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.
Installation
Notes from developer:
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.
To install nds-bootstrap, download the .7z file.
Extract the nds-bootstrap .nds files, to root:/_nds/.
Extract the .ver file to root:/_nds/TWiLightMenu/.
User guide
ROM Compatibility
nds-bootstrap supports most DS ROMs, with a few exceptions. 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.
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.
B4DS mode (a result of running nds-bootstrap on DS-mode flashcards with locked SCFG or DS Phat/lite) only supports some DS ROMs. You can increase compatibility by inserting a DS Memory Expansion Pak.
Screenshots
Since 0.46.0 you can take screenshots directly from the hardware, without a capture card or an emulator. To take screenshots:
- 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.
Media
Known issues
Screenshots of ActImagine/MobiClip videos contain only black screens.
Screenshots of moonshineDS will only contain half the screen on either horizontal side.
The frame-stepping feature will not always work properly.
Changelog
v0.46.0
What's new?
- (@Epicpkmn11 and @RocketRobz) You can now take screenshots of DS games.
- 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.
- To take screenshots:
- 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).
- Useful for getting frame-perfect screenshots.
Improvements:
- (@Epicpkmn11 and various) Updated in-game menu translations.
- The Date modified flag for the .sav file is now updated, when booting the game.
- The in-game menu button combo now does nothing in DSi mode, since it's already inaccessible.
- Asynch card read is now disabled in DSi mode, regardless of settings.
Bug fixes:
- Fixed some DSi mode compatibility on DSi consoles (at the cost of card data cache size).
- (@Epicpkmn11) Fixed where the in-game menu would sometimes be blank.