Hacking DS - GBA Linkage Guide

TheSpade · Sep 30, 2008

Recently, I was prompted by friends to show them which DS games have the DS - GBA Linkage options. For those who are unaware, having cooresponding games provides bonuses within certain DS titles. I was a bit disheartened to find that the Wikipedia entry for them had been deleted. Whether this had been done due to the entry's long history without updates or malice on the part of an immature child, this information is still useful, considering the DS is recognized as the top handheld unit on the market today. I have taken it upon myself to recompile the privledges of owning both games, so let's get to it, shall we?

ADVICE: For best results, linkage should be between two games of the same region. To ensure your game cartridges match, check the serial numbers on the cartridges' labels. The region should be a part of each.

REQUEST: Should any cross-region games work or game pairings not listed which produce results, please feel free to respond WITH EVIDENCE. Word-of-mouth or a vague reference of a post from some random person in some forum are unacceptable. If you don't understand the concept of evidence, then don't bother contributing any data.

DS Game: Advance Wars - Dual Strike
GBA Games: Advance Wars, Advance Wars 2 - Black Hole Rising
Bonuses:
· New maps may be purchased for 1 point within the Battle Maps Shop.
· Advance Wars unlocks Advance Warpaper, Hachi's Land and Nell's Land.
· Advance Wars 2 - Black Hole Rising unlocks Advance Warpaper 2, Lash's Land and Strum's Land.

DS Game: Bleach DS - Souten ni Kakeru Unmei (Japan) a.k.a. Bleach - The Blades of Fate
GBA Game: Bleach Advance - Kurenai ni Somaru Soul Society (Japan)
NOTE: Unconfirmed reports that the linkage may work with the U.S. version.
Bonus:
· 500,000 points are given for the Urahara Shop.

DS Game: Castlevania - Dawn of Sorrow (Akumajou Dracula - Sougetsu no Juujika in Japan)
GBA Game: Castlevania - Aria of Sorrow (Castlevania - Akatsuki no Minuet in Japan)
Bonuses:
· You will receive the Rare Ring from the start of a new game.
· A Mina Doll appears on a shelf within Yoko's Shop. The doll will not be present without the GBA game inserted.

DS Game: Eyeshield 21 - Max Devil Power! (Japan)
GBA Game: Eyeshield 21 - DevilBats DevilDays (Japan)
Bonus:
· Beat the game to unlock Kengo Mizumachi & Shun Kakei.

DS Game: Feel the Magic - XY/XX (Project Rub in Europe & Kimi no Tame Nara Shineru in Japan)
GBA Games: ChuChu Rocket!, Puyo Pop (Minna de Puyo Puyo in Japan), Sonic Advance, Sonic Advance 2, Sonic Advance 3, Sonic Battle, Sonic Pinball Party, Space Channel 5 - Ulala's Cosmic Attack
Bonuses:
· ChuChu Rocket! or Sonic Pinball Party unlocks the NiGHTS Wig.
· Puyo Pop unlocks the Puyo Wig in Maniac Mode.
· Sonic Advance or Sonic Advance 2 unlocks the Sonic Wig.
· Sonic Advance 3 unlocks the Chao Wig.
· Sonic Battle or Space Channel 5 unlocks the Ulala Wig.

DS Game: Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Fuuketsu no Grimoire in Japan)
GBA Game: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Bonus:
· You can acquire the Clan Ability, Libra, at the start of the game or loading a previous save game.

DS Game: Frogger Helmet Chaos
GBA Games: Frogger's Adventures - Temple of the Frog, Frogger's Adventures 2 - The Lost Wand, Frogger's Journey - The Forgotten Relic
Bonuses:
· Temple of the Frog unlocks the Santa costume.
· The Lost Wand unlocks the Pirate costume.
· The Forgotten Relic unlocks the Punk costume.

