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.

 

[HoRy205]

I purchased two types of DS Pico cases on AliExpress. The one from the first link has the worst shell quality; when inserted into the DSi, it gets stuck and is difficult to remove. I am planning to return it.

The one from the second link has excellent shell quality and comes with high-quality stickers, though it looks better without them applied. I recommend this second link's product.

① https://a.aliexpress.com/_c3wcPhvt

②https://a.aliexpress.com/_c3zf08uT

Post automatically merged: Jan 29, 2026

I purchased two types of DS Pico cases on AliExpress. The one from the first link has the worst shell quality; when inserted into the DSi, it gets stuck and is difficult to remove. I am planning to return it.

The one from the second link has excellent shell quality and comes with high-quality stickers, though it looks better without them applied. I recommend this second link's product.

① https://a.aliexpress.com/_c3wcPhvt

②https://a.aliexpress.com/_c3zf08uT

Additionally, I found a USB-C DS Pico. I'm waiting for it to arrive. Just in case, I'll share the link.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_c3TzdibZ

 

[Tyvar1]

Found this! Amazing little thing!

https://github.com/Scaletta/PicoCover

”Automatically download and convert Nintendo DS cover art for Pico Launcher”

 

[Flame]

Just small nitpick. The DSpico runs at 200MHz. Also idk how the DSTwo works exactly, but the DSpico needs to process incoming card commands on the CPU in real time. After booting the second core is idle though and could probably do something else.

Finally. We can run Crysis!

 

[speedlolita]

I purchased two types of DS Pico cases on AliExpress. The one from the first link has the worst shell quality; when inserted into the DSi, it gets stuck and is difficult to remove. I am planning to return it.

The one from the second link has excellent shell quality and comes with high-quality stickers, though it looks better without them applied. I recommend this second link's product.

① https://a.aliexpress.com/_c3wcPhvt

②https://a.aliexpress.coI went looking for that post Colin made about MS and found a thread with m/_c3zf08uT

Post automatically merged: Jan 29, 2026

Additionally, I found a USB-C DS Pico. I'm waiting for it to arrive. Just in case, I'll share the link.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_c3TzdibZ

Nice. I've ordered both colours from the ChisFamily store and look forward to receiving them.

 

[SylverReZ]

Additionally, I found a USB-C DS Pico. I'm waiting for it to arrive. Just in case, I'll share the link.

I'll stick to using microUSB for the most part; I do not like how many USB types we have and that it becomes so inconvenient and difficult to connect older devices that use the one connector from previous gens to which they begin disappearing soon enough. I'd like the manufacturers to keep USB-C on all phones; storage devices, like flash drives, to USB-A, and portable MP3 players or small devices to microUSB or miniUSB.

The one from the second link has excellent shell quality and comes with high-quality stickers, though it looks better without them applied. I recommend this second link's product.

I've ordered the new plastic moulded one which should be a lot better quality than the 3D-printed one I complained about. Decent but not-so great, even the pegs that clip the cartridge together are breaking off as I examined the cart for the photos. Will keep the 3D-printed cart for spares and use the plastic as a daily driver.

 

[Hunter]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005011543027667.html the woodby9nd team version. It is still a 3d printed shell



https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005011543735291.html ChisFamily Store. This is injection molded

 

[HoRy205]

I flashed the ds pico's firmware, but the icon and title displayed on the DS show up as "Demonstration". How can I change this to the Raspberry Pi icon and "ds pico" title that appear on YouTube and such?

 

[Gericom]

I flashed the ds pico's firmware, but the icon and title displayed on the DS show up as "Demonstration". How can I change this to the Raspberry Pi icon and "ds pico" title that appear on YouTube and such?

If you only use modded DSi and 3DS devices, you can use the hybrid bootloader without wrfu. You'll then get the DSpico banner. However if you want to use the DSpico on unmodified DSi and 3DS devices, you need to keep using wrfu.

 

[SylverReZ]

https://kaicolabs.com/product/dspico-by-lnh/

Kaico has officially announced their variant of the DSpico on their store. It uses an injection-molded shell, much like the ChisFamily cart, and has a shiny label with the DSpico logo and their branding in the top-right. The item retails for £24.99 as of writing and will be released around March 2026; they're currently taking pre-orders.

 

[The Catboy]

I am actually slightly shocked Nintendo hasn't tried to DMCA Raspberry Pi due to this project. This is half of a joke

 

[DSoryu]

Pico-loader v1.5.0 Puppy Palace Release is here!

Get it here: https://github.com/LNH-team/pico-loader/releases/tag/v1.5.0

Important:
With this release a new file patchlist.bin is introduced that needs to be copied to the /_pico folder on your SD card.

