There are a lot of homebrew devices out there for the DS, and they all (apparently) have their ups and downs. Compatibility issues, wildly varying costs, and possible difficulties loading content onto the cartridge come to mind, leaving the homebrew neophyte afraid to get started.A lot of you seem to have made the jump somehow, meaning that you now have information that could lead others toward an informed purpose. What kind of homebrew device are you using? Are you pleased with it, and would you recommend it to others? Does it have any drawbacks?







Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
10-18-2007 @ 4:05PM
L said...
I just bought a CycloDS Evolution but it hasn't come in the mail yet, because they're sold out and it's taking forever, so I'm still waiting for it.
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10-18-2007 @ 4:33PM
potent1 said...
I bought a $20 Datel Games n' Music card from Walmart, and I homebrew with that. I've got emulators for the following systems that work great on the Gn'M card: SNES, NES, Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Genesis, Sega Master System, and Game Gear. I also play QuakeDS and DS Doom on it, as well as tons of other homebrew games/apps. Sounds good, eh? Go pick one up at Walmart for $20, and go to http://hbnds.biohazardteam.org/, to put stuff on it. P.S. Go to the fourm, there's tons of extra stuff there.
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10-18-2007 @ 6:09PM
Xaos said...
I just got an R4 and I love it. From what Ive read they have more reliable firmware updates than with the M3 Simply, although I could be wrong on that.
(Btw for you R4/M3 Simply owners, you can change an R4 into an M3, and vice versa, haha)
I also have an 3-in-1 EZ Flash for my Slot 2 so I can play GBA games, its probably the best thing you could use and I see a few others agree with me here.
I picked up my stuff from www.dealextreme.com they seem to have the cheapest prices and have great customer service.
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10-18-2007 @ 7:15PM
Raru said...
Hello,
I have the R4DS, and its more then I could ever ask for. I have 2 1GB micro SD cards, 1 128 meg micro SD card.
Im gona run down a list of all the things I can do with the R4.
1. I can play .nds file games
2. Drag and Drop Mp3s, no conversion needed.
3. Any Video my computer has the Codec for I can convert and play on my DS.. The Software that comes with it is ok, but I have found a even better conversion program.
4. With Comicbook DS I can read manga, Comic books, use it as an excellent picture viewer. The Pictoad converter program takes entire Archives of Images, and converts them into one easy to move file. It can even read a .zip or .rar archive and convert it without having to decompress it.
5. With Comicbook DS, and another Free program called pdf-fill I can convert PDF Documents to be read with Comicbook DS.
4. With another Free net program that name escapes me, I can convert any word document into a PDF and the with PDF fill convert it to imageas to be read with Comic Book DS.
5. Voice over IP on the DS from any Wifi hot spot Rocks.
6.DSO Organize is great.
7. Scummv for all the old point and click
Anime, and most half hour shows run about 30-50mb in size, an average movie is 100-150mb in size.
Most Games go from 30mb to 80mb in size, so a 1GB card works nicely
The Automatic DLDI patching is so nice.
The R4DS runs from 39$ to 50$, I got mine on Amazon for 45$ + S&H, and I got the a 1GB micro SD card for 5$ + S&H.
If anyone wants help doing any of the above mentioned thing with their R4 just drop me an Email, I'll either show you where to get the software, or explain how to do it.
I love the DS and R4 so much I dont mind helping people out ^___^ You can email me at [email protected] put "I need help with the r4 in the subject line" so I know its not spam.
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10-18-2007 @ 7:36PM
Flodywan said...
How do you get homebrews on to the ds once you have a flash card, are the roms free?
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10-18-2007 @ 7:46PM
Raru said...
Ok, the R4 has a micro SD card Slot on it, you take A micro SD card and a Micro SD USB reader, and Download the homebrew files to the card that way, then you pop the micro SD card back into the R4.
Its that Easy ^_^
-Raru
[email protected]
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10-18-2007 @ 11:19PM
Dred242+forums said...
I'm running the M3 DS Simply too. I found it to be a "simple" install and set-up. I have 20 titles (which includes 1 homebrew game) on a 2GB Micro SD card. My Micro SD is only half full with another 1.02GB's of free space left on the card. I've got plenty of room for another 20 games as long as I keep music and other content on a 2nd 1GB Micro SD card. I only download ROM's of games that I actually own which is still illegal, so it's a must that I learn how to RIP and create my own ROM's.
I have yet to find a lot of good games worth keeping in the homebrew space, but I'll keep looking.
See a picture of my set-up: http://tinyurl.com/2yfws3
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10-19-2007 @ 12:12AM
iofthestorm said...
R4DS for me, with a 1GB microSD. Works great, unless your loading spring breaks in which case it becomes a microSD launcher. Luckily realhotstuff.com replaced mine for me. Realhotstuff.com has fast shipping and good prices.
