What DS Homebrew?

[Tom Whitaker]

Don't have the means to use any of it as yet, just a standard DS Lite, but realised today that I have it with me at all times, and it could be really useful.

Couldn't find anything searching the forums (although I'm not sure it picks up the 'DS' part of the search) - so if you use DS homebrew, what apps do you use? Thinking things like text readers, calendar apps, etc, not pirate software!

[Tom Whitaker]

No? :)

[MaxNutter]

dunno, but you'll legally be able to get a web-browser for it soon ...

[Tom Whitaker]

Looking forward to that... but homebrew isn't illegal is it?

[camaj]

I don't see why it'd be illegal. The only thing that's illegal is pirating stuff

[Apep]

I find the war driving functionality in ds2key very useful. Also beup is quite handy if you use MSN Messenger alot. There is quite a bit of software out there for it now, and it's gradually getting better, I'm waiting for the web browser to come out too.

[Refrenz]

Looking forward to that... but homebrew isn't illegal is it?

Homebrew is perfectly legal. The devices that are required to run homebrew software can however also be used to run pirated games, and its the pirated games bit that is illegal. Oh and emulator roms.

[Dave B]

My kids have DS Lite's, how do you connect them upto the internet then for browing or Messenger type apps ?

Dave

[Apep]

My kids have DS Lite's, how do you connect them upto the internet then for browing or Messenger type apps ?

Dave

There are a few ways of running homebrew software, the way I did it was to buy a superkey, supercard lite and a 1GB micro SD. It's probably the more expensive way of doing things, and all together cost me about £70, but it saves me flashing my DS firmware and the risk of screwing it up! Plus the firmware on the supercard is upgradable, and it all fits flush with the DS so nothing sticks out.

[Pistol]

You still need the superkey pass card thing to flash the DS anyway (unless you know someone who will lend you one), so unless you can recover a few quid by flogging it on after you've flashed the DS, you're not going to save a vast amount on what you already laid out.

I use:
Datel Max Media Launcher - £10 (though I do plan to flash the DS soon)
Supercard miniSD - £30
1Gb miniSC card - £16

So £56 all in for me; I may be able to get £8 or so back if I flog the Max Media after flashing, but I think I'll hold onto it in case I get a Lite ever.


I use the setup for ScummVM, pointy clicky adventures on the DS!!

I also plan to get Moonshell set up for watching videos etc.

Personally I doubt there will ever be a functional homebrew web browser, given that Opera needs a memory expansion cartridge to work well. Unless some clever coders figure out how to use the flash cart as virtual memory, but that seems one hell of a tough ask. There are already 'simpler' web applications, like messenger, irc, ftp and desktop remote control, though.

[dan13l]

Pistol - can you say where from? The thought of Scumm on my DS is too much to resist.

I also heard there are some ace homebrew games available. I must dig out the link.

[Pistol]

I probably can't say where I got the supercard from, as the site sells console modchips and stuff, and I don't think we can link to sites like that. I got it for £30 cos the guy was local and I paid cash, it would have been £34.99 + P&P online, which I think is a pretty good price.


The Datel Max Media Launcher, the miniSD card, and an SD card reader for £6 can all be found at dvd.co.uk. There was a cheap 2Gb SD card at 7dayshop but I tend to stick with Kingston memory myself.


For ScummVM DS, just Google it :p

[Tom Whitaker]

Thanks for your input Apep/Pistol.

You mention that the method you used isn't the only way to get it running... what are the others and the advantages/disadvantages (presuming that that isn't asking you to discuss copied retail games).

[Pistol]

Well basically, you need a flash cart that goes in the GBA slot, which is what you store the homebrew files on. Then you need something to trick the DS into launching the homebrew from the GBA slot.

This is achieved either with a passcard in the DS slot, or by having flashed firmware installed on the DS. But to flash the firmware you need to use a passcard anyway (or a wirless card with a specific chipset and hacked drivers), so unless you know someone who can flash the DS for you, it's a bit of an irrelevance there being 'more than one method' to launch the homebrew' since you'll probably need the passcard anyway.

[Apep]

There is also the new "DS-Xtreme" card, which appears is an all in one solution, with 512MB built in.

[Pistol]

Ah, but 512 megabytes, or megabits?

512megabits won't hold a huge amount of Scumm games, as it's only equal to 64 megabytes.

[White Line]

It's 512 megabytes, I was thinking of getting one myself. 4 Gigabits is the size, correct me if I'm wrong. :)

[Pistol]

Cool, that would probably be the solution of choice then!