nds-bootstrap:

Thanks to the work of ahezard, Gericom, Apache, Robz8, _catcatcat, and shutterbug2000 and other contributors, we can now load NDS games from the SD card, without any flashcard/SLOT-1 card.

Don't expect high compatibility, but do expect many, many updates.

Compatibility listing:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LRTkXOUXraTMjg1eedz_f7b5jiuyMv2x6e_jY_nyHSc/edit#gid=0

The official Discord server for nds-bootstrap:
https://discordapp.com/invite/7bxTQfZ

The thread for the recommended loader (by Robz8):
https://gbatemp.net/threads/twloader-ctr-mode-nds-app.448375/

SRLoader for softmodded DSis (by Robz8):
https://gbatemp.net/threads/srloader-nds-app-for-dsi.472200/

If you're more of a forwarder person:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/nds-forwarder-cias-for-your-home-menu.426174/

Link to the releases page:
https://github.com/ahezard/nds-bootstrap/releases

Anti-Piracy patch list by Robz8
https://gbatemp.net/threads/ap-patch-preservation.477536/

Also, thank you to our testers:
Historian
JoshuaDoes
thejsa
Alerdy
PokeAcer

Spoiler: Videos

Also, a video thanks to Robz8:


And another thanks to Alerdy:

 

[RocketRobz]

EDIT: nvm

 

[zeroultima6]

Tales of Innocence works everyone, it just has the same problem as Final Fantasy III DS i.e the CGI intro.

 

[kinder_bueno]

@Robz8 just out of curiosity - is redirection of reads below 0800h implemented in nds-bootstrap?

 

[RocketRobz]

@Robz8 just out of curiosity - is redirection of reads below 0800h implemented in nds-bootstrap?

Yes.

 

[seren3]

MARIOS HOLIDAY IS COMPATIBLE!

YEAAAAAAAH!

ROBZ BRINGS THE GOODS

 

[kinder_bueno]

Yes.

Can we assume that AP checksums are what is blocking M&L Bowser's Inside Story from working with nds-bootstrap then?

@Robz8 How can I run nds-bootstrap from no$gba? When i just try to run release-bootstrap.nds then I get sd init error

 

[WinnieMaster1]

Where can I get the API path to play Pokémon heart gold properly?

 

[soniccomcisbr]

Something extra: All games from Retro Game Challange will work if you play on Freeplay mode. Looks the "freezing screen" is the Arino game room.

 

[seren3]

Thanks for all your hard work.

 

[sunfished]

Hi! Sharing my findings for Final Fantasy Echoes of Time (U)

The game will work and save if you manually patch the Anti-AP AR code directly into the rom itself. No clue if I'm allowed to share the code here, but the general process is to google for the code (4 lines), and then using DS ATM to patch the code into the nds file.

Tested using 0.10.0, and only goofed around for half an hour, so I'm not 100% sure this is the best option.

 

[skills14]

sorry if this has been answered but is there a save state option at all?

 

[SCOTT0852]

sorry if this has been answered but is there a save state option at all?

Nope, the DS mode on the 3DS doesn't have them so neither does this.

 

[hab]

Help I have been trying for day to get any way to play NDS but all i get is the BLACK screen with the following error "An error has occurred. Press and hold the POWER BUTTON to turn the system off. Please refer to the Operation Manual for details.

I have updates to the latest version of this and DSIMENU++ no luck I gust a flash cart will only be the way to 100% working please help.

 

[AutumnWolf]

Help I have been trying for day to get any way to play NDS but all i get is the BLACK screen with the following error "An error has occurred. Press and hold the POWER BUTTON to turn the system off. Please refer to the Operation Manual for details.

I have updates to the latest version of this and DSIMENU++ no luck I gust a flash cart will only be the way to 100% working please help.

in DSiMenu++ pick quick start

 

[RocketRobz]

in DSiMenu++ pick quick start

Latest DSiMenu++ no longer has that option.
@hab Are you using EmuNAND?

 

[hab]

Latest DSiMenu++ no longer has that option.
@hab Are you using EmuNAND?

in DSiMenu++ pick quick start I have selected this option same results.

I Would look to back up SD card wire and reload all need file fresh and clean to see if this will fix it but not sure if this will make my 3DS not even boot up.

Please help I can add a image of my current SD card set up it needed.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Latest DSiMenu++ no longer has that option.
@hab Are you using EmuNAND?

I have boot9stap install if that helps.

 

[froggestspirit]

Magician's Quest (U) works great on nds_bootstrap 10.2.
Tested saving, and the game seems to run full speed (music might stutter on loading screens), with no noticeable graphics glitches.

 

[The Catboy]

A few more games tested (I think I might have had a list including at least one of these of the games, but I can't find that post)
Monster Rancher DS (US, 64MB) just boots to a white screen. The game doesn't have an AP and personally I am sad that it doesn't work because it's one of my favorite DS games.
Monster Tale (US, 64MB) works without any issues
Monster Racer (US, 64MB) works without any issues.

 

[Vulpes-Vulpeos]

Monster Tale (US, 64MB) works without any issues

In my case this game corrupted save after playing around 5 hours 3 times
But it was rom with translation. Didn't have time to check this issue on original rom.

 

[The Catboy]

In my case this game corrupted save after playing around 5 hours 3 times
But it was rom with translation. Didn't have time to check this issue on original rom.

I didn't test for that long, just long enough to get to the first save.

 

[Vulpes-Vulpeos]

Want to report 2 problem games:
Juiced 2 (USA) - hangs the console after save right before the race begins.
Front Mission (USA) - hangs the console after loading nds-bootstrap screen.
Tried to change/turn on/off all options in individual game settings.