Homebrew [HELP] Help a newbie installing his childhood love "Tyrian" on a New 3DS

[Skafsgaard]

Hi, everyone!
I've just discovered this fine community, and I humbly come asking for your help.
Due to me ending up writing quite a wall of text, I've split it into two segments. The "background" segment is basically non-essential, but provides an idea of why this is important to me. If you'd like to help, however, but don't feel like reading an essay, then you can simply skip to the "My problem" portion.

Background
I've always been a PC gamer at heart - that's what I played games on as a kid, when I was barely four, back in the early nineties. One of my childhood loves was the vertical scrolling SHMUP "Tyrian", which came out when I was six. I played that as much as possible, often cooperatively with my brother.

Fast forward almost exactly 20 years, and I'm still almost exclusively a PC gamer. I spend a lot of time playing games either from my childhood, or games that build on some of the ideas of those classic games. Tyrian (or rather, the source port "OpenTyrian") is still a title that I dig up at least yearly.

Less than a month ago I bought my first console since the GBA I bought when I was twelve. I bought a New Nintendo 3DS XL - and to my good fortune, I discovered that there's a lot of ported classic games available for it, especially on the eShop.
Something that's entirely lacking, however, are vertical SHMUP's. The few that I've found do not seem to be very good at all. Nanostray is probably the best bet, but seems so much more simple compared to my beloved Tyrian.

Imagine my joy, then, when just today I discovered that the OpenTyrian project has been ported to the DS! And imagine my confusion, then, when I have no experience with DS's or 3DS's, hacking or homebrews. To put it simply, I have no idea how I'd go about installing this masterpiece on my New 3DS, without ending up breaking it. And that's where, hopefully, you come in.

My problem
As I said, there's this DS port of OpenTyrian, and there's a few thing that's I'll need explained, or need some advice on. I hope you can help.

1. Is a New 3DS capable of running this at all, since it was originally built for the DS, or is this a lost cause?
2. In the installation guide it says that I need to make sure that: "Make sure you have a Nintendo DS capable of running homebrew code". How do I go about preparing my New 3DS to be able to run homebrews, and do I need some extra third party hardware in order to do so?
3. The installation guide also says that I need to patch the .NDS-file with the: "correct DLDI for your card". The link to site for downloading those DLDI's is dead, however. How do I find out what the correct DLDI is, and where would I get that DLDI?

I believe those three points are all that I'm unsure about. The rest is something I should be able to figure out on my own, I reckon.
In any case, I really hope that some of you here, with this fantastic know-how, can help me out, and are willing to spend a few minutes doing so.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Also, I hope that I've posted this to the correct sub-forum. If I haven't, then mods, feel free to either move the thread, or delete it and notify me about it, so that I may repost it to the correct sub-forum.

 

[migles]

My problem
As I said, there's this DS port of OpenTyrian, and there's a few thing that's I'll need explained, or need some advice on. I hope you can help.

1. Is a New 3DS capable of running this at all, since it was originally built for the DS, or is this a lost cause?
2. In the installation guide it says that I need to make sure that: "Make sure you have a Nintendo DS capable of running homebrew code". How do I go about preparing my New 3DS to be able to run homebrews, and do I need some extra third party hardware in order to do so?
3. The installation guide also says that I need to patch the .NDS-file with the: "correct DLDI for your card". The link to site for downloading those DLDI's is dead, however. How do I find out what the correct DLDI is, and where would I get that DLDI?

I believe those three points are all that I'm unsure about. The rest is something I should be able to figure out on my own, I reckon.
In any case, I really hope that some of you here, with this fantastic know-how, can help me out, and are willing to spend a few minutes doing so.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Also, I hope that I've posted this to the correct sub-forum. If I haven't, then mods, feel free to either move the thread, or delete it and notify me about it, so that I may repost it to the correct sub-forum.

its a great wall of text, but the answer is simple.

you just need a DS flashcart.. like this one http://www.nds-card.com/ProShow.asp?ProID=149
i would recommend you a DSTWO but this is hard to find.. they stop being manufactured

you just need that. the flashcart. doesn't matter if its a ds\ds lite a 3ds or a new 3ds. they all work the same. except the 3ds and dsi blocked a majoraty of cards


that card can play DS games, it also works with homebrew

DLDI is usually automatically patched on the card.. but that patch can be get somewhere if the card doesnt automatically do it (there is a database for that dldi, they are game\homebrew universal, you just need the correct one for the card you are using)

this homebrew is old, there are some stuff that made you confused because its outdated.. but you just need to get a DS flashcart (that works on new firmwares) and run the "app"


i will test that homebrew on my dstwo for you and tell if it works.

