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:

 

[RocketRobz]

Could this be made to work with GBA flashcarts like M3 CF that can run DS games/homebrew from slot 2 on NDS systems running flashme firmware? Could this work on the GBAMP?

It should already work, although certain/most ROMs wouldn't boot, last time I tried.
Did you install TWiLight Menu++?

 

[assassinz]

No I haven't tried installing it on M3 CF yet. I wanted to ask if it was possible before I try it.

Edit: I've installed TWiLight Menu++ now. I had to apply a M3 CF dldi patch to the boot.nds file to get it to work.

 

[RocketRobz]

v0.53.0: TWL Christmas Release (2021)

Included in TWiLight Menu++ v23.3.0

What's new?

• B4DS mode: Support for more DSiWare titles have been added, making them playable on DS/DS lite consoles!
  (For a complete list of supported titles, see this list here.)
  • Flipper (music disabled)
  • Art Style: PiCTOBiTS
  • (For Debug DS consoles:)
    • Cake Ninja
    • Flipper 2: Flush the Goldfish
    • Shantae: Risky's Revenge (music disabled)
• In-game menu: The `Reset Game` option no longer reboots the console.
• An ESRB rating screen will now be shown, if esrb.bin is found in `sd:/_nds/nds-bootstrap/`.
• B4DS mode can now be enabled on flashcards with unlocked SCFG! Only use this for testing purposes. (.ini setting: B4DS_MODE)
  • Setting to 1 will set the RAM to 4MB.
  • Setting to 2 will set the RAM to the console's maximum amount. Some games will not work with this setting.

Bug found after release

• The `Reset Game` option will not work in some games, causing the game to freeze instead. If that happens for your game, then the reboot method can be used by holding L+R+START+SELECT for 2 seconds, should the game not support soft-reset.

Trivia
Flipper was originally going to be released on a DS cartridge, but the original publisher went bankrupt, and was released as DSiWare instead. See this page here for more information.

 

[RocketRobz]

v0.53.1 (hotfix)

Included in TWiLight Menu++ v23.3.1

Improvements

• Retail DSi consoles now load the complete AP-fix .ips file while in DSi mode.
  • DSi mode heap has shrunken further to make room for AP-patched overlays.
• (@Pk11 and various) Updated translations.

Bug fix

• Part of RAM is now restored after taking screenshots while in DSi mode.

Bug fix / Regression

• SDK5.4 & 5.5 games have reverted to the slow soft-reset method (due to crashing, apparently from timing issues), but can be worked around by enabling either TWL clock speed or DSi mode.

 

[RocketRobz]

v0.53.2: New Years Release

Included in TWiLight Menu++ v23.4.0

With a new year, comes new support for more titles!

What's new?

• B4DS mode: Support for more DSiWare titles have been added, making them playable on DS/DS lite consoles!
  (For a complete list of supported titles, see this list here.)
  • Art Style: precipice
  • Art Style: ZENGAGE

Bug fixes

• B4DS mode: Art Style: AQUIA and PiCTOBiTS will no longer show error messages!
• Big Mutha Truckers now boots again!

 

[Blauhasenpopo]

Hello and a happy new Year

I want to play Golden Sun Dark Dawn, but only get a black screen...what do i have to do?

 

[Rya687]

Isn't that one of the few games that currently doesn't work at all? Unless that got fixed after the last time I checked, you may be out of luck.

 

[RocketRobz]

Hello and a happy new Year

I want to play Golden Sun Dark Dawn, but only get a black screen...what do i have to do?

https://gbatemp.net/threads/ds-i-3d...and-ds-i-menu-replacement.472200/post-9706960

 

[MarioKartFan]

@RocketRobz Hi! Just curious as to why SWI Halt settings got yanked recently. Thought it gave a nice boost in a handful of games. Just wondering what let yo the decision. Thanks!

 

[RocketRobz]

@RocketRobz Hi! Just curious as to why SWI Halt settings got yanked recently. Thought it gave a nice boost in a handful of games. Just wondering what let yo the decision. Thanks!

Turning on SWI Halt Hook actually slowed down some games, so along with the reason that card read DMA now works properly without it, SWI Halt Hook got removed.

 

[RocketRobz]

v0.54.0: Valentine's Day Release

Included in TWiLight Menu++ v24.0.0

Happy Valentine's Day! Here's a new version of nds-bootstrap filled with sweet new features!

