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nds-bootstrap

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nds-bootstrap
Ndsbootstrap2.png
General
AuthorRocket Robz, shutterbug2000, ahezard, Pk11
TypeTitle Launchers
Version0.51.1
LicenseGPL-3.0
Last Updated2021/11/27
Links
Download
Website
Source

nds-bootstrap is an open-source application that allows Nintendo DS/DSi ROMs and homebrew to be natively utilised rather than using an emulator. nds-bootstrap works on Nintendo DSi/3DS SD cards through CFW and on Nintendo DS through flashcarts.

Note from developers:

A frontend isn't required to be used as nds-bootstrap uses an ini file to load its parameters. However, it is very much recommended. TWiLight Menu++ is a frontend for nds-bootstrap, developed by RocketRobz & co. It has 7 customizable launchers to choose from with the ability to launch emulators and other homebrew. It also includes a number of Anti-Piracy patches for the games and will automatically configure nds-bootstrap for you, with customizable per game settings.

Installation

To install nds-bootstrap, download the .7z file.

Extract the nds-bootstrap .nds files, to root:/_nds/.

For TWLMenu++ users, extract the .ver file to root:/_nds/TWiLightMenu/ (only when you are updating nds-bootstrap, as it comes bundled in TWiLight Menu++).

User guide

ROM Compatibility

nds-bootstrap supports most DS ROMs, with a few exceptions (see compatibility list).

  • You can enhance your gaming experience with cheats and faster load times than general cartridges (for games that support those features).
  • Game saving is supported too and will be saved in the .sav extention, and .pub or .prv for DSiWare.
  • Anti-Piracy patches can be loaded via IPS files, but they are not included inside the software itself.
  • nds-bootstrap also supports many homebrew applications, including games like DSCraft (please check the compatibility list above).

B4DS mode (a result of running nds-bootstrap on DS-mode flashcards with locked SCFG or DS Phat/lite):

  • Supports some DS ROMs, you can increase compatibility by inserting a DS Memory Expansion Pak.
  • Since v0.50.2 it is also possible to boot Nintendo DSi+Internet, see list of supported DSiWare titles.
  • Note: Dumping RAM and taking screenshots are currently not possible in B4DS mode.

Screenshots

To take screenshots directly from the hardware:

  • Open the in-game menu, select Screenshots...
  • Select the VRAM bank, in case if the screenshot looks incorrect (this feature cannot be used in B4DS mode).
  • You can now step 1 frame, while in the in-game menu (by pressing R).
  • Screenshots will be saved to screenshots.tar in sd:/_nds/nds-bootstrap/.
    • Due to hardware limitations, only screenshots of the main-set screen will be taken.
    • Limit is 50 screenshots. After reaching the limit, you cannot take any more, until you delete screenshots.tar in sd:/_nds/nds-bootstrap/, where it'll be re-created on next boot.

FAQ

Please see the FAQ & Troubleshooting page.

Controls

These do not apply to DSiWare.

L+R+Up+X (for 1 second) - Swap the screens

L+R+Down+A (for 2 seconds) - Dump RAM to sd:/_nds/nds-bootstrap, as ramDump.bin

L+R+Down+B (for 2 seconds) - Return to loader (may not work on some O3DS models, and does not work in B4DS mode)

L+Down+Select - Open the in-game menu (can be changed in the TWiLight Menu++ settings)

Screenshot (in-game menu):

R - Advance by one frame

Up/Down/Left/Right - Change VRAM bank

A - Save screenshot

B - Return to in-game menu

RAM Viewer (in-game menu):

Up/Down - Scroll

Left/Right - Fast scroll

R+Down/Up - Faster scroll

R+Left/Right - Fastest scroll

A - Enter RAM Editor

B - Return to in-game menu

Y - Specify an address to jump to

Up/Down - Increase/Decrease selected value

Left/Right - Select a value

A/B - Return to RAM Viewer/Editor at specified address

RAM Editor (in-game menu):

Up/Down/Left/Right - Select a value

A - Modify selected value

Up/Down - Increase/Decrease value by 1h

Left/Right - Increase/Decrease value by 10h

A/B - Finish modifying value

B - Return to RAM Viewer

Y - Specify an address to jump to

Up/Down - Increase/Decrease selected value

Left/Right - Select a value

A/B - Return to RAM Viewer/Editor at specified address

Media

3DS Play NDS ROM's Off Your SD Card! (TWiLightMenu) (Tech James)

Known issues

Please refer to https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/nds-bootstrap/issues.

Changelog

v0.51.1 (hotfix) 2021/11/27

Bug fixes:

  • Fixed SDK2.0 games (such as Super Mario 64 DS) not booting.
  • Fixed soft-reset not working in certain areas of some games.
  • Reverted to slow soft-reset method for Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver Versions to work around the black screen crash.
  • Fixed a regression where the in-game menu would not be positioned correctly.

v0.51.0 2021/11/27

What's new?

