Hacking question about updating my 3ds firmware

[daskrip]

I've been a browser here for a while and this is my first post so if there's some rule I'm not following please don't KILL me.

My 3DS firmware is currently 4.5.0-10U, the latest possible for flashcarts to still work. I don't have a flashcart yet, but I do have Pokemon X which I really want to play. The problem is that playing it requires updating my 3DS.

So, should I expect flashcarts to, at some point soon, work with later firmwares? Is it okay for me to update my 3DS and play Pokemon X? Or should I refrain lest not being able to use a flashcart in the future?

Thanks!

 

[IronClouds]

3DS flashcarts are able to emulate 3DS firmware alongside the actual 3DS firmware. That's called the emuNAND (emulated NAND). Think of it like dual booting. The emuNAND, because it's physically located on the SD card, can be updated just fine as long as your 3DS' main NAND remains on 4.5.

To answer your question, you can play your retail copy Pokémon X. But not before you get a flashcart, install emuNAND and update the emuNAND to a firmware that would allow launching the game (I think with X/Y, it's 6.3 or higher).

 

[Plunt]

If you have a ds mode flash cart you can use it to install the gateway exploit and create an emunand so you can avoid updating

Edit ninja'd

 

[daskrip]

3DS flashcarts are able to emulate 3DS firmware alongside the actual 3DS firmware. That's called the emuNAND (emulated NAND). Think of it like dual booting. The emuNAND, because it's physically located on the SD card, can be updated just fine as long as your 3DS' main NAND remains on 4.5.

To answer your question, you can play your retail copy Pokémon X. But not before you get a flashcart, install emuNAND and update the emuNAND to a firmware that would allow launching the game (I think with X/Y, it's 6.3 or higher).

Whoa. And a flashcart is needed for me to emulate a newer firmware? I can't do it with an SD card alone?
I guess in that case I should just look for a 3DS to borrow from a friend and get a flashcart for myself later on? Thanks.

 

[IronClouds]

Whoa. And a flashcart is needed for me to emulate a newer firmware? I can't do it with an SD card alone?
I guess in that case I should just look for a 3DS to borrow from a friend and get a flashcart for myself later on? Thanks.

If money's an issue, you can use a regular DS flashcart and do emuNAND that way. But if you're planning on running 3DS ROMs on it, then you can't do any better than the Gateway (despite the bricking rumors). But yes, a flashcart is required.

Edit: This is because the exploit that is needed for emuNAND is installed from a DS-mode flashcart, which is why 3DS flashcarts you'd buy will come with 2 carts: a DS mode cart and a 3DS mode cart.

 

[daskrip]

If money's an issue, you can use a regular DS flashcart and do emuNAND that way. But if you're planning on running 3DS ROMs on it, then you can't do any better than the Gateway (despite the bricking rumors). But yes, a flashcart is required.

Edit: This is because the exploit that is needed for emuNAND is installed from a DS-mode flashcart, which is why 3DS flashcarts you'd buy will come with 2 carts: a DS mode cart and a 3DS mode cart.

Then I'll probably get Gateway, but not yet. I remember that a long time ago the 3DS flashcarts were only available by shipping. Are they in stores yet?

 

[gamesquest1]

Then I'll probably get Gateway, but not yet. I remember that a long time ago the 3DS flashcarts were only available by shipping. Are they in stores yet?

they will never really be "in stores" you may find some more shady market traders etc, but those kinds of people usually only stock the cheapest possible card, regardless of safety or functionality

....But i suppose it does vary from country to country

 

[IronClouds]

Then I'll probably get Gateway, but not yet. I remember that a long time ago the 3DS flashcarts were only available by shipping. Are they in stores yet?

Aside from what gamesquest1 said, I'd recommend doing a little research into Gateway's recommended resellers. There are some that ship from Canada and are relatively quick.

 

[redkeyboard]

You can get a DS flashcart that installs the exploit for like $4.