List of Nintendo DS accessories

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This is a list of Nintendo DS accessories.

Official accessories[]

Although the secondary port on the Nintendo DS accepts and supports Game Boy Advance cartridges, Nintendo has emphasized that its primary intention for its inclusion was to allow a wide variety of accessories to be released for the system, the Game Boy Advance compatibility titles being a logical extension.^{[citation needed]}

Accessories often come in two forms: those that work with Slot 1 as a regular DS cartridge, and those that work in Slot 2 known as a "DS Option Pak" when inserted in the DS or DS Lite systems main menu. When inserted. the GBA slot option on the menu will show the text "There is a DS Option Pak inserted", with the exception of any DS/GBA connectivity paks such as Boktai Solar Sensors and Lunar Knights.

Rumble Pak[]

The Rumble Pak was the first official expansion slot accessory (aka Option Pak). In the form of a Game Boy Advance cartridge, the Rumble Pak provides force feedback for a limited number of games in reaction to events such as collisions in racing games or taking damage in combat-oriented games. It was released on October 24, 2005 and bundled with Metroid Prime Pinball. It can be used in games such as Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, Star Fox Command, Metroid Prime Hunters, Iron Man, Diddy Kong Racing DS, and Clubhouse Games, though it is sold as a separate accessory. ^[1]

A specially designed Rumble Pak was released in Japan in late May 2006 for the Nintendo DS Lite^[2] The cartridge is about 1 cm shorter to prevent it from protruding out of the Nintendo DS Lite as standard Game Boy Advance cartridges do. There was no release of an official licensed western version of the DS Lite Rumble Pak, though there were a number of offbrand and unlicensed versions released by various companies.

Because the Rumble Pak is an Option Pak that requires a Game Boy Advance slot, it is thus incompatible with all subsequent Nintendo handhelds that do not have it, namely the DSi, DSi XL, or the Nintendo 3DS family.

showList of compatible games[3]

Air Traffic Chaos Akagawa Jirou Mystery: Yasoukyoku Animal Boxing Bomberman 2 Clubhouse Games Custom Robo Arena Diddy Kong Racing DS Dirt 2 Elite Beat Agents Ferrari Challenge: Trofeo Pirelli Hotel Dusk: Room 215 Iron Man Jam with the Band Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights Last Window: The Secret of Cape West The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Magnetica Mahjong Fight Club DS - Wi-Fi Taiou Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (except North America) Metroid Prime: Hunters Metroid Prime Pinball Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2 Need for Speed: Nitro Need for Speed: Undercover Orcs and Elves Picross DS Power Pro Kun Pocket 9 Power Pro Kun Pocket 10 Puyo Puyo! 15th Anniversary Race Driver: Create and Race Race Driver: GRID Sega Superstars Tennis Sonic & SEGA All Stars Racing Space Invaders Extreme Space Invaders Extreme 2 Star Fox Command Star Trek: Tactical Assault Super Princess Peach Theta Tomb Raider: Underworld TrackMania DS Treasure Gaust: Gaust Diver Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise Wario: Master of Disguise The Wild West WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008

Headset[]

The Nintendo DS Headset is the official headset for the Nintendo DS. It plugs into the headset port (which is a combination of a standard 3.5mm (1/8 inch) headphone connector and a proprietary microphone connector) on the bottom of the system. It features one earphone and a microphone, and is compatible with all games that use the internal microphone. It was released in Japan on September 14, 2006.^{[citation needed]} The headset was released in North America on April 22, 2007, alongside Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, two games that have built-in voice chat. It was later released in Australia on June 21, 2007, also alongside Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Other communication headsets not made by Nintendo also work as the mic.^{[citation needed]}

Opera Web Browser[]

On February 15, 2006, Nintendo announced a DS version of Opera,^[4] a cross-platform web browser, which took advantage of the dual screens for either zooming in on certain sections of a website or having a longer vertical view.^[5] The browser went on sale in Japan on July 24, 2006, for ¥3,800^[6] (approx. $33). It was released in Europe on October 6, 2006.^[7]

Memory Expansion Pak[]

The Nintendo DS Browser ships with an 8 MB RAM Option Pak which is required for the browser to run. Two versions of the Memory Expansion Pak are available. One is compatible with both the original DS and DS Lite. The second is a smaller translucent version which fits flush with the body of the DS Lite, but it can be used in the original DS if modified. The Expansion Pak is not used by any other commercial software, but some homebrew applications such as MoonShell can use it.

Faceningscan[]

The Faceningscan is a camera Option Pak that plugs into the GBA slot of the DS. It is only compatible with 2 games: Face Training, a game exclusive to Japan which gives the player a view of their face as they use the game,^[8] and 'Shiseido Beauty Solution Kaihatsu Center Kanshuu: Project Beauty,' another Japanese exclusive game by Sega which also used the camera attachment.^[9]

Slide Controller[]

The "Slide Controller" is an Option Pak that connects to the underside of a Nintendo DS making the entire device act as an optical mouse. It launched as a Japan-exclusive on August 3, 2007, the Slide Controller is bundled with the game Slide Adventure MAGKID. The Mag Kid is a small magnet centered on the touchscreen. The Slide Controller is attached to Slot 2 of the DS, using technology similar to an optical mouse, with a red LED light located at the bottom of the controller. In order to move the Mag Kid across the screen during the game, the player must slide the entire Nintendo DS system with this controller (combined with a slant angle) on a table surface, thus given the name "Slide Controller". The slide controller also has built in rumble features used in the game.

