TWiLight Menu++

From GameBrew
TWiLight Menu++
TWiLightMenu.jpg
General
Author(s)RocketRobz
TypeHomebrew Loaders
Versionv13.1.0
LicenceMIT
Links
Download
Website
Source
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TWiLight Menu++, or TWLMenu++ for short, is a frontend for nds-bootstrap, for DS, DSi and 3DS.

Features

  • Launch DS(i) ROMs from the SD card and/or flashcard, via nds-bootstrap (comes included with the app)!
  • For flashcards, the flashcard kernel/firmware can optionally be used to boot the games.
  • Automatic on-the-fly AP-patching! Drag and drop your ROMs onto the SD card, and play, without any additional steps!
    • The included AP-patches are loaded for a specific game, by nds-bootstrap, and the patching is done in RAM, leaving your original ROM untouched.
  • Bring the DSi Menu to your DS Phat/lite, by putting TWLMenu++ on a flashcard!
  • First DS flashcard UI to show animated icons from DSi-Enhanced, DSi-Exclusive, and DSiWare games!
  • For DSi/3DS/2DS users: Overclock your DS games to 133mhz, faster than normal DS clock speed of 67mhz!
  • For DSi/3DS/2DS users: Change sound frequency from 32kHz to 48kHz for higher sound quality!
  • Directly access the following flashcards' microSD cards, and switch to and from there anytime!
    • Acekard 2i (Games cannot be booted)
    • R4 Ultra (regular, not R4i) (r4ultra.com)
  • Set the language to your preference.
  • Run the last played ROM on TWiLight Menu++ startup.
  • Play retro games from these consoles:
    • (Super) GameBoy (Color), via GameYob
    • NES/Famicom, via nesDS
    • Sega Master System/Game Gear, via S8DS
    • Sega MegaDrive/Genesis, via jEnesisDS
    • Super Nintendo/Famicom, via SNEmulDS
  • 3DS/2DS users: Play DS games in 16:10 widescreen! Not all games will work with this feature.

Installation

Non-CFW DSi/3DS/2DS users (Not recommended)

  1. In the 7z file, extract the "_nds" folder from both the 7z root and the "DSi&3DS - SD card users" folder, to the SD Card root. Merge folders, when asked to.
  2. Extract the "boot.nds" file from the "DSi&3DS - SD card users" folder, to the SD Card root.
  3. Put .gb/.gba/.gbc/.gen/.gg/.nes/.nds/.sms/.smc/.sfc ROMs anywhere on your SD card.
  4. Launch your exploted DSiWare game, and TWiLight Menu++ will load!

NOTE for DSi users: If you're using exploits such as Memory Pit, ugopwn, Flipnote Lenny, or 4swordshax to boot TWiLight Menu++ some DS ROMs will not play sound properly.

The following DSiWare exploits are compatible with nds-bootstrap without CFW:

  • sudokuhax (uses GenericTWLPayload)
  • fieldrunnerhax (uses GenericTWLPayload)
  • grtpwn (uses GenericTWLPayload)
  • ugopwn/Flipnote Lenny (only for v0.11.0 and v0.11.2)

DSi users with Unlaunch and/or HiyaCFW

  1. In the 7z file, extract the "_nds" folder from both the 7z root and the "DSi&3DS - SD card users" folder, to the SD Card root. Merge folders, when asked to.
  2. Extract the "boot.nds" file from the "DSi&3DS - SD card users" folder, to the SD Card root.
  3. Extract what's in "DSi - CFW users/SDNAND root" to the root of your SD card.
  4. Put .gb/.gba/.gbc/.gen/.gg/.nes/.nds/.sms/.smc/.sfc ROMs anywhere on your SD card.
  5. (Unlaunch users) In Unlaunch menu, go to options, and set the "No button" option to "TWLMENUPP".
  6. Launch TWiLight Menu++!

