Homebrew SCSFW: "Simple" "DS mode first" Custom Firmware for SuperCard (all variants)

[edo9300]

SCFSW (name inspired by SCFW) is a custom firmware for SuperCard CF, SuperCard SD, SuperCard Lite and SuperCard Rumble (all variants), with the NDS mode being its first target.
Installation
Download the latest release (firmware.frm for the SuperCard CF, SuperCard SD and SuperCard Lite, firmware-rumble.frm for the SuperCard Rumble) and flash it with @Apache Thunder's SCKILL from a DS (make sure the firmware is properly named firmware.frm, rename it if needed, and placed in the root of the SD SCKILL is being run from)
The firmware by itself has no GBA side by default, if you want to use the supercard on a gba or in GBA mode, you'll need a custom firmware setup for the GBA mode on your sd as well. You can use SCFW or its modular kernel branch (in which case just extract their zips on the SD), or SuperFW (rename the firmware.gba file from its releases to kernel.gba and put it in the root of the SD)
NOTE: The SuperCard Rumble has NO GBA support, because it lacks the hardware
Current Features

• SDHC
• When booted in DS mode (via passme/flashme), the SuperCard will launch a custom build of nds-hb-menu, from which you can load any other homebrew, for example TwiLightMenu or nds-bootstrap, this build allows you to assign specific homebrews to hotkeys while booting up, like unlaunch, to access the config menu press A+B on boot (the configs are saved on the SuperCard itself, not on the sd card)
• The firmware resides entirely in the flash of the SuperCard, so once flashed, no extra files will be required to be present on the SD (unless you need GBA mode support)
• Automatic dldi patching: it will automatically dldi patch any loaded homebrews with the up to date dldis, picking the appropriate one for the SuperCard SD and the SuperCard Lite (with the lite dldi being the fastest dldi for a flashcart out there)
• Use gbarunner to better play GBA games

Planned Features

• A dedicated file browser insead of relying on hb menu, with support for autobooting other homebrews via hotkeys
• Investigate the capabilities of the SuperCard Rumble, and find a way to better use its 2 megabyte flash storage and work around its lack of extra ram

Notes
This firmware has been successfully tested on SuperCard SD, SuperCard miniSD, SuperCard microSD, SuperCard Lite and SuperCard Rumble.
For the Lite and Rumble specifically, only the English versions of those carts were tested, it's currently unknown if the Chinese variants will work as well
For Twilight and nds-boostrap support on the Rumble, the current versions (v27.12.2 and v2.2.2 respectively) will currently not work, either use the nightly builds or a newer version (when available)
Links

• SCSFW github repo: https://github.com/edo9300/SCSFW
• SuperCard SD dldi: https://github.com/edo9300/SuperCard-SDHC-DLDI
• SuperCard SD dldi: https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/DLDI/tree/4232b331d8d0af36de4de2817199d726b09c0091/source/sccf
• SuperCard Lite/Rumble dldi: https://github.com/edo9300/SuperCard-SDHC-DLDI/tree/supercard-lite

Credits

• @metroid maniac - for the initial work on SCFW, that served as base for this
• @Archeychen - for the initial work on the SDHC dldi that was used as base for the ones i use
• @davidgf - for his work on studygin the SuperCard SD and the development of various tools to work with it
• @Apache Thunder - for helping me figuring out how to properly work with the SuperCard Lite
• Asie - for nds-miniboot that was used as bootloader for this project

 

[Xyvir]

Anyway to set an auto-boot .nds for hbmenu? That would be a great feature.

Also on my Old DS (not light) the bottom screen backlight seems to be off for some reason on this firmware, anyway to fix that?

Just let me know, thanks!

-Xyvir

EDIT:

The following seems to be an auto-boot only version of hbmenu that boots BOOT.NDS; I would love this functionality on SCSFW so I can go straight to TWM++ after power on my phat DS.

https://gbatemp.net/threads/flashcard-bootstrap-kernel-replacement-project.615293/

 

[4d1xlaan]

ds from slot 2 is very cool, and the fact we can have better compatibility decades later because of nds bootstrap is amazing

makes flashme actually useful too

 

[Xyvir]

This is AWESOME.

I've been avoiding flashing SuperFW or SCFW to my supercard cause I didn't want to lose NDS capabilities, but with this firmware I can do both and it's better than the stock supercard FW since it supports SDHC. Awesome.

It's amazing the development that is happening on this old (but super cheap) flashcart.

 

[sonictopfan]

Will this replace the supercard firmware completely and hopefully increase the amount of games/files stored in one folder? The supercard has a very limited file count (around 200 if I remember) which gets filled fast especially if you wish to view or delete a save file, however, I like that the supercard firmware allows you to pause games midway to create save points and use cheats, hopefully these features will stick around.

Also can this add support for DSi titles? Assuming you are playing on a DSi/3DS of course, I like being able to start DSi games from twilight menu directly rather than installing them into the system nand and this way I can do it on my non-modded DSi as well.