  • B4DS mode: Support for up to 23 DSiWare titles have been added, making them playable on DS/DS lite consoles for the first time ever (For a list of supported titles, see this list here).
    • GO Series: 10 Second Run.
    • Ace Mathician.
    • Art Style: Aquia.
    • Aura-Aura Climber.
    • Art Style: BASE 10.
    • Dairojo! Samurai Defenders.
    • Dark Void Zero.
    • GO Series: Defense Wars.
    • Dragon's Lair.
    • Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp (USA version only).
    • DS WiFi Settings.
    • Famicom Wars DS: Ushinawareta Hikari.
    • Game & Watch: Ball.
    • Game & Watch: Chef.
    • Game & Watch: Donkey Kong Jr.
    • Game & Watch: Flagman.
    • Game & Watch: Helmet.
    • Game & Watch: Judge.
    • Game & Watch: Manhole.
    • Game & Watch: Mario's Cement Factory.
    • Game & Watch: Vermin.
    • Mighty Flip Champs.
    • Space Ace.
    • (For Debug DS consoles, additional support for 6 titles have been added.)
      • G.G. Series: All Breaker.
      • G.G. Series: Assault Buster.
      • BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale.
      • Mighty Milky Way.
      • Nintendo DSi XL Demo Video.
      • Nintendo DSi XL Demo Video: Volume 2.
  • Soft-resetting speeds have improved, and now doesn't reboot the console, so you no longer need to wait some time before the game starts again.
  • Shiny Pokémon hunters will find this feature useful, as it'll speed up the hunting process.

Bug fixes:

  • Fixed Banana Cup causing a crash in Mario Kart DS.
  • (Untested) The Power Washer minigame crash in Mario Party DS should now be fixed.
  • Fixed Anno 1701: Dawn of Discovery not booting on 3DS.
  • Fixed Magic School Bus: Oceans not booting on 3DS.
  • Brain Age Express: Sudoku no longer shows the Download failed message.

Known bugs:

  • B4DS mode: None of the supported DSiWare titles (except Famicom Wars DS: Ushinawareta Hikari) can save data.
  • B4DS mode: Due to memory limitations of retail DS consoles, audio will not play in Art Style: Aquia.
  • B4DS mode: In Aura-Aura Climber, depending on how far you go in Endless Mode, the game will crash. Inserting a Memory Expansion Pak may prolong how far you can go up before the crash.
  • B4DS mode: The Game & Watch DSiWare titles will softlock after finishing a game or exiting (usually in Game A mode).
  • B4DS mode: Connecting to WiFi in Famicom Wars DS: Ushinawareta Hikari will cause the game to crash.
  • Some SDK2.0 games (such as Super Mario 64 DS) do not boot due to the fast soft-reset implementation.
  • Soft-resetting may not work properly in a few games, causing a crash as a result.

v0.50.2 2021/11/12

  • B4DS mode: Nintendo DSi + Internet now boots!
  • Saving is now stubbed out in a few DSiWare titles in order to proceed further, when running from a CycloDS iEvolution.
    • Known affected games:
      • A Little Bit of... Nintendo Touch Golf.
      • Asphalt 4: Elite Racing.
      • Aura-Aura Climber.
      • Brain Challenge.
      • Cave Story.
      • Ferrari GT: Evolution.
      • Plants vs. Zombies.
      • Puzzle League: Express.
      • Rayman.
      • Tetris Party Live.

Bug fixes:

  • Fixed an overlooked bug due to optimized code, which caused AP-patching to not work properly for SDK5 games on DSi.
  • Increased the file size limit of AP-fix .ips patches from 192KB to 256KB.
    • This fixes Rabbids Go Home (Only DS mode tested on DSi).
  • B4DS mode: Fixed AP-patching not working properly, when using a Memory Expansion Pak.
  • Fixed WiFi not working when running from a CycloDS iEvolution.
  • (@Epicpkmn11) Fixed ARM7 RAM viewer randomly freezing.
  • Fixed an overlooked bug which caused Kirby Canvas Curse to lockup on the logos with empty save data and with SWI Halt Hook turned on.
  • Fixed EUR version of Hotel Dusk: Room 215 not booting.

Release notes.

Credits

Developers:

  • Rocket Robz: Lead developer, DSi mode and DSiWare support, B4DS mode, general maintenance and updates.
  • shutterbug2000: SDK5 support, help with DSi mode support, and some other implemented stuff.
  • ahezard: Starting the project, former lead developer.
  • Pk11: In-game menu, screenshot taking, and translation management.

Other:

Translators:

External links

Retrieved from ‘https://www.gamebrew.org/index.php?title=Nds-bootstrap&oldid=66956’

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