Hacking 3DS NOOB PARADISE - Ask questions here

[urbanracer34]

You don't need to be on an older firmware to mod a 3DS anymore. You can use either MSET9 or ntrboot with a compatible flashcart on the current one you have. 3DS Hacks Guide has the steps listed. https://3ds.hacks.guide/

Thank you! I have an old Acekard 2 version 2.1 and an old Nintendo DS Lite. Can I use this to mod my 3DS?

EDIT: MSET9 might be my best route. I can't find my DS Lite power supply.

 

[SylverReZ]

Thank you! I have an old Acekard 2 version 2.1 and an old Nintendo DS Lite. Can I use this to mod my 3DS?

Only the Acekard 2(i), some models of the DSTT(i), and most DSTT(i) DEMON cards manufactured around 2014+ from R4i-SDHC.com will work the best. They are really easy to get ahold of, in terms of the price alone. Just bear in mind that if you're getting the latter option, that is, the DEMON carts, there are reports of people who have bought them on AliExpress only receiving R4iLS clones instead, which are NOT compatible with the ntrboot exploit. So, either get those second-hand on eBay or from NDS-Card directly. With the first and second options, you should have no problems.

You can find the full list detailed here: https://3ds.hacks.guide/ntrboot.html

 

[urbanracer34]

Only the Acekard 2(i), some models of the DSTT(i), and most DSTT(i) DEMON cards manufactured around 2014+ from R4i-SDHC.com will work the best. They are really easy to get ahold of, in terms of the price alone. Just bear in mind that if you're getting the latter option, that is, the DEMON carts, there are reports of people who have bought them on AliExpress only receiving R4iLS clones instead, which are NOT compatible with the ntrboot exploit. So, either get those second-hand on eBay or from NDS-Card directly. With the first and second options, you should have no problems.

You can find the full list detailed here: https://3ds.hacks.guide/ntrboot.html

Crap. My flashcard is incompatible. I'll go with MSET9. Thanks for the advice.

 

[SylverReZ]

Crap. My flashcard is incompatible. I'll go with MSET9. Thanks for the advice.

Sure thing, dude. I'm glad I could help out.

Post automatically merged: Jan 30, 2026

(Note that if you want to keep using save data created with your Gateway, you will need to find some way to export it first.)

Just wanted to bump in for a second. Save data must be re-imported back to the gamecard using the Gateway launcher due to the save files using a different structure over conventional save files, then you can extract the save file from the gamecard using GodMode9 to have it complete. They don't work straight out of the box.

 

[urbanracer34]

I would like to acquire a DSPICO to help me mod my machine. Where in Canada can I buy one? I am also future proofing my setup with this purchase.

 

[Kwyjor]

I would like to acquire a DSPICO to help me mod my machine.

I hope you're aware there are other methods to "mod your machine" that do not require a flashcart? And that even if you did want to use a flashcart, there are various models available that are just as capable? (The Ace 3DS X seems to be popular these days.)

I am also future proofing my setup with this purchase.

I don't know what you mean by "future proofing". The odds of Nintendo releasing another firmware update at this point are negligible.

 

[urbanracer34]

I am aware of other options but I feel the DSPICO does the job.

What I mean by future proofing is I have an ancient DS flashcart and I would like something more capable and modern than the one I have.

 

[ChronoCrossfangirl2002]

I am aware of other options but I feel the DSPICO does the job.

What I mean by future proofing is I have an ancient DS flashcart and I would like something more capable and modern than the one I have.

you can buy them pre-built here:

US: https://store.phenommod.com/?post_type=product&p=6135
International: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256811389534788.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

Though you'll still need to compile the firmware.

 

[urbanracer34]

you can buy them pre-built here:

US: https://store.phenommod.com/?post_type=product&p=6135
International: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256811389534788.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

Though you'll still need to compile the firmware.

I found them here, should ship to Canada: https://www.laserbear.net/products/dspico

Guess I'll wait till they are back in stock.

Post automatically merged: Jan 31, 2026

FYI your "international" link appears to be broken. It's no longer available.

 

[HarmonieGirl]

Hello! How do I dump save files for my digital games? I want to get my Ultra Sun save file to continue on my AYN Thor but I've only seen guides for how to get save files for cartridge games and I have done that easily.

 

[ChronoCrossfangirl2002]

Hello! How do I dump save files for my digital games? I want to get my Ultra Sun save file to continue on my AYN Thor but I've only seen guides for how to get save files for cartridge games and I have done that easily.

it's the same as physical games, you just go into checkpoint, select ultra sun, then select backup and it'll dump your save

 

[HarmonieGirl]

it's the same as physical games, you just go into checkpoint, select ultra sun, then select backup and it'll dump your save

Ah, I see. I've been dumping everything via GodMode9.

