expect. There needs to be at least a soft reset button combo to go back to the menu though.

 

[Gericom]

Tried it on an R4iLS cart. Works well. It's really not ready to replace wood on this cart but it has real potential. The games that do launch run as you'd expect. There needs to be at least a soft reset button combo to go back to the menu though.

What games did you try that didn't work? Note that if you are using dumps with an encrypted secure area, you need to have the arm7 bios in the _pico folder.

 

[nitrozz]

ak2i work perfectly except dsi game decrypted