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:

 

[Valery0p]

v0.71.0: Conquest of the DS⁽ⁱ⁾Ware
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v25.9.0 (GBATemp thread)

What's new?​

• B4DS mode: Added support for a huge number of 152 more DSiWare titles to be playable on DS/DS lite (plus 4 more for debug consoles)!
  • Scroll down to see which titles are now supported.
  • Click >here< for the full list of supported titles.

Improvements​

• B4DS mode: Castle Conqueror: Heroes 2 no longer requires a Memory Expansion Pak to run!
• @Pk11 and various: Updated in-game menu translations.
• Some minor code optimization.

Bug fixes (DSi/3DS)​

• Fossil Fighters fans will no longer need to wait or worry, as Fossil Fighters Champions now boots again!
  • As a result, other THUMB DSi-Enhanced ROMs such as Bejeweled Twist also boot again.
• The SDNAND/Photo location setting should now work properly.
  • It'll no longer attempt to mount the actual SysNAND, if an SDNAND is found.
• Only necessary devices are added to device list for DSiWare.
  • Should hopefully fix some weird save-related issues with certain ones.
• Both Starship Defense & Trajectile now boot via Memory Pit.
• Fixed Panewa! not booting.
• Fixed Super Smash Bros. Crash not switching between menus.

DSiWare titles now supported on DS & DS lite​

Titles marked in Italics will require either a Memory Expansion Pak or debug console.
Titles marked in Bold will only boot on debug consoles.