 

[Skafsgaard]

Thank you for your swift response, migles!

As for the flashcart - the SD-card that came with my New 3DS won't work just as well?
And if not, are you sure that the card you linked to also works for New 3DS? It doesn't say so on the page, but I trust you if you say so. I'll just get that card if that's all I need.

Regarding the DLDI - if it isn't automatically patched on the card, do you know where I can find that database of DLDI patches?

Thanks for your help, migles!

EDIT: That's extremely kind of you, to test the homebrew for me! Thank you so much!

 

[migles]

Thank you for your swift response, migles!

As for the flashcart - the SD-card that came with my New 3DS won't work just as well?
And if not, are you sure that the card you linked to also works for New 3DS? It doesn't say so on the page, but I trust you if you say so. I'll just get that card if that's all I need.

Regarding the DLDI - if it isn't automatically patched on the card, do you know where I can find that database of DLDI patches?

Thanks for your help, migles!

can confirm, it works fine on my 3ds. the game has a bit slowdown but its rarely noticed, you may want to get a fast micro sd card (class 10)


you can use that micro sd card that come with the 3ds, but keep in mind, the card that comes whit the consoles is slow, and you need to remove it and put on the flashcart. (and you will not be able to use it on the 3ds while its on the flashcart.. i really don't recommend you to use that one..)

any card that works on a 3ds with firmware above 7.x, will work on 9.4 or even on a NEW 3ds.
nintendo stoped blocking DS FLASHCARTS at 7.x

i found a website that sells the DSTWO for 40 dollars, the thing is, i dont know if that store is trusted.. or if they can scam\take a long time to send it..
some stores are selling DSTWO for 90 dollars, if you dont mind pay taht much, i can send you the links...

DLDI patch and homebrew capable DS. are old terms used on the first "hacks" for the DS...
before you had to use a PASS ME DEVICE to redirect the ds to read from gba flashcarts, and since they were all diferent, dldi patches were needed so the program knows which card is being used and get the data from the gba card instead the ds card. (short, and probably not 100% correct info)

but any card that is recent automatically patches dldi
some information about dldi:
http://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/DLDI

http://www.r4ids.cn/r4ids-e.htm this is the website manufacter from the card i showed to you. search on the page for DLDI you will find it says its automatically patched.

edit: i suggest you get a class 10 good brand micro sd card from a trusted store on your town. they are cheap (can buy one of 8 gb for 5 euros) and can be used for lots of stuff (if you decide you can also use on the 3ds)

 

[Technicmaster0]

1. Nope, the SD in the N3DS doesn't work without a flashcard.
2. Every card that works with the latest 3DS FW works as well with the latest New 3DS FW.
3. The card patches DLDI automatically. Every not completely shitty card released after 2009 should patch DLDI by itself (most of the earlier ones do that as well).

/edit

DLDI patch and homebrew capable DS. are old terms used on the first "hacks" for the DS...
before you had to use a PASS ME DEVICE to redirect the ds to read from gba flashcarts, and since they were all diferent, dldi patches were needed so the program knows which card is being used and get the data from the gba card instead the ds card. (short, and probably not 100% correct info)

but any card that is recent automatically patches dldi
some information about dldi:
http://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/DLDI

That is not true. Newer cards do the DLDI patch automatically but it's still very important to be done. And DLDI has nothing to do with PASS ME devices.
Every flashcard has it's own unique hardware (okay, clones don't). As that, they need their unique way to access the files on the SD. Normal DS applications don't have this problem since the flashcards are buit to be compatible with them but homebrew uses it's own filesystem (FAT) to load files from the SD (okay, they use NitroFS/ARGV now but that's another story).

