Hacking 2.1 firmware 3DS - precautions to take?

[sj33]

So my wife just gave me a 3DS that she won in a raffle years ago. She's no gamer so it is unused. I fired it up and I'm pleased to see that it has 2.1 firmware! Gateway 3DS will work okay!

Some small queries though. Should I update this to 4.5, or leave it at 2.1? I assume with emuNAND that there's no real need to update the base firmware, right?
Should the current system be backed up in some way, or is this relevant?

Sorry if these are daft questions. I never expected to ever get hold of such a low firmware console so I've never used 3DS homebrew.

 

[IronClouds]

Gateway will only work on firmwares 4.1 - 4.5, so definitely update if you wanna use Gateway. When you do update, at that time is when it's best to do a full NAND backup of your 4.x Gateway-compatible firmware. Also, there's a thread for basic questions like these. It's a sticky on this forum called 3DS NOOB PARADISE - Ask Questions Here.

 

[elmoemo]

Yea you need to update to 4.1 to 4.5. I updated to 4.5 with Luigi's mansion uk

 

[Vengenceonu]

Buy a game cart that has the 4.1 - 4.5 update on it. DONT update it using the System settings or any previous downloaded Update.

Heres a list of games with 4.1 - 4.5 update. http://www.eurasia.nu/wiki/index.php/3DS_Games_with_firmware_updates_in_the_4.1_-_4.5_range

 

[EMegamanu]

And do not switch on Internet when you update from a cartridge.

And when you update like this, the update version is indicated :

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

 

[sj33]

Thanks all.

My 3DS is actually Japanese, I'm thinking some of the update versions will be different with Japanese versions of games? I own Zelda OOT, Biohazard Mercenaries and Biohazard Revelations, Sonic Generations and Spirit Camera, all Japanese. Are any of these confirmed to contain 4.1 to 4.5 updates?

 

[Snailface]

Thanks all.

My 3DS is actually Japanese, I'm thinking some of the update versions will be different with Japanese versions of games? I own Zelda OOT, Biohazard Mercenaries and Biohazard Revelations, Sonic Generations and Spirit Camera, all Japanese. Are any of these confirmed to contain 4.1 to 4.5 updates?

none of those will work

go here
http://3ds.essh.co/
and type "JPN 4.5" in the search box to find a game you can use

 

[Vengenceonu]

none of those will work

go here
http://3ds.essh.co/
and type "JPN 4.5" in the search box to find a game you can use

it would be better for him to type "JPN 4." instead because it will give him the entire range of usuable games (82 in all).

 

[tbb043]

And do not switch on Internet when you update from a cartridge. \

Better yet, don't switch internet on at all until/unless Gateway gets emunand working on higher firmwares. Don't want it downloading an update on you accidentally.

 

[sj33]

I'm never going to add an internet connection to the thing anyway, for the same reason I don't have one on my WiiU. It's not worth the risk of an accidental update.

Thanks for the help! Looks like my choice of Japanese games with the required update is somewhat limited. I guess Donkey Kong world be worth buying.

 

[sj33]

Sorry for the double post.

Looking at the list, it looks like I can go with the Japanese versions of Luigi Mansion 2, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Shin Megami Tensei IV, Donkey Kong Returns 3D, Dragon Ball Heroes etc. I guess it doesn't particularly matter which firmware I go with as long as it's 4.1 to 4.5?

 

[elmoemo]

It doesn't particularly matter as far as features go but I was told to go for 4.3 or above, can't remember the reason off hand though

 

[Vengenceonu]

Sorry for the double post.

Looking at the list, it looks like I can go with the Japanese versions of Luigi Mansion 2, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Shin Megami Tensei IV, Donkey Kong Returns 3D, Dragon Ball Heroes etc. I guess it doesn't particularly matter which firmware I go with as long as it's 4.1 to 4.5?

Its all the same but some people feel more comfortable going to 4.5 event though there's no extra benefit.

 

[Nurio]

Sorry for the double post.

Looking at the list, it looks like I can go with the Japanese versions of Luigi Mansion 2, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Shin Megami Tensei IV, Donkey Kong Returns 3D, Dragon Ball Heroes etc. I guess it doesn't particularly matter which firmware I go with as long as it's 4.1 to 4.5?

It doesn't particularly matter as far as features go but I was told to go for 4.3 or above, can't remember the reason off hand though

4.1 was reported to have some issues way back in the past, but there haven't been any reported problems in a long time.
Anything above 4.3 blocks the Acekard (which won't matter if you don't have one).
This means that, taking this into account, 4.2 or 4.3 are the best to have... But really, the difference is entirely negligible. Anything from 4.1 to 4.5 is completely fine.

 

[sj33]

Thanks. Luigi Mansion 2 is the easiest game to find and that's 4.5, I believe.

Blocking Acekard isn't a problem in that there are plenty of other DS cards out there anyway, right?

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Thanks. Luigi Mansion 2 is the easiest game to find and that's 4.5, I believe.

Blocking Acekard isn't a problem in that there are plenty of other DS cards out there anyway, right?

Correct. There are other, better alternatives out there, if you don't have an Acekard already there's no reason you'd want to buy one. The one the Gateway comes with will do the job for DS games.

 

[sj33]

Just posting a response in case anybody else with a Japanese console is in the same situation. I have successfully updated to 4.1 using AKB48+Me. Why that game? Because it is extremely cheap - much cheaper than Luigi Mansion 2 etc. Only 980 yen at Edion! So if you can endure the embarrassment of walking up to the counter with an AKB48 game, then that is a really good game to use to update.

4.1 is obviously the lowest exploitable version, which I actually prefer to use. Works with marginally more DS carts too.

 

[drfsupercenter]

Just posting a response in case anybody else with a Japanese console is in the same situation. I have successfully updated to 4.1 using AKB48+Me. Why that game? Because it is extremely cheap - much cheaper than Luigi Mansion 2 etc. Only 980 yen at Edion! So if you can endure the embarrassment of walking up to the counter with an AKB48 game, then that is a really good game to use to update.

4.1 is obviously the lowest exploitable version, which I actually prefer to use. Works with marginally more DS carts too.

Hey man,

Great to hear. Seeing how you live in Japan and you're going to be getting a Gateway, I have a favor to ask you... but you have your profile set so I can't send you a private message. Would you mind sending one to me so I can explain? I've been looking for Gateway users in Japan for a while