DS Game: Fullmetal Alchemist - Dual Sympathy (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi - Dual Sympathy in Japan)
GBA Games: Hagane no Renkinjutsushi - Meisou no Rondo (Japan), Hagane no Renkinjutsushi - Omoide no Sonata (Japan)
Bonuses:
· Omoide no Sonata unlocks Picture 1-2.
· Meisou no Rondo unlocks Picture 1-3.

DS Game: Ganbare Goemon - Toukai Douchuu Ooedo Tengurigaeshi no Maki (Japan)
GBA Game: Kessakusen! Ganbare Goemon 1-2 (Japan)
Bonuses:
· Various characters from the GBA game will appear at select locations.
· Space Mambo is available in the Mini-Game option.

DS Game: Gyakuten Saiban - Yomigaeru Gyakuten (Japan) a.k.a. Phoenix Wright - Ace Attorney
GBA Game: Gyakuten Saiban (Japan)
Bonus:
· Unlocks Episode 5 (only works with the Japanese version).

DS Game: Gyakuten Saiban 2 (Japan) a.k.a. Phoenix Wright - Ace Attorney - Justice For All
GBA Game: Gyakuten Saiban 2 (Japan)
Bonus:
· Unlocks all cases (only works with the Japanese version).

DS Game: Gyakuten Saiban 3 (Japan) a.k.a. Phoenix Wright - Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations
GBA Game: Gyakuten Saiban 3 (Japan)
Bonus:
· Unlocks all cases (only works with the Japanese version).

DS Game: Harvest Moon DS (Bokujou Monogatari - Colobockle Station in Japan)
GBA Games: Harvest Moon - Friends of Mineral Town (Bokujou Monogatari - Mineral Town no Nakama-tachi in Japan), Harvest Moon - More Friends of Mineral Town (Bokujou Monogatari - Mineral Town no Nakama-tachi for Girl in Japan)
NOTE: You will need to leave the GBA cartridge in for 1 game day and then save your game on the DS. From then on, the additional content will be unlocked.
Bonuses:
· Background music tracks from Mineral Town become available for purchase from Jet at the Sprite Shop Company.
· Some of the characters who run the phone stores in Mineral Town will come and visit the valley on their day off. You may court and marry the Mineral Town girls, but the game will end, because you move to Mineral Town.
· Some of the other Mineral Town characters will also visit either weekly or to attend the festivals in the valley.
· If you linked your Mineral Town cartridge to Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life on GameCube, the name of your GameCube character will be engraved upon the tombstone behind the circus.
· Newspapers from Mineral Town will appear in the mailbox.

DS Game: Kim Possible - Kimmunicator
GBA Games: Kim Possible - Revenge of Monkey Fist, Kim Possible 2 - Drakken's Demise, Kim Possible 3 - Team Possible
Bonuses:
· Revenge of Monkey Fist unlocks the "Bueno Nacho" outfit.
· Drakken's Demise unlocks the super spy "Commando" outfit.
· Team Possible unlocks the white & blue "Super Suit" outfit.

DS Game: Kirby: Canvas Curse (Kirby - Power Paintbrush in Europe & Touch! Kirby in Japan)
GBA Games: Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land (Hoshi no Kirby - Yume no Izumi Deluxe in Japan), Kirby and the Amazing Mirror (Hoshi no Kirby - Kagami no Daimeikyuu in Japan)
Bonuses:
· Unlocks the Nightmare in Dreamland music.
· When you beat the game just once, the next file you load will have Waddle Doo unlocked.

DS Game: Knights in the Nightmare
GBA Game: Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone
Bonus:
· Unlocks the mysterious witch, Pamela.

DS Game: Madden NFL 06
GBA Games: Madden NFL 2005, Madden NFL 06
Bonus:
· A bonus set of Madden cards will appear that you can buy.