 

[ChronoCrossfangirl2002]

Ah, I see. I've been dumping everything via GodMode9.

i thought as much. either way works for dumping, but checkpoint is easier for dumping digital titles despite being able to dump both physical and digital

 

[SylverReZ]

I am aware of other options but I feel the DSPICO does the job.

The DSpico does about the same as a flashcart in terms of playing games, but unlike others, the firmware needs building using the NDS firmware that has the blowfish tables, and it's not like you can copy a few files to the microSD and make it work. Ace3DS X carts are based on the R4iLS, and you can load the Pico-Launcher kernel onto them, just like what a DSpico has.

However, since the DSpico and Pico-Launcher are new, there are still a few nooks and crannies to iron out, such as compatibility issues with some games. Why not get a cheap flashcart if that's your main goal? But hey, if you'd like a DSpico, AliExpress has you covered; get the one from ChisFamily for the injection-molded shell—it's better than 3D-printed.

 

[HarmonieGirl]

i thought as much. either way works for dumping, but checkpoint is easier for dumping digital titles despite being able to dump both physical and digital

Well the problem for me is that I bought a new SD card to do this and my digital save files are on my old SD card which isn't hacked. I don't really know how to proceed with that, other than GodMode9 because it's still functional even with the original SD card. When I open up my 3DS with the old SD card, Checkpoint isn't there.

 

[SylverReZ]

Well the problem for me is that I bought a new SD card to do this and my digital save files are on my old SD card which isn't hacked. I don't really know how to proceed with that, other than GodMode9 because it's still functional even with the original SD card. When I open up my 3DS with the old SD card, Checkpoint isn't there.

https://wiki.hacks.guide/wiki/3DS:Moving_SD_Cards

If you're looking to transfer your data from a modded 3DS to another card, if that's what you're saying, then you can look here.

 

[urbanracer34]

The DSpico does about the same as a flashcart in terms of playing games, but unlike others, the firmware needs building using the NDS firmware that has the blowfish tables, and it's not like you can copy a few files to the microSD and make it work. Ace3DS X carts are based on the R4iLS, and you can load the Pico-Launcher kernel onto them, just like what a DSpico has.

However, since the DSpico and Pico-Launcher are new, there are still a few nooks and crannies to iron out, such as compatibility issues with some games. Why not get a cheap flashcart if that's your main goal? But hey, if you'd like a DSpico, AliExpress has you covered; get the one from ChisFamily for the injection-molded shell—it's better than 3D-printed.

Thanks for the advice. I'll think on it.

 

[Kwyjor]

Ah, I see. I've been dumping everything via GodMode9.

i thought as much. either way works for dumping, but checkpoint is easier for dumping digital titles despite being able to dump both physical and digital

Godmode9 dumps of cartridge save data are still encrypted and practically useless. Not sure what happens with digital save data.

When I open up my 3DS with the old SD card, Checkpoint isn't there.

Of course not; Checkpoint is installed to the SD card.

Well the problem for me is that I bought a new SD card to do this and my digital save files are on my old SD card which isn't hacked. I don't really know how to proceed with that, other than GodMode9 because it's still functional even with the original SD card.

You're not really supposed to use more than one SD card with a 3DS. boot9strap (and generally Luma) are installed to the 3DS internal NAND anyway.

If you want to keep using your new SD card, then you should backup the new card (just in case), format the card, test the empty card with h2testw (just to be safe), copy everything from your old card over to your new card, and then follow https://3ds.guide/restoring-updating-cfw .

(That https://wiki.hacks.guide/wiki/3DS:Moving_SD_Cards is a nice link; I'm going to have to use that one more often.)

 

[urbanracer34]

So I am looking at flash carts and I want to buy an Ace3DS X. Is there any shops in Canada to buy one from?

 

[ChronoCrossfangirl2002]

i was trying to install moonshell on 3ds and it just does not work i tried version 1 using this guide but anytime i opened a dpg file
i'd get a "load error" message, i transferred my moonshel 2 files over from my dsi to my 3ds and now i just get a white screen,
I've tried putting the clock speed to twl and make it play in DS mode.

I'm on v27.5.0 of Twilight Menu
v1.5.2 of NDS Bootstrap

I'm on this older version because I recall Moonshell only working with this version on my DSi

Also I'm aware of video player alternatives, they just seem more of a hassle to setup, i'd rather
stick with finding a solution for this if there is one.