TWiLight Menu++

TWiLight Menu++
TWiLight Menu++
General
Author	DS-Homebrew
Type	Title Launchers
Version	24.1.1
License	GPL-3.0
Last Updated	2022/03/01
Links
	Download
	Website
	Source

TWiLight Menu++ is an open-source DSi Menu upgrade/replacement for the Nintendo DSi, the Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo DS flashcards. It can launch Nintendo DS, SNES, NES, GameBoy (Color), GameBoy Advance, Sega GameGear/Master System & Mega Drive/Genesis ROMs, as well as DSTWO plugins (if you use a DSTWO) and videos.

Features

Launch DS, DS, and DS Ware ROMs from the SD card and/or flashcard, via nds-bootstrap (comes included with the app).
For flashcards, the flashcard kernel/firmware can optionally be used to boot the games, but only for regular DS games, and DS⁽ⁱ⁾-Enhanced games in DS mode.
Automatic on-the-fly AP-patching! Drag and drop your ROMs onto the SD card, and play, without any additional steps.
The included AP-patches are loaded for a specific game, by nds-bootstrap, and the patching is done in RAM, leaving your original ROM untouched.
Bring the DSi Menu to your DS Phat/lite, by putting TWLMenu++ on a flashcard.
First DS flashcard UI to show animated icons from DS-Enhanced, DS-Exclusive, and DS Ware games.
Set the language to your preference.
10 save slots for DS games.
For DSi/3DS/2DS users: Overclock your DS games to 133mhz, faster than normal DS clock speed of 67mhz.
For DSi/3DS/2DS users: Change sound frequency from 32kHz to 48kHz for higher sound quality.
Directly access the flashcard's microSD card, and switch to and from there anytime (Only applies to compatible flashcards).
Run the last played ROM on TWiLight Menu++ startup.
Play retro games from these consoles:
- Atari XEGS, via XEGS-DS (.xex and .atr).
- Atari 2600, via StellaDS (.a26 only).
- Atari 5200, via A5200DS (.a52 only).
- Atari 7800, via A7800DS (.a78 only).
- NES/Famicom, via nesDS.
- (Super) GameBoy (Color), via GameYob.
- Sega Master System/Game Gear, via S8DS.
- Sega MegaDrive/Genesis, via jEnesisDS (or PicoDriveTWL, if ROM is above 3MB) (.gen only).
- Super Nintendo/Famicom, via SNEmulDS.
- PC-Engine/TurboGrafx-16, via NitroGrafx.
- GameBoy Advance, via GBARunner2 or the DS' native GBA mode, which the latter requires one of these Slot-2 flashcards:
  - M3.
  - G6.
  - SuperCard SD/MiniSD/MicroSD.
  - EZ-Flash (before Omega) (Saving does not work).
Play videos: Using GBARunner2 or native GBA mode.
3DS/2DS users: Play DS games in 16:10 widescreen! Not all games will work with this feature.

Installation

How to install on 3DS, DSi and Flashcard.
How to update on 3DS, DSi and Flashcard.

Release includes nds-bootstrap v0.54.2.

User guide

Useful links

TWiLight Menu++ DS Compatability List.
TwiLight Menu++ official website.
Tutorials from CFWaifu.
TwilightBoxart (boxart downloader for TWL++ by KirovAir).

Emulators on the DS/DSi

Below is the list of emulators and loaders that have been bundled into TWiLight Menu++ (in /_nds/TWiLightMenu/emulators/). They can be run on DS/DSi/3DS (in DS/DSi mode).