 

[Xyvir]

Will this replace the supercard firmware completely and hopefully increase the amount of games/files stored in one folder? The supercard has a very limited file count (around 200 if I remember) which gets filled fast especially if you wish to view or delete a save file, however, I like that the supercard firmware allows you to pause games midway to create save points and use cheats, hopefully these features will stick around.

Also can this add support for DSi titles? Assuming you are playing on a DSi/3DS of course, I like being able to start DSi games from twilight menu directly rather than installing them into the system nand and this way I can do it on my non-modded DSi as well.

Yes this is a supercard stock firmware replacement; but it's kind of only bootstrapper that can launch other .NDS homebrew files.

, I like that the supercard firmware allows you to pause games midway to create save points and use cheats, hopefully these features will stick around.

Those features are actually added to the rom by the supercardSD.exe pre-patcher; that being said if you try to launch pre-patched roms with TWM++ or similair they will likely get double-patched and not open, tldr: you will lose the savepoint/cheat ability if you flash SCSFW to your Supercard.

 

[RocketRobz]

Also can this add support for DSi titles? Assuming you are playing on a DSi/3DS of course, I like being able to start DSi games from twilight menu directly rather than installing them into the system nand and this way I can do it on my non-modded DSi as well.

As long as TWiLight Menu++ is installed onto your flashcard, you can play DSiWare titles (even on DS Phat and Lite models).
As the flashcard runs in DS mode though, some DSiWare titles will not boot, and others will require a Memory Expansion Pak. The SuperCard SD and Lite works as both a Slot-2 flashcard and memory expansion.

 

[sonictopfan]

As long as TWiLight Menu++ is installed onto your flashcard, you can play DSiWare titles (even on DS Phat and Lite models).
As the flashcard runs in DS mode though, some DSiWare titles will not boot, and others will require a Memory Expansion Pak. The SuperCard SD and Lite works as both a Slot-2 flashcard and memory expansion.

Wait, I had no idea DSiWare games could run on a DS Lite and og DS, I understand games that require special features such as the camera will not work but still, the idea to being able to play games such as Shantae Risky's Revenge, Dr Mario, Frogger Returns, Rayman, Earthworm Jim, and the homebrew port of Super Mario 64 on a regular DS.

 

[RocketRobz]

Wait, I had no idea DSiWare games could run on a DS Lite and og DS, I understand games that require special features such as the camera will not work but still, the idea to being able to play games such as Shantae Risky's Revenge, Dr Mario, Frogger Returns, Rayman, Earthworm Jim, and the homebrew port of Super Mario 64 on a regular DS.

The homebrew port of SM64 would not work, as it uses more memory than 4MB of RAM.
A lot of the DSiWare that already work on DS Phat and Lite models do not use more than 4MB of RAM, whereas Rayman and Earthworm Jim (and other Gameloft-developed titles) do use more than that.
Here's a list of compatible games: https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/TWiLightMenu/blob/master/universal/include/compatibleDSiWareMap.h

 

[Crass]

ds from slot 2 is very cool, and the fact we can have better compatibility decades later because of nds bootstrap is amazing

makes flashme actually useful too

The Datel Max Media Dock did it 18 years ago

 

[SylverReZ]

The Datel Max Media Dock did it 18 years ago

The SuperCard SD had done this prior to the MAX Media Dock. The Media Dock was designed for playing homebrew in mind, but by using a patched version of Maximum Overload you can run retail DS games from a CF card. Not generally ideal because the R4 card and other 'true' slot-1 solutions took over.

 

[sonictopfan]

The homebrew port of SM64 would not work, as it uses more memory than 4MB of RAM.
A lot of the DSiWare that already work on DS Phat and Lite models do not use more than 4MB of RAM, whereas Rayman and Earthworm Jim (and other Gameloft-developed titles) do use more than that.
Here's a list of compatible games: https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/TWiLightMenu/blob/master/universal/include/compatibleDSiWareMap.h

Thanks, this list is quite useful, also regarding Rayman I'm pretty sure it requires the camera (ubisoft thought it was a good idea to take a photo everytime you save your progress) so I suppose that's another issue.

 

[edo9300]

Anyway to set an auto-boot .nds for hbmenu? That would be a great feature.

Also on my Old DS (not light) the bottom screen backlight seems to be off for some reason on this firmware, anyway to fix that?

I'm changing the backlight values and supposedly reading the ones from the firmware on boot, but since my phat is a CPU-20 version, i forget there was that possibility, I'll give a look at the backlight code to update it accordingly to work there as well

I would love this functionality on SCSFW so I can go straight to TWM++ after power on my phat DS.

Adding such autoboot feature it's on the todo list (for now you'll have to recompile the firmware yourself and change the bundled nds with twilight's)

Also can this add support for DSi titles? Assuming you are playing on a DSi/3DS of course, I like being able to start DSi games from twilight menu directly rather than installing them into the system nand and this way I can do it on my non-modded DSi as well.