• 21 Blackjack
  • Does not save
• 5 in 1 Solitaire
  • Does not save
• Bridge
• Castle Conqueror: Against
• Castle Conqueror: Revolution
• Chess Challenge!
  • Does not save
• Chotto DS Bun ga Kuzenshuu: Sekai no Bungaku 20
• Christmas Wonderland
  • On non-debug consoles, audio is disabled due to RAM limitations
• Christmas Wonderland 2
  • On non-debug consoles, music is disabled due to RAM limitations
• Chronicles of Vampires: Origins
• Chronicles of Vampires: Awakening
• Chuugaku Eijukugo: Kiho 150 Go Master
• Chuugaku Eitango: Kiho 400 Go Master
• Chuuga Kukihon' Eitango: Wado Pazuru
• Commando: Steel Disaster
• Coropata
• Cosmo Fighters
  • The demo version is booted due to RAM limitations, and thus does not save
• Crazy Golf
  • Does not save
• Crazy Sudoku
  • Does not save
• Crystal Adventure
• Crystal Caverns of Amon-Ra
• Decathlon 2012
  • Audio is disabled due to RAM limitations
• Deep Sea Creatures
• Art Style: DIGIDRIVE / INTERSECT
  • Limited to button mode, title music does not play, and multiplayer mode does not work
  • Does not save
• Easter Eggztravaganza
  • On non-debug consoles, the game crashes after the first stage, due to RAM limitations
• EJ Puzzles: Hooked
• Fieldrunners
  • Previously only booted on debug consoles
  • On non-debug consoles, audio is disabled due to RAM limitations
  • Does not save
• Flip the Core
• Flips: The Bubonic Builders
• Flips: The Enchanted Wood
• Flips: The Folk of the Faraway Tree
• Flips: The Magic Faraway Tree
• Flips: More Bloody Horowitz
• Flips: Silent But Deadly
• Flips: Terror in Cubicle Four
• Fire Panic
• Frenzic
  • Does not save
  • Will crash after changing settings
• Gaia's Moon
• Ginsei Tsume-Shougi
• Go Fetch!
• Go Fetch! 2
• Go! Go! Island Rescue!
• Ideyou Sukeno: Kenkou Maja DSi
  • Does not save
  • Immediately starts the gameplay mode with ?-faced players
• Ivy the Kiwi? mini
• Jazzy Billiards
  • Does not save
• Jewel Adventures
• Jewel Keepers: Easter Island
• Jewel Legends: Tree of Life
• Jinia Supasonaru: Eiwa Rakubiki Jiten
  • 16MB+ RAM expansion required
  • Does not save
• Jinia Supasonaru: Waei Rakubiki Jiten
  • MEP required, regardless if using a retail or debug console
  • Does not save
• Just SING! 80's
  • Crashes at some point for an unknown reason
• Kazu De Asobu: Mahoujin To Imeji Kei-san
• Keibadou Uma no Suke 2012
• Keisan 100 Renda
• Kemonomix
• Kokoro no Herusumeta: Kokoron
  • Will not boot without TWLFontTable.dat in fat:/_nds/nds-bootstrap/
• Koneko no ie: Kiri Shima Keto-San Biki no Koneko
• Koukou Eijukugo: Kiho 200 Go Master
• Koukou Eitango: Kiho 400 Go Master
• Letter Challenge
• Link 'n' Launch
  • On non-debug consoles, music is disabled due to RAM limitations
  • TWLFontTable.dat is required in fat:/_nds/nds-bootstrap/ (and a MEP inserted, for the EUR/AUS version) for the tutorial text to display
• Make Up & Style
  • Previously only booted on debug consoles
  • On non-debug consoles, the title FMV is disabled due to a weird bug (TWLMenu++ will report RAM limitations)
• Master of Illusion Express: Deep Psyche / A Little Bit of... Magic Made Fun: Deep Psyche
• Master of Illusion Express: Funny Face / A Little Bit of... Magic Made Fun: Funny Face
  • Versions which aren't the English or Japanese versions will not boot
• Master of Illusion Express: Matchmaker / A Little Bit of... Magic Made Fun: Matchmaker
• Master of Illusion Express: Mind Probe / A Little Bit of... Magic Made Fun: Mind Probe
• Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games / A Little Bit of... Magic Made Fun: Shuffle Games
• Match Up!
  • Does not save
• Mega Words
  • Does not save
• Mehr Kreuzwortratsel: Welt Edition
• Music on: Learning Piano
• Music on: Learning Piano Vol. 2
• Nandoku 500 Kanji: Wado Pazuru
• Nazo no Mini Game
  • On non-debug consoles, music is disabled due to RAM limitations
• Neko Neko Bakery: Pan de Pazurunya!
  • On non-debug consoles, music is disabled due to RAM limitations
• Noroi no Game: Chi
• Noroi no Game: Oku
• Oscar in Toyland
• Oscar in Toyland 2
  • Does not save
• Otegaru Pazuru Shirizu: Yurito Fushigina Meikyuu
• Othello
• Otona no Nihonshi Pazuru
• Otona no Sekaishi Pazuru
• Otona no Tame no: Kei-san Training DS
• Otona no Tame no: Renjuku Kanji
• Pirates Assault
  • Previously only booted on debug consoles
• PlayLearn Chinese
• PlayLearn Spanish
• Pocket Pack: Strategy Games
• Pocket Pack: Words & Numbers
• Pomjong
• The Price Is Right
• Primrose
• Publisher Dream
  • On non-debug consoles, audio is disabled due to RAM limitations
• Pucca: Noodle Rush
• Puzzle Rocks
  • On non-debug consoles, audio is disabled due to RAM limitations
• QuickPick Farmer
• Roller Angels
• RPG Dashutsu Game
• Saikyou Ginsei Shougi
  • Crashes at some point due to RAM limitations
• Sakurai Miho No Kouno: Megami Serapi Uranai
• Save the Turtles
• The Seller
• Kakitori Rekishi: Shouga Kusei
  • Does not save
• Chiri Kuizu: Shouga Kusei
  • Does not save
• Koumin Kuizu: Shouga Kusei
  • Does not save
• Rika Kuizu Shouga Kusei: Seibutsu Chigaku He
  • Does not save
• Jukugo Kuizu
  • Does not save
• Slingo Supreme
  • Does not save
• Snapdots
• Sokomania
• Sokomania 2: Cool Job
  • On non-debug consoles, audio is disabled due to RAM limitations
• Sora Kake Girl: Shojo Shooting
• Spot It! Challenge
• Spot It! Challenge: Mean Machines
• Successfully Learning: English, Year 2
• Successfully Learning: English, Year 3
• Successfully Learning: English, Year 4
• Successfully Learning: English, Year 5
• Successfully Learning: German, Year 2
• Successfully Learning: German, Year 3
• Successfully Learning: German, Year 4
• Successfully Learning: German, Year 5
• Successfully Learning: Mathematics, Year 2
• Successfully Learning: Mathematics, Year 3
• Successfully Learning: Mathematics, Year 4
• Successfully Learning: Mathematics, Year 5
• Sudoku & Kakuro: Welt Edition
• Sudoku Challenge!
  • The feature to zoom-in on a letter is bugged due to bus issues with Slot-2, and will show glitched pixels
  • Does not save
• Surfacer+
• Super Swap
• Super Yum Yum: Puzzle Adventures
• Sutanoberuzu: Kono Hareta Sora no Shita de
  • On non-debug consoles, music is disabled due to RAM limitations, and opening FMV is disabled due to bus issues with Slot-2
• Sutanoberuzu: Shirogane no Torikago
  • On non-debug consoles, opening FMV is disabled due to bus issues with Slot-2
• Telegraph Crosswords
• Telegraph Sudoku & Kakuro
• Tell me Darling (JAP title: Oshiete Darling)
• Thorium Wars
  • On non-debug consoles, audio is disabled due to RAM limitations
• The Tower DS: Classic
• The Tower DS: Hotel
• The Tower DS: Shopping Santa
• Trajectile / Reflect Missile
• Trollboarder
  • On non-debug consoles, audio is disabled due to RAM limitations
• True Swing Golf Express / A Little Bit of... Nintendo Touch Golf
  • On non-debug consoles, audio is disabled due to RAM limitations
• Ubongo
• Uchi Makure!: Touch the Chameleon
• Viking Invasion
  • Does not save
• Word Searcher
• Word Searcher II
• Word Searcher III
• Word Searcher IV
• WordJong Arcade
• Working Dawgs: A-maze-ing Pipes
• Working Dawgs: Rivet Retriever
• Za Curosu
• Zimo: Mahjong Fanatic

