Nintendo DSi gets its first flash cart, courtesy of Acekard

Good news, future DSi owners -- it looks like all your homebrew dreams have just moved one step closer to reality. The Acekard 2i is the newest version of the popular flash cart, just the thing for storing save files, using Action Replay codes, and running backups and homebrews. So don't fret, kids -- by the time the handheld becomes available Stateside, you'll be able to make music, take pictures and tweet to your heart's content. Why else would you purchase a game system? Just make sure you check out the video of the cart in action after the break.

[Via DS Fanboy]

[coyotej @ Dec 2nd 2008 5:25PM]

Actually, now the US is screwed because when they bring over the device they'll consider patching that hole.

[Andrew Kim @ Dec 2nd 2008 5:51PM]

i doubt they will plug the hole.

[9o47 @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:23PM]

If they plug the hole, how will we put the game carts in?

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Dec 2nd 2008 5:26PM]

Home brew seems to be major for some people. We need a new hand held gaming system thats pushing the boundries for gaming on the move. Neither is doing it for me. And no I don't care for the iPhone or the touch.

[HOOPER @ Dec 2nd 2008 5:50PM]

I wonder if Microsoft has ever tried doing a handheld gaming platform? I mean, they're already competing with Nintendo (arguably) and Sony in terms of consoles, so why not give it a shot?

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Dec 2nd 2008 5:51PM]

It would help the market.

[StalematE @ Dec 2nd 2008 5:54PM]

It exists... but only Soulja Boy has it. Look it up.

[bot @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:12PM]

If the Pandora system takes off it will be the best portable homebrew system. It has the power, connectivity and a reasonable form factor. There just has to be enough attention and support.

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:21PM]

I will buy the pandora system if it takes off.

[Crooked Style @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:12PM]

StalematE: but will it run Crysis? Or blend?

[TavisJohn @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:06PM]

There are already 2 portable open gaming systems available!
There is the GPX2:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/01/hands-on-with-gameparks-gp2x-f-200/
From Gamepark.

And then there is the Pandora:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/ubuntu-up-and-running-on-pandora/


So take your pick.

[kingu @ Dec 4th 2008 1:48AM]

Its made by gamepark holdings. Different company

[Waveblade @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:02PM]

Too bad battery life drops even more

[Terrence Newton @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:11PM]

screw DSI flash carts. wake me up when i can run stuff right off an SD card, w/o having to purchase any additional equipment.

[SV @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:57PM]

Dude, they are that cheap that buying a flash cart is not an issue, the issue is usually which one.

[scott @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:23PM]

@stalemate

no he doesn't. That's just a Sidekick theme with colorware. microsoft wouldnt go to soulja boy to be the first celebrity to get a new product

[Sk8rman @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:40PM]

AWESOME!!!!

wait... I don't even have a DSi :o
nevermind

[steve @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:54PM]

Id say
Hackers - 1000
Nintendo - 0
But the thing is.....Nintendo is still really really rich
But still woooo....the DSi looks a lot better to me now. Maybe ill finally upgrade from my DS Phat that I got for free as long after i washed the cat pee off

[Tom G @ Dec 2nd 2008 9:49PM]

Seriously, although i doubt Nintendo will ever manage to "beat" the crackers, this doesn't mean all DSi games will work, i am sure Ninty still has a few tricks up its sleeves regarding copy protection on the actual DSi games, because as with the DS Lite the console itself was easy to crack but it was the games that caused trouble with making them run on flashcarts.

[zevdawg @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:52PM]

The games that had trouble on flashcarts - were faulty based on Slot 2 (GBA ROM slot loaders). The newer games include some sort of ROMcheck executable (checks if the ROM is loading from Slot 1). I have a CycloDS Evolution (Slot 1) and it works without a hitch.

Easily bypassed: newer carts have better firmware, and are Slot 1 only (I don't see too many GBA slot carts anymore).

[Jigen @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:22PM]

"...be able to make music, take pictures and tweet..."

How long til we see a "DSiPhone"?

[zevdawg @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:01AM]

Well, we could start off with one simple word: Homebrew.
That's pretty much it. Since I've seen these kinds of posts time and time again, I'll just say that the rest is silly rhetoric. Why would they?
Buy a decent mod card; there's quite a few apps out there (I'm sure there's a skype compatible program out there by now too).

[-slycooper_rocker- (lorddshadow the amazing) psn: shahanasalam @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:08AM]

iEye just had an iOrgasm.

[pouet @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:41PM]

dammit, just bought a DSL instead of a DSI for the lack of this "feature"

[zevdawg @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:48PM]

The DSi uses the same carts as the DS, no? All current mod carts (in Slot I) are upgradeable by firmware. Technically speaking, that doesn't make this the DSi's first flash cart then (but one made specifically for that particular firmware to run on it perhaps - yes, it got there first). If you have something like a CycloDS Evo or an M4 (or what have you), you already know this.

Hey, it's a good low-cost PMP (for what it's worth) - and not bad quality either. Now somewhere I read it also has an SD slot too (or do my eyes deceive me?) I could totally see plenty of use for that in homebrew, as long as Nintendo doesn't lock it out by their firmware.

I wonder if Nintendo stepped it up a notch and included upgradeable firmware as well? If so, games could be programmed to recognize a specific firmware version (kind of like the PSP) and not run if you don't have it. Again, homebrew will find a workaround to this, if Nintendo has had this in mind already. If they decided to add a camera (did I see two??) and SD slot, upgradeable firmware is very much possible too - you never know. But this is a good reason to buy it new, wait a month or two for the appropriate hacks to come out... and there ya go - defeated DRM :P

As for no GBA slot. Bonus! (Although those add-on accessories - if you bought any - would be rendered useless now). This hardware can emulate GB/C/GBA, even console ROMS (consoles have a harder time rendering in it though; different programming and processing architecture is the bottleneck).

... And what is this "Pandora" I've been hearing bout' as of late? (link please?)

[-slycooper_rocker- (lorddshadow the amazing) psn: shahanasalam @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:13AM]

http://openpandora.org/

The Pandora is an open Linux gaming computer with a touchscreen that is similar to the shape of the DS. It has 2 SD slots and a full computer OS. It can emulate any console up to the PS1 and possibly the N64. Its $330 I think. It's being made by a guy that poured his life savings into the project so if it flops, so does he. It sold out very quickly when it was first made available for ordering and they will be taking more preorders later. Hope that helps. I'm pretty sure my info is right.

[thatone @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:31AM]

Yeah, I can't wait to play my "backup" games. I'd rather leave my original games in their original packaging, back at the store.

[ZaxCG2 @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:24AM]

Except for Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia. Buy it now. Do it.

[W @ Dec 3rd 2008 3:16AM]

Does this mean the dsi can play pirated games? ANd when does it come out for the UK

[ZaxCG2 @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:23AM]

Dude... don't call them pirate games you PIRATE. *points*
They're called "backup games" and you should only use them if you buy the actual game.

:3

[ZaxCG2 @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:26AM]

Yeah. That kinda raises my hopes of buying one... my status of "no-buy" has gone up to "if-I-have-the-cash-buy". Still waiting for those DSi exclusives and DSware's.