DS-Xtreme

[clanggedin]

http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=9036

If this is the real deal then I am soooo getting this. Team Xodus that developed the Xenium for the Xbox apparently assisted in the development of this unit.

[Hoagie_one]

expensive

[pointdablame]

expensive

arguable.

They're going for $125.  If you picked up a miniSD M3 for $70-80, then a Passme for $20, and a miniSD card and reader for another $20-30, you're right in the same ballpark.

You could get a cheaper card like the Supercard, but you lose some compatibility.  It IS a bit more expensive than some options, but I definitely wouldn't call it expensive. 

[shmokes]

Shame that there's no external memory option, though.

[clanggedin]

This requires no additional GBA cart, No PassMe, and no patching of the games in order to play them on your DS.

It sounds too good to be true, but if they pull it off then I will be buying one. Right now I was told you can only store one ROM on a card at a time to play on current cards that are out there. Hopefully more than one ROM can be stored and selected from the menu on this card.

[pointdablame]

Shame that there's no external memory option, though.

There are plenty of options for cards with external memory if that's what you're after... just not in the DS slot.   Where would you physically PUT the card?  I'm amazed they got a miniB port on there... even a microSD slot would be a really tough fit.

Get a card that uses the GBA slot if you want external memory.

[shmokes]

I've actually only played a DS for a grand total of about 2 minutes.  I didn't even know there was a different slot for DS games.

[pointdablame]

I've actually only played a DS for a grand total of about 2 minutes.  I didn't even know there was a different slot for DS games.

Yup.  There is a GBA slot on the bottom and a DS slot up top.  The actual DS games are only about 1.5" squares and as thick as a compact flash card, if not thinner.

[clanggedin]

I play my DS more than I play any of my other Arcades / Consoles. Myabe it's because I can play with it on the throne. Much better than a book IMHO.

[Stobe]

Would anyone here be willing to give me a hand with my M3/Passkey2?

I just got them in the mail, and their documentation is quite lacking.  I found several sites that have good tutorials, but I am lacking something rather important, the Passkey2 v3.rar (or v4.rar).  I try to d/l it from m3's site, but I get a chinese 404 page or something.  And I've had no luck finding another d/l source.

As far as I know, I can't do anything with my new toys without having this file first, right?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Stobe

[SirPoonga]

After doing some research this is one of the cheaper options.  That is if you want something that doesn't pertrude out of the DS Lite.  They started making lite versions of the microSD adaptors that are flush with the GBA slot on the DS Lite.  I searched around and to get a passcard (Passme, Passkey, etc..), an adaptor, a microSD card, and a USB adaptor it costs more than the DS-Extreme.  Other than that there is no external memory on the DS-Extreme I don't see a disadvantag to it then.

So I challenge you guys, can you find a setup with all the parts needed that is significantly cheaper than the DS-Extreme?  Remember to include shipping as with the DS-Extreme you'd be getting that from one location.  The only requirement is that the parts can not pertrude from the DS Lite.

[ften]

Stobe: Try http://www.m3-forum.com/ they are the best forum For the M3.
Also you might want to try http://www.dualscene.net as they normally get all the M3 software before it's released in America.

The only thing I would watch out with the DS-X is that there are a lot of flaky flash adapters out there and this could just be another one, so until there are a bunch of reviews I won't get my hopes up. 

I love my M3.

-FTen

[SirPoonga]

Right, I'd go M3 too but there's soemthing wrong with homebrew costing more than the DS.

[pointdablame]

I just got a G6 Lite for under $90 shipped from realhotstuff.com.

It's the same exact size as the DS Lite's GBA slot cover so it does not stick out of the system.  It comes with interchangeable cards to match the DS color (although the white is not a perfect match, but it's VERY close)

It's a 4gigabit (512megabyte) card and can work with a passme device or a flashed DS.  It has the compatibility of the M3 (I've actually read its better.. they're from the same company) and has been very very nice so far.  It also plays GB, GBC, NES, PCE, and SMS games (I may have missed a system).  I haven't messed with this area much, but I'll probably use it soon.

You can't upgrade the memory, but you don't need to go buying flash memory and USB readers.  I'm happy with it, and it's cheaper than the DS-Xtreme.  Plus, you can keep a DS game in the DS slot to have an extra game with you.

[Otraotaku]

i reaad a bit about that x-treme before... but it doesnt say anything about multiconsole support? anyone know if it will be able to play anything other than GBA + DS? if not M3 is probly the way i should still plan on going.

[pointdablame]

i reaad a bit about that x-treme before... but it doesnt say anything about multiconsole support? anyone know if it will be able to play anything other than GBA + DS? if not M3 is probly the way i should still plan on going.

Most of the newer flashcards have built in emulators, so there's a good chance it will.  I haven't read for sure though about the DS-Xtreme.

My G6 (same folks that make the M3) does a bunch of different systems out of the box.

