DS Shopping List
From PHWiki
Given the number of people on Pocket Heaven Discussion Boards who do not already own a recent handheld system, it is a good idea to give a shopping list to go from zero to homebrew or piracy on a Nintendo DS.
Contents |
Requirements
We need the following:
- a new Nintendo DS,
- a boot method compatible with firmware version 4 or later, and
- a storage medium compatible with the chosen boot method.
And it would be best to keep the total price at or below the price of homebrew or piracy on the PSP.
The list
Total (as of May 2006): 215 USD plus shipping and tax
Nintendo DS
130 USD at bestbuy.com
Froogle search
It's getting much harder to find stores that carry Nintendo DS units with older firmware. We'll assume that any new DS has firmware v4 or newer.
Lite for $115 for a short time.
NoPass Device
A device is needed to redirect execution during DS mode to the media that is in the GBA slot. Although using an older PassMe or PassMe2 device is also possible, a NoPass device is recommended due to its smaller size (as compared to its predecessors).
The MAX Media Launcher is usually available for 20 USD at codejunkies.com (product info/buy). It's a cheap and effective solution, but buyers who plan on using this equipment with commercial programs should note that the MAX Media Launcher has the same problem with DS sleep mode as FlashMe (with the same workaround). See the NoPass page for a full listing of other devices, some of which are compatible with the DS sleep mode.
Supercard CF Combo
45 USD at kicktrading.ca (as of May 2006) (shipping to Canada and USA)
39 CAD (≈35 USD) at GamerSection.ca without any CF writer (as of May 2006)
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Supercard is the least expensive adapter for using .gba and ds.gba files stored on cheap NAND flash memory cards. However, compared to the more expensive M3, Supercard has tended to be a battery hog and is a bit less compatible with GBA software. In general, as of mid-2006, homebrew programs that read and write the flash memory card are more compatible with CF adapters, than they are with SD adapters. The CF version of the adapter is compatible with more homebrew programs than the SD version, but this may change as Chishm updates his FAT library. Supercard is sometimes sold bundled with a cheap CF writer.
If you plan on using only DS homebrew, DS based emulation, and multiboot-compatible or GBAMP-specific GBA homebrew, which come in mb.gba and small .nds files, you can substitute a GBA Movie Player v2 CF and save a few dollars. (The SD version of this product is not recommended at all.) The Supercard or M3 is needed only if you plan on using features that the GBAMP does not support:
| Feature | GBA Movie Player v2 CF | GBA Movie Player v2 SD | Supercard and M3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBA < 256 KB | Works | Works | Works |
| GBA > 256 KB | Works | ||
| DS .nds < 4 MB | Works | Works | |
| DS .nds > 4 MB | Works | ||
| DS ds.gba | Works | ||
| Emulation | Some | Little | Works |
CompactFlash 256 MB memory card
20 USD at various stores
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Speed of the flash card does not matter when playing GBA games or during gameplay on Nintendo DS games, but a slower card may cause some pirated Nintendo DS games' full-motion videos to stutter. If you plan on carrying a lot of big games or movies with you, you can upgrade to a larger card for a few dollars more.
