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:

 

[Rockmaniac]

can i somehow check if mkds is my donor for sure?

No, the region of MKDS doesn't matter.

 

[RocketRobz]

can i somehow check if mkds is my donor for sure?

Just re-set the donor.

 

[Rockmaniac]

Yes. The rom was the culprit. The US rom gets me to the save screen - with and without donor rom. but then black screens as said. Is there any hope to solve that part too any time soon you think?

 

[WarioTails358]

the newest release of bootstrap let's me boot up mario and luigi bowsers inside story but i can't get past the file select menu, touching the bottom screen or any buttons doesn't seem to register or do anything? do i need a save file that's been started or has some progress?

 

[RocketRobz]

the newest release of bootstrap let's me boot up mario and luigi bowsers inside story but i can't get past the file select menu, touching the bottom screen or any buttons doesn't seem to register or do anything? do i need a save file that's been started or has some progress?

Not sure, but try an existing save file.

 

[nl255]

Atari's Greatest Hits Volume 1 boots now though since I don't have a donor cart handy it doesn't get past the "save data can not be accessed" error so I can't test it further. Saga 3 (SDK5) just gives a white screen though it might work with a donor cart. Saga 2 still has a white screen both with and without the MKDS donor rom.

 

[Dracari]

Chrono trigger is rather laggy but Saves do retain dont know if its saving to the donor card or .sav on SD.

 

[RocketRobz]

Chrono trigger is rather laggy but Saves do retain dont know if its saving to the donor card or .sav on SD.

It uses donor ROM, so it's saving to the .sav.

 

[nl255]

What do you use to determine the appropriate dataexclude/datainclude areas for a rom? Is there a modified desmume that is used to keep track of the most frequently accessed locations while playing or something?

 

[RocketRobz]

What do you use to determine the appropriate dataexclude/datainclude areas for a rom? Is there a modified desmume that is used to keep track of the most frequently accessed locations while playing or something?

I use dslazy and Tinke to find the data to include or exclude.

 

[Dracari]

It uses donor ROM, so it's saving to the .sav.

what usally helps in trying to find what needs to be excluded/included to reduce studder/lag to get near retail cart speeds?

 

[RocketRobz]

what usally helps in trying to find what needs to be excluded/included to reduce studder/lag to get near retail cart speeds?

Yes.

 

[lordkaos]

i managed to reduce chrono trigger to 40+ MB using dslazy, I just deleted all movies except the smallest one and replaced the opening movie with that one, and deleted a folder called extra, @Robz8 could you see if you can improve it some more with dataexclude?

 

[Dracari]

Yes.

im more or less trying to ask what helps in finding in the game that needs to be excluded from at load/and whitelisted at load to speed up load times (cause atm mainly Menus, Cs and heavy scene shifting lags .)

 

[zeroultima6]

I'm back with an update, Home button (or sleep mode) freeze galore on this list (at least 35 games or more), this is kinda of a issue in itself but what made some of the games like that even though can be fixed in the future update?

EDIT: Some of them i left it blank because i don't have a donor cart

 

[RocketRobz]

nds-bootstrap v0.7.3

What's new?

• nds-bootstrap has been ported to devkitARM r47!

Improvements/Bug fixes

• DSi users: Sound is now fixed!
  The code to workaround the bugged swiGetPitchTable function in DSi-mode, has been ported from SDK5 games, and now used to fix sound!
• 3DS users: Rockman EXE: Operate Shooting Star now loads into RAM.

Bug fix (DSi users)

• Fixed compatibility with some games:
  • Advance Wars: Dual Strike
  • Bomberman 2
  • The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Gets as far as the title screen.)
  • Rockman EXE: Operate Shooting Star
  • WarioWare: Touched
  • Yoshi Touch & Go

 

[KiiWii]

nds-bootstrap v0.7.3

What's new?

• nds-bootstrap has been ported to devkitARM r47!

Improvements/Bug fixes

• DSi users: Sound is now fixed!
  The code to workaround the bugged swiGetPitchTable function in DSi-mode, has been ported from SDK5 games, and now used to fix sound!
• 3DS users: Rockman EXE: Operate Shooting Star now loads into RAM.

Bug fix (DSi users)

• Fixed compatibility with some games:
  • Advance Wars: Dual Strike
  • Bomberman 2
  • The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Gets as far as the title screen.)
  • Rockman EXE: Operate Shooting Star
  • WarioWare: Touched
  • Yoshi Touch & Go

Great work thank you

 

[SlimPortable]

OH MY GOD!

With the latest update the Umihara Kawase DS collection boots now and it plays perfectly!!! It's a dream come true!

EDIT: Wow, the latest update is impressive! Bleach Dark Souls runs great with occasional stuttering. Culdcept also boots now with the english patch. It works almost perfectly with some rare audio issues. This is incredible!

 

[WarioTails358]

Donkey Kong Jungle Climber now boots! and there's almost no lag! I'll see if it lags when loading a level or during gameplay.

 

[EPgrouch]

Donkey Kong Jungle Climber now boots! and there's almost no lag! I'll see if it lags when loading a level or during gameplay.

that awesome to know that it works now. was just playing it some minor lag from time to time and loading takes a few seconds but otherwise it's good.
thanks for the hard work. looking forward to seeing kirby canvas curse and wario master of disguise working.

 

[THYPLEX]

that awesome to know that it works now. was just playing it some minor lag from time to time and loading takes a few seconds but otherwise it's good.
thanks for the hard work. looking forward to seeing kirby canvas curse and wario master of disguise working.

Wario master of disguise masterpiece

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

Seriously , it's such an underrated game