GBARunner2

GBARunner2 Builds

There are a number of different GBARunner2 releases, or “builds,” which one can use. They come from different branches and forks of GBARunner2 and have different features targeting either different GBA games or some different functions. For most users, using the build that comes with TWiLight Menu++ is enough.

DS vs DSi vs 3DS Builds #

GBARunner2 has had builds made that make use of the extra hardware found inside the DSi and 3DS. Naturally, these DSi and 3DS-specific builds will not work on a DS. However, they also will not work if you are running GBARunner2 from a flashcard on any of the systems, DSi and 3DS included. The details about this will not be covered here.

This means that you can use builds for the DS on both DSi and 3DS, but not vice-versa.

Shared Builds Between the DS, DSi and 3DS #

These are the builds that are present for all three lines of systems.

Master #

The Master builds, or “main” builds, are the proper releases of GBARunner2. This should generally be the most stable build. All other branches than this one are considered experimental and not stable enough to be included into the Master. The Master builds are divided into different builds for the DS, DSi and 3DS. They each have the name of the corresponding system appended at the end of the filename.

The Wi-Fi-Link branch adds the possibility to link up two systems wirelessly. Note that this does not go over the Internet, and this will never be possible due to latency. Currently your mileage will vary, and the only sure-fire game that will be able to keep a stable connection is Advance Guardian Heroes, and that is provided that you follow very specific instructions. Needless to say, consider this branch in its current state a novelty and a proof of concept, and not something to actually use. A few other games are able to connect, but they are very dependent on external factors like interference from other Wi-Fi signals, among many other things. To setup Wi-Fi linking, please see the WikiTemp page.

DS-Specific Builds #

ARM7DLDI vs ARM9DLDI #

Normally use the ARM9DLDI, and if that does not work then try the ARM7DLDI. Some flashcards need either the ARM7DLDI or the ARM9DLDI, and some might work with both. There is no list of which flashcards work with which builds, but if you are running into issues getting GBARunner2 to run then you might want to try the other one.

If you are using TWiLight Menu++ on your flashcard, you can switch between ARM7DLDI and ARM9DLDI in the TWiLight Menu++ settings.

There are no feature or performance differences between the two so there is no use in testing both to see if a game runs better or has less issues on the other.

See further down to find out what build you are currently using.

rom3M #

This branch might help if trying to run ROMs that are a bit larger on the DS, but there is a limit due to the limited amount of RAM present in the DS. This is basically the Pokémon Emerald branch for the DS.

Void Star made a fork of GBARunner2 that merges the rom3M branch into the latest Master with some other neat features, and this is the build that comes with TWiLight Menu++ if you are using a DS.

DSi- and 3DS-Specific Builds #

The DSi and 3DS can generally run the same builds, but due to the difference in amount of RAM between the DSi and 3DS the compatibility for games can differ. This means that the DSi might have trouble running larger ROMs that the 3DS can run fine.

The 3DS also has an accelerometer chip for gyro controls built-in, and this can be used in a 3DS-specific build.

DSP #

If you are using TWiLight Menu++, then you are already using this feature in the GBARunner2 build that comes with it.

The DSP builds make use of the digital sound processor present in both DSi and 3DS. This helps to produce a lot better sound and give better performance. There are some regressions, like a couple of ROMs that do not work in this branch.

Hybrid Hicode #

If you are using TWiLight Menu++, then you are already using this feature in the GBARunner2 build that comes with it.

The Hybrid Hicode branch deals with ROMs that are large and have problems running on the Master branch. This is a very useful branch for the DSi since this mostly solves the issue with having less RAM than the 3DS.

Hicode/DSP merge #

This fork by therealteamplayer merges the Hicode and DSP branches into one build, along with some other tweaks listed in the release notes. This build is currently used by TWiLight Menu++ for the DSi/3DS SD card.

3DS-Specific: Gyro #

This branch makes use of the internal accelerometer in the 3DS so that GBA games that had this functionality can be played properly. There are several steps needed to take to make it work. Note that since there are different accelerometer chips between 3DS systems, this will not work on all 3DSes because all chips do not have code supporting them.

There is no consistency in what type of 3DS has what chip, at least as far as anyone knows.

Finding the Build Info #

GBARunner2 has a menu that you can open by touching the touchscreen and pressing the right shoulder button. Within this you can find the About menu, which tells you which build you are on. However, the builds that currently come with TWiLight Menu++ do not report a build version because they are based on forks by other people. This means that if your About page shows blank for build, you are most likely using one of these.

The About page also tells you if you are using an ARM7DLDI or ARM9DLDI build.

Knowing which build to use is useful when checking the official compatibility list, in case you are having issues with running a game.

The release ID can be seen on the release page of the GBARunner2’s github repository, where the last seven alphanumeric symbols represent the version. For example, the current latest Master release is “v20200812-131430_6e4ce45” and “6e4ce45” is used to represent its version.