Turn Your Nintendo DS Into a Retro Game Machine

Transforming Your Nintendo DS into a Retro Gaming Powerhouse

Owners of the Nintendo DS needn't restrict themselves to contemporary titles. This guide details how to convert your NDS into a retro gaming platform, capable of playing classic NES, Game Boy, and even Arcade games.

Unlocking Retro Gaming Potential

While not the most potent handheld currently available, the Nintendo DS possesses sufficient power to emulate numerous arcade games and older console systems. A modest investment of both funds and time will allow you to effectively transform your Nintendo DS into a versatile gaming device.

The ability to play a wide range of classic games is within reach. Consider the possibilities of revisiting beloved titles from gaming's past.

What You'll Need

• A Nintendo DS: Any model is generally compatible.
• A MicroSD Card: Essential for storing the emulators and game ROMs.
• A DS Flashcart: This is the key component, allowing you to run homebrew software.
• Emulators: Software that mimics the hardware of older consoles.
• Game ROMs: The actual game files themselves.

Acquiring these components is the first step towards expanding your Nintendo DS’s capabilities. Ensure compatibility before purchasing any hardware.

The Process: A Simplified Overview

The process involves installing a flashcart, configuring it, and then transferring emulators and ROMs to your MicroSD card. Detailed instructions are readily available online through dedicated forums and guides.

Carefully follow the instructions provided with your flashcart. Proper setup is crucial for a smooth experience.

Once everything is set up, you’ll be able to launch emulators from the flashcart menu and enjoy your favorite retro games. The possibilities are extensive and offer a unique gaming experience.

Essential Requirements for the Project

While open-source initiatives are commendable, this undertaking necessitates a modest financial investment to commence. The following components will be required:

• One Nintendo DS console (compatible with DS Lite, DSi, DSiXL, and 3DS systems)
• A Flash Cart ($15-$40; a comprehensive examination of flash carts will follow shortly)
• A MicroSD Card (a cost-effective 16GB card is recommended to allow for future expansion)
• NDS-compatible Emulators (available at no cost; individual reviews will be provided later in this guide)
• ROMs designed for the aforementioned emulators

Presuming you already possess a Nintendo DS, the total cost for this project is estimated to be between $25 and $50, contingent upon the flash cart selected as the foundation for your build. Let's now delve into flash carts to assist you in making an informed decision.

Regarding ROMs, it's important to note that their availability and legality are governed by regional laws and regulations. Consequently, direct links to ROM sources cannot be provided here. It is suggested that you utilize your preferred search engine for further information.

What is a Flash Cart and Why is One Necessary?

This tutorial centers around the utilization of a flash cart. Essentially, a flash cart is a specialized USB adapter engineered to connect a standard microSD card to your Nintendo DS. Consider it an adapter that mimics a genuine Nintendo cartridge.

Without a flash cart, bypassing the DS’s authorization system to run the necessary homebrew software for playing emulated and homebrew games is impossible.

Due to the console industry’s disapproval of the homebrew/jailbreaking/modding community, these adapters aren’t available in typical retail stores. Acquiring one usually involves ordering from international electronics suppliers, requiring caution to avoid fraudulent websites and defective flash carts.

Recommended Flash Carts

To minimize the risk of a poor purchase, we recommend obtaining one of the following flash carts from a trusted vendor. We have consistently used ModChipCentral, based in Canada, for our console modifications for the past five years, and have been satisfied with their service, product quality, and shipping speed.

• Acekard2i ($22): For a dependable flash cart from developers known for consistent updates and support, the Acekard2i is an excellent choice. It prioritizes functionality over extensive features. While not used in this specific tutorial, we have extensive experience with the Acekard brand and recommend it for those seeking a cost-effective solution.
• Supercard DSTwo ($38): The DSTwo has a higher price point than more affordable options like the Acekard, but it offers significant added benefits. It incorporates an extra CPU and RAM module, substantially improving game emulation performance. The flash cart also features dedicated GameBoy Advance and Super NES emulators, optimized for the onboard processing capabilities. This is the brand we will utilize throughout this tutorial.

Should you choose the Acekard2i, please consult the Acekard website for initial setup instructions, as these will differ from those for the DSTwo.

The DSTwo’s enhanced processing power allows for a superior emulation experience compared to other flash carts.

Selecting the right flash cart is a crucial first step in unlocking the full potential of your Nintendo DS for homebrew and emulation.

