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]

v1.0.1
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v26.1.1 (GBATemp thread)

Improvement​

• Slightly improved boot times on DSi/3DS in DSi mode.
  • NDMA is now used to clear memory.

Bug fixes​

• Fixed the Chinese (iQue) & Korean versions of Super Mario 64 DS not booting.
• Implemented ROM and save mirroring.
  • Fixes compatibility in some lesser-known DS games, such as My Stop Smoking Coach.
• B4DS: Fixed games containing overlays crashing with an Expansion Pak inserted.
• Improved region determination for region-free DSiWare titles.
  • If TWLCFG or the country setting within isn't detected, it'll determine region based on the currently set language.
  • Fixes DS WiFi Settings standalone ROM displaying Japanese on flashcards even with a region other than Japan set.
• Ported RTC fix to B4DS mode.
  • Should hopefully fix the crashes in the Pokemon Gen 4 games, the time changing in Animal Crossing: Wild World and other time-related issues on DS flashcards.
• Patched RAM mirror checking in an attempt to make the launched game not use more than 4MB of RAM.
  • DS mode and DSi mode will set the proper value, the latter of which allows games to use up to 8MB of RAM.
  • Does not apply to SDK5 games, as those are already working fine.
  • Fixes Jump Super Stars not booting in DS mode.

 

[Keylogger]

Is it me or Golden Sun is very slow after each battle to resume to the map?
I have to wait at least 10 sec after a battle with a black screen and music playing in background before i can continue the play

 

[RocketRobz]

Is it me or Golden Sun is very slow after each battle to resume to the map?
I have to wait at least 10 sec after a battle with a black screen and music playing in background before i can continue the play

Pretty sure it's not just you with this issue. You can try speeding it up by setting ARM9 CPU Speed to TWL in the per-game settings menu.

 

[RocketRobz]

v1.0.2: Halloween Release
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v26.2.0 (GBATemp thread)

Bug fixes​

• When using wireless features, ROM loading on DSi/3DS SD Card is now slowed down once again, in order to prevent errors.
• Fixed ROM mirroring for if ROM size is larger than the device size set in the ROM header.
  • Fixes support for some modified ROMs (ex. translations and ROM hacks).
• B4DS mode: Cheat engine has been moved to arm7 WRAM for Inazuma Eleven 1 & 2.
  • Fixes where opening a menu crashes the game with an AP-fix applied.
• Fixed the European version of Yoshi Touch & Go not booting on DSi/3DS SD Card.
• B4DS mode: To prevent bugs, TWiLight Menu++ must now be used with `EZ_FLASH_RAM` turned on in `fat:/_nds/TWiLightMenu/settings.ini`, in order to use an EZ-Flash Slot-2 cartridge.

 

[RocketRobz]

v1.0.3
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v26.3.0 (GBATemp thread)

Bug fixes​

• Tootuf: Mission Nadia now saves!
• Style Lab: Jewelry Design now boots in DSi mode.
• Fixed where opening the Records menu after exiting the WFC menu in Tetris DS crashes the game.
• B4DS mode: Fixed where a DSiWare title which doesn't require a donor ROM, requires one to boot.
• Fixed cheats not working in DSiWare titles on 3DS.

 

[RocketRobz]

v1.1.0: TWL Christmas release
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v26.4.0 (GBATemp thread)

What's new?​

• B4DS mode: Music now plays in Pop Island: Paperfield & Glory Days: Tactical Defense when played on debug/dev DS consoles.

Bug fixes​

• Fixed cloneboot not working in some DSiWare titles.
• Fixed reading cloneboot flag at invalid ROM end address, which would cause certain ROM hacks to not boot.
• Part of RAM used for screenshots is now backed up before taking screenshot. This fixes where a game would crash after taking a screenshot.
• Slot-1 access is now enabled for DS Download Play.

 

[RocketRobz]

v1.1.1: Flipnote on DS Lite? (New Years release)
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v26.5.0 (GBATemp thread)

What's new?​

• B4DS mode: As Flipnote Studio is one of the most requested DSiWare, it now boots on DS Phat & Lite consoles!

Known bugs​

• Unfortunately, due to memory limitations, Flipnote Studio does not work fully in B4DS mode, and only works in a proof-of-concept state. These bugs will likely not get fixed.
  • Only the USA version boots.
  • Does not save.
  • Getting past the main menu will cause a crash. This means you cannot create any flipnotes.
• Year text in the nds-bootstrap screen still displays 2023 as the last year.

 

[raxadian]

Year text in the nds-bootstrap screen still displays 2023 as the last year

Eh, this will probably be fixed on the next release.

Flipnote

Should be made DSi/3DS/2DS only or at least be disabled by default until bugs get ironed out.

 

[RocketRobz]

Eh, this will probably be fixed on the next release.

It definitely will be fixed then.