Format	Loader	Extensions	Save file
ARGV¹	Native	.argv
Atari 2600	StellaDS	.a26
Atari 5200	A5200DS	.a52
Atari 7800	A7800DS	.a78
Atari XEGS	XEGS-DS	.xex, .atr
ColecoVision	S8DS, ColecoDS	.col
DS	nds-bootstrap, flashcard kernel, native	.nds, .dsi, .ids, .srl, .app	saves/[rom name].sav²
DSiWare	Unlaunch, nds-bootstrap	.nds, .dsi, .ids, .srl, .app	saves/[rom name].pub, saves/[rom name].prv
DSTWO Plugin	DSTWO³	.plg
Game Boy (Color)	GameYob DS	.gb, .sgb, .gbc	[rom name].sav
Game Boy Advance	GBARunner2⁴, native⁵	.agb, .gba, .mb	[rom name].sav
Game Gear	S8DS	.gg	[rom name].gg.sav
Genesis/Mega Drive	jEnesisDS, PicoDriveTWL	.gen	[rom name].srm6
Intellivision	Nintellivision	.int
Master System	S8DS	.sms	[rom name].sms.sav
Neo Geo Pocket (Color)	NGPDS	.ngp, .ngc	/data/ngpds/[rom name].ngp.fla
Fast Video	Coming Soon	.fv
NES/Famicom	nesDS	.nes, .fds	[rom name].sav
PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16	NitroGrafx	.pce
Rocket Video	Rocket Video Player	.rvid
SG-1000	S8DS, ColecoDS	.sg
Sord M5	ColecoDS	.m5
SNES	SNEmulDS	.smc, .sfc	[rom name].srm
WonderSwan (Color)	NitroSwan	.ws, .wsc	???

Text files containing the path to a DS homebrew app and arguments to launch it with, see nds-hb-menu’s README for more info
Only for retail ROMs, homebrew do not have specific save files
Only works from a SuperCard DSTWO flashcard as it has additional processing power and RAM inside the flashcard
When running in DSi Mode, it can use the DSP for better sound
Requires a Slot-2 flashcart and thus only works on DS Phat and DS Lite
jEnesis can only save when running from a flashcard, but PicoDriveTWL can save from SD and flashcard

Notes on specific emulators

RAM Disks:

In order for jEnesisDS, neoDS and SNEmulDS to work on the DSi SD card, you’ll have to use a RAM disk with nds-bootstrap.
RAM disk makers exist for jEnesisDS & SNEmulDS and are built into TWiLight Menu++. You will need to create your own RAM disk for neoDS. See Creating RAM Disks on how to do so.
The reason why RAM disks are used is because these emulators, ARM7 hooks don’t work properly.

Comparison between PicoDriveTWL and jEnesisDS:

PicoDriveTWL	jEnesisDS
Made for DSi.	Made for DS.
Does not require RAM Disks.	Require RAM Disks.
Support saving on DSi SD cards, quicker loading time.	Does not support saving on DSi SD cards.
Support arguments.	Does not support arguments.
2.5MB limit on Flashcard (can use DSi extra RAM & DS Memory Pak).	3MB limit on all platforms.
No sound.	With sound emulation.
Extremely choppy.	Smooth framerate.

FAQ

Q. How do I fix getting a white screen when booting TWiLight Menu++?

First, try putting the console in sleep mode (e.g. closing the console’s lid, or pressing the sleep button on the O2DS), then wake up the console from it.

If that doesn’t work, format your SD card to FAT32 with 32 KB cluster/allocation size.

If that also doesn’t work, try a different SD card.

Q. Where is the Acekard/Wood UI theme?

The acekard (also called Wood UI) theme was removed due to its buggy behaviour and causing SD Card corruption. Please wait for a fix.

Progress for the return of this theme can be found in this PR.

Q. How do I fix TWiLight Menu++ restarting or giving a Guru Meditation Error when launching a game?

Go into TWLMenu++ Settings, and disable Update recently played list.

Q. Why do I get a white screen when trying to load a game from SD card?

First, check the nds-bootstrap compatibility list and make sure your game is compatible.

Try with all cheats disabled for that game as some cheats are not compatible with nds-bootstrap at the moment, you can use L to disable all cheats for a game.

