Sky3DS/Sky3DS+ alternative?

[Sin_Shadow_Fox]

So I've recently been feeling nostalgic for Legend of Zelda games with all the crappy formula-breaking and bobble head plastic LoZ games coming out lately so I've been burning through some old titles like minish cap, link to the past, link between worlds, four sword adventure ect. I was looking for another LoZ game to play when i came across links awakening. Did a bit of digging and found the best version is the 3DS virtual console version of Links Awakening DX. Only problem is the eShop doesn't exist anymore cause nintendo are a-holes. So I've been looking for a way to get the game by other means. Came across something called *snip* but it looks like a teck illiterate's nightmare and it's technically homebrew which most teck illiterates vehemently oppose as if we brick our console, we're F'ed. I then came across a post here of another user asking the same thing back in 2019. Unfortunately most of it was unhelpful as that user was dogpilled or "shitstormed" as he put it, i quite like that. Anywho, there was one viable non-homebrew option that came out of that thread, Sky3DS/Sky3DS+. However the link provided, https://nds-card.com/ , doesn't seem to carry it now. It's been about 6 years since that thread so I'm hoping there are better options for non-homebrew "legitimate" games for the New XL-3DS.

*sigh* i just wish nintendo would let us buy older games.

 

[voltar324]

Even the Sky3DS won't work on newer versions of the 3DS system software. Without custom firmware it will just block the card from running. Getting a ntrboot card like the Ace3dsX or EZ-FLASH Parallel is the safest way to install custom firmware using the ntrboot method.

 

[lone_wolf323]

So I've recently been feeling nostalgic for Legend of Zelda games with all the crappy formula-breaking and bobble head plastic LoZ games coming out lately so I've been burning through some old titles like minish cap, link to the past, link between worlds, four sword adventure ect. I was looking for another LoZ game to play when i came across links awakening. Did a bit of digging and found the best version is the 3DS virtual console version of Links Awakening DX. Only problem is the eShop doesn't exist anymore cause nintendo are a-holes. So I've been looking for a way to get the game by other means. Came across something called *snip* but it looks like a teck illiterate's nightmare and it's technically homebrew which most teck illiterates vehemently oppose as if we brick our console, we're F'ed. I then came across a post here of another user asking the same thing back in 2019. Unfortunately most of it was unhelpful as that user was dogpilled or "shitstormed" as he put it, i quite like that. Anywho, there was one viable non-homebrew option that came out of that thread, Sky3DS/Sky3DS+. However the website provided, nds card, doesn't seem to carry it now. It's been about 6 years since that thread so I'm hoping there are better options for non-homebrew "legitimate" games for the New XL-3DS.

*sigh* i just wish nintendo would let us buy older games.

What system firmware version is running on your console right now?

 

[Sin_Shadow_Fox]

What system firmware version is running on your console right now?

Ver. 11.17.0-50U

 

[ihaveahax]

There are effectively only two 3DS flashcarts, Gateway and Sky3DS (anything else is a clone of one of these). Gateway requires its own custom firmware. Sky3DS can work without a homebrew setup. Both have generally been considered obsolete due to the existence of free and easy to use custom firmware, especially since early 2017.

 

[SylverReZ]

Even the Sky3DS won't work on newer versions of the 3DS system software.

Sky3DS+ and Stargate 3DS will work on ALL System Menu versions, Sky3DS only works on 11.10 and below to my understanding, and not on the latest. Gateway can still be used on 11.17 with custom patches (here), but only if your system is already modded with CFW.

But thanks to custom firmware, flashcarts are practically obsolete today, that is unless you don't want to tamper with the system.

Ver. 11.17.0-50U

Sky3DS+ or Stargate 3DS will work on this System Menu version. You cannot buy the Sky3DS+ anymore, not since 2022, but there are Stargate carts on AliExpress for about $30.

 

[Sin_Shadow_Fox]

Sky3DS+ and Stargate 3DS will work on ALL System Menu versions, Sky3DS only works on 11.10 and below and not on the latest. Gateway can still be used on 11.17 with custom patches (here), but only if your system is already modded.

But thanks to custom firmware, flashcarts are practically obsolete today, that is unless you don't want to tamper with the system.

