Tutorial  Updated

Patch TWL_FIRM to play normally blocked DS games

How To Patch TWL_FIRM to play normally blocked DS games

In this tutorial I'll show you how to install the patched "TWL_FIRM" CIA so you're able to play blocked DS cartridges like as example Flashcards that were blocked by Nintendo over the years. However keep in mind that not every Flashcard works this way and, as example, the Action Replay DSi Card only ends up in a white bootup-screen without going further!

------------------------------------------------------------

What You'll Need:
  • (Recommended) EmuNAND setup
  • (Recommended) EmuNAND/SysNAND backup before you begin, as example with EmuNAND9
  • TWL_FIRM.zip (this pack would be illegal to upload on GBATemp, please search on Google, the pack I used here was from someone named "AuroraWright" from a certain ISO-Site)
  • A CIA manager (recommended: FBI)
  • TWL Slot-1 Launcher (only needed for some flashcards which won't show up else)
------------------------------------------------------------

Step 0 (only recommended, not mandatory) - Make an SysNAND/EmuNAND backup
  • This step is only recommended but NOT MANDATORY! But in case you derp something up you'll thank me later
  • Simply use a tool like EmuNAND9, start it via Homebrew Launcher (in SysNAND/"Menuhax" mode) and go to "EmuNAND Manager Options" > "Dump EmuNAND to EmuNAND.bin" and you're good to go.

Step 1 - Copy the right CIA file to your 3DS
  • Unpack the downloaded "TWL_FIRM.zip" file somewhere on your PC.
  • There are 2 files now, "twlfirm_n3ds.cia" and "twlfirm_o3ds.cia". You need to choose the right one for your 3DS.
  • You need to choose the "n3ds" one if your 3DS is a "New 3DS" or "New 3DS XL".
  • You need to choose the "o3ds" one if your 3DS is a "3DS", "3DS XL" or a "2DS".
  • Once you know which file to copy over simply put it in any folder you'll later find it again, as example "X:/CIA/Patches"

Step 2 - Use FBI/Install FBI into home menu
  • I cannot really provide a guide on how to install FBI here so you should refer to the official, above mentioned FBI thread on how to install it. However I recommend using the home menu installed version (aka. CIA version) so there won't be any problems now since this is a system CIA we're going to replace here.

Step 3 - Use FBI in NAND-Mode and install the CIA
  • Open FBI (obviously :P)
  • Press the "L" button once, on the top-screen you should now read a text that says "Destination: NAND". IF YOU FORGET THIS YOU'LL GET AN ERROR NOW!
  • Now go to the folder you've placed the right CIA from Step 1 into.
  • Select it and press "A" to install. Press "A" again to confirm it.
    • If you now get an error like "DESCRIPTION_INVALID_COMBINATION" you've not followed all steps here. Go back by pressing "Start" and then pressing "L" to switch to NAND-Mode. Now try to install the CIA again.
  • After this it'll tell you that the title is already installed. Simply press "A" to overwrite it.
  • Once done press "Start" and go back to your home menu/homebrew launcher.

Step 4 (only recommended, not mandatory) - Install TWL Slot-1 Launcher
  • Since you already know how to install CIA files from Step 3 simply download the above mentioned "TWL Slot-1 Launcher" CIA and install it again as mentioned in Step 3, however this time it'll not ask you to replace anything and install it right away.
  • This will help you later on to start cartridges which you'd not be able to start else.

------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, that's it!
If you have any questions please ask them here but try to provide as many infos as possible!

Thanks for reading :)

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

*** Guide Changelogs ***

11.02.2016 - 16:39: INITIAL GUIDE VERSION
12.02.2016 - 21:35: Fix design-issues due to the "super nice mods" merging posts... Gee, thanks guys... :angry:
 
Last edited by EpicLPer,
  • Like
Reactions: CyberMario, RSA6974, Konno Ryo and 5 others
Click to expand...
Returnofganon

Returnofganon

I pretend like I know what I'm talking about
Member
Level 4
Joined
Jul 1, 2015
Messages
537
Trophies
0
XP
454
Country
United States
Looks interesting, nice tutorial!

EDIT:
I have a suggestion, here is a list of ds flashcards that could work with this : https://pongupdates.wordpress.com/flashcards-working-on-3ds/
Ones that havent worked since launch will not work, ones that where patched in 1.0 firmware update and up will probably work
Ps I didn't make this
 
Last edited by Returnofganon,
YharnamBadass

YharnamBadass

Well-Known Member
Member
Level 3
Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
194
Trophies
0
Age
31
XP
333
Country
Ecuador
Aurora Wright's TWL Firm file works perfectly for the dreadful R4i with the wifi (blue letters) and 3ds (green letters) markings. So it´s the best version of the twl firm, atleast for me. Because it works on my N3DS when everything else failed!.
 
