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nds-bootstrap

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Revision as of 03:03, 28 November 2025 by HydeWing (talk | contribs) (2.10.0)
nds-bootstrap
General
AuthorDS-Homebrew
TypeTitle Launchers
Version2.10.0
LicenseGPL-3.0
Last Updated2025/11/27
Links
Download
Website
Source
Support Author

nds-bootstrap is an open-source application that allows Nintendo DS/DSi ROMs and homebrew to be natively utilised rather than using an emulator. nds-bootstrap works on Nintendo DSi/3DS SD cards through CFW and on Nintendo DS through flashcarts.

Note from developers:

A frontend isn't required to be used as nds-bootstrap uses an ini file to load its parameters. However, it is very much recommended. TWiLight Menu++ is a frontend for nds-bootstrap, developed by RocketRobz & co. It has 7 customizable launchers to choose from with the ability to launch emulators and other homebrew. It also includes a number of Anti-Piracy patches for the games and will automatically configure nds-bootstrap for you, with customizable per game settings.

Installation

To install nds-bootstrap, download the .7z file.

Extract the nds-bootstrap .nds files, to root:/_nds/.

For TWLMenu++ users, extract the .ver file to root:/_nds/TWiLightMenu/ (only when you are updating nds-bootstrap, as it comes bundled in TWiLight Menu++).

User guide

ROM Compatibility

nds-bootstrap supports most DS ROMs, with a few exceptions (see compatibility list).

  • You can enhance your gaming experience with cheats and faster load times than general cartridges (for games that support those features).
  • Game saving is supported too and will be saved in the .sav extention, and .pub or .prv for DSiWare.
  • Anti-Piracy patches can be loaded via IPS files, but they are not included inside the software itself.
  • nds-bootstrap also supports many homebrew applications, including games like DSCraft (please check the compatibility list above).

B4DS mode (a result of running nds-bootstrap on DS-mode flashcards with locked SCFG or DS Phat/Lite) supports most (if not all) DS ROMs of which are supported on DSi/3DS. Some DSiWare ROMs are also supported (see this list for which ones are supported)).

Screenshots

To take screenshots directly from the hardware:

  • Open the in-game menu, select Screenshots...
  • Select the VRAM bank, in case if the screenshot looks incorrect (this feature cannot be used in B4DS mode).
  • You can now step 1 frame, while in the in-game menu (by pressing R).
  • Screenshots will be saved to screenshots.tar in sd:/_nds/nds-bootstrap/.
    • Due to hardware limitations, only screenshots of the main-set screen will be taken.
    • Limit is 50 screenshots. After reaching the limit, you cannot take any more, until you delete screenshots.tar in sd:/_nds/nds-bootstrap/, where it'll be re-created on next boot.

FAQ

Please see the FAQ page.

Controls

These do not apply to DSiWare.

L+R+Up+X (for 1 second) - Swap the screens

L+R+Down+A (for 2 seconds) - Dump RAM to sd:/_nds/nds-bootstrap, as ramDump.bin

L+R+Down+B (for 2 seconds) - Return to loader (may not work on some O3DS models, and does not work in B4DS mode)

L+Down+Select - Open the in-game menu (can be changed in the TWiLight Menu++ settings)

Screenshot (in-game menu):

R - Advance by one frame

Up/Down/Left/Right - Change VRAM bank

A - Save screenshot

B - Return to in-game menu

RAM Viewer (in-game menu):

Up/Down - Scroll

Left/Right - Fast scroll

R+Down/Up - Faster scroll

R+Left/Right - Fastest scroll

A - Enter RAM Editor

B - Return to in-game menu

Y - Specify an address to jump to

Up/Down - Increase/Decrease selected value

Left/Right - Select a value

A/B - Return to RAM Viewer/Editor at specified address

RAM Editor (in-game menu):

Up/Down/Left/Right - Select a value

A - Modify selected value

Up/Down - Increase/Decrease value by 1h

Left/Right - Increase/Decrease value by 10h

A/B - Finish modifying value

B - Return to RAM Viewer

Y - Specify an address to jump to

Up/Down - Increase/Decrease selected value

Left/Right - Select a value

A/B - Return to RAM Viewer/Editor at specified address

Media

3DS Play NDS ROM's Off Your SD Card! (TWiLightMenu) (Tech James)

