Hacking Should I get a DS Lite?

[Lucifer666]

All right so the issue starts with the fact that I'm replaying old Pokémon games. I beat LeafGreen recently and want to transfer my Pokémon (via Pal Park) to D/P/Pl/HG/SS, however I no longer have a DS lite anymore, as I now have a 3DS and a 3DS XL instead.

I can get a new DS Lite for as cheap as $69.99 if I look in the right places. Now, the issue is: I don't have a flash cart and haven't had one in a few years. I had two Acekard 2i's as well as two original R4s, but I quit piracy quite a while back and wasn't really into homebrew.

Now obviously the Supercard DS Two is the leading cart, and I've read a good amount on it. It seems very tempting in terms of homebrew (on-board CPU, and extended RAM) and watching videos, but I have one question:

Is there any way I can use the DS Two using whatever software/homebrew to transfer Pokémon from my GBA games to my DS games? I don't care if I have to pull out saves and copy .pkm files. I don't care about the hassle, but will the Supercard be able to provide for my needs?

So basically it's more of a SCDS2 vs DS Lite thread. TLDR; let me sum it up.

SCDS2:
Pros:

• Homebrew with an on-board CPU and extended RAM
• GBA and SNES emulation (I don't really mind pirating games of discontinued systems)
• Cheaper than DS Lite

Cons:

• I'll still have to play my original GBA games on my AGS-001 GBA SP (bad screen)
• Not even sure it can help me transfer my Pokémon

NDS Lite:

Pros:

• I can play GBA games on a good, colourful screen with an actual backlight
• Allows me to obtain rare Pokémon in all 4th gen games if I insert GBA carts while playing
• It's a new system
• Can use Pal Park

Cons:

• No SNES emulation
• More expensive than SCDS2
• No homebrew

All right your help would seriously be appreciated. Also I apologise if this is in the wrong section. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Playing legit GBA games on a DS Lite is infinitely better than playing them on a DSTwo as the DSTwo doesn't have the greatest emulators for GBA/SNES.

 

[Lucifer666]

Playing legit GBA games on a DS Lite is infinitely better than playing them on a DSTwo as the DSTwo doesn't have the greatest emulators for GBA/SNES.

If I didn't already mention it somewhere up there, I currently use my GBA SP. The main issue is just transferring my Pokémon. Also I'm aware of the lag/choppiness/failure of the SCDS2 emulators.
Thanks

 

[chris888222]

If you really just want to transfer your pokemon, just DSTWO would suffice.

But playing the game... My DSTWO plays Emerald with minimal issues, but nothing beats actual backwards compatibility.
Depends on whether you are willing to fork out the cash.

Of course with the DSTWO you can do *ahem* stuff.

 

[Arras]

Are you using a legit LeafGreen? I don't think there's any homebrew for extracting the save of GBA games unless you have a DS flashcart in the same system, so you'll need a DS Lite.

 

[The Catboy]

I say buy it. They are cheap and easy to find. Not to mention you might end up needing it to update your flashcards.

 

[EyeZ]

Isn't the DSL the more preferred option to the 3DS to play the roms?

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Playing legit GBA games on a DS Lite is infinitely better than playing them on a DSTwo as the DSTwo doesn't have the greatest emulators for GBA/SNES.

If I didn't already mention it somewhere up there, I currently use my GBA SP. The main issue is just transferring my Pokémon. Also I'm aware of the lag/choppiness/failure of the SCDS2 emulators.
Thanks

You mentioned it, it's just the DS Lite is so much better than the 001 SP, with especially that backlight. While DSTwos are great and all, I would much prefer actual hardware (or actual hardware with backwards compatibility, whatever lol) than a flashcard.

 

[The Catboy]

Isn't the DSL the more preferred option to the 3DS to play the roms?

Well since it can't update to block flashcards, I would suggest it over the 3DS for flashcards.

 

[EyeZ]

Isn't the DSL the more preferred option to the 3DS to play the roms?

Well since it can't update to block flashcards, I would suggest it over the 3DS for flashcards.

I was more referring to how the roms play, i'm sure i read some posts mentioning to the quality of the screen resolution being worse on the 3DS

 

[The Catboy]

Isn't the DSL the more preferred option to the 3DS to play the roms?

Well since it can't update to block flashcards, I would suggest it over the 3DS for flashcards.

I was more referring to how the roms play, i'm sure i read some posts mentioning to the quality of the screen resolution being worse on the 3DS

I have used both retail and flashcards on the 3DS and did notice the games looked a little fuzzy and low quality on it.

 

[trumpet-205]

DS Lite over DS2 if you want to play GBA game.

 

[Lucifer666]

If you really just want to transfer your pokemon, just DSTWO would suffice.

But playing the game... My DSTWO plays Emerald with minimal issues, but nothing beats actual backwards compatibility.
Depends on whether you are willing to fork out the cash.

Of course with the DSTWO you can do *ahem* stuff.

Are you using a legit LeafGreen? I don't think there's any homebrew for extracting the save of GBA games unless you have a DS flashcart in the same system, so you'll need a DS Lite.

I say buy it. They are cheap and easy to find. Not to mention you might end up needing it to update your flashcards.

You mentioned it, it's just the DS Lite is so much better than the 001 SP, with especially that backlight. While DSTwos are great and all, I would much prefer actual hardware (or actual hardware with backwards compatibility, whatever lol) than a flashcard.