wormdood

wormdood

pirate booty inspector
Member
Level 14
Joined
Jan 3, 2014
Messages
5,256
Trophies
2
Age
38
Location
behind a parental advisory sticker
XP
4,191
Country
United States
EpicLPer said:
Then tell me, is there a way to "manually" merge a post without using "MERGED auto /MERGED" since this adds the text to not double post?
Click to expand...
the edit button allows you to add text

im doing it now
still doing it
. . . ok im done now
. . . after this last one
 
Last edited by wormdood,
  • Like
Reactions: YharnamBadass
EpicLPer

EpicLPer

Your friendly Austrian IT Guy
OP
Member
Level 7
Joined
Mar 13, 2015
Messages
1,060
Trophies
0
Age
28
Location
Austria
Website
epiclper.com
XP
1,141
Country
Austria
wormdood said:
oh . . . i see what you mean because you cant quote in an edit? or is it because it does not trigger as a new post and as such bump the thread? . . . i guess im still confused as to what you truly meant
Click to expand...
No, I want to kind of "make sections" inside a post, as example on HTML you can do with an "HR" element so you get a nice, long line in the middle of your post.
I could do it with a picture to divide the different sections inside a post but that's so much effort put into one tiny thing to just make it look "nice"...
 
N64

N64

Well-Known Member
Member
Level 3
Joined
Apr 16, 2014
Messages
425
Trophies
0
XP
267
Country
United States
you forgot 1 critical piece - describing which nand to put it on. since the assumption is emunand, I installed it there, and it works great... but I would just call that out in the tutorial if I was you... lots of noobs lurk these forums
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShiroKyouma

Site & Scene News

Go to forum More news

Popular threads in this forum

Hacking Homebrew  A new way to experience StreetPass

Is it possible...?

Hacking Hardware  New Nintendo 3DS XL Louvre

Emulation  i have citra, i have my aes keys installed, how do i get the home menu

Hardware  Why does my 3DS take so long to turn off?

Hacking Misc  VCRUNTIME140.dll UCRTBASED.dll Master Thread

Translation Project  DQM2SP translation

What's the best 3DS emulator (especially after Citra's shutdown)?

General chit-chat
Help Users
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    I just found out that the EU version is better in literally every way, better sound quality, better lighting, and there's even a patch someone made to make the text look nicer
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    Do I restart now using what i've learned on the EU version since it's a better overall experience? or do I continue with the US version since that is what ive been using, and if someone decides to play my hack, it would most likely be that version?
  • Sicklyboy @ Sicklyboy:
    @TwoSpikedHands, I'll preface this with the fact that I know nothing about the game, but, I think it depends on what your goals are. Are you trying to make a definitive version of the game? You may want to refocus your efforts on the EU version then. Or, are you trying to make a better US version? In which case, the only way to make a better US version is to keep on plugging away at that one ;)
  • Sicklyboy @ Sicklyboy:
    I'm not familiar with the technicalities of the differences between the two versions, but I'm wondering if at least some of those differences are things that you could port over to the US version in your patch without having to include copyrighted assets from the EU version
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    @Sicklyboy I am wanting to fully change the game and bend it to my will lol. I would like to eventually have the ability to add more characters, enemies, even have a completely different story if i wanted. I already have the ability to change the tilemaps in the US version, so I can basically make my own map and warp to it in game - so I'm pretty far into it!
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    I really would like to make a hack that I would enjoy playing, and maybe other people would too. swapping to the EU version would also mean my US friends could not legally play it
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    I am definitely considering porting over some of the EU features without using the actual ROM itself, tbh that would probably be the best way to go about it... but i'm sad that the voice acting is so.... not good on the US version. May not be a way around that though
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    I appreciate the insight!
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    @TwoSpikedHands just switch, all the knowledge you learned still applies and most of the code and assets should be the same anyway
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    and realistically they wouldn't

    be able to play it legally anyway since they need a ROM and they probably don't have the means to dump it themselves
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    why the shit does the shitbox randomly insert newlines in my messages
  • Veho @ Veho:
    It does that when I edit a post.
  • Veho @ Veho:
    It inserts a newline in a random spot.
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    never had that i don't think
  • Karma177 @ Karma177:
    do y'all think having an sd card that has a write speed of 700kb/s is a bad idea?
    trying to restore emunand rn but it's taking ages... (also when I finished the first time hekate decided to delete all my fucking files :wacko:)
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    @Karma177 that sd card is 100% faulty so yes, its a bad idea
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    even the slowest non-sdhc sd cards are a few MB/s
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjCivnt5t50
  • Karma177 @ Karma177:
    @The Real Jdbye it hasn't given me any error trying to write things on it so I don't really think it's faulty (pasted 40/50gb+ folders and no write errors)
  • DinohScene @ DinohScene:
    run h2testw on it
     +1
  • DinohScene @ DinohScene:
    when SD cards/microSD write speeds drop below a meg a sec, they're usually on the verge of dying
     +1
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    Samsung SD format can sometimes fix them too
  • Purple_Heart @ Purple_Heart:
    yes looks like an faulty sd
  • Purple_Heart @ Purple_Heart:
    @Psionic Roshambo i may try that with my dead sd cards
     +1
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    It's always worth a shot
    Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo: It's always worth a shot