CFW 3DS users, via Updater

  1. Use FBI to install the TWiLight Menu++ Updater. You can download it here, or with this QR code.
  2. Launch the updater.
  3. Touch Release next to TWL Menu++. Extraction may take a while.
  4. Do Step 3 again, but for nds-bootstrap.

CFW 3DS users, manual method

  1. In the 7z file, extract the "_nds" folder from both the 7z root and the "DSi&3DS - SD card users" folder, to the SD Card root. Merge folders, when asked to.
  2. Extract the "boot.nds" file from the "DSi&3DS - SD card users" folder, to the SD Card root.
  3. Extract the .cia files from the "3DS - CFW users" folder, to anywhere on the SD Card.
  4. Put .gb/.gba/.gbc/.gen/.gg/.nes/.nds/.sms/.smc/.sfc ROMs anywhere on your SD card.
  5. Install the .cia files you extracted.
    NOTE: If you're using EmuNAND, then install them to SysNAND as well.
  6. Launch TWiLight Menu++!

Flashcard users

  1. In the 7z file, extract the "_nds" folder from both the 7z root and the "Flashcard users" folder, to the flashcard's microSD card root. Merge folders, when asked to.
  2. Extract the "boot.nds" file from the "Flashcard users" folder, to the flashcard's microSD card root.
  3. Put .gb/.gba/.gbc/.gen/.gg/.nes/.nds/.sms/.smc/.sfc ROMs anywhere on your flashcard's microSD card.
  4. (Optional) Using your flashcard firmware to load retail/commercial ROMs instead of nds-bootstrap.
    1. Download a pack for your flashcard (skip to step 4, if your flashcard is not listed):
    2. Extract what's in "for Slot-1 microSD" to the root of the flashcard's microSD card.
    3. After this and setting up TWiLight Menu++ on your flashcard, set "Use nds-bootstrap" to "No" so the flashcard firmware will be used instead of nds-bootstrap.
  5. (Optional) Autobooting to TWiLight Menu++
    • Extract what's in "Flashcard users/Autoboot/(your flashcard)" to the root of the flashcard's microSD card. (Skip this, if you don't see your flashcard.)
  6. You're good to go! Launch your flashcard, and TWiLight Menu++ will load! (Load "boot.nds", if you're in the regular flashcard menu, or if autobooting doesn't work.)
  • You can also set your preferred sound/mic frequency, if you're using a DSi, 3DS, or 2DS.
  • If you want to use TWL clock speed and/or VRAM boost on your flashcard games, launch your flashcard using TWiLight Menu++ on the console's SD card, with the "SCFG access in Slot-1" setting turned on.

Video demonstration

NOTE: In this video, loading speed is slower than the current nds-bootstrap version.

Controls

DSi, 3DS, and SEGA Saturn themes

  • Left/Right: Select a game/app
  • A/START: Launch game/app
  • B: Go up one directory
  • L/R: Switch pages
  • Y: Per-game settings
    • X: Cheat menu
  • X: Delete/hide game
  • (DSi/Saturn theme) SELECT: DS Classic menu
    • (Where TWLMenu++ Settings, the Slot-1 game, and the last ran game can be accessed)

R4 theme

On R4 theme main menu:

  • Left/Right: Select game list, lanch Slot-1, or launch GBARunner2
  • A: Open game list, launch Slot-1, or launch GBARunner2
  • START/SELECT: Open TWLMenu++ Settings

In game list:

  • Up/Down: Select a game/app
  • A: Launch game/app
  • B: Go up one directory
  • Y: Per-game settings
    • X: Cheat menu
  • X: Delete/hide game
  • START: Return to R4 theme main menu

Acekard theme

  • Up/Down: Select a game/app
  • A: Launch game/app
  • B/L: Go up one directory
  • Y: Per-game settings
    • X: Cheat menu
  • START: Options menu
  • SELECT: Change list mode

With CFW: DS ROMs on SD/carts

  • L+R+DOWN+B for 2 seconds: Return to TWiLight Menu++.
    • (If using an o3DS, then it does not work on all models)

For DS game compatibility, please check this list: List of games that work from SD Card

FAQs

Q: (3DS users) This is a DS(i) emulator, right?