Sorry about my poor wording in the OP. I am using original legit carts, as I don't pirate. I have all gen 3 games with Pokémon I'd like to transfer over to gen 4. My question was whether or not it is possible without using a DS Lite possibly using a SCDS2 or any other hardware. I listed some bullet points which clarify the pros and cons of getting a DS Lite vs getting a SCDS2.

Also Chris, your post confused me a little. "If you want to transfer your Pokémon, DSTwo would suffice." and then "My DSTwo played Emerald with minimal issues"
Are you implying Pal Park is usable if the game were emulated on the DSTwo?

And The CatBoy, I don't actually have flashcarts I'm worried about updating. I haven't had them in a while, hence my ignorance on the topic.

Also I really appreciate all your help!

 

[Arras]

Sorry about my poor wording in the OP. I am using original legit carts, as I don't pirate. I have all gen 3 games with Pokémon I'd like to transfer over to gen 4. My question was whether or not it is possible without using a DS Lite possibly using a SCDS2 or any other hardware. I listed some bullet points which clarify the pros and cons of getting a DS Lite vs getting a SCDS2.

Also Chris, your post confused me a little. "If you want to transfer your Pokémon, DSTwo would suffice." and then "My DSTwo played Emerald with minimal issues"
Are you implying Pal Park is usable if the game were emulated on the DSTwo?

And The CatBoy, I don't actually have flashcarts I'm worried about updating. I haven't had them in a while, hence my ignorance on the topic.

Also I really appreciate all your help!

It's not possible without either a DS Phat, DS Lite or something that can extract the save from both your GBA and DS games. Getting a Lite is the best option by far.

 

[Lucifer666]

It's not possible without either a DS Phat, DS Lite or something that can extract the save from both your GBA and DS games. Getting a Lite is the best option by far.

I see. Of course. Why did I forget about the fact that the 3DS doesn't have a second slot?! *facepalm*
Well I do have a DS Lite, but it's currently in pieces and has been for a year and a half. I just suck at soldering (to put the speakers on) and installing the top screen. I could get myself 2 top screens (just in case) and some solder for less than $30.
With that being said, I'd still be able to pay for a Supercard, but I wonder if I'm going to have any use for it, especially when I own a Dingoo.
Anyway thanks a lot everyone!

 

[chris888222]

My bad. You NEED a DS Lite to perform Pal Park. I was saying that PP works on a flashcart as well. So sorry about that.

 

[GammaGeorgeX]

No matter what, I'd say to buy the DS lite, because with the homebrew app gba backup tool, you have perfect sav file access besides buying the games. But on the other hand, if have the 3ds already, I'd think for dstwo.

 

[StruttingPhil]

If you are like me, and generally love playing on real Pokemon game cards, I'd strongly, strongly recommend a DS Lite. I have 2 R4 cards and a DSTwo, after testing out things like the DSTwos GBA emulator, I still prefer running the normal games on my DS Lite instead of my DSI XL. Besides this, I tend to only use my flashcards for emulation. If you also wanna play 1st or 2nd gen of pokemon on your DS, get an R4 Gold Plus, it can run on all systems, DS, DSL, DSI / XL, 3DS / XL, and install Lameboy, http://lameboy.nutki.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/lameboy_ds-012.zip . I have played every game from 1st gen to 5th gen on my DS Lite, and I recommend this more than running on my DSTwo.

 

[suppow]

in case i got everything right;
if you have LEGIT GBA carts (ie, not pirate, not flashcart)
you'll need the DSL, and you can do that with the slot 2,
i might be wrong, but if your DS cart is a flash cart (ie, not LEGIT DS pokemon cart), you might have to patch the rom first, or it might delete your GBA save,
same goes for the other way around (non-legit GBA + LEGIT DS game, or non-legit GBA + non-legit DS game)

either way, back up your saves first.

with the DSTWO you can emulate GBA games, it's ok, but i prefer playing GBA games on the 101 SP than on any DS.
you can emulate DS games, but you cant trasfer pokemon from GBA to DS (since you need two slots)

to back up your GBA saves you need a DS/DSL, for the second slot, you can try with a GBA + a GBA flashcart, but it's harder.
(you put the GBA game in the SLOT-2, and a DS flashcart in the SLOT-1)

i think DS games play better on a DS than a 3DS, and GBA games look better on a GBASP101 than a DS.

if you'd get a DSTWO just for GBA games, i think it's better to get an EZ4.
if you want the DSTW to trade pokemon, then get the DSL.
if you want to back up your saves, you'll need a DS flashcart, if you dont have one, you dont need to get a DSTWO,
you can just get a R4i3DS, which is really cheap (like $1) and will work perfect for that and other things, (only no GBA emulation).

about fixing your NDSL, if it's really easy to take appart if you are careful.
if the flex cable of your screen broke, then you'll have to replace it, but it doesnt need soldering (only for the speakers),
if only the hinge broke, you dont have to replace the screen, only the shell (if the flex cable is fine)
soldering the speakers is the easiest soldering part in the DSL.

i dont know if i was clear, but i hope you got some answers

Playing legit GBA games on a DS Lite is infinitely better than playing them on a DSTwo as the DSTwo doesn't have the greatest emulators for GBA/SNES.

true.