What's new?

• B4DS mode: Here's a heart-shaped box <3 full of added support for more DSiWare titles on DS/DS lite consoles!
  (For a complete list of supported titles, see this list here.)
  • 1950s Lawn Mower Kids
  • Bomberman Blitz
  • Castle Conqueror: Heroes
  • Cave Story
  • Chuck E. Cheese's Alien Defense Force
  • Chuck E. Cheese's Arcade Room
  • Color Commando
  • Crash-Course Domo
  • DotMan
  • Frogger Returns
  • Hard-Hat Domo
  • JellyCar 2
  • Lola's Alphabet Train
  • Magnetic Joe
  • Monster Buster Club
  • Number Battle (USA version only)
  • GO Series: Portable Shrine Wars
  • Pro-Putt Domo
  • Rock-n-Roll Domo
  • Shantae: Risky's Revenge
  • EA's Sudoku
  • Sudoku 4Pockets
  • Wakugumi: Monochrome Puzzle
  • White-Water Domo
• B4DS mode: RAM dumping has been added to the in-game menu!
• SWI Halt Hook has been removed, due to issues with slowdown.
• The in-game menu is now accessible in DSiWare titles!
  • In addition, the title can be exited back into TWLMenu++ without rebooting the console!
• Version number is now printed in the debug screen (if enabled).

Improvements

• Improvements to the SD and card read DMA code have been made in order to (somewhat/maybe) slightly improve speed, as well as fixing (some?) wireless communication errors.

Bug fixes

• Nintendo DSi Camera & Nintendo DSi Sound now boot again!
• Fixed soft-reset not working in supported DSiWare titles.
• Certain DSiWare titles should now access the SD card again, instead of giving an error or whatever the title does.
• Fixed AP-patching not working properly for ROMs loaded into RAM in DS mode.
• Screen-swapping now works properly again.

Known bug

• In Shantae: Risky's Revenge (when played in B4DS mode), only the first fight is playable. The game cannot go further than that, and music is disabled, both due to memory limitations.

 

[BitMasterPlus]

I updated this and the Twilight Menu app, but when I start it, it just shows a white screen, then goes to black, and boots me back to the menu of my 3DS. Anybody else with this bug or just me?

 

[RocketRobz]

I updated this and the Twilight Menu app, but when I start it, it just shows a white screen, then goes to black, and boots me back to the menu of my 3DS. Anybody else with this bug or just me?

Try re-installing TWiLight Menu++.
If the issue persists, try checking the SD card for errors.

 

[Tarmfot]

v0.54.0: Valentine's Day Release

Included in TWiLight Menu++ v24.0.0

Happy Valentine's Day! Here's a new version of nds-bootstrap filled with sweet new features!

What's new?

• B4DS mode: Here's a heart-shaped box <3 full of added support for more DSiWare titles on DS/DS lite consoles!
  (For a complete list of supported titles, see this list here.)
  • 1950s Lawn Mower Kids
  • Bomberman Blitz
  • Castle Conqueror: Heroes
  • Cave Story
  • Chuck E. Cheese's Alien Defense Force
  • Chuck E. Cheese's Arcade Room
  • Color Commando
  • Crash-Course Domo
  • DotMan
  • Frogger Returns
  • Hard-Hat Domo
  • JellyCar 2
  • Lola's Alphabet Train
  • Magnetic Joe
  • Monster Buster Club
  • Number Battle (USA version only)
  • GO Series: Portable Shrine Wars
  • Pro-Putt Domo
  • Rock-n-Roll Domo
  • Shantae: Risky's Revenge
  • EA's Sudoku
  • Sudoku 4Pockets
  • Wakugumi: Monochrome Puzzle
  • White-Water Domo
• B4DS mode: RAM dumping has been added to the in-game menu!
• SWI Halt Hook has been removed, due to issues with slowdown.
• The in-game menu is now accessible in DSiWare titles!
  • In addition, the title can be exited back into TWLMenu++ without rebooting the console!
• Version number is now printed in the debug screen (if enabled).

Improvements

• Improvements to the SD and card read DMA code have been made in order to (somewhat/maybe) slightly improve speed, as well as fixing (some?) wireless communication errors.

