Hacking 3DS R4 flashcard won't play 3DS games but why ?

[tw_fan]

I recently installed some 3DS games on my new 3DS flashcard but they won't start. I've got an R4 3DS Upgrade SDHC Gold Pro

Do you know the reason why ?

 

[porkiewpyne]

Because that flashcart doesn't play 3DS games. It only plays DS games on the 3DS.

Follow https://3ds.hacks.guide/ to get Custom Firmware to play 3DS games

 

[tw_fan]

Because that flashcart doesn't play 3DS games. It only plays DS games on the 3DS.

Follow https://3ds.hacks.guide/ to get Custom Firmware to play 3DS games

Sorry but I'm not going to do this since I know the risks of homebrew !

 

[migles]

Sorry but I'm not going to do this since I know the risks of homebrew !

as said above, that card is for DS games, it doesn't play 3ds games, the 3ds in the name is the marketing way of saying "its works in the 3ds"

the risks of homebrew nowadays are none, its always due to user error.. unless you are worried about being banned from online.. in that case i suggest getting a second hand 3ds system to modify

 

[retrofan_k]

It's user error that is the risk, not the homebrew itself.

 

[KleinesSinchen]

The “3DS” in the name of numerous (cheap) flashcarts is a little misleading – they are still flashcarts for DS games. When the DSi was introduced Nintendo started fighting against Slot-1 carts. All DS games that existed at that point were put on a whitelist – newer DS games contain a signature.

If you insert a DS cartridge into a DSi or 2/3DS, the console looks if it is on the whitelist – or has a valid signature. If not, the “game” is ignored.

Newer flashcarts pretend to be a retail game (on the whitelist). Therefore the flashcart must contain at least parts of the ROM of the game it pretends to be. With this trick flashcarts can be used on a DSi and… the 2/3DS systems. (I’m omitting the cat and mouse game Nintendo played for a while)

Your R4 3DS SDHC Gold Pro also pretends to be a DS game. If you start the “game” the 3DS reboots to DS-mode (TWLFIRM, another operating system) and at this point essentially becomes an old DS (reduced resolution, no 3D, not using the ARM11 main CPU, no access to the NAND and the SD inside the console, 4MB(or16MB) RAM only) and is not able to start 3DS software at this point.

Flashcarts for the 3DS mode exist:

• Gateway (and clones) → Uses also a custom firmware, outdated and dangerous nowadays. Does not work on current firmware.
• Stargate → As far as I know from the same team as Gateway, also a CFW. thanks @maorninja for the correction. I should have read more carefully instead of just looking for some buzzwords in the manual:
  • 3DS functions like Sky3DS+, same limitations as below.
    
  • Can act as normal DS flashcart as well
  • Can act as ntrboot flashcart for installing CFW.
  • → But, without searching for sources now: I've read here on GBAtemp that there are some problems with Stargate and installed B9S/Luma.
• Sky3DS(+) → This needs no modification on the 3DS. But is expensive and has many limitations:
  • Only plays unmodified, encrypted ROMs of the same region as the console; this means:
  • No Eshop only games.
  • No romhacks.
  • It basically mimics the legit 3DS game of the currently loaded ROM.
  • No additional functions like the R4 offers for DS games.

========
The decision about homebrew and CFW is up to you – of course – but everybody here can tell you: It is safe unless you do stupid things on purpose and ignore big red warnings that pop up before doing these stupid things. And even then: With the R4 you have, you can always recover from any software damage (keeping a NAND backup is a must).

Reading the guide surely does not do any harm. The guide is long, but only because it is a step-by-step guide.

 

[Alexander1970]

Hello.

Did you buy/get another flascard ?


If not:

https://gbatemp.net/threads/hi-im-new-here.533187/page-2

Your wish to play 3DS games doesn´t work,sorry !

 

[tw_fan]

as said above, that card is for DS games, it doesn't play 3ds games, the 3ds in the name is the marketing way of saying "its works in the 3ds"

the risks of homebrew nowadays are none, its always due to user error.. unless you are worried about being banned from online.. in that case i suggest getting a second hand 3ds system to modify

Would you risk breaking your 3DS if you've got a special edition that's not being produced anymore ?

 

[migles]

Would you risk breaking your 3DS if you've got a special edition that's not being produced anymore ?

no, not at all. "special editions" are no different in hardware or software than any other consoles, its just a different plastic shell. has no effect at all.
i personally had a zelda 3ds XXL, a pokemon X\Y edition, and now i own a NEW 3ds XXL SNES edition. i modded all and had no issues
the only issue i had was when my old zelda 3ds got banned online for playing pokemon moon before the release

unless you are talking about special cases like developer or kiosk units. in theese cases i don't know if the current mods support them

 

[tw_fan]

no, not at all. "special editions" are no different in hardware or software than any other consoles, its just a different plastic shell. has no effect at all.
i personally had a zelda 3ds XXL, a pokemon X\Y edition, and now i own a NEW 3ds XXL SNES edition. i modded all and had no issues
the only issue i had was when my old zelda 3ds got banned online for playing pokemon moon before the release

unless you are talking about special cases like developer or kiosk units. in theese cases i don't know if the current mods support them

I've got this special edition and I don't want to risk anything

 

[KleinesSinchen]

Would you risk breaking your 3DS if you've got a special edition that's not being produced anymore ?