DS Game: MegaMan Battle Network 5 - Double Team DS (Rockman EXE 5 DS - Twin Leaders in Japan)
GBA Games: MegaMan Battle Network (Battle Network RockMan EXE in Japan), MegaMan Battle Network 2 (Battle Network RockMan EXE 2 in Japan), MegaMan Battle Network 3 Blue/White (Battle Network RockMan EXE 3/3 Black in Japan), MegaMan Battle Network 4 Blue Moon/Red Sun (Rockman EXE 4 - Tournament Blue Moon/Red Sun in Japan), Rockman EXE 4.5 - Real Operation (Japan), MegaMan Battle Network 5 - Team Colonel/Protoman (RockMan EXE 5 - Team of Blues/Carnel in Japan), Boktai - The Sun is in Your Hand (Bokura no Taiyou - Taiyou Action RPG in Japan), Boktai 2 - Solar Boy Django (Zoku Bokura no Taiyou - Taiyou Shounen Django in Japan), Shin Bokura no Taiyou - Gyakushuu no Sabata (Japan) a.k.a. Boktai 3
Bonuses:
· Forte XX can be fought through inserting any MegaMan Battle Network/RockMan EXE game. Going through the W Gate and saving successfuly afterwards will replace Forte SP with Forte XX. Note that you will have to have Forte Cross Rockman or Sol Cross Rockman enabled to make Forte SP replaced with Forte XX. MegaMan Battle Network 3 or later can be used to unlock Forte XX. If you aren't using Forte Cross Rockman or Sol Cross Rockman, you'll only fight Forte SP.
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 1-5 while going through the W-Gate will change the music to that of the game you inserted.
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network gives the Liberate Mission Blues (Protoman) / Colonel Dominant Chip Power Up.
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network, in Ura Internet Area 4, Black Navi appears and asks to give an extra folder (Non-Customizable) "War Folder".
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 2 changes the BGM Battle Music to "Operation!".
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 2 adds a new NPC. In Dad's Office, a scientist appears and is a Sub Chip Merchant that gives Full Energy, Unlocker and Lock Enemy for 1/2 Price.
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 2 gives the Liberate Mission Magnet Man / Knight Man Dominant Chip Power Up.
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 3 changes the BGM Battle Music to "Shooting Enemy".
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 3 adds a new NPC. In End Area 1, an NC Program Merchant appears that sells Rapid+1 (Yellow) for 1500z, Charge+1 (Pink) for 1500z and HP+500 (Yellow) for 12000z.
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 3 gives the Liberate Mission Gyro Man / Shadow Man Dominant Chip Power Up.
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 4 changes the BGM Battle Music to "Cyber Battle".
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 4 gives the Liberate Mission Napalm Man / Tomahawk Man Dominant Chip Power Up.
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 4 gives the Program Advance combinations and what chips to use are discussed in Random Bulletin Boards.
· Inserting Rockman EXE 4.5 changes the BGM Battle Music to "Battlefield".
· Inserting Rockman EXE 4.5 and going through the W-Gate reveals the Gold Program at Netto's homepage at the end in front of the portal and gives a Mysterious Mail to Rockman. Accomplishing this mission gives 50000z.
· Inserting Rockman EXE 4.5 gives the Liberate Mission Search Man / Number Man Dominant Chip Power Up.
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 5 adds a Folder Import Option that appears for Saved Game on a EXE 5 DS Save to whichever folder is equipped in the GBA Save (Third Non-Customizable Folder).
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 5 adds the Forte (Bass) Mark Icon for any Battle Network 5 Save. It prompts you before you start your New or Saved Game on EXE 5 DS if you want to use Forte Cross Rockman.
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 5 with the Forte Mark into the W-Gate gives the Forte Cross Rockman Effect.
· Inserting MegaMan Battle Network 5 gives the Liberate Mission Medi / Toad Man Dominant Chip Power Up.
· Inserting Boktai 1-3, the Samurai Statue in Gargoyle Castle turns into an Otenko Statue, and the 100 Warrior Wacking Minigame turns into the 1,000 Bat Wacking Minigame for Crossover Points. Also, an Zoktai trader appears in Oran Area 2 to exchange your Crossover Points for Chips.
· Inserting Shin Bokura no Taiyou prompts the use of Sol Cross Rockman before starting any game in EXE 5 DS.

