Nintendo DS Lite - What is this flash drive cardridge that I hear about for playing old NES roms on my DS?

Question

I was surfing the web and came across this device that looks like a GBA catridge with a cable attached. It was stated that you could download NES, SEGA GEN? roms onto it thru the USB port on your PC and then the DS would somehow emulate with this device. If this is possible, is this device a pain to use or can you work it with ease. If you know alot about this subject please reply or let me know where I can find out. Thanks!

Answer 1

If the device only comes with a cable and a cart, it won't work with the DS. It was made to connect to the link port of the GBA.

You'll need a device that includes a writer.

Now, as far as 'is it possible', absolutely. But, the first thing that you need to know is that the DS and GBA can't play NES games directly. You have to use an emulation layer. Incidently, I haven't seen a Genesis emulator for the GBA/DS. NES and SNES are the most common.

Anyhow, basically, you take the original rom, run it through the emulator program and it will do all of the necessary code conversion to operate on you handheld... in theory.

This is where it gets weird...
Your device can accept GBA or DS carts. So, you have a choice to make. The emulators for the GBA have been around longer and support a fair number of games. However, everyone who was working on them has moved on to the DS. Emulation on the DS is not nearly as advanced and supports fewer games but that will improve.

Here's a link that will show you the emulators and other information,

http://wiki.pocketheaven.com/Main_Page

The point is, you have to choose a cartridge to go with. I don't have a DS so I'm using the EZ-Flash III on my GBA. I haven't tried emulation yet so I can't really say. I know it works in theory on this cartridge. The recommended DS cartridge is usually the M3.

If I were you, I would go with the M3. It has okay compatibility right now and is well supported.

Here's some info on the M3 and competitors,
http://www.gameboy-advance.net/nintendo_ds/play-nds-roms.htm
and
http://forums.modchipman.com/viewtopic.php?t=4


Here's a place that has the M3s in stock,
http://www.modchipman.com/nintendo-ds-c-61.html

This is the place that I normally recommend,
http://www.winsunx.com/list.php?mod=Development_Tools

But, it looks like they are out of stock on the M3.

It's a ton of info but you'll understand it all after reading a little. It's not that difficult.

Answer 2

This device, like many devices, are third party and untested. Meaning in the slim chance this could work, you run the risk of completely destroying your DS. A while back someone disguised a "bricker" for the DS as a Hentai viewer. People foolishly downloaded it, and it completely screwed up their DS. I'm not sure if it was able to be fixed. Just a warning.

Answer 3

Wait for the Wii and you can do the same thing legally.

Answer 4

go to lik-sang.com or search. it has all the gameboy add ons, and testamonials for which ones work and how well.