How to run GBA games on your DS

How to run GBA games on your DS

Slot-1 Flashcarts

There are four flashcarts that can emulate GBA games without the need for a slot-2 cart.
  • Supercard DSTWO
  • EX4i
  • iPlayer
  • iSmart MM
  • CycloDSi Evolution (only works on a DSi and is extremely limited)
  • Insert the microSD card from the DSTWO into the computer
  • Download v1.21 of NDSGBA and move it to your microSD card (an older version, so don't update it). After that, download game_config.txt and move that to your microSD card's NDSGBA folder.
  • After doing so, obtain a GBA game (either by dumping it yourself or downlading one online) to verify that the emulator is working correctly. Once you have obtained the game, move the file to the root of the microSD card.
  • Insert the microSD card into the DSTWO and then insert the DSTWO inside a DS system. Select 'GBA emulator' on the DSTWO menu.
  • Select 'New' and you should find a list of GBA games. Select the game and it should start.
  • Insert the microSD card from the EX4i into the computer.
  • Download the firmware from here. Once it is downloaded, extract it using a program such as WinRAR and drag and drop the files into the root of the microSD card.
  • After doing so, obtain a GBA game (either by dumping it yourself or downlading one online) to verify that the emulator is working correctly. Once you have obtained the game, move the file to the root of the microSD card.
  • Insert the microSD card into the EX4i and then insert the EX4i inside a DS system.
  • Select the DS icon (two rectangles on top of each other) and then select 'GAMES'. Once you have done that, select a GBA game file and run it.
  • Insert the microSD card from the iPlayer into the computer.
  • Download the iPlayer GBA emulator from here.
  • Copy the "plugins" folder into /_system/ in the microSD card.
  • Once you have done that, insert the microSD card into the iPlayer and then insert the iPlayer inside a DS system.
  • Select 'Homebrew' from the iPlayer menu and then select a GBA game file.
  • Insert the microSD card from the iSmart MM into the computer.
  • After doing so, obtain a GBA game (either by dumping it yourself or downlading one online) to verify that the emulator is working correctly. Once you have obtained the game, move the file to the root of the microSD card.
  • Insert the microSD card into the iSmart MM and then insert the iSmart MM inside a DS system.
  • On the main menu, select 'GBA emulator'. After that, select the game and it should start up.


Slot-2 Flashcarts

You can also run GBA games using the below slot-2 flashcart. Do note that flashcarts of this type will only work in a DS Phat or DS Lite system. Flashcarts of this type will provide you with perfect GBA game compatibility.
  • EZ Flash 3-in-1
  • EZ-Flash IV
  • Insert a microSD card into your computer from your respective flashcart.
  • Create "/GBA_SAVE" and "/GBA_SIGN" folders on the root of your MicroSD card. (Modify "GBA_ExpLoader.ini" to set different folders)
  • Copy GBA files into "/GBA_SIGN".
  • Put SAV files into "/GBA_SAVE".
  • To run the game, browse to the GBA file and press A to launch it. (If the game is too big to launch in PSRAM, press R to switch to NOR, then press A to launch it.)
  • After doing so, obtain a GBA game (either by dumping it yourself or downlading one online) to verify that the emulator is working correctly. Once you have obtained the game, move the file to the root of the microSD card.
  • Move both files to the miniSD from the EZ-Flash IV
  • Get a DS flashcart and insert the microSD card from it into the computer
  • Download the appropriate firmware and move it into the microSD
  • Insert the microSD into the flashcart
  • Insert both the EZ-Flash IV and your DS flashcart into Slot 2 and Slot 1 respectively
  • Launch the Slot-2 icon when you boot into the flashcard's menu and select the GBA game

ichichfly's GBA emulator

This method requires the use of a GBA emulator created by ichichfly.
  • Download and then unpack the latest version of the emulator (link) to the root of your microSD.
  • Move your GBA roms and homebrew to your flashcart. Note that the file extension must be .agb, .bin or .mb (.gba does not work)
  • Launch your GBA roms/games like you would launch DS games.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Margen67

saphiren

Member
Newcomer
Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
17
Trophies
0
XP
191
Country
United States
QUOTE(Terminator02 @ Jun 23 2011, 09:48 PM)

QUOTE(Ziko @ Jun 20 2011, 09:29 PM)
Well darkinertia, when you find it, let me know. I would love to use whatever you're using. I want to play some of these GBA roms I have.

whatever he claims he used doesn't exist

back in the days of slot-2 flashcarts there were programs that converted .nds games into .nds.gba to be compatible with them

you need a Lite with the 3-in-1 and exploader, or just buy a DSTwo



lol i figured no one would believe me, but i swear all i remember doing is downloading a program that turned the gba rom into a ds rom, and itll show up on r4 wood as a gba for the icon, i start it up, it shows a dos prompt style screen where it loads it and it runs...and if i would upload a link of it if i wouldnt get in trouble lol

Are you thinking of NDStation, perhaps?
 

bradzx

x-Darkie-x
Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
2,171
Trophies
0
Location
Ponyville
XP
1,419
Country
United States
Um...this will be work in M3 DS Real or not? Just wonder if there is support for M3 DS REal.
How much of the first post did you look at?

Your section would be "alternative for all flash carts".
Oh ok. I just make sure.

Um I did load hmspeedup.nds on my M3 ds real and it nothing happen. Just black and white screen. Did I do something wrong?
 