 

[migles]

1. Nope, the SD in the N3DS doesn't work without a flashcard.
2. Every card that works with the latest 3DS FW works as well with the latest New 3DS FW.
3. The card patches DLDI automatically. Every not completely shitty card released after 2009 should patch DLDI by itself (most of the earlier ones do that as well).

/edit


That is not true. Newer cards do the DLDI patch automatically but it's still very important to be done. And DLDI has nothing to do with PASS ME devices.
Every flashcard has it's own unique hardware (okay, clones don't). As that, they need their unique way to access the files on the SD. Normal DS applications don't have this problem since the flashcards are buit to be compatible with them but homebrew uses it's own filesystem (FAT) to load files from the SD (okay, they use NitroFS/ARGV now but that's another story).

thanks for the info, i thought it was kinda related to pass me.. i tried to explain in not so confusing way..

lets not confuse the boy and say that its not needed to dldi patch.. because thesse cards (the ones that i mentioned) automatically do it.. (and it just worked for me without any issues, it even loads the music from the separated folders.)
he can still patch it, but its not needed... (the card will patch it again anyway)


EDIT: anyways. just to shoot down worries. i just checked, the dldi file is included on the firmware folder of the card. so you can manually patch it if you want to. here is it: http://filetrip.net/dl?FhXOBrY7vI

 

[Skafsgaard]

You guys have been tremendously helpful - thank you very much!

So, just to be sure - all I'd need is a microSD card, preferably class 10, and everything else (automatic DLDI patching included), would be taken care of, yes?
If that's the case, I've found a very cheap one a 16GB one for just 8.50€. It's this one. That would be all I need, correct?

 

[Technicmaster0]

You guys have been tremendously helpful - thank you very much!

So, just to be sure - all I'd need is a microSD card, preferably class 10, and everything else (automatic DLDI patching included), would be taken care of, yes?
If that's the case, I've found a very cheap one a 16GB one for just 8.50€. It's this one. That would be all I need, correct?

You still need the flashcard...

 

[nxwing]

You guys have been tremendously helpful - thank you very much!

So, just to be sure - all I'd need is a microSD card, preferably class 10, and everything else (automatic DLDI patching included), would be taken care of, yes?
If that's the case, I've found a very cheap one a 16GB one for just 8.50€. It's this one. That would be all I need, correct?

That should be pretty much what you need plus the flashcart and its firmware. DS flashcarts are pretty cheap with the reputable oned being at around 14-20$

 

[migles]

You guys have been tremendously helpful - thank you very much!

So, just to be sure - all I'd need is a microSD card, preferably class 10, and everything else (automatic DLDI patching included), would be taken care of, yes?
If that's the case, I've found a very cheap one a 16GB one for just 8.50€. It's this one. That would be all I need, correct?

you need a DS FLASHCART (the one i showed you from that website)

and you should get a micro sd card class 10

if you purchase the micro sd card BUY IT FROM A ELECTRONICS OR PHONE SHOP (or amazon)
if the card is too cheap compared to the usual price for that type of cards, its too good to be true.
lots of micro sd cards selling on dubious websites are fake brands.. and they are garbage, and give you problems...

when you get this stuff, not only you will play that game you really want, but almost every single DS game. you just need to get the games from some place (cant say which ones here) and put them on the micro sd card (that is on the flashcart) and play them.

 

[Skafsgaard]

Right. Sorry. I guess I'm just a confused newbie.

But, if I need the Class 10 Micro SD card to replace the stock SD card with, and store the game on the Mirco SD - what exactly is the flashcard used for, and how do I use it?
And what's the difference between getting the one that was linked to previously, and then the DSTWO that was recommended? How are they different?

 

[migles]

Right. Sorry. I guess I'm just a confused newbie.

But, if I need the Class 10 Micro SD card to replace the stock SD card with, and store the game on the Mirco SD - what exactly is the flashcard used for, and how do I use it?
And what's the difference between getting the one that was linked to previously, and then the DSTWO that was recommended? How are they different?

the micro sd card that i told you that you need. goes inside that DS FLASHCART.
the DS flashcart is pretending to be a DS game, so your 3ds\ds will run it

 

[Skafsgaard]

You guys are really patient with me. Again, thanks.

How do I make sure the correct firmware is on the flashcard, ArnoDorian? Does it just come with the right firmware?