Bug fixes

• Nintendo DSi Camera & Nintendo DSi Sound now boot again!
• Fixed soft-reset not working in supported DSiWare titles.
• Certain DSiWare titles should now access the SD card again, instead of giving an error or whatever the title does.
• Fixed AP-patching not working properly for ROMs loaded into RAM in DS mode.
• Screen-swapping now works properly again.

Known bug

• In Shantae: Risky's Revenge (when played in B4DS mode), only the first fight is playable. The game cannot go further than that, and music is disabled, both due to memory limitations.

Amazing, thanks!
I need to try dsiware in the ds lite.
Could be added a switch wifi menu in in-game menu?

 

[BitMasterPlus]

Try re-installing TWiLight Menu++.
If the issue persists, try checking the SD card for errors.

Well, after taking out my SD card to move around a game save or two and add a new game, and delete one or two unrelated stuff, I tried it again before I decided to uninstall it and it just worked again randomly. Not sure why, but I'm not complaining. Will keep and eye on it though too see if anything else happens.

 

[Deleted member 323844]

Apparently, JellyCar 2 is unstable on DS, it usually shows a black screen after each level or when you retry, seems random. It also seems to go a bit slow, but I haven't played it on DSi/3DS, so I'm not sure about that.

 

[RocketRobz]

v0.54.1

Included in TWiLight Menu++ v24.1.0

What's new?

• Added support for two DS games!
  • Pokémon Dash
  • Tropix! Your Island Getaway

Improvements

• The card read DMA implementation has been improved further, using code implemented by original developer @ahezard, and should fix sound issues and be less prone to crashes!
  • Card Read DMA now works in DSi-Enhanced/Exclusive games in DSi mode as well.
• (@Pk11 and various) Updated translations.

Bug fix

• Nintendo DS Browser no longer shows the Memory Expansion Pak message. (Does not apply to B4DS mode.)

Known bugs

• Tropix! Your Island Getaway will tend to crash with card read DMA turned on. (TWLMenu++ will blacklist the game from using it.)
• Tropix! Your Island Getaway does not seem to boot in B4DS mode.
• Nintendo DS Browser crashes after the logos on DSi consoles.

FAQ

• Q: What about Golden Sun: Dark Dawn? Does that work now too?
  • A: Nope. We still don't know how to fix it. What's currently known, is that the crash occurs in one of the ROM's overlays.
    As always, you can (1.) play the demo version of the game, (2.) play from a flashcard, or (3.) play on the original cartridge.

 

[Flame]

v0.54.1

Included in TWiLight Menu++ v24.1.0

What's new?

• Added support for two DS games!
  • Pokémon Dash
  • Tropix! Your Island Getaway

Improvements

• The card read DMA implementation has been improved further, using code implemented by original developer @ahezard, and should fix sound issues and be less prone to crashes!
  • Card Read DMA now works in DSi-Enhanced/Exclusive games in DSi mode as well.
• (@Pk11 and various) Updated translations.

Bug fix

• Nintendo DS Browser no longer shows the Memory Expansion Pak message. (Does not apply to B4DS mode.)

Known bugs

• Tropix! Your Island Getaway will tend to crash with card read DMA turned on. (TWLMenu++ will blacklist the game from using it.)
• Tropix! Your Island Getaway does not seem to boot in B4DS mode.
• Nintendo DS Browser crashes after the logos on DSi consoles.

FAQ

• Q: What about Golden Sun: Dark Dawn? Does that work now too?
  • A: Nope. We still don't know how to fix it. What's currently known, is that the crash occurs in one of the ROM's overlays.
    As always, you can (1.) play the demo version of the game, (2.) play from a flashcard, or (3.) play on the original cartridge.

wow. i thought Pokémon Dash did not start. thats another fix needed for the Compatibility list... nice

 

[Takeshineale128]

Final Fantasy III no longer crashes in the intro video the latest version (menu = v24.1.0, nds-bootstrap = 0.54.1)

 

[RocketRobz]

v0.54.2

Included in TWiLight Menu++ v24.1.1

Bug fixes

• Fixed Rabbids Go Home not booting in DSi mode.
• Fixed saving not working in Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals.
• Pre-loaded ROM hacks containing data beyond the ROM size in the header, now has the data loaded.
  • It is recommended to manually fix the ROM size in the header, to avoid further issues.
• Fixed Mario's Holiday versions before Rev 11 not booting on 3DS.
• Fixed exception screen not shown in CTGP Nitro.
• Other minor fixes.