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10-19-2007 @ 12:13AM
iofthestorm said...
I mostly run homebrew and emulators, although I have used it to "try" some games before I bought them. Very nice that way.
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10-19-2007 @ 2:42AM
FifthE1ement said...
I have tested many devices and will be testing some new devices in the coming months (M3 DS Real). I currently use the CycloDS Evolution as my main and R4/M3 DS as my 2ndary. I take all help requests via chat, PM, IM, etc... I can be found at the sites below as can my reviews:
http://www.Moddz.com
http://www.Xphilez.com
I'm here to help,
FifthE1ement
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10-19-2007 @ 9:43AM
nick said...
R4 + a 2gig Kingston microSD stick. Will run you about $40 for the R4 (cheaper if you look around) and about $20 for a 2gig stick.
Then, to play GBA games, get the 3in1 EZ-Flash V ds cart (just the gba cart, you don't need the combo with the DS cart) - this will run you for ~$20 as well.
Once you have that, look for the 3in1 Tools DS rom on the internet -- it will allow you to copy(flash) GBA games to your 3in1 straight from your 2gig stick in the R4.
Load the puppy up with GBA / DS roms, and you'll never need to carry anything other than your DS with you.
The R4 comes with a usb adapter for a microSD card. Copying games to the 2gig stick is as easy as just dragging files to a usb drive.
the 3in1 has a crappy but novel rumble built in (better than the retail one, tho) and acts as an expansion ram cart, too!
Hope this helps.
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10-19-2007 @ 11:02AM
franty said...
i have a ds-x and i play both NES and SNES games (almost) perfectly. i've played Super Metroid from start to finish on the DS and it was an incredible experience... the controls were awesome. I'm playing the NES Metroid now, working great.
i haven't found a DS homebrew game i liked untill now, but i can get most of them to work.
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10-19-2007 @ 12:51PM
dan stabbingworth said...
franty - which emu do you use for snes?
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10-20-2007 @ 2:28AM
Salty Soil said...
I use an M3 Simply and an EZ-Flash V (with the 3-in-1 slot 2 cart). Both use microSD cards, but they're incompatible with microSDHC as far as I can tell.
The M3 is the easiest to use, as adding homebrew apps really is "drag and drop," then loading in the M3's file browser.
However, because it's a slot 1 device, the homebrew you need to run must end in .nds. So any older applications that end in .nds.gba or .gba (as those are booted from slot 2), won't be able to run. Unless you use the M3 as a passme for a slot 2 device.
As for the EZ Flash V, it's essentially the same as the M3 Simply and also acts as a passme.
Firmware updates are slow. Plus the firmware itself isn't on a disc with the purchase.
Also, a save list needs to be updated for any roms, as it won't automatically recognize the save type needed.
The EZ Flash forums usually have the most up to date save-lists/new skins/etc. Although the device isn't for those with low patience levels when it comes to updating.
With the 3-in-1 cart you can load older homebrew (.nds.gba, .gba), however it can only save one app/rom at a time. To use a another one, you will need to delete the current one.
One other note for homebrew on slot 1 carts: DLDI patching. Depending on what device you use, you may need to patch it with the appropriate DLDI patch. A simple google search or browsing through forums like DGEmu should point you in the right direction.
Anywho, I recommend the M3 Simply for it's, well, simplicity. Also the 3-in-1 if running older homebrew is a must.
Store recommendation: http://www.kickgaming.com
Fast shipping, usually in-stock fairly quickly, and the site is easy to navigate.
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10-20-2007 @ 2:33AM
Riven said...
Whoops. I meant to put in DCEmu, rather than DG.
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10-25-2007 @ 6:57PM
Flodywan said...
Once you get the card how do you get the games on to it? Are there free download sites and can they mess up your ds? I have no knowledge with homebrew.
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10-28-2007 @ 3:42PM
AccursedAce said...
I use the CycloDS Evolution, its so simple, no fiddling, comes with moonshell media player installed all games work fine on it :D its just fab, it even has its on OS and updating it is no hassle
Works with micro sd (and the new high capacity) i've got a 4Gb card in mine and it all works fab!
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11-25-2007 @ 10:33AM
hero said...
The divices are mass but what about the software to convert or create the games.
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12-26-2007 @ 4:07PM
EVANS said...
ive just ordered a ds lite and a r4 card.. i kind of know what to do but i cant seem to find any games that are free to download, can anyone help?
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1-12-2008 @ 4:16AM
louise said...
i have opted to go for the r4 ds, you can see an instruction video on you tube. it lookd really easy. mu only prob is what roms to download. i can have us version or the eur version? i am british. when it has currency like on theme park and brain training would i be better off with eur? i don't want to obtain them and then find out i have got the wrong ones!
I too refuse to pay £30 for these games, its a rip off. i'm yet to find any worth buying. I think i have about 6 tops and they are my sons!
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