Homebrew
Utveckling #
Developing Nintendo DS homebrew typically uses devkitPro tools, such as devkitARM, libnds, and libfat. Det finns dock möjlighet att förgrena sig och använda alternativ programvara:
- SD card libraries: libfat is included in libnds and generally recommended, libslim can sometimes work better but is unstable at times
- Graphics libraries: easyGL2D, which comes shipped with libnds, is recommended, however NightFox Lib can be used instead
- Entire toolchains: devkitARM and libnds are recommended, as it includes DSi compatibility and has a larger ecosystem, however ToolchainGenericDS is an option for flashcard-exclusive development
To get started, this GBAtemp thread has a lot of good resources for begginers. For more technical information on the DS(i), see GBATEK.
Minneskort #
DS mode flashcards are a Slot-1 method of running Nintendo DS applications. Flashcards have the advantages of keeping console files and portable files separate, have the ability to be used without modding your system, and are usable on DS Phat/Lite consoles. However, unlike modding the actual console, there are multiple flashcards on the market, each with different kernel requirements. The kernel you use is the most important.
DLDI #
Olika SD-kortplatser har olika maskinvara (för det mesta) och kod skriven för ett kort kommer inte nödvändigtvis att fungera för ett annat kort. DLDI (förkortning för Dynamically Linked Device Interface) försöker lösa detta genom att få SD-kortets hanteringskod patchat in externt. Loaders like YSMenu, Wood R4, and TWiLight Menu++ can automatically DLDI patch a homebrew, but if you need to manually patch it in, you can use a DLDI Patcher on a computer.
Tidsinställd bomb #
In some flashcard kernels, an arbitrary expiration date (more commonly known as a time bomb) is coded in by the kernel developers as a way to get consumers to buy their latest product. The procedure for how this works is the following:
- The flashcard is booted into and loads up the kernel file from the SD card without checking if it’s the kernel intended by the developers
- Each time the kernel file from the SD card is loaded, it checks if the system date is past a certain date
If the second test comes out positive, the kernel will refuse to boot. This can be tested by setting your date to the latest value possible. However, the security is weak and the results aren’t cached, meaning that there are ways to work around it:
If you want to use the default kernel that the flashcard manufacturers intended, the system clock can be set back in the device’s System Settings application. Keep in mind, though, that this may break any game that relies on the system clock (such as Animal Crossing: Wild World).
However, the kernels that come with these cards are fundamentally flawed and it is preferable to outright replace them. Thankfully, 3rd party developers have made alternatives you can use:
- YSmenu - menu + game loader - Although it does not have the advantage of a customizable all-in-one menu, the game loader has far better compatibility with support for action-replay cheats
- TWiLight Menu++ with nds-bootstrap - Has a customizable all-in-one menu and supports cheats, but its B4DS mode (the mode used when it doesn’t have the DSi’s capabilities) has weak compatibility, some games even requiring the Memory Expansion Pak
- TWiLight Menu++ with YSmenu - Customizable all-in-one menu with high compatibility, but lacks cheat support
ARGV Support #
ARGV is an information transmitter between two homebrew Nintendo DS applications. It can be used for forwarders or alternative menus.
- Homebrew måste programmeras för att dra nytta av det. For example, GBARunner2, NesDS, and GameYob all have ARGV support
- Det måste också finnas ett sätt att ställa in ARGV-variablerna. TWiLight Menu++ och HBMenu gör det möjligt att ställa in argument från ARGV