DSI Online Games

What exactly are hacks and how do I use them on my Nintendo DSI? If you are asking yourself this question you have come to the right page. We will go step by step of what DSI hacks are, and what they mean to the Nintendo DS and DSI. But let us backup and start at the beginning.

What is a hack

The definition of a hack is: a quick, elaborate solution for a technical obstacle. Basically a hack is a program that modifies another program like a game, giving the user access to features otherwise inaccessible to them. A hack is not strictly software based. A hack can also be a piece of hardware (like a chip) to modify what the hardware does.

What kind of hacks are available for the DSI

Ok in order to hack the Nintendo DSI you need a DSi compatible cartridge (flash card). Now what is a DSI compatible cartridge? Well its basically a cartridge that looks exactly like a DSI game. you put it into the game slot just like you do a DSI game. The interesting thing about this kind of cartridge though is that it has a slot in it where you can put a micro sd card. Why would you want to put a micro sd card in it you ask? Well on this card is where you can put games and applications to play on the Nintendo DSI. Ok let me back up. First you need to get a DSI Cartridge, Lets discuss that.

The DSI Cartridge (or flash cart)

There are a few different DSI Cartridges you can buy now. All of them basically do the same thing, but each has their own unique capabilities. Please note old DS Flash Carts are no longer compatible with the DSi as Nintendo has implemented some anti-piracy measures that were cracked in the first month after the release of the console. So if you had a old flash cart that worked for your DS it will not work for your new DSI.  Lets look at some of the more popular DSI Flash carts.

1. Acekard 2i
• Supports DS, DSl and DSi!
• Built-in multiple languages and DIY skinning!
• Support SDHC TF card. Virtually unlimited storage size !
• Support Action Replay cheats. Build-in editor!
• 4 level brightness adjustment.
• Support reading text files, listening mp3 and watching movie

When it comes down to it, if you’ve gone and picked yourself up a DSi and are eager to get it loaded with all your favourite homebrew, then the Acekard 2i is your only choice - but a very good choice. It’s a tried and tested cart that simply does its job, and well.

2. R6 Gold
• Supports DS, DSl and DSi!
• Drag and Drop, not need for any extra patch
• Support Auto Sleep Mode
• Support homebrew, like moonshell/Linux
• Build in MagicKey pass2
• Build in X, Y, Z 3-axis high speed accelerometer

To be honest, the R6 Gold doesn’t stand up very well compared to most Slot-1 flashcarts on the market.
Sure, it offers built-in motion and near-perfect homebrew support - but that barely makes up for its poor quality.

3. R4 i
• Supports DS, DSl and DSi!
• Support SDHC card up to 32GB
• Very simple to use: drag and drop files to the microSD card and play
• Support AR cheat code, DLDI auto-patching
• Support Wi-Fi and rumble package and browser expansion
• Support Download play

If you have an original R4 then good for you, it was a solid card. But there are no longer real R4’s being made. ALL R4 cards on the market today are knockoffs just trying to capitalize on the R4 name. Including the R4i. I would not suggest this card.

4. DSTTi
• Supports DS, DSl and DSi!
• Supports CleanROM, No covert.
• Supports Moonshell and homebrew. DLDI auto-patching.
• Supports Action Replay cheat and edit the code base.
• User friendly skinnable interface. Touchscreen or button operation. Supports Skin DIY.
• Supports the WiFi game, DS Rumble Pak, DS Browser.

If you are in the market for a basic DSi slot 1 solution with SDHC support then I can recommend the DSTTi. It does the job with the minimum amount of fuss. The card would be an ideal starting point for the novice homebrewer or perhaps a youngster. The menu is clean and uncluttered. Advance users might be frustrated by the file sorting issues that still plague the official software. This can be remedied by using YSMENU which shows more files per screen, supports alpha numeric sorting and basic file management.

Load the Micro SD Card

Ok so you have the DSI Flash Cart. Now what? Well you now need to get (if one did not come with it) a micro SD Card and card reader. This card is used to put kernel (if your flash cart requires it), Games,homebrew apps, and video if you want. Where do you get these games and apps. Well homebrew apps like paint programs,music apps, movie players, even apps that run linux can be found all over the internet. As far as games, you can just type nds roms in google and get thousands of them. There are also tools you can buy to backup your own NDS Roms so you dont have to carry around hundreds of cartridges.