Exclusive to VGE, we a quick start guide to getting more out of your DS with the use of flashcarts.

What is a flashcart?
Put simply, a flash card allows you to run hombrew applications (among other things) on your DS. Most flashcarts look exactly like a normal DS game and are inserted into the DS game slot. Recent flashcarts can have memory cards (usually MicroSD) inserted into them so the transfer of data from a computer to a DS can be made. The process is really quite simple. The memory card must be inserted into a memory card reader and can then be accessed by a computer. Files can be dragged and dropped onto the memory card. The memory card then can be inserted into a flashcart. The flashcart is inserted into the DS game slot and then the files can be played off it. Simple.

Ok, so what’s homebrew?
Homebrew applications or games are usually written by the gaming community as opposed to written by actual software companies, and they also happen to be free. The applications or games are typically written using unofficial software development kits. Theoretically anyone can write their own game or app for the DS, provided they have the skills. As homebrew software is unofficial in the traditional sense a flashcart is needed to run it.

What kind of homebrew software is there available?
Glad you asked! The list is almost endless but here we have listed the most popular and best homebrew software.

BeUp (link)
Put simply it’s MSN for your DS. It works by using your DS’ WiFi connection so you can chat with your friends on the go. Okay, so it may be a bit buggy and restricted but it’s MSN on your DS, still pretty cool.

Lick's Media Player (link)
Probably one of the nicest apps you can get. It turns your DS into an iPod clone once you load up your songs onto the flashcart. The bottom screen can be used to control the scroll wheel just like an iPod. This can be used to scroll through tracks or change volume. The most impressive thing is the attention to detail – the whole interface is brilliantly put together and is almost exactly the same as the iPod one. You can also change the skin of the media player to customise it to your taste. Skins can be found here.

DSHobro (link)
Currently the best web browser available on the DS. Again, it’s buggy and it isn’t great at loading pages with a lot of content and images, and most definitely cannot handle flash (then again neither can the Opera browser) but it’s still pretty damn good. The browser works by connecting to a server hosted on your computer so it’s not totally portable.

DS Organize (link)
An organiser for your DS, need I say more? DS Organize has a calendar, address book, a scribble pad and a to-do list. Additionally it has a web browser but unlike DSHobro you need not connect to a server hosted on your computer to get it working.

Moonshell (link)
If you have to get one DS application, make sure it’s this one. Moonshell lets you play music and videos off your DS. MP3 files are supported but videos must be encoded in the .dpg format. Programs such as BatchDPG and SUPER can be used to convert video.

What else can I run aside from homebrew?
You can run backup ROMs from a flashcart (i.e. any commercially available DS game). Obviously this is illegal if you don’t own the game, but let’s face it this is one of the reasons people purchase flashcarts so it would be silly not to mention.

What flashcart shall I get?
There are many flashcarts available and it can sometimes be hard to find the right one. We have whittled down the selection to just two flashcarts – one for people on a budget and one for people feeling flush.

Our first is the EDGE DS. EDGE DS is our budget choice and incredibly can now be purchased for as low as $10 (around £6) from DealExtreme (who offer free worldwide shipping). EDGE DS actually happens to be a clone of our premium choice, the CycloDS, but don’t let that put you off, the EDGE DS is solidly built and extremely reliable. It also happens to have some seriously nice packaging…The package includes a USB MicroSD reader, but a MicroSD card needs to be purchased.

Here’s a feature list (thanks to edge-ds.co.uk):
•DS original cartridge size, Slot 1 interface.
•Plug ‘n Play, easy to use: Just drag ‘n drop files from the PC to flash
memory card.
•No FlashMe, built-in NoPass, GBA cards in slot 2 can be
started directly.
•Supports Clean ROM files - no conversion needed.
•100% SDHC TF and standard TF compatibility up to 4TB (4096GB) flash
memory card.
•High speed SDHC. Supports any TF card speed with no lag in game.
• Save directly to TF card, not to onboard chip, Never lose your saves.
• Automatically detects ROMS and generate save files.
• Supports Moonshell and homebrew. DLDI auto-patching.
• Supports FAT/FAT32, works on any OS.
• Supports Action Replay cheat and edit the code base.
• Built-in energy-saving design.
• User friendly interface, allows you to customise your own skins.
• Soft reset support via hot key.
• Supports WiFi functionality on games, DS Rumble Pak and DS Browser.
• Supports Download play.
• Supports 4-scale-lightness adjustment ( DS Lite only ).
• Includes high-speed memory card reader.

Our premium choice is the CycloDS Evolution. This is by far the best flashcart available and happens to be one of the most expensive (around £35). The CycloDS benefits from having a solid construction and great reliability, but the best part of the CycloDS is the fact that new firmware updates are constantly being released by the development team making the CycloDS the best supported flashcart around. The CycloDS forum also happens to be packed with plenty of people who can give a helping hand if need be. The CycloDS adds some features to that of the EDGE DS including real time save, slow motion mode and autoboot mode. As with the EDGE DS, the package includes a USB MicroSD reader, but a MicroSD card needs to be purchased.

Here’s a full list of features (thanks to cyclopsds.com):
• Completely plug & play - no FlashMe, PassMe or PC software required
• 100% compatibility, supports clean ROM's - works on any OS
• RealTime Save function, allowing you to save and restore the state of gameplay at any time
• Wii connectivity in games is supported
• Full NDS download play support
• Action Replay compatible cheat code engine, comes bundled with over 300 cheat codes for over 300 games!
• Uses MicroSD card, both FAT16 and FAT32 supported
• Supports the MicroSDHC specification, allowing for high capacity memory cards
• Save type is automatically detected, no need for a save type database
• Save directly to MicroSD rather than onboard flash
• User friendly, easily skinnable interface. Both touch screen and button operation supported
• Multi-lingual user interface
• "Enhanced Mode" which provides powerful, unique features during game play. Enhanced features are activated through an in-game menu. Enhanced mode features include:
o RealTime Save which allows you to save and restore the state of gameplay at any time
o Adjust LCD brightness during game play (NDSLite only)
o SlowMotion mode which can be used to slow down game play to make fast paced action sequences easier to master
o Return to CycloDS Evolution Menu (aka soft reset)
o More features to come!
• Excellent homebrew compatibility thanks to the DLDI auto-patcher
• 2 megabytes of onboard flash memory which contains the CycloDS Evolution OS and will be utilised in the future to add exciting new features. A recovery mode is also included.
• Autoboot mode which when activated will directly boot into the last ROM or homebrew application executed
• Moonshell included to provide media playing functionality
• PassMe function (boot from slot 2)
• Supports rumble and memory expansions, without any special user interaction required

Summary
Flashcarts open a world of possibilities on DS. There are many nifty homebrew apps that range from browsing the web to watching videos. Our personal choice for getting a flashcart is between the EDGE DS for those on a budget (but it’s perfectly capable by any standard) or the CycloDS Evolution if money is no object.

Leave a comment if you think we’ve missed out any important homebrew apps or can recommend your own, or if you have any questions concerning flash carts.

Useful links for DS homebrew
NDS Homebrew - Great site for downloading homebrew apps
GBAtemp - Large DS community
DCEMU DS - DS news and community
DS-Xtra - Excellent resource for DS homebrew

---