Known issues

https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/nds-bootstrap/issues

Changelog

v2.10.0

  • What's new?
    • The screen swapping hotkey (hold L+R+Up+X for 1 second) has been readded!
      • To avoid continuous writes to the SD card after using the screen swap hotkey, the setting will save after 3 seconds. (Does not apply to B4DS mode, where the setting only saves via the in-game menu.)
      • The hotkey is now customizeable as well! It can be changed within the TWLMenu++ Settings menu.
    • B4DS: 11 more DSiWare now run on DS and DS Lite consoles, bringing the total from 480 to 491!
      • Absolute BrickBuster
      • Accessing free play mode causes a crash.
      • Does not save.
      • Discolight
      • Hakokoro
        • Audio disabled on retail DS consoles due to RAM limitation.
      • Jagged Alliance
      • Kuniya Burete Sanga Ari: Hills and Rivers Remain
        • Both a Memory Expansion Pak and VRAM-WiFi Donor ROM (such as Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals) required. If you have neither, then a debug DS console will work.
        • Requires TWLFontTable.dat (dumped from a non-Chinese & non-Korean DSi or 3DS console) placed in fat:/_nds/nds-bootstrap/.
        • Does not save.
      • Libera Wing
      • Nintendogs (iQue)
      • Puzzle Fever
      • Retro Pocket
      • Sagittarius-A-Star
        • Only the options are saved.
      • Sengoku Tactics
        • Master volume has been reduced due to the original audio playing loud.
    • B4DS: Removed Memory Expansion Pak requirement for these DSiWare titles by Digital Leisure!
      • 21 Blackjack
      • Match Up!
      • Mega Words
      • Word Searcher (Europe)
      • Word Searcher II
      • Word Searcher III
      • Word Searcher IV
    • B4DS: Music now plays in Neko Neko Bakery: Pan de Pazurunya! on retail DS consoles!
      • This was achieved by having the game stream the music files from the ROM instead of pre-loading the music files to RAM, reducing RAM usage as a result.
      • The same method was implemented for the above listed Digital Leisure titles in order for them to run without the expansion pak.
    • B4DS: To increase boot speed of DSiWare titles, the patched ARM binaries are not written to the page file, since soft-resets are disabled (console reboots or turns off instead).
    • DSi: Added ROM pre-load settings for SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters DS (USA & Japan).
    • DSi/3DS: Added ROM pre-load settings for SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters DS (Europe).
  • Bug fixes:
    • DSi/3DS: Reverted LRU cache block size from 32KB to 16KB to reduce both audio and wireless communication issues.
      • It'll be kept as 32KB for Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs due to some crashes being fixed as a result.
    • B4DS: Fixed a possible bug which could cause Battle/Combat of Giants: Mutant Insects to not boot.
    • B4DS: Fixed a long-standing bug which caused Dragon's Lair II (EUR/AUS) to crash on the company logos. Now both the USA and EUR/AUS versions boot properly!
    • B4DS: As a result of the MEP requirement being removed for Mega Words, some missing graphics have been restored.
    • B4DS: Fixed uncompressed FAT table cache still being created when end of file is reached, if an expansion pak is inserted.
      • Fixes saves not being read if an expansion pak is inserted.

