Hardware Modding a DS Lite into a GBA

[Jerret Douglass]

I am going to be modding a DS lite into a GBA buy removing the top screen (yes I know theres more to it I've researched it) and want to know if I can use a Ez Flash 3in1 to play GBA games without having the top screen. I have a Ez Flash IV and I love it but I would love to have a 3in1 so my cartridge doesn't hang off the edge. Thanks.

 

[Monty Kensicle]

You'll need a Slot-1 card to hold all your GBA games and write said games to the 3-in-1's NOR since it doesn't have it's own file browser.

 

[Jerret Douglass]

You'll need a Slot-1 card to hold all your GBA games and write said games to the 3-in-1's NOR since it doesn't have it's own file browser.

Can you explain that to me more? So you're saying with the 3in1 you can look through files like the EZ Flash IV? And I'll need a R4 for my ds slot to put the GBA games on my 3in1? Also can you write multiple games to the nor at once or would I have to write a new game everytime I want to play another game?

 

[Monty Kensicle]

The 3-in-1 was made to be used with a DS card like an R4, I have one and the NOR memory can only hold one game at a time, I use my R4 to hold GBA games and write new games to the 3-in-1.

 

[Jerret Douglass]

The 3-in-1 was made to be used with a DS card like an R4, I have one and the NOR memory can only hold one game at a time, I use my R4 to hold GBA games and write new games to the 3-in-1.

Okay, I have several extra R4s sitting around I just want to understand how to use it. So I put the GBA roms on my R4 card and write the roms to the NOR of the EZ 3in1 to play them? Also if I delete one game off the NOR to write and play another game is my save file gone? Or is the save file still there if I wish to go back to that game? Also is all of this possible to do without the top screen of the DS?

 

[Monty Kensicle]

The 3-in-1 has SRAM that keeps one save file at a time that you'd need to backup manually to your R4 each time you wanted to play a different game. I've never dealt with a DS sans top screen before so I don't know if all the menus of the R4 and GBA ExpLoader homebrew can be properly displayed.

 

[Jerret Douglass]

The 3-in-1 has SRAM that keeps one save file at a time that you'd need to backup manually to your R4 each time you wanted to play a different game. I've never dealt with a DS sans top screen before so I don't know if all the menus of the R4 and GBA ExpLoader homebrew can be properly displayed.

Thanks. I might have to deal with my cartridge hanging out or mod a DS Phat.

 

[Monty Kensicle]

Yeah I broke down and bought a EZ-Flash IV myself, Works a treat once you get it set up. It automatically writes saves to you flash memory after playing each game and automatically loads the save for the game you want to play.

I guess I've been spoiled by ease of use of my R4. The 3-in-1 is still great for backing up my DS games and their saves so that's what I primarily use mine for.

 

[Ozito]

I'm curious on which method you are going to implement on the DS to bypass/trick the top screen detection?

 

[redact]

can't quite remember where on the mobo it is but i remember there is definitely two points you can bridge to let it function without the top screen hooked up...

edit:

http://www.instructables.com/id/DS-lite-to-Gameboy/