As i said in my initial post, I'm not looking to install custom firmware onto my 3DS, i wish people would read that, but i noticed you made a distinction between Sky3DS+ and Sky3DS. I'm hoping this is because Sky3DS+ will work on 11.17 and is not simply a grammatical error. But my main problem still remains, accessibility. The website provided back in 2019 does not carry it.

 

[SylverReZ]

Getting a ntrboot card like the Ace3dsX or EZ-FLASH Parallel is the safest way to install custom firmware using the ntrboot method.

I would never recommend the EZ-Flash Parallel in any way, it's been said many times that the Parallel has many issues such as bricks.

https://www.flashcarts.net/ds-quick-start-guide?tab=non-recommended

 

[Sin_Shadow_Fox]

Sky3DS+ or Stargate 3DS will work on this System Menu version. You cannot buy the Sky3DS+ anymore, not since 2022, but there are Stargate carts on AliExpress for about $30.

Ah, do you have any experience with stargate? Do they work as well as sky3ds?

 

[ihaveahax]

Like it or not the community has moved very, very heavily in the direction of softmodding. That is why flashcart usage is generally severely discouraged, and why support isn’t provided as readily for it.

 

[SylverReZ]

Ah, do you have any experience with stargate? Do they work as well as sky3ds?

I do. The Stargate has two advantages over the Sky3DS+ being that it can act as a DS-mode flashcart as well as an ntrboot cartridge for installing custom firmware; although, you have said that you do not want to install custom firmware, which I do understand.

However, there are some limitations to this, as the DS-mode cannot run some homebrew because it lacks an external DLDI. Pokemon Black & White 2 is one of the games that would not boot up. And if you are running custom firmware, then the DS-mode will be in-accessible, not without installing the launcher CIA that has the kernel repackaged.

The Stargate 3DS can run card-1 and card-2 games as (.3DS) dumps, but is only restricted to region-locked titles meaning retail games for your console's region. You cannot run eShop or VC games without custom firmware, this also applies to homebrew.

If you accept the limitations of this flashcart, then it's definitely worth a shot. You can check out this thread on the Stargate 3DS if you'd like to read up some good advice: https://gbatemp.net/threads/stargate-3ds-is-pretty-good.658534/

 

[Sin_Shadow_Fox]

I do. The Stargate has two advantages over the Sky3DS+ being that it can act as a DS-mode flashcart as well as an ntrboot cartridge for installing custom firmware; although, you have said that you do not want to install custom firmware, which I do understand.

However, there are some limitations to this, as the DS-mode cannot run some homebrew because it lacks an external DLDI. Pokemon Black & White 2 is one of the games that would not boot up. And if you are running custom firmware, then the DS-mode will be in-accessible, not without installing the launcher CIA that has the kernel repackaged.

Yes, like many others i want to avoid homebrew as it's risky, especially for teck illiterate people like myself. So does Stargate require homebrew or only this "ds-mode"/"ntrboot cartridge"? I want to avoid meddling with my official nintendo firmware as much as possible (preferably entirely).

The Stargate 3DS can run card-1 and card-2 games as (.3DS) dumps, but is only restricted to region-locked titles meaning retail games for your console's region. You cannot run eShop or VC games without custom firmware, this also applies to homebrew.

What are card-1/card-2? Also what do you mean i cannot run eShop/VirtualConsole titles?

If you accept the limitations of this flashcart, then it's definitely worth a shot. You can check out this thread on the Stargate 3DS if you'd like to read up some good advice: https://gbatemp.net/threads/stargate-3ds-is-pretty-good.658534/

I appreciate the link but unfortunately a lot of this is going over my head.

 

[SylverReZ]

So does Stargate require homebrew or only this "ds-mode"/"ntrboot cartridge"?

No. Stargate will work on any unmodified system and does not require custom firmware. It replicates the same hardware as a 3DS gamecard without the system knowing the difference. It can run 3DS and DS games as the features are built into the cart.

The two buttons on the top is what you use to switch through the games, but if you hold the two together, it will mount itself as an original DS game to load all of your original DS ROMs.

What are card-1/card-2? Also what do you mean i cannot run eShop/VirtualConsole titles?

Card-1 games have a separate save chip, whereas card-2 games will save directly to the flash chip. Older flashcarts before that had to be patched to make it work. Edit: You cannot run converted games because they do not work, because you're attempting to run a modified ROM, which removes the signing.

eShop and Virtual Console titles often come as (.CIA) files which are not supported with the Stargate. To use the Stargate you must have legit encrypted cartridge dumps the same way as a retail game, or, downloaded from the internet. They must have the (.3DS) file extension.