DS Game: Mega Man ZX (RockMan ZX in Japan)
GBA Games: Mega Man Zero 3 (RockMan Zero 3 in Japan), Mega Man Zero 4 (RockMan Zero 4 in Japan)
Bonus:
· Inserting either game, 4 of the respective bosses from the GBA versions will be found within doors in Area N1.

DS Game: Pokémon Dash
GBA Games: Pokémon - Emerald Version (Pocket Monsters - Emerald in Japan), Pokémon - Fire Red Version (Pocket Monsters - Fire Red in Japan), Pokémon - Leaf Green Version (Pocket Monsters - Leaf Green in Japan), Pokémon - Ruby Version (Pocket Monsters - Ruby in Japan), Pokémon - Sapphire Version (Pocket Monsters - Sapphire in Japan)
Bonus:
· After beating all 5 cups, insert your GBA Pokémon RPG game(s) to make Special Cups based on your Pokémon teams.

DS Game: Pokémon - Diamond/Pearl Version (Pocket Monsters - Diamond/Pearl in Japan)
GBA Games: Pokémon - Emerald Version (Pocket Monsters - Emerald in Japan), Pokémon - Fire Red Version (Pocket Monsters - Fire Red in Japan), Pokémon - Leaf Green Version (Pocket Monsters - Leaf Green in Japan), Pokémon - Ruby Version (Pocket Monsters - Ruby in Japan), Pokémon - Sapphire Version (Pocket Monsters - Sapphire in Japan)
Bonuses:
· You may transfer your earned Pokémon from GBA games onto your DS game. Certain monsters are unique to each version in order to complete your collection.
· Gengar and Haunter can be earned from any GBA game.
· Emerald Version offers Gligar, Pineco, Shuckle, Teddiursa and Ursaring.
· Fire Red Version offers Arbok, Caterpie, Ekans, Elekid, Growlithe and Metapod.
· Leaf Green Version offers Kakuna, Magby, Sandshrew, Sandslash, Vulpix and Weedle.
· Ruby Version offers Mawile, Nuzleaf, Seedot, Solrock and Zangoose.
· Sapphire Version offers Lombre, Lotad, Lunatone, Sableye and Seviper.

DS Game: Shrek Super Slam
GBA Game: Shrek Super Slam
Bonus:
· Unlocks Shrek's second alternative outfit.

DS Game: Spider-Man 2
GBA Game: Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace
Bonus:
· Unlocks all special moves.

DS Game: The Rub Rabbits! (Akachan wa Doko Kara Kuru no in Japan)
GBA Games: ChuChu Rocket!, Puyo Pop (Minna de Puyo Puyo in Japan), Sonic Advance, Sonic Advance 2, Sonic Advance 3, Sonic Battle
Bonuses:
· ChuChu Rocket! unlocks the Fist Gloves.
· Puyo Pop unlocks the White Gloves.
· Sonic Advance and Sonic Advance 2 unlock the Pink Glittery Gloves.
· Sonic Advance 3 unlocks the Hand Puppets.
· Sonic Battle unlocks Amy Rose's Boxing Gloves.

DS Game: The Sims 2 (The Sims 2 - Hacha Mecha Hotel Life in Japan)
GBA Game: The Sims 2
Bonus:
· Unlocks the game, Mongoo Monkey, for the Casino.

