Hacking Unbrick NDS Cartridge

[polo28]

Hey guys,

I'm new to this world and this is my first time posting here, as i can't seem to find answers to my questions.

Around 10 years ago, someone gave me 2 NDS cartridges with multiple games in them (not an R4), something like "128 in 1" is written on the cartridges.

I could use them for a little while, then one of them got unusable, my DS couldn't read it anymore, and then a little later, the 2nd one got unusable too.

Until today i was thinking they got broken, but now that i dive deeper into the 3ds hacking/modding world, i start to think that they both might have been bricked, as only those 2 cartridges stopped working, all the official/legit ones i had and still have are still working.

First question: is this possible that these 2 cartridges got bricked?

Second question: if yes, is there a way to unbrick them?

Thank you in advance for your answers!

 

[master801]

If the DS doesn't detect it anymore, it's more of a hardware issue than firmware, typically.

 

[SylverReZ]

Hey guys,

I'm new to this world and this is my first time posting here, as i can't seem to find answers to my questions.

Around 10 years ago, someone gave me 2 NDS cartridges with multiple games in them (not an R4), something like "128 in 1" is written on the cartridges.

I could use them for a little while, then one of them got unusable, my DS couldn't read it anymore, and then a little later, the 2nd one got unusable too.

Until today i was thinking they got broken, but now that i dive deeper into the 3ds hacking/modding world, i start to think that they both might have been bricked, as only those 2 cartridges stopped working, all the official/legit ones i had and still have are still working.

First question: is this possible that these 2 cartridges got bricked?

Second question: if yes, is there a way to unbrick them?

Thank you in advance for your answers!

Could I have a look at the cartridges in question?

 

[polo28]

If the DS doesn't detect it anymore, it's more of a hardware issue than firmware, typically.

Thank you, is there any way to check if it's actually an hardware issue and not software?

Post automatically merged: Aug 28, 2024

Could I have a look at the cartridges in question?

Unfortunately i'm not home for a few days and i don't have them with me, but they look something like this (note that mine were made for nintendo ds lite, and don't have a micro sd card port in them) - [i can't post links so replace the (dot) with an actual dot to access the link]
bit(dot)ly/3T2vLtJ

 

[master801]

Thank you, is there any way to check if it's actually an hardware issue and not software?

There is something you can try.

Other people have taken their carts apart and put something in it as a spacer, like a piece of paper, to make the pins have better contact with the cartridge slot.

 

[SylverReZ]

Unfortunately i'm not home for a few days and i don't have them with me, but they look something like this (note that mine were made for nintendo ds lite, and don't have a micro sd card port in them) - [i can't post links so replace the (dot) with an actual dot to access the link

You're most certainly looking at an Ace3DS+ clone or similar. Please note that these flashcarts with built-in games are a ripoff, because you're paying for pirated games for more money compared to getting them for free.

Furthermore, the microSD cards in these are known to cause issues and lose data if you copy new files over, even to the point that it no longer works after weeks or months of use. It is highly suggested that you replace it with a SanDisk or well known branded card.

 

[polo28]

There is something you can try.

Other people have taken their carts apart and put something in it as a spacer, like a piece of paper, to make the pins have better contact with the cartridge slot.

I'll try that!

Post automatically merged: Aug 28, 2024

You're most certainly looking at an Ace3DS+ clone or similar. Please note that these flashcarts with built-in games are a ripoff, because you're paying for pirated games for more money compared to getting them for free.

Furthermore, the microSD cards in these are known to cause issues and lose data if you copy new files over, even to the point that it no longer works after weeks or months of use. It is highly suggested that you replace it with a SanDisk or well known branded card.

Yes i know they are a ripoff, but these were gifted to me back then, i never bought one.

And as i said the ones i have don't have sd slots in them, but thanks for the info!

 

[Technicmaster0]

You can also try to clean the contacts of the cards. Often that solves the issue. No need to take them apart.