And migles, the Micro SD card I linked to, that seems good enough doesn't it? I certainly think the site itself looks legit, so I wouldn't worry about it being a scam.

EDIT: Ah yeah. I understand now, migles. Again, thanks for being patient, and explaining it in layman's terms.
EDIT2: And indeed - it's going to be nice to be able to play a ton of other games, and probably emulate games as well, when I get this. Tyrian will likely just be the beginning.

 

[nxwing]

You guys are really patient with me. Again, thanks.

How do I make sure the correct firmware is on the flashcard, ArnoDorian? Does it just come with the right firmware?

And migles, the Micro SD card I linked to, that seems good enough doesn't it? I certainly think the site itself looks genuine, so I wouldn't worry about it being a scam.

EDIT: Ah yeah. I understand now, migles. Again, thanks for being patient, and explaining it in layman's terms.

The flashcart will have a sticker in front of it that says a website. I reccomend you get one that says r4ids.cn and you might need to update the cart using several patcges but that shouldn't be a problem

 

[migles]

You guys are really patient with me. Again, thanks.

How do I make sure the correct firmware is on the flashcard, ArnoDorian? Does it just come with the right firmware?

And migles, the Micro SD card I linked to, that seems good enough doesn't it? I certainly think the site itself looks genuine, so I wouldn't worry about it being a scam.

EDIT: Ah yeah. I understand now, migles. Again, thanks for being patient, and explaining it in layman's terms.

i don't know, but i wouldn't trust online websites... i mean, you get the card, it looks like a normal card, but its not a original one. it can be slow, and give you problems..

its like buying a fake game boy game. it works, but its problematic..

hers a picture that shows you why you need a micro sd card:



the firmware (for the card that i showed to you) is this file: http://filetrip.net/dl?FhXOBrY7vI

you will need to downlaod that, and copy into the micro sd that goes inside the flashcart.

 

[migles]

The flashcart will have a sticker in front of it that says a website. I reccomend you get one that says r4ids.cn and you might need to update the cart using several patcges but that shouldn't be a problem

i told him just to get that exact same one..

 

[Skafsgaard]

ArnoDorian: So, basically, I just get this and this, and I'm set? And I imagine I can find the correct patches for the flashcard on the listed website (r4ids.cn in this case)?
What's the difference between getting the flashcard I linked to above, and then the DSTWO one that I hear spoken so highly of?

Thanks for all your advice migles. I do believe that the site selling the Micro SD (class 10) card I linked to seems very legit, however. They're also based in the EU, and thus EU consumer protection and return laws apply to them. They could get in legal trouble if they sell products that don't live up to what's advertised.
Anyway, can you tell me what the difference between that r4id.cn card you linked to is, compared to that DSTWO card you talked about, which you made to sound superior? Thanks again.

 

[nxwing]

ArnoDorian: So, basically, I just get this and this, and I'm set? And I imagine I can find the correct patches for the flashcard on the listed website (r4ids.cn in this case)?
What's the difference between getting the flashcard I linked to above, and then the DSTWO one that I hear spoken so highly of?

DSTwo is considered one of the best flashcarts out there due to it not being needed to have a new revision released whenever there's a new update. r4ids.cn releases new revisions but there have been several workarounds to that already

 

[migles]

ArnoDorian: So, basically, I just get this and this, and I'm set? And I imagine I can find the correct patches for the flashcard on the listed website (r4ids.cn in this case)?
What's the difference between getting the flashcard I linked to above, and then the DSTWO one that I hear spoken so highly of?

dstwo is the Lamborghini
that r4 from that brand is the Porsche..

they both do the job, but dstwo is the best one, because it has a built in cpu for gba and snes games..
with the r4 you can play gbc games and nes games on emulatores, but gba is really poor limited..

however dstwo stoped being produced, so they are rare and expnsive to get...
but that exact same r4 is not bad..

 

[Skafsgaard]

I see - thanks ArnoDorian. So the only real difference between the two is that the r4ids.cn one needs to be patched every now and then? That doesn't seem like a lot of trouble, if it's much cheaper than that DSTWO card, which is out of production.

EDIT: Ah, I see. So if I want to do a lot of emulation, especially of SNES and GBA titles, I really should get a DSTWO card, then?