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]

yeah, I Know but it worked perfectly before, it was just a suggestion for all the 24-28 MB games.

I'd rather not move cardEngine_arm9 back to DSi WRAM, and break DLP support again, just to fit 24-28MB ROMs into RAM/load at cart speeds again.

 

[Hepointatsquib]

Someone's probably already tried it, but I tested the Celebi/Raikou/Entei/Suicune rom with TWLoader and my Pokémon Diamond and Soul Silver, and it worked

 

[nl255]

I'd rather not move cardEngine_arm9 back to DSi WRAM, and break DLP support again, just to fit 24-28MB ROMs into RAM/load at cart speeds again.

Is the 24MB limit based on the size of the .nds file or the actual size of the game?

 

[RocketRobz]

Is the 24MB limit based on the size of the .nds file or the actual size of the game?

.nds file, excluding the header, arm9 binary, and padding.

 

[nl255]

.nds file, excluding the header, arm9 binary, and padding.

So no trimming necessary? And how does nds-bootstrap detect the true size?

 

[RocketRobz]

So no trimming necessary? And how does nds-bootstrap detect the true size?

It detects the ROM size in the ROM header.

 

[EPgrouch]

nice looking update thanks.

 

[soniccomcisbr]

Try updating again official bootstrap again. Should work on official now.

Sola to Robo stills not working here on the official

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

Also, Nanostray 2 now have sound effects but some of them are bugged

 

[kinder_bueno]

@Robz8 Why there is no font in Ghost Trick's dialogs when running it with nds-bootstrap?

Anyway, thanks for the hard work! Final Fantasy CC Ring of Fates and Avalon Code much improved in terms of performance!

 

[soniccomcisbr]

@Robz8 There is really a chance in the near future to not use donor carts for games like Sola to Robo? I want to play it, but I dont have any "eeprom 64 kb" cart now, but I can wait instead of hunt one.

 

[RocketRobz]

@Robz8 There is really a chance in the near future to not use donor carts for games like Sola to Robo? I want to play it, but I dont have any "eeprom 64 kb" cart now, but I can wait instead of hunt one.

SDK5 save support is planned.
Also, you can use any cart with EEPROM of any size, for Solatorobo.

 

[soniccomcisbr]

SDK5 save support is planned.
Also, you can use any cart with EEPROM of any size, for Solatorobo.

I have only 2 carts now: Okamiden and Ouendan 2, any of them are eeprom.

 

[soniccomcisbr]

@Robz8 oh, by the way, there is any kind of list of games who need carts to save?

 

[RocketRobz]

@Robz8 oh, by the way, there is any kind of list of games who need carts to save?

All SDK5 games.

 

[soniccomcisbr]

All SDK5 games.

I really dont know what is SDK on nds, google dont helped me XD

 

[RocketRobz]

I really dont know what is SDK on nds, google dont helped me XD

Press SELECT on a game in TWLoader to show what SDK version a ROM uses.

 

[laharl22]

Where i can find latest compiled for dsi?

 

[RocketRobz]

nds-bootstrap v0.8.1

What's new?

• Cheat support added!
  DSiMenu++ will place the cheat code (Action Replay type) in the nds-bootstrap.ini file, if there's a cheat.xml file in `sd:/_nds`.
• A donor ROM is no longer needed!

Improvement

• @profi200's SDMMC code from fastboot3DS is now used. As a result, load times are slightly improved.

Bug fixes

• Using the `Quick-start ROM` option in DSiMenu++ causes touch input to not work. This bug has been fixed, as touch input now works with the option enabled.
• Fixed async prefetching trying to read outside of the ROM file. (Fixes Newer Super Mario Bros. (NSMB ROM hack) from crashing into the blue screen)
• Some game compatibility have been fixed, after removing donor ROM feature.

Regression

• As donor ROM support has been removed, SDK3-4 (alongside SDK5) games will now need a donor cart with matching save type, in the DS card slot.
  Some SDK4 games, such as Zelda: Spirit Tracks, and the MegaMan StarForce games (2 & 3) will still save to SD card though.

 

[piratesephiroth]

A donor ROM is no longer needed!

 

[laharl22]

so which sdk need donor cart on dsi and 3ds?