DS Game: Super Robot Taisen W (Japan)
GBA Games: Famicom Mini - Dai-2-ji Super Robot Taisen (Japan), Super Robot Taisen A (Japan), Super Robot Taisen D (Japan), Super Robot Taisen J (Japan), Super Robot Taisen - Original Generation (Japan), Super Robot Taisen - Original Generation 2 (Japan), Super Robot Taisen R (Japan), 
NOTE: Simply insert your GBA cartridge and load your DS Save Game. A message should inform you of the bonus part and gold.
Bonuses:
· Insert Dai-2-ji to receive the Soul of Dai-2-Ji SRW.
· Insert A to receive the Soul of SRWA and 30,000 Gold.
· Insert D to receive the Soul of SRWD and 50,000 Gold.
· Insert J to receive the Soul of SRWJ and 80,000 Gold.
· Insert Original Generation to receive the Soul of SRWOG and 60,000 Gold.
· Insert Original Generation 2 to receive the Soul of SRWOG2 and 70,000 Gold.
· Insert R to receive the Soul of SRWR and 40,000 Gold.

DS Game: WarioWare - Touched! (Sawaru - Made in Wario in Japan)
GBA Game: WarioWare - Twisted! (Mawaru - Made in Wario in Japan)
Bonus:
· Unlocks the video, Mona Pizza.

DS Game: Yu-Gi-Oh! - Nightmare Troubadour
GBA Game: Yu-Gi-Oh! GX - Duel Academy (Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX - Mezase Duel King in Japan)
Bonus:
· 3 "Winged Kuriboh" cards are added to your collection.

Kkolko · Nov 29, 2008

When the original Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is in, you gain a clan power in FFTA2

NDStemp · Nov 29, 2008

Kkolko said:
When the original Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is in, you gain a clan power in FFTA2

Heh yea. So..

DS Game: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2 - Grimoire of Rift
GBA Games: Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Bonus:
Unlocks the clan ability " Libra "

RAWR

TheSpade · Nov 30, 2008

Thanks for the heads up. It's added.

Tac 21 · Nov 30, 2008

GREAT list. Did NOW know most of those (the kirby one threw me off)

vvedge · Feb 11, 2009

Hi,

I was the creator of the wikipedia entry for this list

The entry has been deleted on novembre 2007 as "it was basically a secret guide" (see here) but the content has been transfered to nintendo's wikia (see here)

Hope this could be of some help to complete your list

VVedge

wildfire95 · Apr 2, 2009

QUOTE said:
DS Game: Pokémon - Diamond/Pearl Version (Pocket Monsters - Diamond/Pearl in Japan)
GBA Games: Pokémon - Emerald Version (Pocket Monsters - Emerald in Japan), Pokémon - Fire Red Version (Pocket Monsters - Fire Red in Japan), Pokémon - Leaf Green Version (Pocket Monsters - Leaf Green in Japan), Pokémon - Ruby Version (Pocket Monsters - Ruby in Japan), Pokémon - Sapphire Version (Pocket Monsters - Sapphire in Japan)
Bonuses:
· You may transfer your earned Pokémon from GBA games onto your DS game. Certain monsters are unique to each version in order to complete your collection.
· Gengar and Haunter can be earned from any GBA game.
· Emerald Version offers Gligar, Pineco, Shuckle, Teddiursa and Ursaring.
· Fire Red Version offers Arbok, Caterpie, Ekans, Elekid, Growlithe and Metapod.
· Leaf Green Version offers Kakuna, Magby, Sandshrew, Sandslash, Vulpix and Weedle.
· Ruby Version offers Mawile, Nuzleaf, Seedot, Solrock and Zangoose.
· Sapphire Version offers Lombre, Lotad, Lunatone, Sableye and Seviper.

BRILLIANT!

But do you think it would work on a M3Real ?

vvedge · Apr 21, 2009

wildfire95 said:
DS Game: Pokémon - Diamond/Pearl Version (Pocket Monsters - Diamond/Pearl in Japan)
But do you think it would work on a M3Real ?

It should work if you have an original GBA card.
If not, you should patch your nds game (see this topic or cory1492's blog for more info) but be warned that it would only work with EZ I/II/III/IV and Flash Advanced/F2Au GBA cards.
Dongle mode (exclusive wild pokemon apparition) may work with M3 GBA expansion but migration won't

iSubaru · Jun 8, 2009

QUOTE said:
· Inserting Shin Bokura no Taiyou prompts the use of Sol Cross Rockman before starting any game in EXE 5 DS.