 

[amomo]

[...] Did a bit of digging and found the best version is the 3DS virtual console version of Links Awakening DX. Only problem is the eShop doesn't exist anymore cause nintendo are a-holes. So I've been looking for a way to get the game by other means. [...] Anywho, there was one viable non-homebrew option that came out of that thread, Sky3DS/Sky3DS+. [...] It's been about 6 years since that thread so I'm hoping there are better options for non-homebrew "legitimate" games for the New XL-3DS.

Reformulating your post as I understand it: you want to run a 3DS eShop title (a Virtual Console title for a Gameboy Color game) that you don't own, without modding your console.

Your only options, if you absolutely don't want to mod your console, are:

• to buy a 3DS that owns the title,
• to buy a pre-modded 3DS,
• to buy the original Gameboy Color game (or a flashcart) and use it on compatible hardware,
• or to emulate it on other hardware.

Neither a Sky3DS, a Sky3DS+ or a Stargate 3DS will run eShop titles. They are only for running games that have been released officially on cartridges and have not been modified whatsoever (so, the mentioned Card1 to Card2 conversion, for example; but it also means no DLC, no updates, etc).

I would also not recommend the Stargate 3DS. It's a very buggy flashcart, which does not support later 3DS games and is known to corrupt savefiles and SD cards. It also tends to crash mid-game and make the 3DS consider it ejected. Until there's a known way to reprogram those cartridges with custom firmware, I cannot recommend them.

 

[Sin_Shadow_Fox]

Your only options, if you absolutely don't want to mod your console, are:

• to buy the original Gameboy Color game (or a flashcart) and use it on compatible hardware,

Neither a Sky3DS, a Sky3DS+ or a Stargate 3DS will run eShop titles. They are only for running games that have been released officially on cartridges and have not been modified whatsoever (so, the mentioned Card1 to Card2 conversion, for example; but it also means no DLC, no updates, etc).

I would also not recommend the Stargate 3DS. It's a very buggy flashcart, which does not support later 3DS games and is known to corrupt savefiles and SD cards. It also tends to crash mid-game and make the 3DS consider it ejected. Until there's a known way to reprogram those cartridges with custom firmware, I cannot recommend them.

You recommend using flashcarts but say that the best mentioned flashcart so far doesn't work. What exactly are you recommending then?

Also, @SylverReZ care to comment on amomo's comment about stargate being buggy?

 

[SylverReZ]

Neither a Sky3DS, a Sky3DS+ or a Stargate 3DS will run eShop titles. They are only for running games that have been released officially on cartridges and have not been modified whatsoever (so, the mentioned Card1 to Card2 conversion, for example; but it also means no DLC, no updates, etc).

That's what I've said, only retail games as in physical form. Not from the eShop at all.

In regards to Card-1 to Card-2 conversion, I've been misinformed, as this method is aimed towards Gateway users since their proprietary firmware removes signature checks. And because the Stargate acts as a physical gamecart, it will not work as the signatures are needed to boot the game.

I would also not recommend the Stargate 3DS. It's a very buggy flashcart, which does not support later 3DS games and is known to corrupt savefiles and SD cards. It also tends to crash mid-game and make the 3DS consider it ejected. Until there's a known way to reprogram those cartridges with custom firmware, I cannot recommend them.

Fortunately, that is the only flashcart readily available for us, and thankfully the last. I could recommend the Sky3DS but you're going to be paying double if you look on sites like eBay, and finding any listing for the Sky3DS/+ is relatively difficult.

About the Stargate cart, and I'm not sure if this applies to even the launch models, but the one that I bought from AliExpress is known to corrupt save files like in your instance. As for game crashes, I've never seemed to experience any mid-game.

So, in conclusion, there's no best 3DS flashcart on the market, especially considering they no longer exist for the sole reason thanks to custom firmware. You have lesser risk of damaging your system as opposed to GW if you follow easy steps correctly, it's free, and you don't have to pay money for all of the features you currently have. And before you ask whether flashcarts for playing 3DS games are useful today, I'm going to say a big no to that.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

As i said in my initial post, I'm not looking to install custom firmware onto my 3DS, i wish people would read that, but i noticed you made a distinction between Sky3DS+ and Sky3DS. I'm hoping this is because Sky3DS+ will work on 11.17 and is not simply a grammatical error. But my main problem still remains, accessibility. The website provided back in 2019 does not carry it.