If it worked before, delete the fatTable and patchOffsetCache folders in sd:/_nds/nds-bootstrap/

Q. How do I use cheats?

You need to have a cheat DB in the form of a usrcheat.dat file in the sd:/_nds/TWiLightMenu/extras/ folder.

The most updated cheat database is DeadSkullzJr’s.

On the 3DS, this database is available in the Universal-Updater app as NDS Cheat Databases. This will automatically install it to the required location.

Alternatively, you can use r4cce to create your own cheat DB.

Q. How do I show a custom picture on the top screen of the DSi theme?

A random .png image in sd:/_nds/TWiLightMenu/dsimenu/photos/ will be shown each time the menu is loaded.

The images(s) must be no bigger than 208x156.

If you have errors, it’s most likely an error with the image size. Please use tinypng to reduce the size.

Q. How do I get games?

You can download homebrew games from Universal-DB and GameBrew. To get dumps of your retail games:

On DS you can use GodMode9i to dump your GBA games and, if you have a Slot-2 flashcard, DS games.
On DSi you can use GodMode9i to dump your DS games and DSiWare.
On 3DS you can use GodMode9 to dump your DS games, DSiWare, and Virtual Console titles.

Q. Can I get the save files from my game cards onto my SD card or vice versa?

Yes, you can use GodMode9i on DSi and 3DS or Checkpoint on 3DS.

Q. How do I change TWiLight Menu++’s language?

Open TWiLight Menu++ settings, you can do this by holding SELECT while loading TWiLight Menu++.

Press L or Y once (on flashcard/3DS) or twice (on DSi). Change the first option until you see the language you want, then exit settings.

You may also want to change the next two options as they control the language of DS games and their titles in TWiLight Menu++.

Q. Is this a DS(i) emulator?

No, this is not an emulator. The menu and DS games (loaded via nds-bootstrap) are ran natively in the console’s DS/DSi mode.

The only consoles emulated are the past consoles, but partially for GBA (as some or all parts like graphics are ran natively).

Q. Why isn’t touch input working on sudokuhax?

Depending on the save file of sudokuhax, the touch screen inputs may not work.

Q. Can The Biggest Loser boot TWiLight Menu++?

No. As The Biggest Loser is a Slot-1 game, and not a DSiWare game, SD access is disabled when running Slot-1 cards.

Controls

DSi, 3DS, SEGA Saturn, Homebrew Launcher themes:

Left/Right - Select a game/app

A/Start - Launch game/app

L/R/Select+Left/Right - Switch pages

Select+Up/Down, then release Select (DSi/Saturn/HBL theme) - Switch between SD card and flashcard

X - Delete/hide game

Y - Per-game settings

Select (DSi/Saturn/HBL theme) - The Select menu or DS Classic Menu (Where system menu, TWiLight Menu++ Settings, and GBA Mode can be accessed)

Per-game setting:

X - Cheat menu

A - Toggle cheat (in cheat menu)

B - Exit cheat menu (in cheat menu)

X - Save and exit cheat menu (in cheat menu)

Y - Show cheat description (in cheat menu)

L - Disable all cheats (in cheat menu)

R4 theme:

Up/Down - Select a game/app

A - Launch game/app

L - Switch between the SD card and flashcard

Y - Per-game settings

Per-game setting:

X - Cheat menu

A - Toggle cheat (in cheat menu)

B - Exit cheat menu (in cheat menu)

X - Save and exit cheat menu (in cheat menu)

Y - Show cheat description (in cheat menu)

L - Disable all cheats (in cheat menu)

Boot shortcuts:

These should be pressed on the TWiLight Menu++ splash screen/right after the Nintendo DSi splash screen.