Well, this is for the SLOT2 supercards, (noticed just now that the title to the thread might be misleading and make people think it's for the SuperCard dsone/dstwo as well, i'll update it), so it only has a purpose on a ds lite/phat, but as robz said, you can run some dsiware titles and since the SuperCard acts as memory expansion as well, you'll have even more compatiility with them

 

[Xyvir]

I'm changing the backlight values and supposedly reading the ones from the firmware on boot, but since my phat is a CPU-20 version, i forget there was that possibility, I'll give a look at the backlight code to update it accordingly to work there as well

Adding such autoboot feature it's on the todo list (for now you'll have to recompile the firmware yourself and change the bundled nds with twilight's)

Well, this is for the SLOT2 supercards, (noticed just now that the title to the thread might be misleading and make people think it's for the SuperCard dsone/dstwo as well, i'll update it), so it only has a purpose on a ds lite/phat, but as robz said, you can run some dsiware titles and since the SuperCard acts as memory expansion as well, you'll have even more compatiility with them

I'm surprised to learn that four swords anniversary edition can work on my phat via slot2! I thought for some reason it wouldn't.

Post automatically merged: Dec 8, 2024

I'm changing the backlight values and supposedly reading the ones from the firmware on boot, but since my phat is a CPU-20 version, i forget there was that possibility, I'll give a look at the backlight code to update it accordingly to work there as well

Adding such autoboot feature it's on the todo list (for now you'll have to recompile the firmware yourself and change the bundled nds with twilight's)

Well, this is for the SLOT2 supercards, (noticed just now that the title to the thread might be misleading and make people think it's for the SuperCard dsone/dstwo as well, i'll update it), so it only has a purpose on a ds lite/phat, but as robz said, you can run some dsiware titles and since the SuperCard acts as memory expansion as well, you'll have even more compatiility with them

Would I need to DLDI patch the TWM++.NDS before bundling it into the supercard Kernel?

 

[edo9300]

Would I need to DLDI patch the TWM++.NDS before bundling it into the supercard Kernel?

No, just replace the file SCFW_Stage2_NDS.NDS, btw, i tried fixing the backlight issue on phat, could you try if this build works?

 

[4d1xlaan]

The Datel Max Media Dock did it 18 years ago

you legitimately do not know what you are talking about

ds compatibility stopped in like 2007, good luck running any games past this on your datel max media dock 18 years ago

 

[Xyvir]

No, just replace the file SCFW_Stage2_NDS.NDS, btw, i tried fixing the backlight issue on phat, could you try if this build works?

This firmware fixed the bottom-screen backlight issue on my phat! Nice!

Post automatically merged: Dec 9, 2024

No, just replace the file SCFW_Stage2_NDS.NDS, btw, i tried fixing the backlight issue on phat, could you try if this build works?

Also, I got autoboot working via the bootstrapper! Meaning TWM++ 'lives' on the SD card so I don't have to flash the firmware each time to update it.

https://github.com/lifehackerhansol/flashcard-bootstrap/releases/tag/v2.2.0

I used "bootme.nds" from here to replace SCFW_Stage2_NDS.NDS. Worked a charm.

I can boot straight to TWM++ from power-on on my phat thanks to flashme CFW.

This project is so cool.

Now to get a bigger SD Card

 

[sonictopfan]

Well, this is for the SLOT2 supercards, (noticed just now that the title to the thread might be misleading and make people think it's for the SuperCard dsone/dstwo as well, i'll update it), so it only has a purpose on a ds lite/phat, but as robz said, you can run some dsiware titles and since the SuperCard acts as memory expansion as well, you'll have even more compatiility with them

See, I was confused as I have a supercard ds two (slot1).

 

[edo9300]

This firmware fixed the bottom-screen backlight issue on my phat! Nice!

Nice, in the end what I ended up doing for non cpu-20 ds phats was just "do nothing"

Also, I got autoboot working via the bootstrapper! Meaning TWM++ 'lives' on the SD card so I don't have to flash the firmware each time to update it.



https://github.com/lifehackerhansol/flashcard-bootstrap/releases/tag/v2.2.0



I used "bootme.nds" from here to replace SCFW_Stage2_NDS.NDS. Worked a charm.

I also started laying out autoboot support with hotkey, (autoboot of boot.nds got already pushed to the tepo), I guess I'll go unlaunch like for the hotkey support, (so a, b, x, y and nothing)

 

[Xyvir]

Nice, in the end what I ended up doing for non cpu-20 ds phats was just "do nothing"

I also started laying out autoboot support with hotkey, (autoboot of boot.nds got already pushed to the tepo), I guess I'll go unlaunch like for the hotkey support, (so a, b, x, y and nothing)

Flashme is hold select to skip autoboot, for whatever that's worth.

Post automatically merged: Dec 9, 2024

Nice, in the end what I ended up doing for non cpu-20 ds phats was just "do nothing"

I also started laying out autoboot support with hotkey, (autoboot of boot.nds got already pushed to the tepo), I guess I'll go unlaunch like for the hotkey support, (so a, b, x, y and nothing)

Confirming that autobooting boot.nds is working with the latest github repo

Nice work!

i assume it will default to hbmenu if no boot.nds file is found on the sd card?