DS Lite Homebrew - how to?

merman · Post by **merman** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:01 am

I'd recommend an R4, which runs off a MicroSD card. (I have a 2Gb card). If you want to run GBA stuff, you'll also need the EZ 3-in-1 (expansion memory, rumble pack and flash cart).

Antiriad2097 · Post by **Antiriad2097** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:22 am

Dudley wrote:That 2gb sd card is however almost certainly a knock off pile of censored.

You need a quick one to run a lot of games properly, so hopefully you'll get lucky but maybe not.

I'm aware of the potential issues with ebay memory cards - bought a few for PSP, cameras etc in the past. For the money, its worth a punt. If I hit probs with a particular game Mrs Ant has a liking for, I'll shell out for a 'proper' one.

Merman, I'm assuming my old GBA EZFA II will work as normal with the DS in GBA mode. Not actually tried it yet and Mrs Ant is using the DS just now.

Dudley · Post by **Dudley** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:20 pm

Cool so long as you're aware. Upgrading to a proper SanDisk retail MicroSD made everything nicer for me, especially saving in Phoenix Wright.

Antiriad2097 · Post by **Antiriad2097** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:42 pm

Given that we've now established the hardware requirements: What are the DS homebrew highlights to check out? I assume at the very least there's a SCUMMVM port?

Post by **CraigGrannell** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:10 pm

Emulation-wise: Lameboy (GB mono), SpeccyDS, ColecoDS, CrocoDS (CPC), DSMasterPlus, and NESDS all work great.

PicodriveDS (Genesis/Mega Drive), SNEemulDS, FrodoDS (C64), Stella DS (Atari 2600) and StyxDS (Atari ST) are worth a look, but less great in terms of speed and compatibility.

For news: http://nintendo-ds.dcemu.co.uk/

Antiriad2097 · Post by **Antiriad2097** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:41 pm

Speccy emulation is a biggy. I assume they have touchscreen keyboard support for most computer emus now?
It'll make playing all those Zenobi games much nicer. I never did get a decent Speccy emu for my Palm.

merman · Post by **merman** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:41 pm

Antiriad2097 wrote:Given that we've now established the hardware requirements: What are the DS homebrew highlights to check out? I assume at the very least there's a SCUMMVM port?

First port of call - gamesTM issue 61 and my article on DS homebrew & emulation

Yes Scummvm works well on the DS.

Other suggetions include DSDoom, Geo Wars, Word Up, AmplituDS, XRick (port of Rick Dangerous), MarcaDS (limited arcade emulator), StellaDS (comes with some nice homebrew ROMs, or at least the download I found did), A Touch of War, LemmingsDS and the Warcraft Tower Defence port.

Antiriad2097 · Post by **Antiriad2097** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:43 pm

merman wrote:First port of call - gamesTM issue 61 and my article on DS homebrew & emulation

Coincidentally, I was reading that on the bog yesterday.

Just thought I'd share that memory

CrookedMouth · Post by **CrookedMouth** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:19 pm

The Genesis/MegaDrive emulator called jEnesisDS has surpassed PicodriveDS, in almost every way, IMO. Lameboy handles some gameboy color games well.
PenkoDS ,an MSX emu is worth a try also.

A coder named alekmaul threw together an Apple2 emulator called pomDS, I hope he doesn't give up on it. With a little more speed, joystick and save support, this will be a great one(If you care about Apple2).

Post by **CraigGrannell** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:54 am

merman wrote:Word Up

That game would be better if it wasn't so ridiculously easy. I once played a game that lasted for several hours, pausing it now and again, so that my eyes didn't fall out. In the end, I pretty much gave up the will to live, and tried sabotaging the game, but it still wouldn't end. Eventually, I just piled the pieces to the top, because I was so shockingly bored.

Great concept. Decent presentation. Appalling lack of difficulty curve.

jEnesisDS has surpassed PicodriveDS, in almost every way, IMO

Apart from jEnesisDS not playing any of the games I'd like to play. The PicodriveDS interface isn't up to much, but for what I've tested with it, compatibility is leagues ahead of jEnesisDS.

CrookedMouth · Post by **CrookedMouth** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:11 am

Apart from jEnesisDS not playing any of the games I'd like to play. The PicodriveDS interface isn't up to much, but for what I've tested with it, compatibility is leagues ahead of jEnesisDS.

I guess we really do have different tastes! I can't think of one game that hasn't loaded up that I've tried. I'm sure there is but in my experience it has fantastic compatibility. I also think that the speed and smoothness of jEnesisDS is better(especially in HW version, but then there is no scaling). I'm not dissing PicoDriveDS, I still use it sometimes.

I made a screen grab of what I have on my card for Genesis/MD roms.You must play some of these?
http://img169.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... ledka6.jpg

Which games didn't boot up for you?

i

Post by **CraigGrannell** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:50 am

Clearly, we have very different tastes for that platform! I have very few of those on the card. The main two games I wanted working are Sensible Soccer and California Games, both of which don't appear to work in jEnesisDSâ€”at least last time I tried.

chewy · Post by **chewy** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:28 am

I've been playing Shining Force II and Desert Strike on the jEnesis emu, and the work really well. If only he could figure out sound as well...

Antiriad2097 · Post by **Antiriad2097** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:12 pm

chewy wrote: If only he could figure out sound as well...

No sound = no use to me. Its an integral part of the experience.

Post by **CraigGrannell** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:54 pm

chewy wrote:If only he could figure out sound as well...

The problem there is the grunt the DS has to offer and what's required to emulate the Mega Drive. Chances are you'll either get decent speed or sound and really crap speed.

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DS Lite Homebrew - how to?

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