Select - Open settings

A+B+X+Y - Reset all TWiLight Menu++ settings

B - Boot the last ran ROM

Media

SRLoader (now TWiLight Menu++) - DS and (S)GB(C) from SD Card on DSi (Rojelio Reyes)

TWiLight Menu++ (23.1) | Nintendo DS Lite | DSi Games on DS (Stranno)

Known issues

v24.0.0 - The random crashes related to SD writes (notably when launching games with ESRB splash enabled or when exiting settings) have not been fixed. This does not occur on flashcards.

Changelog

v24.1.1

What's new?

(@DieGo367) Added custom icons for folders. (#1819)

Bug fixes:

Save data is now created for DS ROMs containing NTRJ as the TID.
Should fix saving not working in Super Mario 256.
Fixed WiFi being off by default on 3DS consoles.
Note: If you've previously updated to v24.0.0 or v24.1.0, please make sure WiFi is set to On in TWLMenu++ Settings, if you want to use wireless features.
Settings: Fixed System Settings not launching.

v24.1.0

What's new?

(@R-YaTian) Added some AP-fixes:
Fire Emblem: Shin Monshou no Nazo Hikari to Kage no Eiyuu (v3.01 English translation With Update Beta2) (Revision to fix DSi binary file)
Fushigi no Dungeon: Fuurai no Shiren 5: Fortune Tower to Unmei no Dice (Chinese translation)
Kyokugen Dasshutsu: 9-jikan, 9-nin, 9 no Tobira (Chinese translation)
RPG Tkool DS (Chinese translation) (Revision to fix DSi binary file)
To prevent potential issues, the leftover AP-fix file of opposite format is now deleted when launching a DS(i) game containing AP.
(@DieGo367) Added loading custom icons from PNG files (works on non-DS ROMs). (#1800)
(@Epicpkmn11) banner.bin can be used as well.
(@Epicpkmn11) Removed Chinese/Korean bundled fonts.
Switched Chinese font to WenQuanYi.
Falls back to default, if not found.
Card Read DMA setting is now shown for DSi-Exclusive games as well.
Removed various games from the card read DMA blacklist.

Bug fixes:

Fixed the AP-fixes for Dragon Quest V (JAP) & Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (KOR), by using fixes based on the cheat versions.
Fixed settings menu and manual crashing when exiting (which the SD write code wasn't causing it most of the time, but can still cause it sometimes).
Fixed Expand ROM space in RAM being shown for DSi-Exclusives.
DSi/Saturn/HBL theme: Fix SD switch missing from SELECT menu, when running from flashcard with unlocked SCFG.
Fixed DSi power LED briefly blinking purple if set to Blue/Red in TWLMenu++ Settings.
DSiWare Booter setting is no longer shown on 3DS consoles, as only nds-bootstrap is used to boot DSiWare.
On 3DS, SysNAND Region setting is now only shown, if running via DSiWarehax.
Corrected ESRB rating for Bangai-O Spirits.

v24.0.0

What's new?

(@spellboundtriangle) Added Ermii Kart DS: Legacy Edition and CTGP Nitro 1.0.0 widescreen patches.
New valentine-themed background for the TWLMenu++ splash screen!
The WiFi setting is now shown on 3DS consoles.
DSi consoles: You can now change the Power LED color to purple!
- In addition, depending on the theme, the battery icon color will change as well.
To cut down on wait times, the maximum limit of found files/folders (even those not displayed) is now 320.
DSi(Ware) SDK5.0 Donor ROM is now set separate from the SDK5.x one.
- SDK5.0 ROM is required for Nintendo DSi Camera to run in general DSiWarehax.
The .ngc (Neo-Geo Color) filetype is now supported.
SNEmulDS is now updated. An on-the-fly generated RAM disk by nds-bootstrap is no longer used to run SNES games.
(@Epicpkmn11) Added GBA game detection in DS Classic Menu.
(@Epicpkmn11) DSi/3DS/HBL themes: Progress bar is now shown while preparing music.
(@lifehackerhansol) Added Ace3DS+ and R4iTT 3DS (and clones) flashcart loaders.
(@lifehackerhansol) Added iTouchDS autoboot.
In order to free up some space, the DS Classic music has been removed.
- In case you miss it later on, it can be re-added to the DSi theme's folder as a custom music option. Download.