Should be made DSi/3DS/2DS only or at least be disabled by default until bugs get ironed out.

TWiLight Menu++ will notify the user that it'll crash later on. That alone should maybe make the user wait it out until the bugs get fixed.

 

[RocketRobz]

v1.2.0
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v26.5.1 (GBATemp thread)

What's new?​

• B4DS mode: 12 more DSiWare titles are now playable on DS and DS Lite consoles (plus 3 more titles for debug units)!
  • Scroll down to see which titles are now supported.
  • Click >here< for the full list of supported titles.
• B4DS mode: DSiWare version of Fashion Tycoon now saves!
  • EUR version is now also supported.
• @Pk11 and various: Updated translations, and added Vietnamese, Czech, and Finnish languages!

Bug fixes​

• The game will no longer crash sometimes when exiting the in-game menu.
  • The bug was caused by a timing issue which made the console still think it was running the in-game menu.
• Updated last year text in the nds-bootstrap screen.
• Other minor fixes.

Regression (B4DS mode)​

• Due to memory limitations which will never get fixed, Flipnote Studio will no longer boot on DS and DS Lite consoles.
  • If your console is a debug unit, you'll still be able to boot it with the same issues from the previous version of nds-bootstrap.

DSiWare titles now supported on DS & DS lite​

Titles marked in Bold will only boot on debug/dev consoles.

• Academy Tic-Tac-Toe
  • Does not save.
• ACT Series: Tangocho: Ni Chi Hen
  • Does not save.
• ACT Series: Tangocho: Ni Chu Hen
  • Does not save.
• ACT Series: Tangocho: Ni Kan Hen
  • Does not save.
• Antipole
  • Audio does not play due to memory limitations.
• Cat Frenzy
• Chronos Twins: One Hero in Two Times
• Cosmos X2
• Defense of the Middle Kingdom
• Elite Forces: Unit 77 (Adds multiplayer, which is not in the original physical release.)
• Hellokids: Vol. 1: Coloring and Painting!
• Invasion of the Alien Blobs!
• Jump Trials
• Jump Trials Extreme
• Puffins: Let's Roll!

 

[CrashMidnick]

Hi @RocketRobz

Does Shantae works on your side with TWL for flashcards ? I got a red screen since 3-4 TWL versions.

 

[RocketRobz]

Hi @RocketRobz

Does Shantae works on your side with TWL for flashcards ? I got a red screen since 3-4 TWL versions.

Yes, it works fine on my side. Tested both with and without the Memory Expansion Pak.

 

[CrashMidnick]

Yes, it works fine on my side. Tested both with and without the Memory Expansion Pak.

Then I do not know what happens, I did not change anything except regular updates of TWL++

 

[RocketRobz]

Then I do not know what happens, I did not change anything except regular updates of TWL++

Could be a flashcard-specific issue then. Which one are you using?
Also, which region of the ROM are you using?

 

[CrashMidnick]

Could be a flashcard-specific issue then. Which one are you using?
Also, which region of the ROM are you using?

I tried with DSTWO, R4i and R4 clone. With and without RAM expansion.
ROM region is EUROPE.

No problem on DSi and 3DS.

 

[RocketRobz]

I tried with DSTWO, R4i and R4 clone. With and without RAM expansion.
ROM region is EUROPE.

No problem on DSi and 3DS.

Ah, I was testing the USA region. I'm getting the same issue with the EUR region.
Should be easy to fix on our side.

 

[CrashMidnick]

Ah, I was testing the USA region. I'm getting the same issue with the EUR region.
Should be easy to fix on our side.

I should have been more precise.

Thanks mate.

 

[RocketRobz]

v1.2.1 (hotfix)

Bug fixes​

• B4DS mode: Fixed the European version of Shantae: Risky's Revenge crashing on red screens after boot.
• Attempted to fix the bug where the in-game menu sometimes wouldn't be controllable after opening it.

 

[CrashMidnick]

v1.2.1 (hotfix)

Bug fixes​

• B4DS mode: Fixed the European version of Shantae: Risky's Revenge crashing on red screens after boot.
• Attempted to fix the bug where the in-game menu sometimes wouldn't be controllable after opening it.

Works like a charm. Thank you so much !

 

[RocketRobz]

v1.2.2
Included in TWiLight Menu++ v26.6.0 (GBATemp thread)

What's new?​

• To prevent some crashes, card read DMA has been disabled entirely for DSi-Enhanced/DSi-Exclusive games in DSi mode.

Bug fixes​

• Flipnote Studio now boots properly with Memory Pit.
• Fixed a long-standing bug where cloneboot would not work with DSi-Enhanced ROMs running in DSi mode.
• Fixed arm7 binary being cleared for DSi mode when running via DSiWarehax, which caused an error to appear when booting.
• Proper language bitmask is now used for Australian region.