A: No, this is not an emulator. The menu and DS games (loaded via nds-bootstrap) are ran natively in the console's DS/DSi mode.
The only consoles emulated are NES, Sega MS/GG, GB(C), Sega Gen/MD, SNES, and GBA (but partially, as some parts (such as graphics) are ran natively).

Q: After installing the TWiLight Menu++ CIAs, I don't see the app on the 3DS HOME Menu. How can I fix this?

Reboot the console.

Q: Why is my 3DS/2DS stuck on black screen when launching TWiLight Menu++? Why is my 3DS/2DS powering off when launching TWiLight Menu++?

A: TWL_FIRM might've somehow got corrupted.
Follow this guide to fix the issue: DSi / DS functionality is broken after completing the guide

Q: I followed all the steps on how to play in widescreen, but the supported games are still running in 4:3, but with glitchiness on the right side. How do I fix this?

A: Try re-downloading the patcher, and run "wide.bat" again, and copy the remade/updated .cxi file to "sd:/_nds/TWiLightMenu/TwlBg/", and rename it to "Widescreen.cxi".

Q: I followed all the steps on how to play in widescreen, but the supported games are still running in 4:3, but with hex numbers on the right side. How do I fix this?

A: You did not make and/or run "wide.bat". Please do that, and then copy the remade/updated .cxi file to "sd:/_nds/TWiLightMenu/TwlBg/", and rename it to "Widescreen.cxi".

Q: After launching a game in widescreen, the TWLMenu++ GUI is stretched in the top screen! How do I fix this?

A: In FBI, delete both TWiLight Menu++ titles (in purple text) in the title list, then install both the latest TWLMenu++ CIAs.
Back in the title list, launch "TWiLight Menu++ Last-ran ROM".
If this doesn't fix it, delete "TwlBg.cxi" at "sd:/luma/sysmodules/".

Q: How do I get past Luma's exception screen when trying to soft-reset the game, or return to TWiLight Menu++?

A: Enable game patching in Luma settings, or update Luma to v10.0 (or later).

Q: How do I fix TWiLight Menu++ restarting when launching a game? How do I fix TWiLight Menu++ giving a Guru Meditation Error when launching a game?

A: Go into TWLMenu++ Settings, and disable "Update recently played list".

Q: Can The Biggest Loser boot TWiLight Menu++?

A: No. As The Biggest Loser is a Slot-1 game, and not a DSiWare game, SD access is disabled when running Slot-1 cards.

Q: Why do I get a white screen when trying to load a game from SD Card, and how do I fix it?

A1: You're using an incompatible DSiWare exploit. It should use GenericTWLPayload for DS ROMs to work.

A2: nds-bootstrap shrinks the heap to fit it's own code for arm9, into cached memory. Shrinking the heap breaks some games.
To disable heap shrink, hold L immediately after pressing A/START to launch the game.

A3: Please note that not all games work from SD Card yet. Check the list above.
If it's listed as compatible, try again.

If you're a DSi user, Please check the LED set in TWiLight Menu++ settings.

  • WiFi/Camera: If it's on, that means it's loading from the ROM. If it's off for a while, and the screen is still white, that means the game is unsupported.
  • Power: If it's purple, that means it's loading from the ROM. If it's blue (or red) for a while, and the screen is still white, that means the game is unsupported.

Credits

Main Developers

  • RocketRobz: Lead Developer, implementing the auto-reset power button function used in NTR-mode.
  • chyyran: Porting the akMenu/Wood UI to TWiLight Menu++ & adding the ability to load sub-themes off the SD card for DSi/3DS themes.
  • Pk11: Adding the ability to load sub-themes off the SD card for the R4 theme.

App Launchers

Graphics & Themes

Others

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