[DS] NDS/GBA Flashing/PassMe discussion

One thing that a lot of people have been getting into is playing ROMs of GBA/NDS games on the actual systems. I've done quite a bit with this, so I'll offer my advice and answer questions here.

GBA Flashcarts

There are a number of GBA Flashcarts out there. One of my personal favorites is the Flash2Advance Ultra. It comes in a variety of sizes and the battery life compared to others is fantastic.

The minimum size you should buy is 512Mbit (This is Megabit, NOT MegaByte!). 1024Mbit is pretty close in price now, so go with that. The reason I say nothing less is that there are a ton of games for the GBA that are 256Mbit, so get one of those and that'll either fill up or not load on a smaller cart. Even 2GB (2048Mbit) is getting cheap, so don't be afraid of getting too much!

You'll also need a way to flash the cart. You'll either need the USB linker that connects to your GBA/SP system, or the USB Linker (which you HAVE to have if you only have a NDS).

DO NOT get the XG cart. Horrible battery life, which results in your saves constantly going bye-bye.

Note that the filesize on your computer is MegaByte (MB). Don't confuse this with Megabit. 1MB is about 8 Mbit. You can look up the ROM's info at www.dgemu.com

A great reliable source to buy your carts (and linkers) is at www.linker4u.com

USB Link Cable (GBA/SP)
USB Writer (GBA/SP, NDS)

Good carts for GBA playing:
Flash2Advance Ultra

Bad carts for GBA playing:
XG-Flash
NeoFlash (as this is simply a relabeled XG)


Emulation on a GBA

NES Emulation: Quite decent. Due to the difference in screen size, things are a bit weird, but gameplay generally is good. However if a special soundchip is used (like the one in Castlevania III (J)), it's gonna be crap.
Emulator of choice: PocketNES

SNES: Sucks. There's very little that can be played and what can be isn't that enjoyable.
Emulator of choice: SNES Advance (but again, what's the point if "the SNES Advance will never be able to emulate sound")

GB/GBC: No personal experience.
Emulator of choice: Seems to be Goomba. Also heard about Goomba Color, which is suppose to be a GBC emulator, currently listed in alpha stages.

Sega Master System/Game Gear: No personal experience.
Emulator of choice: Dr.SMS was originally used, but has been discontinued. Heard that SMSAdvance is replacing it, but I don't know about them. Information appreciated.

PC-Engine: Again, no personal experience.
Emulator of choice: PCEAdvance

Further information and links to Emulators on GBA


Nintendo DS PassMe/FlashMe/and more

Believe it or not you can play ROMs of NDS games on the DS, but it's a lot harder and more complex.

First off, you need to know your version of firmware. It's simple to figure out.

1) Boot the NDS with a game in the NDS slot. If your system is set to autoboot, hold Select+Start.
2) Start up Pictochat, and enter Room A.
3) Pop out the NDS game. This will crash the DS.
4) Based upon what you see, you'll be able to determine your NDS version:

v1: Pictochat hangs
v2: two grayish blue screens
v3: two dark green screens
v4: two golden yellow screens
v5: two magenta screens
v6: two blue screens
DS Lite: two purple screens
iQue: two dark green screens
FlashMe: two dark green screens

If you have v4 or newer, or an iQue (likely not, unless you live in China), it's a little more strict when it comes to ROM playing.

v1-v3:
Anything and everything will work for you.

v4+:
The original PassMe, MagicKey, SuperPass, WifiMe, and PassKey WILL NOT WORK. PassMe2 and NoPass will work for you. FlashMe has been confirmed to work on a v4 & v5.


About FlashMe
FlashMe is a process that reverts the newer DSes to an older style firmware, and can remove the health warning process (if you desire, or not). It also allows booting NDS code off the GBA flashcart.

Info about it HERE


Running NDS ROMs
Depending on whether you have a NDS or NDS lite, you have a few options on what to get.

NDS "Phat"
M3 Adapter Compact Flash version w/ NDS PassCard 3
M3 Adapter MINI SD version w/ NDS PassCard 3
M3 Adapter SD version w/ NDS PassCard 3
*All these should work in a NDS lite, though the Compact Flash version will stick out A TON. It already sticks out a bunch in a NDS Phat. Even the SD version sticks out a bit on a Phat.

NDS lite
M3 Lite Micro SD Version w/ NDS PassCard 3
*Note, that this does NOT work on a NDS "Phat".

All use basically the same process to run and have a very high compatibility.

The Passcard 3 goes into the NDS slot. Since it is a NoPass device, it is sized the same as a NDS cart, and requires nothing sticking out or any real NDS game.

The M3 requires flash memory in order to store the games/homebrew. You can get these at NewEgg. NOTE WHICH VERSION YOU HAVE TO GET THE CORRECT MEMORY. Of course, you'll need a flash cart reader to load the stuff.