v2.9.0

  • Most games which contain STRM files contained in .sdat files and/or Mobiclip will now have those STRM and/or video files be read asynchronously to reduce/remove frame drops.
  • For many of the SD-related fixes to apply to flashcard users (such as properly working card read DMA), the LRU cache system is now used when running games from flashcards.
    • The ROM read LED settings now work on flashcards as a result.
    • This can work around crashes for certain flashcards.
    • Does not apply to Pokemon Black & White 1 & 2 due to the SWI Halt function not being hooked for flashcard reads, along with DLDI drivers not having asynchronous DMA reads.
    • Due to memory limitations, this does not affect users who are running nds-bootstrap's B4DS mode.
  • If the SD card the game is running from uses 32KB cluster size or more, the cluster size of the LRU cache will be increased from 16KB to 32KB, loading a bit more data each time a card read occurs.
    • This is known to fix some crashes in Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs.
  • Fixed NAND save R/W under 512 bytes not working correctly by loading the last read data into the LRU cache.
    • Due to memory limitations, this does not affect users who are running nds-bootstrap's B4DS mode.
  • Fixed a possible crash which could occur when trying to connect to Wii in Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver.
  • The following games will no longer need to be manually AP-patched first before applying a ROM hack:
    • MegaMan Zero Collection
    • Phantasy Star 0
    • Solatorobo: Red the Hunter
    • Style Savvy
  • Fixed AP-fix for Phantasy Star 0 (Japan).
  • Most of the black flickering no longer occurs in the Transformers games developed by Vicarious Visions.
  • If the DSi Sound app is set as a donor ROM for DSi-Enhanced games and save relocation is disabled, the donor ROM will be rejected.
  • Fixed Pokemon Black & White 1 & 2 not booting if a THUMB ROM (such as the standalone DS WiFi Settings ROM) is used as a DSi donor ROM.
  • Fixed card read DMA not being patched properly for a few games (such as Planet Puzzle League).
  • Attempted to fix possible issues occurring in homebrew titles by reverting the LRU cache transfer method from __aeabi_memcpy to tonccpy.
  • Yu-Gi-Oh!: Nightmare Troubadour and all Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship games are now blacklisted from using screen color filters and/or the DS Phat color setting due to slowdown in some areas and darkening issues from palette cycling.
  • Various: Updated in-game menu translations.

v2.8.3

  • What's new? / Bug fix:
    • The following games will no longer need to be manually AP-patched first before applying a ROM hack and/or randomizer patch, and will also no longer crash on white screens on boot:
      • Chrono Trigger
      • FabStyle
      • Inazuma Eleven (non-Japanese versions)
      • Inazuma Eleven 2: Blizzard & Firestorm (non-Japanese versions)
      • Inazuma Eleven 3: Sekai e no Chousen!! The Ogre
      • Pokémon: HeartGold & SoulSilver Version
      • Radiant Historia
      • SaGa 2: Hihou Densetsu: Goddess of Destiny
  • What's new?
    • Various: Updated in-game menu translations.

v2.8.2 (hotfix #2)

  • Fixed a long-standing and formerly hidden bug (discovered from improving the AP-patching system) where some AP-fixes would fail to be detected. This fixes Pokemon HeartGold crashing when either loading save data or during gameplay (unknown if the fix works with ROM hacks).

v2.8.1 (hotfix)

  • Fixed the AP-fix for Tomodachi Collection to work with the Italian Translation (Beta 2, as of this release).

v2.8.0

  • What's new?
    • Added AP-fixes for the following games:
      • Captain Tsubasa: New Kick Off (English translation v0.5)
      • Captain Tsubasa: New Kick Off (Repacked v1.8) (Patch required from nds-bootstrap-extras)
      • Inazuma Eleven 3: The Ogre (Full English Translation) (Patch required from nds-bootstrap-extras)
      • Pokémon: Refined Gold Overhaul (Coarse) (v4.1.3) (by @DeadSkullzJr)
      • Pokémon: Refined Gold Overhaul (Original) (v4.1.3) (by @DeadSkullzJr)
      • Pokémon: SoothingSilver Version (v1.4.3) (by @DeadSkullzJr)
      • Pokémon: Storm Silver Version (v1.1.1) (Classic) (by @DeadSkullzJr)
      • Pokémon: Storm Silver Version (v1.1.1) (Complete) (by @DeadSkullzJr)
    • @R-YaTian: Improved AP-patching system for patches to be applied to some more modified ROMs.
    • When trying to load streamable music & videos in some games, card read DMA is now forced in order to load them asynchronously. This only applies to DSi/3DS SD card users, and currently applies to these games:
      • Elite Beat Agents
      • Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan
      • Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii: Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2
      • Pokemon Black & White Version 2
      • Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs
      • Sonic Colors
      • System Flaw
    • Added pre-load settings for the following games:
      • Code Lyoko (3DS): Everything except level-specific sound effects and video cutscenes
      • Code Lyoko: Fall of X.A.N.A. (MEP/DSi): Everything except sound data and video cutscenes
      • Stratego: Next Edition (DSi): Everything except streamed music
    • If a screen color filter and/or the DS Phat colors setting is enabled, the log (if enabled) will now notify you that a screen filter is enabled.
    • The log (if enabled) will now print out the nds-bootstrap version on the top.
    • Various: Updated in-game menu translations.
  • Bug fixes:
    • DSi/3DS: myNotebook Red, Green, and Blue will no longer crash when booted with Memory Pit.
    • B4DS: Fixed Paws & Claws: Pet Resort and Paws & Claws: Pet Vet 2 not booting due to a missing patch.
      • DSi/3DS: The added missing patch now allows the nds-bootstrap in-game menu to open for those games.
    • DSi/3DS: Clubhouse Games now boots with a screen color filter and/or DS Phat colors enabled.
    • DSi/3DS: Flower, Sun and Rain: Murder and Mystery in Paradise no longer boots with a screen color filter and/or DS Phat colors due to a crash which occurs later on (see this page for details).
    • DSi/3DS: Patched out Slot-1 check from sleep mode for known certain flashcards. (Moved from TWLMenu++.)