I like how nintentdo could have, like, made a DSiWare addon to the DS and let people access the DSi shop from their old consoles. It clearly was not a software or performance issue, and they made the web browser so... how many copies did it sell btw?
This is even more relevant considering how at this point the TWL team has probably written more code for DSi mode than Nintendo themselves, since not that many best seller games were even Dsi enhanced...

 

[Mikemk]

It clearly was not a software or performance issue

DSiWare and DSi Mode games run at double the clock speed and had access to hardware (camera, internal storage, SD Card) that didn't exist on the DS. So yes, there was a potential performance issue and potential hardware incompatibilities.

 

[lone_wolf323]

is there a reason as to why I am getting a red screen with a data abort.

pc: 023fc408 addr: 00000000

I just set up ntr forwarder and cheat codes with pokemon heart gold.

 

[RocketRobz]

is there a reason as to why I am getting a red screen with a data abort.

pc: 023fc408 addr: 00000000

I just set up ntr forwarder and cheat codes with pokemon heart gold.

One of the cheat codes is causing the error then. If it's the anti-piracy fix cheat, then please turn it off, as the game is already AP-patched automatically.

 

[lone_wolf323]

One of the cheat codes is causing the error then. If it's the anti-piracy fix cheat, then please turn it off, as the game is already AP-patched automatically.

Thank you. I do believe that was it, it seems to be good now.

 

[Valery0p]

DSiWare and DSi Mode games run at double the clock speed and had access to hardware (camera, internal storage, SD Card) that didn't exist on the DS. So yes, there was a potential performance issue and potential hardware incompatibilities.

Ok, but look at what nds bootrsap is capable on a normal ds :/

 

[RocketRobz]

v0.71.2
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v25.9.5 (GBATemp thread)

What's new?​

• Added compatibility/support for these games:
  • Imagine: Animal Doctor
  • Paws & Claws: Pet Resort
  • Paws & Claws: Pet Vet 2

Bug fixes​

• Fixed Pokemon Black & White 1 & 2 (and possibly other games) soft-locking while saving data.
• Some (if not all) Download Play demos now boot again (such as Submarine)!
• Fixed Tropix! not booting.

 

[AmandaRose]

v0.71.2
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v25.9.5 (GBATemp thread)

What's new?​

• Added compatibility/support for these games:
  • Imagine: Animal Doctor
  • Paws & Claws: Pet Resort
  • Paws & Claws: Pet Vet 2

Bug fixes​

• Fixed Pokemon Black & White 1 & 2 (and possibly other games) soft-locking while saving data.
• Some (if not all) Download Play demos now boot again (such as Submarine)!
• Fixed Tropix! not booting.

Hopefully this fixes the bug I have had several times playing Dragon Quest VI when trying to save the game would lock up.

