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.
 
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afehst

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64GB SDHC's don't exist, it's the SDXC format that goes past 32GB. From what I've read it may just be a filesystem change so some things might be updated to support them, but I wouldn't count on it.

You can fit like 100 games in an 8GB anyways. DS games are tiny.
your write, but i want to put all my gba games on it, 2810 gba games, and and all these games are more than 15gb, and i also want put all my ds games, and these are more than 5000 games, so i dont think it will pas on a 32gb sdhc, so...... but any way, thanks for your help
 

NES SNES V.B. N64 G.C. Wii WiiU

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64GB SDHC's don't exist, it's the SDXC format that goes past 32GB. From what I've read it may just be a filesystem change so some things might be updated to support them, but I wouldn't count on it.

You can fit like 100 games in an 8GB anyways. DS games are tiny.
your write, but i want to put all my gba games on it, 2810 gba games, and and all these games are more than 15gb, and i also want put all my ds games, and these are more than 5000 games, so i dont think it will pas on a 32gb sdhc, so...... but any way, thanks for your help
Did you download every game ever made for those 2 systems!?! Anyway, with those figures you would be bound to have the same game from all regions (PAL, NTSC, etc) and you don't need the same game 3 times... go through and delete the double/triple/quadruple/whatever-ups...
 

afehst

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64GB SDHC's don't exist, it's the SDXC format that goes past 32GB. From what I've read it may just be a filesystem change so some things might be updated to support them, but I wouldn't count on it.

You can fit like 100 games in an 8GB anyways. DS games are tiny.
your write, but i want to put all my gba games on it, 2810 gba games, and and all these games are more than 15gb, and i also want put all my ds games, and these are more than 5000 games, so i dont think it will pas on a 32gb sdhc, so...... but any way, thanks for your help
Did you download every game ever made for those 2 systems!?! Anyway, with those figures you would be bound to have the same game from all regions (PAL, NTSC, etc) and you don't need the same game 3 times... go through and delete the double/triple/quadruple/whatever-ups...
yep, i;m going to do that, thanks to all of you
 

Metal Militia31

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I know im way late to this party :ha: but what exactly does the RED mean
  • "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.)"
  • meanbecause I put my save files I made from an emulator in the "/GBA_SAVE" to load and its not loading. This is really my first time trying to do this so any help is good thanks!
 

raystriker

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Dear soulx
the gba emu by ichfly has been and i am afraid that the one in your post is outdated will/could you update your post?
 

raystriker

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  • Insert the microSD card from your flashcart into the computer.
  • Download the GBA emulator from here.
  • Drag and drop the file "hwspeedup.nds" from the "hwspeedup" folder into the root of the microSD card.
  • Obtain a GBA game either by dumping it yourself or finding it online or simply get a GBA homebrew. Make sure that it is 2MB or smaller.
  • Rename the GBA game/homebrew to "gba.gba". and move it to the microSD card.
  • Insert the microSD card back into your flashcart and insert that back into your DSi.
  • Load "hwspeedup.nds".
Needs an update
 

SonicRings

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I am having an issue with my ez Flash 3in1. Simply put, it does not keep my saves at all. I put my ROM in the GAME_SIGN folder and my save in the GAME_SAVE folder (those 2 folders were created automatically) with no luck. I also tried putting the save in the same folder as the ROM. Nothing. This problem happens both when using my DSTTi and DSTWO. It also does not keep a save when booting the ez Flash 3in1 as a GBA agme on the DS Lite menu. When I soft reset (A+B+Start+Select), I have to start a new game. After having completed a stage in which the game autosaves.
The ROM I am referring to is Sonic Advance 3.. I'd really appreciate some help. Thanks!
 

Foxi4

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Can someone put a video on youtube to show how to do it on Acekard 2i????????????????
Check the first post. There are numerous methods, different ones applying to different setups.

Do you have a Slot-1 + Slot-2 solution (DS Lite or DS Classic) or just the Acekard 2i? If the latter, follow the emulator instructions.
 

Fishaman P

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As already stated, ichichfly's GBA emulator has been updated with major new features.

- ROM size no longer matters (not even on standard DS)
- Boots a LOT of commercial games
- Sound support
- 60FPS with sound on quite a few commercial ROMs
- Save support

In fact, I would have to recommend his emulator over a slot2 cart if you're gonna be playing only a few GBA games.
 

PROTOBOY

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Can someone put a video on youtube to show how to do it on Acekard 2i????????????????
Check the first post. There are numerous methods, different ones applying to different setups.

Do you have a Slot-1 + Slot-2 solution (DS Lite or DS Classic) or just the Acekard 2i? If the latter, follow the emulator instructions.

I have only Acekard 2i, my ds don't have slot-2, it's DSi-XL.
 

Foxi4

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In fact, I would have to recommend his emulator over a slot2 cart if you're gonna be playing only a few GBA games.
N-no... :D Native Support > Emulation, forever and always. ;) Not to mention that a Slot-2 cart gives you other benefits as well.

I have only Acekard 2i, my ds don't have slot-2, it's DSi-XL.
Well then your only option is ichichfly's emulator - follow the instructions, ;)
 

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