v2.7.2

  • Bug fix (DSi & 3DS):
    • Fixed an overlooked bug which has occurred since v2.5.0 (from implementing the color LUT/DS Phat color feature) where the following games would randomly freeze when streamed music is being played:
      • Elite Beat Agents
      • Pokemon Black 2 & White 2 (Title Screen)
      • Stitch Jam
      • and possibly more which have not been tested

v2.7.1 (Hotfix)

  • Bug fix:
    • Fixed an overlooked bug which caused some games to either not boot or show a save corrupted message on DSi/3DS consoles.
      • If this bug has caused your save data to be erased, make sure you have backups ready. If you have not tried v2.7.0, please update to this version immediately just in case.

v2.7.0

  • What's new?
    • @Wokann: Added an option to disable save relocation, so that games still save within their original game cards. Useful for trying to run game translations, but still want to using the original game card for save data.
  • Bug fixes:
    • B4DS: Successfully fixed the in-game menu not opening on Ace3DS+ flashcards and its clones! (Yup, it's fixed for real this time!)
      • The fix has not been applied to DSi/3DS users outside of B4DS mode, as it is unknown if the same bug occurs outside of B4DS mode.
    • DSi/3DS: Fixed an overlooked bug which caused color LUT/screen filter to not apply for DSi-Enhanced/Exclusive games in DSi mode.
  • Known bug:
    • B4DS: In order for the in-game menu to now open on Ace3DS+ flashcards and its clones, it no longer checks for active wireless communications. As a result, the in-game menu can now be opened during active wireless communications as well, which can cause the connection to drop, depending on the game.

2.6.2 (hotfix)

  • Bug fix:
    • Fixed an overlooked bug where DSi-Enhanced ROMs would not boot in DSi mode without a DSi-Exclusive/DSiWare ROM set as a donor ROM.

2.6.1

  • What's new?
    • Added ROM pre-load settings (automatically activated) for more games for improved ROM reading:
      • Dragon Ball: Origins (Sound data)
      • Dragon Ball: Origins 2 (Sound data)
      • Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 (Character sprites and sound data, the latter for 3DS)
      • 3DS: Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight (Everything except sound data)
    • A DSi-Exclusive/DSiWare ROM can now be used as a donor ROM in order to increase the cluster cache from 6KB (0x17B0) to 12KB (0x3000) when running a DSi-Enhanced game in DSi mode. This can be useful if nds-bootstrap shows An error has occurred. due to ROM cluster fragmentation, and you don't feel like reformatting the SD card to de-fragment the ROM.
      • If you are using a DSi, then TWLMenu++ has already set a donor ROM automatically after booting for the first time.
  • Bug fixes:
    • Fixed crashing with a communication error when selecting anything after connecting to My Pokemon Ranch on Wii.
      • The crash was caused by not reading the sound data due to the pre-loaded ROM data map getting cleared after selecting the Connect to Wii option in the Gen 4 Pokemon games.
    • Fixed a bug which lasted since v1.0.0, where the "Wanted!" feature in Assassin's Creed II: Discovery would crash with both screens nearly white, and no DSi/3DS camera image on the top screen.