I can confirm by myself that Boktai 2 works in US version with same effect (Sol Cross Rockman) since Boktai 3 was never released in US
If You want proof I can try to record that, maybe it won't be that bad quality

"

Overlord Nadrian · Jul 31, 2009

Sorry to bump this but the link to that wiki should be put in the first post.

Aganar · Aug 7, 2009

Gah, double post.

Aganar · Aug 7, 2009

IIRC (and I haven't confirmed it yet), placing Yggdra Union in the GBA slot while playing Knights in the Nightmare also causes the tutorial girl to be replaced by Yggdra.

Draqo · Aug 29, 2009

I just tried my "Kirby: Canvas Curse (US version)" with my "Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland (EU version)".
And then pop "You can now use Waddle Doo", so I guess that means, you can do cross-region with these games >:3

mrgone · Sep 1, 2009

lunar knights supports boktai 1-3 as gba modules

QUOTE said:
Depending on which game is introduced into the W-Gate, the Solar Sensor will cause different effects in Lunar Knights:

* Solar Sensor Version 1: By inserting Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand in the GBA Slot, the standby character will fill his ENE (Energy) and it will also charge the Solar Station depending on how much sunlight hits the sensor.
* Solar Sensor Version 2: By inserting Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django in the GBA Slot, the standby character will fill his LIFE and it will also charge the Solar Station depending on how much sunlight hits the sensor.
* Solar Sensor Version 3: By inserting Shin Bokura no Taiy? Gyakush? no Sabata in the GBA Slot, the standby character will fill his TRC (Trance) meter and it will also charge the Solar Station depending on how much sunlight hits the sensor.

vvedge · Sep 18, 2009

Nice found, it has been added to the wikia
Also Pokemon HeartGold and SilverSoul can link with gba version just as diamond, pearl and platinum

Frozen Pumpkin · Jan 11, 2010

I have an issue with DS-GBA linkage between Pokemon Emerald & Pokemon Platinum (I have a M3 DS Real with GBA Expansion pack).
I tried with Diamond, and it works great, but it seems that the GBA games aren't recognized on Platinum for some reasons.
All the games (Diamond, Platinum & Emerald) are from the same region, US.
I tried with M3 Sakura and TouchPod, but it's the same result for both.

I need help please

vvedge · Jan 11, 2010

Frozen Pumpkin said:
I have an issue with DS-GBA linkage between Pokemon Emerald & Pokemon Platinum (I have a M3 DS Real with GBA Expansion pack).
I tried with Diamond, and it works great, but it seems that the GBA games aren't recognized on Platinum for some reasons.
All the games (Diamond, Platinum & Emerald) are from the same region, US.
I tried with M3 Sakura and TouchPod, but it's the same result for both.

I need help please

DS-GBA linkage need special patching to work (see this topic or cory1492's blog for more info) but be warned that it would only work with EZ I/II/III/IV and Flash Advanced/F2Au GBA cards so if you only have an M3 GBA expansion you're unlucky with this one.

Dongle mode (exclusive wild pokemon apparition) may work with M3 GBA expansion but migration won't (I'm not sure where I got this info from but I quote myself from earlier post... this may have changed since).

I guess M3 Sakura/Touchpod has some kind of patch included for diamond and not for platinum (cory had to adapt the patch for platinum).
Do you have the latest M3 firmware ?

Frozen Pumpkin · Jan 11, 2010

Thanks for your answer, it greatly helped me on my researches

As you said, Dongle works, but no migration with the patch (GBA save corrupted error).
Cory doesn't seem to be able to release a M3 GBA Expansion version because he doesn't have one.

So, I'll do the rest by myself, I think. Thanks again

PS : I have the 4.7c version of TouchPod

vvedge · Jan 12, 2010

I just remembered that someone found a way to make it work on emulator (dongle mode only)
direct link to the corresponding post

Hacking DS - GBA Linkage Guide

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