[Otraotaku]

its good you mentioned that... im trying to find the easiest route to get the most out of multi-platforming on the DS with just the GBA slot. what would you recommend? do you know anything thats a stand-alone card? without the use of flashme or passkey?

[pointdablame]

its good you mentioned that... im trying to find the easiest route to get the most out of multi-platforming on the DS with just the GBA slot. what would you recommend? do you know anything thats a stand-alone card? without the use of flashme or passkey?

If you're not using this new DS-Xtreme, or one of the other "DS slot" flash cards that seem to be in the works, you'll need a passcard/flashed DS.  There's no way around it.  Flashme is super easy to install, and there are a few options for pass devices, so it's not a big deal.  Flashing the DS opens up the DS slot so you can keep a game in there, which is what I do personally.

For multiplatforming, just get a card with emus.  Like i said, the M3 and G6 have built in ones, and many others do as well.  It's not a killer emu machine though from my limited experience. SMS played well, some NES games were fine, some were pretty crappy.  I definitely need to do more testing, but it hasn't wowed me so far.  Video and graphics on the DS aren't awesome either.

If you want multiplatform/emulation, I say get a PSP.  Otherwise, just be happy with the really good GB/GBA/DS games out there.

[Otraotaku]

so your saying if i only need to write the bios and wont need to use a passkey in DS slot? thats what i figured. the most id like to do with it is play GBA/GB/DS from the GBA slot, mostly DS, everything else on NES/SNES has already been brought to GBA anyway, so i should just grab an M3 + flashme + Passkey + mini/SDcard?

[pointdablame]

so your saying if i only need to write the bios and wont need to use a passkey in DS slot? thats what i figured. the most id like to do with it is play GBA/GB/DS from the GBA slot, mostly DS, everything else on NES/SNES has already been brought to GBA anyway, so i should just grab an M3 + flashme + Passkey + mini/SDcard?

That's the gist of it.  Go do some reading at GBATemp, but you've pretty much got the idea.

Flasme and passkeys/passme's are the same thing in that they allow you to bypass the DS security check.  A passkey/passme/passcard/whatever goes into the DS slot of the DS and stays there.  You then load your games from the flashcard in the GBA slot.

FlashMe is a new firmware for your DS which you flash.  Once flashed, your DS no longer needs a passme device and you can just put the flashcard in the GBA slot.  You can also put a DS game in the DS slot (obviously) and play that directly if you want.

I'd get an M3 miniSD if you have a regular DS or a G6 Lite if you have a DS Lite personally.  I've used both and they are both great.

[Otraotaku]

thanks, im a bit familar with some PC bios flashing but wasnt sure if it limited some functionality of the DS or not.

[SirPoonga]

So if you use flashme that is a complete replacement so stuff like pictochat is gone?

[pointdablame]

So if you use flashme that is a complete replacement so stuff like pictochat is gone?

no.

I don't know the nuts and bolts of it, but it just replaces the DS security check.  My DS Lite is flashed with the stealth flashme (there are 2 flashme's, normal and stealth... stealt keeps the safety warning and DS boot screen while the standard flashme gets rid of the health warning screen). 

If you boot my flashed DS without a flashcard in the GBA slot, you can't tell the difference between a stock one.  Same boot screen, same options, pictochat, etc etc.  If I turn the system on with my G6 in the GBA slot, it automatically boots up my G6 and brings me to the loader.  If I hold the Select button while turning on the system (with the G6 in) it will load up normally as well.

Flashme does not kill any options at all.  You can still change brightness on the DS Lite, use any options, and what have you.

[SirPoonga]

Ahhh, do you need to keep a file on the flashcart then?  If so it sounds like it setups up dual booting with one image off the cart and the stock firmware.

[ften]

Ahhh, do you need to keep a file on the flashcart then?  If so it sounds like it setups up dual booting with one image off the cart and the stock firmware.

You don't need to keep any special files on the flashcart. All the Flashme is doing in a nutshell is rewriting the portion of the bios that checks to see if the code is properly signed and allows the DS to be tricked into running DS games through the GBA slot.
I read a really good article on the whole breakdown of how it works... unfortunately my bookmarks are a bit unruly, but I'll continue to sort through them and see if I can find it.

-FTen

[pointdablame]

Like Ften said, NO, you don't have to keep a file on the card.  Copy it to the card, flash it, delete the file.

After you flash the DS (its a 2 minute process), you will never be able to tell the differenece except when using a flashcard since it allows you to actually boot it without a passme.

Otherwise, its just a normal DS.

[romperwomb]

I haven't flashed my DS yet, I just leave the passme cart in all the time.  The only reason I can think to flash it is if it would save some batery life...does it?

[pointdablame]

I haven't flashed my DS yet, I just leave the passme cart in all the time.  The only reason I can think to flash it is if it would save some batery life...does it?

yes it does.

