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:

 

[Garblant]

Speaking of new games, do we know why Pokemon Dash or Kirby Canvas Curse don't work? They were both early Ds titles, so it's interesting to see that they still don't work despite all of the progress that has been made thus far...

 

[RocketRobz]

Speaking of new games, do we know why Pokemon Dash or Kirby Canvas Curse don't work? They were both early Ds titles, so it's interesting to see that they still don't work despite all of the progress that has been made thus far...

They probably use thumb, which hasn't been patched yet.

 

[Super1710]

No. Games that new don't work yet.

Oh, I see. Thanks.

 

[Deleted User]

snip

 

[gansem]

Is it possible to disable dsi enhanced features? I'm sorry if this has been brought up before, but I'm too lazy to look through all the pages here. I ask because when I use my flash cart to play any dsi enhanced game on my 3ds it freezes up, and the games work fine on my original ds. I admit to not really knowing how this works, but I feel like turning off dsi enhanced features could help with compatibility of some games.

 

[RocketRobz]

Is it possible to disable dsi enhanced features? I'm sorry if this has been brought up before, but I'm too lazy to look through all the pages here. I ask because when I use my flash cart to play any dsi enhanced game on my 3ds it freezes up, and the games work fine on my original ds. I admit to not really knowing how this works, but I feel like turning off dsi enhanced features could help with compatibility of some games.

nds-bootstrap does not run on flashcards.
Also, DSi-Enhanced features are already off on flashcards, because DSi-Enhanced games run in DS mode.

 

[gansem]

Thank you for your quick response. I wasn't asking for help with my flashcard, and I am sorry for being unclear in my question. The question was pointless anyway because my understanding of dsi enhanced features was incorrect to begin with as you said.

 

[Dracari]

@Robz8 ok i havent used the nighties(Unofficial) since d4f9960, just update dtoday wtf's this weird red/green box screen? is this some kind of loading screen or failure point indicator on games that dont boot yet?

 

[RocketRobz]

@Robz8 ok i havent used the nighties(Unofficial) since d4f9960, just update dtoday wtf's this weird red/green box screen? is this some kind of loading screen or failure point indicator on games that dont boot yet?

It's the loading/debug screen from NitroHax.

 

[Dracari]

It's the loading/debug screen from NitroHax.

ahh i guess the game failed to even start if i dont see that screen go away? is there a significance whats lit what color when the game doesnt boot from it or?

 

[RocketRobz]

ahh i guess the game failed to even start if i dont see that screen go away? is there a significance whats lit what color when the game doesnt boot from it or?

Actually, games that aren't compatible yet, will still white screen, because they'll still boot.

R-R-R-G = arm binaries loading into memory
R-R-R-B = patches are being applied
R-Y-R-Y = <28MB ROM loading into RAM
R-R-Y-R = ROM booted

 

[Dracari]

i know that some games like Solatorobo wont work untill THUMB is patched in and i check every version (never hurts and only wastes a few mins of my time XD) and it stoped at R-G-R-G and didnt even proceed into whitescreening. even after lettin it sit for 5 mins

 

[zeroultima6]

There's a bug in a few of the games (like 5 or 6) that freezes when in sleep mode or the home menu button is pressed and cancelled, text box glitches to
name a few, but almost everything else has improved (e.g less boot times) on this list (some are still broken).

Does anyone know what causes the bug to happen like a program error?

P.S: I been busy with other games (e.g zestiria)
P.S.S: Contribute to the compatibility list

 

[Roboman]

There's a bug in a few of the games (like 5 or 6) that freezes when in sleep mode or the home menu button is pressed and cancelled, text box glitches to
name a few, but almost everything else has improved (e.g less boot times) on this list (some are still broken).

Does anyone know what causes the bug to happen like a program error?

P.S: I been busy with other games (e.g zestiria)
P.S.S: Contribute to the compatibility list

Well I don't know about these games in particular but I know super Mario 64 ds is broken by sleep mode when you have the clock speed set to dsi. Have you tried these games in standard clock speed?

 

[zeroultima6]

I did and the bug has occurred (Sleep mode, Home menu button pressed and cancelled), the games are:
A Witch's Tale, Dragon Quest IX, Rune Factory 3, Luminous Arc 3: Eyes, Atelier Annie
Those are the ones are affected (you can test these if want to)

EDIT: 4 USA and 1 JPN

 

[Dotmore]

Is the compatibility list still accurate or do most/all games work? How to set it up?

 

[Giodude]

Is the compatibility list still accurate or do most/all games work? How to set it up?

It's still accurate for the most part. You need to check what version of nds bootstrap they we're tested on. The latest one is 6.0, so games that weren't tested on 6.0 might work, but I'd say that compatibility is still at about 50/50. Also, if you have a chance, installation couldn't be any easier. Just download the zip, and out everything inside the "for the 3ds sd card" folder on the root of the sd card. Then just go into fbi, go inside the _nds folder, and install the class in the CIA folder. It's been a while so I might be wrong about the folder locations.

 

[Dotmore]

It's still accurate for the most part. You need to check what version of nds bootstrap they we're tested on. The latest one is 6.0, so games that weren't tested on 6.0 might work, but I'd say that compatibility is still at about 50/50. Also, if you have a chance, installation couldn't be any easier. Just download the zip, and out everything inside the "for the 3ds sd card" folder on the root of the sd card. Then just go into fbi, go inside the _nds folder, and install the class in the CIA folder. It's been a while so I might be wrong about the folder locations.

My primary goal are the pokemon gen 4 / 5 games. and they dont work :/

 

[Giodude]

My primary goal are the pokemon gen 4 / 5 games. and they dont work :/

Gen 4 does actually work as of recently, and don't expect gen 5 for a good while.

 

[TimX24968B]

damn, this is some good progress. I just want to know if this is going down the "DIOS MIOS" road of the "nintendont" road.