Firmware, instructions, and tons of other great info can be found at: M3 WIKI. This site also has a compatibility list. Read this site first for recommendations on flash cards.

To run any and all NDS games, you will need more than 128MB. Since there are 1024MBit games, they do requite 128MB space + save space, which means you'll need larger. Get as big as you can afford. Or multiple cards.



I'll add more info as I go. Ask questions if you have any.

Update 07.28.2006: Cleaned up a bit, added some links a touched up info a bit. Added Emulators on GBA section.
Update 09.19.2006: Changed NDS section to a much better device.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Why don't you take you're piracy to the high seas?

Seriously though, I own an EZFlash Advance, since it's incopatible with Macintosh, I use it rarely. How do you find this device compares to the others out there?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I'm still waiting for the next generation of NDS flash carts before picking one up, but from what I've read, the best choice right now is the M3.

How ya doing, buddy?

I'm very interested in this, Have i got this all right though? If i get some kinda of GBA flash Cart (i'm looking at the Super Card SD as it would mean i could add larger cards at later dates) and put FlashMe on it, and then flashed it, i would be able to run commercial DS roms direct from the card, yes? I read online something about having to patch DS roms, is this still the case or has a method been created to work around this?

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You still need to patch them, but doing the FlashMe just prevents needing the PassMe/PassMe2. However if there is no NDS game in the slot, the "close-the-case" sleep mode won't activate.

I haven't done FlashMe myself yet. I'm avoiding it on this NDS I have until I get it replaced for my bad pixel.

I was speaking idiomatically.

How well do DS roms even run.

I'd get a DS Lite if I could just download all the games.

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Yeah I'd like to know what compatibility is like too.

FELIPE NO

I'd tell ya Acer, but I'm presently blinded by your av/sig combo.

I haven't played a whole lot yet, but here's what I've gotten to work so far:
Pac-Pix (E)
Super Mario 64 DS (U)
Lunar DS (U)
Super Princess Peach (J)
Trauma Center (U)

The following I've tried but haven't gotten to work:
Sonic Rush (J)
Phoenix Wright (U) (Sorry Tails!)


And thats about it for testing because Super Princess Peach has been way to fun to give up. ^^;;

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Thanks for the reply.
Acer, you nearly gave a very drunken guy a siezure
It's still not as easy as i thought, so i'll do some browsing and see what comes up

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I'm highly interested in this. I've got a V2 DS; I did the check the two screens appeared to be of the grayish-blue color. I've only got a DS so I read that I need a USB Linker and I'd like to have a 1024Mbit card. So what exactly would be my best choices?

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Originally Posted by CapturedPenguin

I'm highly interested in this. I've got a V2 DS; I did the check the two screens appeared to be of the grayish-blue color. I've only got a DS so I read that I need a USB Linker and I'd like to have a 1024Mbit card. So what exactly would be my best choices?

I had done some research on this a month ago, but in the end I finally decided to just wait for the next generation of flash carts to come out.

If you are to buy one now however, there are 3 main choices:

- Supercard
Cheapest, and uses an SD or CF card to hold the data so you can potentially hold a few gigs worth of DS roms. Problems with this one is that many GBA games don't run too well (laggy), apparently the support is a bit worst, and it's made of crappy materials. If you just want to play DS games, and money is an issue, this one could do the job.

Official forum: http://forum.supercard.cn/

- M3
Also uses an SD or CF card to hold data. Runs GBA games fine. The thing is a bit bulkier than the Supercard however, but also uses less battery power. Supercard is supposedly around 2 hours of life off a full DS charge and the M3 is an hour or two more.

Official forum: http://www.m3-forum.com/

- G6
By the same guys who make the M3. It's the most expensive, but that's because its a flash cart and holds the data. People seem to consider it the best choice if you have the money. It's small too, and is like the size of a normal GBA cart.

How ya doing, buddy?

I personally recommend the Flash2Advance Ultra. It's what I use and is a great cart.

But you'll either need the PassMe, PassMe2, or you can do FlashMe. The nice thing about FlashMe is that you don't need the bulky PassMe/PassMe2 sticking out the NDS side, just a normal game for the sleep mode to activate. And sometimes the NDS slot side is a bit sensitive to those things moving too (which kills your games).

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I'm sure if buy new NDS will be new firmware.I'll buy GBA cart Flash2Advance Ultra (1028 Mbit).my questions

-I must have GBA cart like:Flash2Advance to play DS games?if that need Flash2Advance where best site to buy it (1028 Mbit)?because I have SD card 512 MB

-if buy Supercard or superpass2 or M3 I will not to need anything else if one of them?

sorry I'm so confused that why i ask my questions.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I own a M3 Perfect CF version and it is compatible with every NDS Game out currently, No patches or firmware needed when I played Metroid Prime Hunters or Tetris DS on release day. I bought m3 because supercard is sloppy with the compatiblity.

No wifi problems, no problems at all.