Yes, I know what you mean: I’m very cautious, one could even say paranoid, with the SNES edition of the N3DSXL. No software modification on that one (and not using any third-party devices in the cartridge slot that need way more power than a standard game).

I've done quite some "funny" things with my other 2/3DS consoles and never encountered any problem. The CFW and all that homebrew stuff is safe (unless you delete things on purpose)

Paranoid, but still: No B9S, no flashcart in my SNES edition 3DS.

Getting an old 2DS in good condition (for testing the CFW) is cheaper than the Sky3DS+

no, not at all. "special editions" are no different in hardware or software than any other consoles, its just a different plastic shell. has no effect at all.

Yes, but I'm lazy and 3DS consoles are finnicky with their ribbon cables and ZIF-connectors. Swapping mainboards is not a nice task.

 

[Purple_Heart]

i have an Pokemon X/Y 3ds xl...have cfw on it....nothing happened

 

[x65943]

I think you must be mixing up the switch with the 3ds

The 3ds has no risks for Homebrew (provided you don't cheat online or do other extremely stupid stuff) - just about everyone here has luma + b9s and our 3DSs are fine. I've been tinkering with mine since 2014 and have used gateway, cakes, rei, aurei and luma / a9lh and b9s - I can still access online

I even played Pokemon Moon early, I just didn't go online.

Just install luma/b9s

 

[KleinesSinchen]

*Redacted*

One last hint: If you ever decide to get a Sky3DS+ (not a good idea, it overpriced and has so many limitations), you won’t find much help here on the forum if it makes any problems. Asking for help concerning 3DS flashcarts guarantees lots of friendly (and less friendly) suggestions to "just ditch the cart and install CFW" (not much tolerance here for that topic).

 

[porkiewpyne]

@tw_fan Alright. I would suggest that you get off your high horse. You asked a question and we answered. You don't have to follow our suggestions. No dramas. It's a free world and you get to make your own choices. What I will NOT tolerate is the rudeness you have demonstrated, especially when they have been nothing but polite. None of us here owe you anything and we sure as hell do not deserve to be spoken to in that manner.

I would also recommend that you read the terms and rules found here.

 

[tw_fan]

@tw_fan Alright. I would suggest that you get off your high horse. You asked a question and we answered. You don't have to follow our suggestions. No dramas. It's a free world and you get to make your own choices. What I will NOT tolerate is the rudeness you have demonstrated, especially when they have been nothing but polite. None of us here owe you anything and we sure as hell do not deserve to be spoken to in that manner.

I would also recommend that you read the terms and rules found here.

Neither do I deserve to be talked to like this. You are the ones that should get down their high horse. No one has the right to forbid me to talk in my mother tongue. How can you say they've been nice to me when they are the ones who want to forbid me to talk in my mother tongue. You don't leave me any other choice but to report all of you for harassing me. I don't tolerate any negative actions against me, doesn't matter for what reason !

 

[retrofan_k]

Your not going to last long here with your attitude and arguing with mod staff. Nobody is forbidding you to not speak in German but general rules of English speaking forums is posting in English only or post in your native language but have a English translation, so others can assist.

 

[Foxi4]

Long story short, the flashcard you purchased is not compatible with 3DS games and will never play them, no matter what. You have two options, you can either hack your 3DS as it was suggested to you *or* you can buy a card that natively supports 3DS games, like a SKY3DS. If you choose the latter path to proceed, make sure you purchase a revision that supports FAT32/exFAT (SKY3DS+) and not one that relies on a template as the old revision is no longer supported to my knowledge and newer games likely won't work on it. It's the only style of card that'll work without running any homebrew. In either case you're already technically risking your special edition - those cards are not licensed by Nintendo and, as someone quite funny put it many years back, they're the equivalent of shoving a soggy piece of toast into your console, anything can happen. Keep in mind that without a private header injected into your ROM's you risk getting banned from online play when using cards like Sky as your pirated copy is easily detectible, which is why this method of loading has fallen out of style - I would limit its use to offline play only. I would also tone down your attitude towards other members and staff if I were you - everyone here is trying to help you, you just refuse to listen. I don't know if this thread has any further merit @tw_fan - if you want to keep it open to receive shopping advice, I'll leave it open.

 

[Issac]

There's a third option. Buy the games.

 

[lukands]

I`d be curious to hear where the OP even got instructions and/or guide on how to "install 3ds games on a R4 3ds flashcart"?