2.6.0

  • What's new?
    • 3DS: Updated ROM pre-load settings for WarioWare: D.I.Y. (Europe) to pre-load all data used for the currently set language.
    • DSi/3DS: Added ROM pre-load settings (automatically activated) for more games for improved ROM reading:
      • Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (USA) (English Party Chat v1.2)
      • Elite Forces: Unit 77 (DSi)
      • Nanostray (DSi)
      • Nanostray 2 (DSi)
      • Stitch Jam
      • Motto! Stitch! DS: Rhythm de Rakugaki Daisakusen
    • DSi/3DS: Screen filter and/or DS Phat colors are now applied to Actimagine/Mobiclip videos!
      • When running with NTR clock speed, video resolution will be reduced in half to reduce slowdown.
    • When starting a game for the first time with this version, the ESRB splash screen (if enabled) on the top screen is now displayed at the same time as the "Please wait..." message on the bottom screen.
    • For some ESRB-rated online games which don't display the online notice (ex. Pokemon Black & White 1 & 2), it can now be displayed on the bottom screen (replacing the "Please wait..." message on first boot) below the ESRB splash screen.
      • Online notice flags are stored on TWLMenu++'s side (along with the rating descriptors).
  • Bug fixes:
    • DSi: Due to the pre-load setting addition, Nanostray 2 no longer crashes when going into gameplay!
    • Fixed a (somewhat) long-standing issue where Professor Layton and the Curious Village would not reset correctly from nds-bootstrap's in-game menu, instead showing video cutscenes or the puzzle mode.
    • DSi/3DS: Bomberman no longer crashes on opening an area when using a screen filter and/or DS Phat colors.
    • DSi/3DS: Fixed card read DMA not being properly patched for My Healthy Cooking Coach and possibly some other early DSi-Enhanced games.
      • The title would crash after boot without the fix.
    • DSi/3DS: Fixed games which use SDK 2.1 or later not booting from flashcards (without B4DS mode).
    • DSi/3DS: Fixed DSi mode not working on flashcards.
    • Yet another attempt to fix the in-game menu not opening on Ace3DS+ flashcards, by clearing the WiFi IRQ register on arm7 before boot.
      • Implemented after a user has found out that the in-game menu opens on Shantae: Risky's Revenge due to the WiFi IRQ register not being checked.
    • DSi/3DS: Fixed rebooting after dumping RAM.
    • DS: Fixed SuperCard CF support (not to be confused with SuperCard MiniSD).
  • Known bugs:
    • Screen filter and/or DS Phat colors are not applied to all games containing Mobiclip videos, as the code which plays the videos may be stored in the overlays instead of the main ARM9 code.
      • Some games where the code is stored in the overlays are supported manually.
    • Despite the pre-load setting addition, Stitch Jam still randomly soft-locks. The cause of the soft-locks is unknown.

Release notes.

Credits

Developers:

  • Rocket Robz: Lead developer, DSi mode and DSiWare support, B4DS mode, general maintenance and updates
  • shutterbug2000: SDK5 support, help with DSi mode support, and some other implemented stuff
  • ahezard: Starting the project, former lead developer
  • Pk11: In-game menu, screenshot taking, manual loading, and translation management
  • Gericom: Improving B4DS compatibility, parts of libtwl code used, Pokémon Wii connection patch, and SD -> flashcard R/W patch for DSiWare

Other:

  • devkitPro: devkitARM and libnds
  • Arisotura: BIOS reader from dsibiosdumper used in the in-game menu
  • retrogamefan & Rudolph: Included AP-patches
    • enler: Fixing AP-patch for Pokemon Black 2 (Japan) for DS⁽ⁱ⁾ mode compatibility
    • Rocket Robz: Fixing some DS⁽ⁱ⁾-Enhanced game AP-patches for DS⁽ⁱ⁾ mode compatibility
  • VeaNika: DS Phat (NTR-001) color LUT from GBARunner3

Translators:

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.gamebrew.org/index.php?title=Nds-bootstrap&oldid=203080"

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