There is no other way to play pirated eShop games, it's CFW or nothing.
The steps at http://3ds.hacks.guide are very easy to follow, I recommend it.

 

[Sin_Shadow_Fox]

Fortunately, that is the only flashcart readily available for us, and thankfully the last. I could recommend the Sky3DS but you're going to be paying double if you look on sites like eBay, and finding any listing for the Sky3DS/+ is relatively difficult.

I would happily pay double but amomo says that sky3ds/+ doesn't work. I'm still waiting on the flashcart that he mentioned in his 3rd option.

About the Stargate cart, and I'm not sure if this applies to even the launch models, but the one that I bought from AliExpress is known to corrupt save files like in your instance. As for game crashes, I've never seemed to experience any mid-game.

I wish you would have mentioned this sooner as you said it was better than sky3ds/+. Thankfully as a teck illiterate i don't trust people readily so i withheld buying one.

So, in conclusion, there's no best 3DS flashcart on the market, especially considering they no longer exist for the sole reason thanks to custom firmware. You have lesser risk of damaging your system as opposed to GW if you follow easy steps correctly, it's free, and you don't have to pay money for all of the features you currently have. And before you ask whether flashcarts for playing 3DS games are useful today, I'm going to say a big no to that.

amomo seems to think there is a flashcart that is viable for my intended purpose so I'll wait for his response as to which one he's referring to.

But as for your other points, bricking is quite a serious risk, especially for teck illiterates like myself as it's a potentially permanent problem, especially given how complex and difficult the instructions for a lot of homebrew are. I mean, as soon as i looked into hShop, i was inundated with terms and separate components I've never heard before, like luma, ntr, fbi, cia and a bunch of other stuff. Already having a system that relies on a bunch of different moving parts is a dangerous game to play but when your handling dangerous/complex things with no understanding of them, then you only increase the risk of f'ing something up, hence why most people are so vehemently against homebrew like myself. Given that risk and the fact that flashcarts seem to be less and less viable i would have to disagree with your statement about flashcarts not being useful today. It sounds like functional flashcarts are more useful than ever for teck illiterates and people avoiding homebrew, like I've stated a few times now, given their scarcity.

 

[lone_wolf323]

I would happily pay double but amomo says that sky3ds/+ doesn't work. I'm still waiting on the flashcart that he mentioned in his 3rd option.

I wish you would have mentioned this sooner as you said it was better than sky3ds/+. Thankfully as a teck illiterate i don't trust people readily so i withheld buying one.

amomo seems to think there is a flashcart that is viable for my intended purpose so I'll wait for his response as to which one he's referring to.

But as for your other points, bricking is quite a serious risk, especially for teck illiterates like myself as it's a potentially permanent problem, especially given how complex and difficult the instructions for a lot of homebrew are. I mean, as soon as i looked into hShop, i was inundated with terms and separate components I've never heard before, like luma, ntr, fbi, cia and a bunch of other stuff. Already having a system that relies on a bunch of different moving parts is a dangerous game to play but when your handling dangerous/complex things with no understanding of them, then you only increase the risk of f'ing something up, hence why most people are so vehemently against homebrew like myself. Given that risk and the fact that flashcarts seem to be less and less viable i would have to disagree with your statement about flashcarts not being useful today. It sounds like functional flashcarts are more useful than ever for teck illiterates and people avoiding homebrew, like I've stated a few times now, given their scarcity.

Well. aside from casting the 3 3ds flashcarts aside. the sky3ds+, gateway, and stargate. You have one option left at your disposal. which. from everything you dont want to do. is simple. The only thing left is to purchase each game you want to play and be happy with them.

 

[Sin_Shadow_Fox]

Well. aside from casting the 3 3ds flashcarts aside. the sky3ds+, gateway, and stargate. You have one option left at your disposal. which. from everything you dont want to do. is simple. The only thing left is to purchase each game you want to play and be happy with them.

I would do that happily if that were an option. But as I've stated in my original post, Nintendo shut down the 3ds eShop, so i can't. And to my knowledge, there is no physical copy of the virtual console version of Link's Awakening DX.