How ya doing, buddy?

Why god why ;_;

There is, apparently, three Nintendo DS emulators available already. iDeas, Duelis, and some other one which barely runs at all. How exactly would you play a DS game on a PC, when you're constantly in need of a stylus to interact with the touchscreen, etc?

FELIPE NO

please,someone answer me

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by RYU

I'm sure if buy new NDS will be new firmware.I'll buy GBA cart Flash2Advance Ultra (1028 Mbit).my questions

-I must have GBA cart like:Flash2Advance to play DS games?if that need Flash2Advance where best site to buy it (1028 Mbit)?because I have SD card 512 MB

-if buy Supercard or superpass2 or M3 I will not to need anything else if one of them?

sorry I'm so confused that why i ask my questions.

I don't know about the Flash2Advance, but I do know for the Supercard and M3.

For the Supercard, if you buy it with the Superpass 2, it will run with the latest DS, and you do not need anything else. However, you will have to flash the firmware (which is free but carries some risks) if you wish to play DS games without the bulky Superpass, and solely the Supercard.

For the M3, it's similar. Except instead of the Superpass 2, you need the Passkey 2. Again, it's bulky, and many people prefer to flash the firmware in order to play without it. This is for DS games, for GBA games I don't believe you need the Passkey or to flash the firmware.

I'm not 100% sure about all this as I don't have either myself (I'm patiently waiting for the next generation of flash carts), but this is what I have read from scouring their forums.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by RYU

I'm sure if buy new NDS will be new firmware.I'll buy GBA cart Flash2Advance Ultra (1028 Mbit).my questions

-I must have GBA cart like:Flash2Advance to play DS games?if that need Flash2Advance where best site to buy it (1028 Mbit)?because I have SD card 512 MB

-if buy Supercard or superpass2 or M3 I will not to need anything else if one of them?

sorry I'm so confused that why i ask my questions.

Why are you buying a F2A? Compatiblity wise it is awful compared to supercard or the M3.


If you buy a NEW NDS, You will need a PassMe-2, PassMe1's are for Silver NDS's bundled with MPHD, or my Pokémon Center Mew NDS.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

thanks guy for info but I can with M3 to play NES & GBA?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

M3 Supports Drag and drop NES files, and GBA Files.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Quote:

-I must have GBA cart like:Flash2Advance to play DS games?if that need Flash2Advance where best site to buy it (1028 Mbit)?because I have SD card 512 MB

You need some type of flash cart, yes. Where else are you storing your DS games? I haven't tested a SD card device, just the F2A Ultra. Whatever you use, it HAS to support SRAM (which is why I recommend the F2A Ultra).

Quote:

-if buy Supercard or superpass2 or M3 I will not to need anything else if one of them?

Supercard/PassMe/Super Pass/etc is just a device that allows the DS to read the unlocking code from the DS game in it. You still need a flash cart or the equiv to store the game and saves.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Why are you giving this guy totally bogus info VG.

Supercard is not a goddamn unlocking device it’s a Hardware NDS bridge just like the M3. Do you even have any of this shit or are you just spouting random info from the internet?

SuperCard + SD Card = you can play NDS Games on Your DS. If you already flashed it with FlashME. Or using PassMe as a link
M3 + CF/SD Card = you can play NDS Games on Your DS. If you already flashed it with FlashME. Or using PassMe as a link

PassMe's are only used if you haven’t flashed the hacked Firmware onto your NDS allowing you the bypass even using the PassMe Altogether.


SuperCard and PassMe's are 2 fucking different things

PassMe/PassMe2/PassKey/MagicKey is only used for NDS Cart AUTHENTICATION, Which FlashMe Takes care of when you flash it so you can throw the PassMe away, unless you’re totally scared of bricking your NDS.

SuperCard is the Same Class as M3 Perfect, NeoFlash, G6 etcetcetc. It is a GBA “Cart” that allows the use of NDS ROMs on it for play.

Double Post:
And another + Vs. all the other NDs out currently, The M3 And SuperCard save your GameSaves Directly to the CF or SD Card you are using, No Worrying about Patching Games or Dicking around with SRAM. When your done playing the game save is made into a *.DAT file which can be traded or saved on your HD for backup.

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Can you guys give me some advice?

I'm not interested in stealing DS games and playing them pirated, and I'm not all that interested in GBA games, either. I want to be able to play old SNES and NES games on my machine (since the control scheme is perfect for SNES)

How can I go about this? Unfortunately, all I've been able to find so far is how to steal GBA and DS games...but I want to mass-store SNES games, load them from a menum, and play. Is this possible?

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The snes emulator for it at the moment doesn't support very many games at all. On the bright side, the supercard supports NES emulation straight out of the box without having to use anything on your DS (like passme or superpass etc).

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

That sucks that the SNES emus aren't so good...the DS is just perfect for navigation and playing.

Jam it back in, in the dark.