MavNix

Member
Newcomer
Joined
Nov 30, 2011
Messages
6
Trophies
0
XP
1
Country
Hey there, I'm a newbie to flash carts and homebrew software. I've bought a R4i 3DS Gold, which of the instructions in the tutorial should I follow? From my first look I think it's the EX4i section I should look at? Thanks heaps, I'm really looking forward to playing the old GBA games on DS :).
 

Buleste

Old Fart
Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2010
Messages
852
Trophies
0
Age
51
Website
www.redbubble.com
XP
590
Country
Hey there, I'm a newbie to flash carts and homebrew software. I've bought a R4i 3DS Gold, which of the instructions in the tutorial should I follow? From my first look I think it's the EX4i section I should look at? Thanks heaps, I'm really looking forward to playing the old GBA games on DS :).
None of the various R4i 3DS Gold cards can play GBA games by themselves. If you have a DS/DS Lite you can play GBA games if you also have a GBA flashcart as well (Slot-2). If you have a DSi or 3DS you will need either a Supercard DS2 (best GBA emulation), iPlayer/iSmart MM or EX4i as the DSi/3DS does not have a Slot-2.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person

MavNix

Member
Newcomer
Joined
Nov 30, 2011
Messages
6
Trophies
0
XP
1
Country
I'm not sure how to notify people on here, is it just with an @ before the name?

@Buleste is the Supercard DS2 simply an emulation program to run the GBA files on DS?
 

Buleste

Old Fart
Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2010
Messages
852
Trophies
0
Age
51
Website
www.redbubble.com
XP
590
Country
I'm not sure how to notify people on here, is it just with an @ before the name?

@Buleste is the Supercard DS2 simply an emulation program to run the GBA files on DS?
The Supercard DSTwo is a Slot-1 flashcart with a CPU and memory that gives it the power to run GBA emulation. The iSmart MM and iPlayer also have a CPU (albeit slower) and extra memory to run a GBA emulator. I'm not sure how the EX4i does it but I believe of the 4 options it is the worst GBA emulation. You cannot download the GBA emulator for the SCDS2 and run it on any other flashcart. Same goes with the iSMM and the iPlayer.
 

overlord00

A motherfucking birdplane
Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
661
Trophies
0
XP
482
Country
since this topic has been bumped recently, i shall ask this;
any new/better ways to run GBA emulators via DSiWAREHAX/SudokuHAX ?
I've tested this method with Minish Cap and no dice.
 

MavNix

Member
Newcomer
Joined
Nov 30, 2011
Messages
6
Trophies
0
XP
1
Country
I only have the flashcart I mentioned above. It's running DS games perfectly, I'm curious as to why it can not run GBA/ GBC games though.
 

Buleste

Old Fart
Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2010
Messages
852
Trophies
0
Age
51
Website
www.redbubble.com
XP
590
Country
I only have the flashcart I mentioned above. It's running DS games perfectly, I'm curious as to why it can not run GBA/ GBC games though.
It can run GB/GBC games. You have to use Lameboy. However it cannot run GBA games as it runs only in DS Mode and DS Mode is just not powerful enough to run GBA games (DS/DSLite have GBA hardware built in that's why they can run GBA games).
 

MavNix

Member
Newcomer
Joined
Nov 30, 2011
Messages
6
Trophies
0
XP
1
Country
Thanks for your patience. I have DS as well as the 3DS, but from what you've said I will need a different cart to run the GBA games on the DS anyway?

I'm having trouble with lameboy, but I'll post a more relevant thread about that.
 

afehst

Member
Newcomer
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
9
Trophies
0
XP
90
Country
Netherlands
Hallo everyone,
i have a DS phat, a DS lite and a DS I,

I bought the R4I,

but now i really want to play gba roms, so i have to buy a new r4 flash-card,

but wich one should i have to buy?,

witch one is the best for playing gba roms, and can also play NDS roms without any problems?

witch one will work best?,

please can you help my?......
 

ScarletCrystals

Useless Bunny of Paradise
Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2010
Messages
941
Trophies
0
Age
33
Location
Bamboo Forest, Gensokyo
XP
421
Country
Canada
Hallo everyone,
i have a DS phat, a DS lite and a DS I,

I bought the R4I,

but now i really want to play gba roms, so i have to buy a new r4 flash-card,

but wich one should i have to buy?,

witch one is the best for playing gba roms, and can also play NDS roms without any problems?

witch one will work best?,

please can you help my?......
I don't believe any r4/clones are capable of playing GBA games. Get a DStwo if you want to emulate GBA from slot-1.
 

afehst

Member
Newcomer
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
9
Trophies
0
XP
90
Country
Netherlands
Hallo everyone,
i have a DS phat, a DS lite and a DS I,

I bought the R4I,

but now i really want to play gba roms, so i have to buy a new r4 flash-card,

but wich one should i have to buy?,

witch one is the best for playing gba roms, and can also play NDS roms without any problems?

witch one will work best?,

please can you help my?......
I don't believe any r4/clones are capable of playing GBA games. Get a DStwo if you want to emulate GBA from slot-1.
why the DStwo, is this better than de other ones, what are the differences?
 

afehst

Member
Newcomer
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
9
Trophies
0
XP
90
Country
Netherlands
The DSTwo and iSmart series are the only carts to play most retail GBA games properly. Your average flash cart can't do that for various reasons.

Of the two, the DSTwo's GBA emulator is better.
oke, thanks, i'm going to buy the DSTwo, but (when) will the flash-cards support a 64gb sdhc?, and if I buy the DStwo, can i update it so it accept a 64gb sdhc, if there is going to be a update so it support a 64gb sdhc?
 

Site & Scene News

Popular threads in this forum

General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    SylverReZ @ SylverReZ: @salazarcosplay, Morning