nds-bootstrap:

Thanks to the work of ahezard, Gericom, Apache, Robz8, _catcatcat, and shutterbug2000 and other contributors, we can now load NDS games from the SD card, without any flashcard/SLOT-1 card.

Don't expect high compatibility, but do expect many, many updates.

Compatibility listing:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LRTkXOUXraTMjg1eedz_f7b5jiuyMv2x6e_jY_nyHSc/edit#gid=0

The official Discord server for nds-bootstrap:
https://discordapp.com/invite/7bxTQfZ

The thread for the recommended loader (by Robz8):
https://gbatemp.net/threads/twloader-ctr-mode-nds-app.448375/

SRLoader for softmodded DSis (by Robz8):
https://gbatemp.net/threads/srloader-nds-app-for-dsi.472200/

If you're more of a forwarder person:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/nds-forwarder-cias-for-your-home-menu.426174/

Link to the releases page:
https://github.com/ahezard/nds-bootstrap/releases

Anti-Piracy patch list by Robz8
https://gbatemp.net/threads/ap-patch-preservation.477536/

Also, thank you to our testers:
Historian
JoshuaDoes
thejsa
Alerdy
PokeAcer

Spoiler: Videos

Also, a video thanks to Robz8:


And another thanks to Alerdy:

 

[TheArcadeStriker]

For Mario Kart DS, like 2 minutes and 29 seconds to it to get to the Nintendo screen, and adding to that the time to get to the title screen, it takes in total 3:32 from the time the Nintendo DS boot animation ends to the title screen.
Still more great improvements.

 

[RocketRobz]

For Mario Kart DS, like 2 minutes and 29 seconds to it to get to the Nintendo screen, and adding to that the time to get to the title screen, it takes in total 3:32 from the time the Nintendo DS boot animation ends to the title screen.
Still more great improvements.

That's strange. It isn't that slow for me.

 

[vander263]

^Maybe SD card velocity

 

[RocketRobz]

@Robz8, you know these games even when Sava Data is created for them, they don't recognize it?

Yes, but TWLoader still creates the saves, cause they'll work in the future.

 

[Makore]

That's strange. It isn't that slow for me.

Thanks, it's works now

 

[RocketRobz]

Nothing still

It should work with VRAM boost. Make sure your SD Card (if regular size) isn't locked.

 

[xJoelituh]

Try reinstalling the TWLNAND side CIA.

Yea, like Makore said, it works now, thanks :]

Gonna test the improvements. (FF 3 still error screen but fine)

 

[astrohoff]

Try reinstalling the TWLNAND side CIA.

Also fixed here, thanks!

 

[TheArcadeStriker]

welp, 1 minute with 45 seconds to get to the menu after choosing Single Player in MKDS, 15 seconds for it to load the character select screen, 15 seconds to move the cursor from one character to another, 13 seconds to change the kart, some micro loading times when the GP course preview pictures change, 3 minutes with 19 seconds to make the game get to the initial course preview, and 2:13 to start the race after the preview.
Even if it's impressive the reduction of loading times, they still have presence in MKDS by a long shot. I may have better luck with the Kiosk beta though with this version.

 

[vander263]

Kirby Mass Attack doesn't boot

 

[RocketRobz]

Kirby Mass Attack doesn't boot

That game is too new.

 

[TheArcadeStriker]

It takes like 36 seconds to get to Mr. Driller Drill Spirits intro/title screen. This one does seem to have more foreseeable utility at this moment.

 

[vander263]

These new games have a protection right?

 

[RocketRobz]

These new games have a protection right?

Nope. The newer games don't have their card read functions patched yet.

 

[TheArcadeStriker]

These new games have a protection right?

Well, I would doubt that Mass Attack worked, since it's a kinda relatively new game for the NDS (Like the Pokémon games, which don't work with the bootstrap yet either).

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Megaman ZX must be MCM-less to work in this version?
(Though I doubt the one I loaded right now was PROPERLY patched, it didn't read saves)

 

[vander263]

Kirby Squeak Squad is working

 

[RocketRobz]

Megaman ZX must be MCM-less to work in this version?
(Though I doubt the one I loaded right now was PROPERLY patched, it didn't read saves)

Mine is MCM-patched, but it's stuck on white screens.

 

[TheArcadeStriker]

Bomberman 2 takes 4:49 seconds from the end of Nintendo DS boot animation to the title screen (and that is after quickly skipping the intro).
The thing set itself again to the intro while I was writing this, so I will seee if I get to try the Combat mode soon.

 

[Stack3r]

@Robz8 my friends are getting the bootstrap.nds not found error, he has the latest one in the _nds folder what could be wrong?

 

[RocketRobz]

@Robz8 my friends are getting the bootstrap.nds not found error, he has the latest one in the _nds folder what could be wrong?

Get nds-bootstrap.ini from TWLoader.7z, and overwrite the one in "sdmc:/_nds/".