Hacking Technically, Why don't GBA VC dumps run?

apoptygma

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I'm interested in the technical reasons why other VC titles currently work (NES, GB) and yet GBA titles don't. Does anyone have any incite into how the the structure or emulation differs enough that the DRM restriction bypass in place when using a GW3D aren't sufficient for the titles to execute?
 

Snailface

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I'm interested in the technical reasons why other VC titles currently work (NES, GB) and yet GBA titles don't. Does anyone have any incite into how the the structure or emulation differs enough that the DRM restriction bypass in place when using a GW3D aren't sufficient for the titles to execute?
GB and nes games are played via a 3ds mode emulator. GBA games are launched via running a different firmware (AGB_FIRM) to run straight off of the hardware like a real GBA. It's similar to how DS games run on the system.

Its probably not impossible to do given the OS manages to make GBA games boot, but its probably more work than what it's worth. Not to mention, running AGB_firm will clear the GW hax out of memory requiring a DS profile relaunch.
 
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apoptygma

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So AGB_FIRM executes GBA code, TWL_FIRM handles DS(i) and NATIVE_FIRM runs 3DS code is that correct? Is that to say that TWL_FIRM's encryption is non-existent in that a standard DS flashcart allows execution in this compatibility mode or is it the case that there is some level of encryption on TWL_FIRM and this is the reason only newer DS(i) carts will work on a 3DS system? It's intersting that there's a separate firmware just for GBA emulation and if that's the case, which it appears to be I can see how it's been relatively un-targeted for exploitation.

Edit: having read up a bit more it's now painfully obvious what a stupid question this is. It's because there's no emulation of any kind. For those who are wondering the same thing as I was the simplest explanation is that it's not possible for the same reason that GCN titles were not playable in the early days on a softmodded Wii, the 3DS contains actual GBA hardware that is used to play the titles.
 

Snailface

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So AGB_FIRM executes GBA code, TWL_FIRM handles DS(i) and NATIVE_FIRM runs 3DS code is that correct? Is that to say that TWL_FIRM's encryption is non-existent in that a standard DS flashcart allows execution in this compatibility mode or is it the case that there is some level of encryption on TWL_FIRM and this is the reason only newer DS(i) carts will work on a 3DS system? It's intersting that there's a separate firmware just for GBA emulation and if that's the case, which it appears to be I can see how it's been relatively un-targeted for exploitation.
Not too long ago a software GBA emu was discovered bundled with other VC emulators in a scene release (i think a GBC one). Yellows8 theorized Nintendo initially planned on using the software emu for the ambassador games but gave up when the performance wasn't up to snuff. That's why they went with the AGB_FIRM route: its cheaper to develop and performs better (this is at the expense of nice features of course, but good enough for Ambassador suckers i guess :P).
 

phanteon

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is it possible to leave that ABG_FIRM intact in emunand in order to run gba games from there? without wiping the gw launcher from sysnand?
 

Drenn

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I wonder, if anyone's tried launching the GBA dumps without using emunand. The reason I ask is because legitimate ambassador VC titles don't work with gateway + emunand. Then again, maybe it's gateway's other hacks that prevent it from working, rather than the emunand.
 

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