 

[RocketRobz]

v0.72.0
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v25.10.0 (GBATemp thread)

What's new?​

• 2006-Nen 10-Gatsu Taikenban Soft now boots!

Bug fixes​

• NDMA is now only used for SD reads aligned by 4-bytes. CPU is used for non-aligned reads.
  • NAND saving (used by WW: DIY, Jam with the Band, and Face Training) should now be working properly again.
  • Should improve compatibility with certain homebrew, in the case of those using non-aligned reads.
• B4DS mode: Audio glitching should no longer occur when reading or writing save data.
  • Tested with R4(i) Ultra and R4i-SDHC. Not tested with Ace3DS+ (which was known to have the bug).

 

[AmandaRose]

v0.72.0
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v25.10.0 (GBATemp thread)

What's new?​

• 2006-Nen 10-Gatsu Taikenban Soft now boots!

Bug fixes​

• NDMA is now only used for SD reads aligned by 4-bytes. CPU is used for non-aligned reads.
  • NAND saving (used by WW: DIY, Jam with the Band, and Face Training) should now be working properly again.
  • Should improve compatibility with certain homebrew, in the case of those using non-aligned reads.
• B4DS mode: Audio glitching should no longer occur when reading or writing save data.
  • Tested with R4(i) Ultra and R4i-SDHC. Not tested with Ace3DS+ (which was known to have the bug).

Arrrrrrrggg every time I see a new update I get my hopes up that this will be the one where Golden Sun: Dark Dawn finally works. Every time ends with crushing disappointment lol.

On a serious note great work as always @RocketRobz hugely appreciate all your hard work on this.

 

[Rya687]

Arrrrrrrggg every time I see a new update I get my hopes up that this will be the one where Golden Sun: Dark Dawn finally works. Every time ends with crushing disappointment lol.

On a serious note great work as always @RocketRobz hugely appreciate all your hard work on this.

Same, except I'm waiting for SaGa 3. Not that I don't appreciate other forms of progress being made as well, of course. It's just frustrating that a DS game I've been meaning to play is among the few titles that are still unplayable. (At least I don't think there are many left.) Fingers crossed this mystery will be solved eventually.

 

[AmandaRose]

Same, except I'm waiting for SaGa 3. Not that I don't appreciate other forms of progress being made as well, of course. It's just frustrating that a DS game I've been meaning to play is among the few titles that are still unplayable. (At least I don't think there are many left.) Fingers crossed this mystery will be solved eventually.

SaGa 3 works perfectly for me. I have played the English Patched version from start to finish with zero issue's.

 

[Rya687]

SaGa 3 works perfectly for me. I have played the English Patched version from start to finish with zero issue's.

Interesting. When did you do that? There's still an open issue on GitHub about this: https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/nds-bootstrap/issues/271

I tested it out myself some time ago using the English fan translation and ran into the freeze described in it (which turned into a crash more recently).

I'll have to test if the game still malfunctions using the latest version of nds-bootstrap.

Edit: Yup. I'm still getting a crash in the first battle.

Just to make sure, you're really talking about SaGa 3 and not SaGa 2, right? If so, I'm sure RocketRobz would love to know how you managed to make it work.

 

[Bean_BR]

I was playing Pokemon Black 2 for about 30 minutes with v0.72.0 and it froze with the music still playing when I tried to save a second time. Soft-reset (L+R+Start+Select) didn't work but I was able to exit to the Home Menu. I had the same problem when it was on v0.71.0; I'm using a fowarder btw.

 

[RocketRobz]

I was playing Pokemon Black 2 for about 30 minutes with v0.72.0 and it froze with the music still playing when I tried to save a second time. Soft-reset (L+R+Start+Select) didn't work but I was able to exit to the Home Menu. I had the same problem when it was on v0.71.0; I'm using a fowarder btw.

Try v0.71.2 then.

 

[Bean_BR]

Try v0.71.2 then.

I'm gonna try that. Are these crashes harmful to the SD card?

 

[RocketRobz]

I'm gonna try that. Are these crashes harmful to the SD card?

No, they are not harmful to the SD card.

 

[XXLANCEXX]

Is Golden Sun DS still not working?

 

[RocketRobz]

Is Golden Sun DS still not working?

Right. It is still not working.

 

[Bean_BR]

No, they are not harmful to the SD card.

Thanks. Another thing if you don't mind; I don't need to re-do the fowarder, right? Because I always update through the Universal-Updater.