Changelog:

• Reduced size of some patch codes - by @edo9300 and @Gericom
  • Fixes Dragon Quest Heroes - Rocket Slime (USA), Imagine - Fashion Designer (Europe) and Mugen Kouro (Japan)
• Added AP patch for Last Window: The Secret of Cape West - by @taxicat1
• Added missing CARDi_ReadRomIdCore signature for Top Spin 2 (USA) - by @taxicat1
  • Fixes Top Spin 2 (USA) on DSTT and slot 2 cards
• Ignore rom reads into null pointer destinations - by @taxicat1
  • Fixes Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
• Added patch list with misc arm9 patches and metafortress addresses - Implementation by @Gericom, patch list contents by @taxicat1
  • Puppy Palace (USA), My Puppy Shop (Europe), Machi no Pet-ya-san DS - 200 Piki Wan-chan Daishuugou (Japan)
  • Castlevania - Portrait of Ruin (USA) and (Europe), Akumajou Dracula - Gallery of Labyrinth (Japan), Akumajou Dracula - Gallery of Labyrinth (Japan) (Rev 1)
  • Luminous Arc 2 (USA) and (Europe), Luminous Arc 2 - Will (Japan)
  • Children of Mana (USA) and (Europe), Seiken Densetsu DS - Children of Mana (Japan)
  • Dementium II (USA) and (Europe), Tozasareta Byoutou - Dementium II (Japan)
  • Grand Theft Auto - Chinatown Wars (USA), (Europe) and (Japan)
  • Star Wars - The Clone Wars - Jedi Alliance (USA) and (Europe)
  • C.O.P. - The Recruit (USA) and (Europe)
  • Battle of Giants - Dragons (USA) (Rev 1), Combat of Giants - Dragons (Europe)
  • Battle of Giants - Mutant Insects (USA), Combat of Giants - Mutant Insects (Europe)
  • Captain America - Super Soldier (USA) and (Europe)
  • Imagine - Resort Owner (USA), Imagine - Dream Resort (Europe)
  • Might & Magic - Clash of Heroes (USA) and (Europe)
  • Prince of Persia - The Forgotten Sands (USA) and (Europe)
  • Kirby - Mass Attack (USA) and (Europe), Atsumete! Kirby (Japan), Moyeora! Kirby (Korea)
• Keep a valid stack pointer when booting the arm9
  • Fixes Battle of Giants - Mutant Insects (USA), Combat of Giants - Mutant Insects (Europe) together with the patch in the patch list
• Add system for adjusting addresses for autoload - by @taxicat1
  • Fixes New Super Mario Bros (USA)
• Improved handling of module params and locating of unused libsyscall space to support rom hacks that repack roms in unusual ways
  • Fixes Coropata (English translation)
• Attempt to fix rom hacks that decompress the arm9, but don't set compressedEnd to zero
  • Fixes Pokemon SoulSilver Deluxe (together with the fix for roms repacked in unusual ways)
• Added support for CARDi_ReadCard signature used by Chou Soujuu Mecha MG - by @taxicat1

 

[nitehack]

https://kaicolabs.com/product/dspico-by-lnh/

Kaico has officially announced their variant of the DSpico on their store. It uses an injection-molded shell, much like the ChisFamily cart, and has a shiny label with the DSpico logo and their branding in the top-right. The item retails for £24.99 as of writing and will be released around March 2026; they're currently taking pre-orders.

View attachment 554317

I don't know why, but looking at the pictures, it seems he simply bought DSpicos from chiscart and and he stuck a sticker on it. All details of the injection-molded shell match that of chiscart (I have one). Perhaps I'm wrong, but there are too many coincidences

 

[SylverReZ]

I don't know why, but looking at the pictures, it seems he simply bought DSpicos from chiscart and and he stuck a sticker on it. All details of the injection-molded shell match that of chiscart (I have one). Perhaps I'm wrong, but there are too many coincidences

From what I can tell by the photos, it looks to me that the PCB is about as identical to the ChisCart with its purple PCB and silkscreening for the fonts. It can be said the same for the shell, too; however, I can't tell for certain unless somebody orders one. And speaking of which, for the price alone as compared to what you can buy from AliExpress, I cannot recommend it knowing Kaico for reselling/re-purposing Bitfunx products from China at a markup. It's highly possible that they bought a ton of them in bulk to have their branding on them and hide the fact that they were from ChisCart. I only made this announcement because very few people know about it.

 

[SuffahBish]

I don't know why, but looking at the pictures, it seems he simply bought DSpicos from chiscart and and he stuck a sticker on it. All details of the injection-molded shell match that of chiscart (I have one). Perhaps I'm wrong, but there are too many coincidences

It's too bad you can't see your name on the cart in the photos. That would settle it real fast if it said niehack.

 

[SylverReZ]

It's too bad you can't see your name on the cart in the photos. That would settle it real fast if it said niehack.

It has come to my attention, that, the misspelling will likely be corrected in later batches it seems.

 

[Ghost]

There’s a restock on AliExpress tap in fellas

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLc3dGN

 

[SylverReZ]

This is the new ChisCart variant I ordered. Very happy with how it no longer gets stuck in my DS, quality control is a lot better.

Post in thread 'Things you recently bought or got'

Feb 5, 2026

Post automatically merged: Feb 6, 2026

I also got a Sky3DS (blue-button) for really cheap. Comes in its original packaging.

• SylverReZ

• 
• 

 

[Majro]

Well, I ordered a DSPico from one of the earlier links posted here and it arrived presumably unflashed. Or so I think at least because my 3DS isn't detecting it whatsoever.

But I also can't make any sense of the GitHub guides. Wish there was something simpler I could refer to.

 

[SylverReZ]

Well, I ordered a DSPico from one of the earlier links posted here and it arrived presumably unflashed. Or so I think at least because my 3DS isn't detecting it whatsoever.

Which variant did you pick from which seller?

 

[Majro]

Which variant did you pick from which seller?

This one, with the 3D case. Weren't too many listings around at that time I think.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010650741717.html

One review does say you need to set it up yourself so I guess that's on me. And funnily enough it was posted a day before I ordered mine.