DS Homebrew - Where to start?

[sj33]

Looking to get into Homebrew for the DS, as I find the device to be slightly more convienient than the PSP. Not really sure what I have to buy though.

I assume I need a device called a PassMe, and a GBA Flash Cart? I am told you can use SD cards now instead of Flash Carts - this a good idea?

What are these flashed bioses some people have for their DS?

Would be great if someone could tell me exactly what I need

EDIT - This looks like what I'm after eh? http://www.iso420.com/nds/scv2/index.htm

[kernow]

best way to start is GBA programming, that way you get to learn the 2D graphics functions as they are very similar to a GBA , just doubled, on the DS.

if you can get a sprite moving around a background on an emulator, (visualboyadvance), you're well on your way, the GCC toolchain can be downloaded for free, and although it doesnt work too well under windows really, it still can be used using cygwin.

unless you were just talking about running homebrew not making it

[sj33]

Aye mate, just wanna run the stuff :P

[yosai]

First you need to flash the BIOS.

http://www.dspassme.com/FlashMe.shtml

Then all you need a flash cart, either GBA or a GBA/SD cart. (actually you need this first )

Good to go.

[sj33]

First you need to flash the BIOS.

http://www.dspassme.com/FlashMe.shtml

Then all you need a flash cart, either GBA or a GBA/SD cart. (actually you need this first )

Good to go.

That easy? Awesome. Any drawbacks to using this method instead of a Passme?

[erhgiez]

I know a while ago there were some games that wouldnt work with just a flashed bios and that you needed the passme to play them, Ive not been following the scene recently. but as for homebrew I dont think there is any problems with it. try www.scdev.org for more info

[sj33]

That's cool. No interest in roms, just wanna give the homebrew stuff a spin.

So, flashed bios and a SuperCard with SD stick and I'm good to go?

What was this about newer DS's being incompatible? Mine is a launch machine so no bother, but I do intend to buy a Lite at some stage.

[yosai]

Sorry must have been half asleep when I wrote my first post. A Passme is initially needed to flash the BIOS of the DS. The Passme is needed to run the flash application from the GBA slot of the DS. Once flashed the Passme or a regular DS cart are entirely optional. If you don't mind having the Passme hanging out of your machine whilst you use it the the BIOS flash is optional.

The best thing about the replacement BIOS is that it removes the warning screen from the DS boot up, also if you have a DS file on a GBA flash cart inserted it will directly boot to that program. ****ing up the BIOS flash can result in a brick though.

[sj33]

Figured that out My mate is giving this a go too, and he reckons we could load the Flashme software for the initial flash using WifiMe - you reckon he's right?

[yosai]

Had a look in to it before I flashed mine, and tbh unless you have a Linksys WMP54G v4 card its cheaper and a lot easier to invest in the Passme.

[boxhead]

Me and a friend started some work on a game with the ds in mind. unfortunately, we got lazy and stopped. I made some really nice pixel stuff and tiling textures etc, So if you like you can have them. Not sure how useful they would be to you but there are even a few animated things. pm me if you want them.

[gamelife]

the only point in buying an Supercard is to play GBA/NDS roms

i don't know anyone who actually uses it for homebrew and such?

[amorenod]

OK, I've flashed my DS via wifime. Loading the flasher was the easy part, but the shorting thing I'll remember for days.

Took me about 20 minutes to get 16%, my evil inner voice telling: "Brick it and get a Lite". Suddenly, I touched the sweet spot and it was done.

I've tried Duck Hunt and Picross, but I wonder if there's some kind of loader menu to select the desired homebrew?

Thanks