Configuring the DSTwo Operating System

Upon receiving your DSTwo, it's important to note that a MicroSD card is not included. Inserting the flash card into your Nintendo DS prior to completing the necessary setup steps will prevent the system from recognizing it.

The initial step involves correctly formatting your MicroSD card. While your operating system’s standard formatting function can be utilized, we strongly advise employing Panasonic’s SD Formatter, a tool widely acknowledged within the industry. This ensures adherence to strict industry standards, minimizing the potential for difficult-to-resolve errors.

Installing the Base Operating System

To ensure proper functionality of your flash cart, you must install the core operating system, referred to as DSTWO EOS, which is available for download from the official DSTwo website. Be certain to download the operating system itself, and not the firmware updater. The firmware updater is only needed when significant Nintendo DS software updates necessitate a physical flash cart firmware update.

After downloading the DSTWO_v.(someversionhere).ZIP file, extract the contents of the folder contained within the ZIP archive directly onto your SD card.

The root directory of your SD card should then contain the following files:

\_dstwo\

ds2boot.dat

readme_eng.txt

Initial Boot and Further Customization

You can now safely remove the SD card, insert it into the DSTwo flash cart, and power on your Nintendo DS. However, at this stage, functionality will be limited to viewing the DSTWO EOS interface.

To expand the capabilities of your DSTwo, consider adding emulators and other desired applications to the flash cart. This will unlock the full potential of your retro gaming setup.

Populating the DSTwo with Emulators

The DSTwo flashcart is a versatile device capable of playing a wide range of retro games. A key aspect of its functionality lies in its ability to run emulators, extending its compatibility beyond the original Nintendo DS game library.

Understanding Emulator Compatibility

Emulators allow the DSTwo to mimic the hardware of other gaming systems. This means you can play games originally designed for consoles like the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and even the Sega Genesis directly on your Nintendo DS.

Supported Emulators

Several emulators are readily available for use with the DSTwo. These include, but aren't limited to, emulators for:

• Game Boy: Enjoy classic Game Boy titles.
• Game Boy Color: Experience the enhanced color palettes of GBC games.
• Sega Genesis/Mega Drive: Play 16-bit classics from Sega.
• SNES/Super Famicom: Relive the era of Super Nintendo gaming.
• PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16: Access a unique library of games.

Acquiring and Installing Emulators

Emulators are typically distributed as .DS files. These files need to be placed onto the root directory of the DSTwo’s microSD card. The process is straightforward and doesn't require any complex software installations on your computer.

Loading ROMs

Once the emulators are on the microSD card, you'll need to add ROMs – the game files themselves. These are also placed in the root directory, or optionally, within folders for better organization.

Launching Emulators from the DSTwo Menu

After adding both the emulator files and the ROMs, power on your Nintendo DS with the DSTwo inserted. The DSTwo menu will display the available emulators as selectable options. Simply choose the emulator you wish to use.

Configuring Emulator Settings

Many emulators offer customizable settings. These can include options for video scaling, audio filtering, and button mapping. Adjusting these settings can optimize the gaming experience for your preferences.

Potential Considerations

It’s important to note that emulator performance can vary depending on the complexity of the game and the capabilities of the DSTwo. Some more demanding titles may experience slowdown or graphical glitches.

Furthermore, obtaining and using ROMs requires adherence to copyright laws. Ensure you only play ROMs of games you legally own.

Expanding Your Gaming Library

By utilizing emulators, the DSTwo transforms into a powerful retro gaming hub. It allows users to enjoy a vast collection of games from various platforms, all on a single handheld device. This significantly enhances the value and versatility of the flashcart.

Although a working flash cart is a great starting point, its potential remains untapped without emulators. The following guide details the optimal emulator choices for the DSTwo, alongside alternatives compatible with other flash carts lacking the DSTwo’s CPU/RAM enhancements.

For maximum enjoyment, installing all emulators is recommended, however, they are categorized by console/source for easy selection.

A consistent directory structure will help maintain organization on your card. Unless otherwise noted, feel free to customize this structure as desired:

• \_dstwo\
• \EmulatorName\
• \ROMS – PlatformName\
• ds2boot.dat
• readme_eng.txt

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

For NES emulation, the system’s modest hardware requirements mean a specific DSTwo plugin isn’t necessary. nesDS is a highly capable NES emulator for the DS and is recommended for all users.

Download the latest version and extract the zip file’s contents to the \nesDS\ directory on your card’s root. A corresponding folder, \ROMs – NES\, should be created for your ROMs.