I also like the perk of keeping a real DS game in there.  It's nice to always have that "plus one" in addition to whatever you have on the flashcard compared to just filling the spot with a useless passme.

[SirPoonga]

Where do you get the firmware?  all links go to the official site that I can find.  The official links are broken.

[ften]

http://www.fathertom.net/flashmev7.zip
That zip inclues the normal version, the stealth version, and the flashme removal tool.

I followed this guide and had no issues with the flash;
http://www.dspassme.com/FlashMe.shtml

Finding something to stick into the DS to short out the SL1 was a pain, for some reason none of my jeweler screw drivers would work so I wound up using a copper box staple.


-FTen

[pointdablame]

The best (read: easiest) thing to use for a flashing tool is a toothpick.

Take a toothpick, cut off a pointy end, wrap it in aluminum foil, and then wrap everything but the very very tip of it with something non-conductive (scotch tape works fine).

It works perfectly.  Just don't forget to wrap the tape around it as there is a small piece of metal on the DS Lite that you cannot see in the hole, and you could potentially short your system during the process.

http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=33481

That is a great tutorial and really explains everything for you.

[SirPoonga]

So you still need to get a passme device first.  Hmmm...

[SirPoonga]

http://www.ndshb.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=235

I have the ds lite so I need the lite version of flashme?

[pointdablame]

i got Flashme v7 from the tutorial I posted and it works fine, including my brightness, so I'm not really sure.  If they say there is a DS and DSL version though, I guess there is.  It was my assumption that the v7 of Flashme had just been updated to work with the DSL as well as the DS.


And yes, you'll need to get a passme in order to flash it, but if you look around the web, there are people who will loan one to you to flash if if you'd like.  Or, alternatively, they sell very well on ebay or forums, so you can just use it and sell it.

[ften]

Yeah I've never heard of two separate version of v7, although I have read that the v7 doesn't work proper with Euro DS Lites and that you should wait for v8 to come out if you have one. I think when 7 was being released there were 2 different versions because Loopy released an early 7 beta to deal with issues the earlier FlashMes had with the DS Lite, but the final release should have encompass all that.

I'd lend you my PassMe but it's a 1st edition for the first 3 models of the DS, won't work on the DSL.

-FTen

[SirPoonga]

Ok, assuming I can borrow a passme device it looks like the cheapest thing to do is get hte GBAMPv2 CF as that is only $25.

Now, the cheapest thing to do that is flush with the lite is the supercard lite.  Now this stuff is looking reasonable.

[pointdablame]

be careful though, not all flashcards are built the same.  There are definite compatibility issues with the cheaper ones, and there are big problems with GBA compatibility if you will be playing GBA games.

The supercards have ok compat, but don't like GBA as much as others.  The M3 and G6 are the "best" as far as compat goes but are more money.  The EZcard IV or whatever its called is not reviewed very well.  There are others, but I'm not familiar with them.

I'd save your pennies and get an M3 or G6 lite. they are well worth it IMHO.

[ften]

Ok, assuming I can borrow a passme device it looks like the cheapest thing to do is get hte GBAMPv2 CF as that is only $25.

Now, the cheapest thing to do that is flush with the lite is the supercard lite.  Now this stuff is looking reasonable.

Thats cool as hell that Chishm made a NDS hack for the GBAMPv2, never even noticed that before. I got it for my little sister to play movies, music and nes. I guess i'll show her how to work that feature when I go see her next week, I'll give you guys a heads up on how well it works. 

-FTen

[SirPoonga]

Ok, assuming I can borrow a passme device it looks like the cheapest thing to do is get hte GBAMPv2 CF as that is only $25.

Now, the cheapest thing to do that is flush with the lite is the supercard lite.  Now this stuff is looking reasonable.

Thats cool as hell that Chishm made a NDS hack for the GBAMPv2, never even noticed that before. I got it for my little sister to play movies, music and nes. I guess i'll show her how to work that feature when I go see her next week, I'll give you guys a heads up on how well it works. 

-FTen

I'd be careful with that.
http://wiki.pocketheaven.com/DS_Bricker
apparently that got pretty widespread.

It's weird, I've been making a homebrew app and darkfader is mentioned eveywhere.  This is the fist time i heard something bad about him.

If you get it from chishm's site you probably won't have a problem.  The crc's are there anyway if you want to verify it's all correct.

[SirPoonga]

I am thinking about getting the DS-X.  Since I am making a couple of homebrew apps this looks very promising.  It has feature well beyond anything else out there that is very friendly to homebrew.  If I read the features right as listed on their forum it uses EEPROM instead of SRAM.  The whn you stop an application (or game) it will save the eeprom data to a file.  When an app starts it will load the file.  This s beter than any current flashcart hat uses shared sram. 

Also you can have the usb hooked up while the card is in use.  It sounds like there are ging to be development tools tht take advantage of that.

I can see how someone who isn't making homebrew would probably go with something else.  But since I am making some stuff I think this is theway I need to go.