Hacking Game Cartridges and system updates/firmware

[NicEXE]

My original 3DS is currently on 4.3.0-10E mainly because this is the last supported firmware for my AK2i but also because I want to keep the exploit used by 3DS cards.
I do not own any 3DS flashcard at the moment but I plan on getting an MT-card (or maybe a Gateway 3DS if they get stop attacking consumers) when the homebrew scene becomes a bit more active.

My question is. If I get Animal Crossing: New Leaf, will this game upgrade my 3DS to a newer firmware? I want to keep my firmware up to 4.5 for when the time comes and I get a 3DS flashcard.

 

[gamesquest1]

Use gateway b1 with classic mode, it will keep you on 4.3 but you will be able to play newer retail games, and b1 is perfectly safe to use

 

[Veho]

My question is. If I get Animal Crossing: New Leaf, will this game upgrade my 3DS to a newer firmware? I want to keep my firmware up to 4.5 for when the time comes and I get a 3DS flashcard.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf will force you to upgrade the firmware to 5.1.

Here's a list of 3DS games and firmware versions they require:

http://www.eurasia.nu/wiki/index.php/3DS_Games_with_firmware_updates_in_the_4.1_-_4.5_range

 

[zhdarkstar]

The only way AC:NL won't force you to upgrade your firmware is if you're running it in emuNAND, which you could install on your 3DS right now without having a Gateway/MT-card. Just be forewarned that AC:NL is one of those games that if you start the game in emuNAND, the save file won't work on anything but emuNAND. It would show up as corrupted if you were to try to play it afterwards in a regular 3DS.

OT: Everytime I typed emuNAND, my fingers kept typing emuNANA...

 

[Patxinco]

The pal version of the game updates to 4.5, if you get the Pal version, which i assume cause you're in Cyprus, you'll still could use a flashcart, last exploitable version is 4.5.

 

[nickerous]

I am playing New Leaf on my 4.5.10 original 3ds. The system tries to get me to update the firmware everytime i go back to the menu, but i can play the game.

 

[NicEXE]

The pal version of the game updates to 4.5, if you get the Pal version, which i assume cause you're in Cyprus, you'll still could use a flashcart, last exploitable version is 4.5.

Awesome. Cyprus strictly uses PAL games so I should be fine.

I might take a NAND dump as soon as I find a capable person to solder a wire on my CLK pin or find someone to lend me his 3DS flashcard. My soldering iron is too fat for that kind of job.

 

[YoshiInAVoid]

If you have a DS flashcard you can backup your NAND without hardware mod. You don't need a 3DS flashcard.

 

[NicEXE]

If you have a DS flashcard you can backup your NAND without hardware mod. You don't need a 3DS flashcard.

How? Can you provide any links?
I think you are referring to the NAND chip found on the game cartridges that holds the save data, not the one that holds the 3DS firmware.

 

[YoshiInAVoid]

No. You just run the nds file of GW 2.01b on any DS flashcard and select backup system NAND, you don't need the GW card.

 

[RachelB]

Animal crossing is 4.5. I used it to upgrade.

 

[Saturosias]

Are there two versions of Animal Crossing (USA) or something? People repeatedly claim that it requires 5.1.0 but mine doesn't even attempt to update my SysNAND past 4.5.0-10U. edit: + above poster.

 

[NicEXE]

No. You just run the nds file of GW 2.01b on any DS flashcard and select backup system NAND, you don't need the GW card.

You need a GW card. if you simply launch launcher.dat with no GW card will make the system freeze.

 

[redkeyboard]

The wiki is wrong. Animal Crossing is 4.5. Even the source the wiki cites claims it is 4.5.

You can't trust everything from the wiki, check the sources too.

 

[RachelB]

You need a GW card. if you simply launch launcher.dat with no GW card will make the system freeze.

No you don't, and no it won't. Everything but running roms works just fine without it.

 

[NicEXE]

Sometimes it wont freeze. Right after the GW logo the screen goes black and then I return to the main menu.

 

[NicEXE]

I used a different SD card in my 3DS and it now worked. Thanks.