Improvement:

Donor ROM messages have been reworked.

Bug fixes:

Disabling the WiFi setting should now work properly, with the console unable to search for internet access points, as well as fixing the communication error in Gen 4 Pokemon games, for those with a broken or incorrectly-seated WiFi card.
Fixed Use ROM Region setting not being overridden if region is set in per-game settings.
OpenLara now boots in native GBA mode.
(@Epicpkmn11) If music conversion failed, it will now be redone on reboot.
(@lifehackerhansol) Fixed booter_fc poweroff fail on DS.
(@Epicpkmn11) Fixed SD inserted check.
In the per-game settings, USA text is now shown, if TID ends with O.

v23.4.0

What's new?

5 consoles have been added to TWLMenu++ Virtual Console.
- ColecoVision (S8DS & ColecoDS) (@FluBBaOfWard & @wavemotion-dave).
- Sord M5 (ColecoDS) (@wavemotion-dave).
- Sega SG-1000 (S8DS & ColecoDS) (@FluBBaOfWard & @wavemotion-dave).
- WonderSwan (NitroSwan) (@FluBBaOfWard).
- Neo Geo Pocket (NGPDS) (@FluBBaOfWard).
- (@lifehackerhansol) Added Wood R4igold.cc Upgrade autoboot.

Bug fix:

DSi-based themes: In order to work around a weird bug related to sleep mode, sleep mode is now disabled.

Release notes.

Credits

Main Developers:

RocketRobz: Lead Developer, implementing the auto-reset power button function used in NTR-mode.
chyyran: Porting the akMenu/Wood UI to TWiLight Menu++ & adding the ability to load sub-themes off the SD card for DSi/3DS themes.
Pk11: Adding the ability to load sub-themes off the SD card for the R4 theme, implemented sorting & made manuals use PNG, improved font rendering, providing a custom background for Unlaunch, and various bug fixes.

App Launchers:

ahezard & shutterbug2000: nds-bootstrap (used to launch Nintendo DS ROMs off the SD card), and NDMA SD read code.
Drenn: GameYob (used to launch Gameboy ROMs).
Coto: Working on SNEmulDS with acheid/Loopy (used to launch SNES ROMs) & nesDS (TWL Edition by Apache Thunder) (used to launch NES ROMs).
Lordus: jEnesisDS (used to launch Sega Mega Drive/Genesis ROMs).
Ryan FB & xonn83: PicoDriveDS (used to launch large Sega Mega Drive/Genesis ROMs).
Gericom: GBARunner2 (used to launch GameBoy Advance ROMs outside of the DS Phat/lite's GBA mode).
FluBBa: S8DS (used to launch Sega Master System/Game Gear ROMs).
Alekmaul & wavemotion: StellaDS, A5200DS, A7800DS, and XEGS-DS (used to launch Atari 2600/5200/7800/XEGS ROMs).

Graphics & Themes:

spinal_cord: DSi4DS and DSision2 graphics.
StarvingArtist: Game Console icons.
FlameKat53: Manual icon for DSi theme's SELECT menu.
fail0verflow, Fluto, and Arkhandar: Homebrew Channel/Launcher graphics.
davi: Border for GBC theme (originally for GameYob).
NightScript: Reworked Manual pages.

Music:

IkaMusumeYiyaRoxie: General N64 MIDI Soundfont, used for the title splash fanfare.

External links

Official website - https://wiki.ds-homebrew.com/twilightmenu
GitHub (TWiLightMenu) - https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/TWiLightMenu
GitHub (TWLBot) - https://github.com/TWLBot/Builds
GBAtemp - https://gbatemp.net/threads/ds-i-3ds-twilight-menu-gui-for-ds-i-games-and-ds-i-menu-replacement.472200