Nintendo DS Digital TV Tuner[]

The Nintendo DS Digital TV Tuner (ワンセグ受信アダプタ ＤＳテレビ, Wansegu Jushin Adaputa Dī Esu Terebi) is a 1seg TV tuner that picks up TV signals and plays them on the Nintendo DS. Nintendo prototypes shown at press conferences were running via the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot, but the final version plugs into the DS card slot with TV aerials that unfold when in use. It was released on November 23, 2007. The top screen is for watching the broadcast in 16:9 or 4:3 ratio, while the touch screen is used to change the channels. It was packaged with the DS TV [NTR-016], DS TV dedicated cover [NTR-017], and DS TV Dedicated External Antenna (with suction panel) [NTR-025]. The external antenna plugged into the side of the DS TV itself through a standad headphone jack. A series of three suction cups could be used to attach the wire to a window or other smooth surfaces.

The DSTV folds in when not in use with the half containing extendable rabbit ear antennas. The other half clips onto the DS and has a locking mechanism for stability. A button on the side releases the lock.

The dedicated cover slipped over both halves of the folded DSTV when not in use, covering the contacts over the cartridge portion of the DSTV..

It was available in Japan only, as it was limited to 1seg signals, through an online Nintendo shop. It works with all DS and 3DS models.

Activity Meter[]

The activity meter is a pedometer included with Personal Trainer: Walking (also named "Walk With Me"). It communicates with the DS using an infra-red transceiver built into the top of the Meter and one in the end of the game cartridge, meaning it works with all DS consoles. Its only display is an LED which changes its colour and flashing pattern once the user reaches their daily step goal; all other information has to be viewed by transferring it to the Nintendo DS cartridge. The device stores the final seven days of detailed activity statistics, and the last 60 days of total step counts. There is a clip built into the Meter's battery door allowing it to be attached to a person's clothes or a dog's collar; a flat battery door without the clip is also included. The Meter was available in various colours to allow them to be distinguished.

Pokéwalker[]

The Pokéwalker (ポケウォーカー, Pokewōkā) is a Poké Ball-shaped pedometer which can connect to Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver game cards via infrared signals. The player can transfer a Pokémon to the Pokéwalker from either HeartGold or SoulSilver. Every time the player takes a step, the Pokémon inside gains experience points and the player earns "Watts", a type of in-game currency which was also used on the Pokémon Pikachu virtual pet. Players can also catch various Pokémon on the device and obtain items, then transfer them to the game. The device comes bundled with the games.^[10][11][12]

When players transfer a Pokémon from their game into their Pokéwalker, they can select which route they would like to take their Pokémon along. Depending on which route the player takes (such as in a grassland or by the sea), they will encounter different wild Pokémon and items. When players first begin their journeys with the Pokéwalker, the list of routes they can select from is short. But, the more players take a stroll with their Pokémon, the more routes will appear and the more Pokémon and items they will be able to get.

One criticism of the Pokéwalker is the ease of "cheating" or "hacking" in which players will intentionally create artificial situations mimicking walking. This has consequently led to multiple varieties of Pokéwalker cheats causing Pokémon to gain experience without the user actually expending any effort.^[13]

Due to its efficient accuracy when compared to some other pedometers,^[14] the Pokéwalker's technical design had since been reused to work for other titles, such as Wii Fit U, which is compatible with the Fit Meter pedometer, an accessory which even physically looks similar to the Pokéwalker and contains the exact same hardware.

Nintendo Wireless Keyboard[]

The Nintendo Wireless Keyboard (ニンテンドーワイヤレスキーホード, Nintendō Waiyaresu Kībōdo), released with Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure, was a Bluetooth wireless keyboard for learning how to type quickly and accurately. The keyboard can be put into a "pairing" mode by holding "Fn" while switching it on and connect with other hardware.

Sound Communication System Request Selection/Daigasso! Band Brothers Tsuika Kyoku Cartridge[]

A Slot 2 add-on expansion pak (Option Pak) including additional music for Daigasso! Band Brothers. It resembles a standard GBA cartridge. It was only available through special order directly from Nintendo. In the game, it unlocked thirty-two new songs, nine old songs, and four new brothers.

MP3 Player/Play-Yan[]

The Nintendo MP3 Player was a accessory (cartridge) for the Nintendo DS lite that turned the DS or GBA into a functioning MP3 player.^[15]

DS Direction Sensing Card[]

The DS Direction Sensing Card was a slot 1 cartridge that added a compass feature to DS products. Astroarts Hoshizora Navi uses the DS direction sensing card to figure out one's current orientation and it adjusts the on screen star chart accordingly. The cartridge is double the size of a standard cartridge sticks out the slot 1 much like the (TV Tuner), and has a locking mechanism on the side, with a button to release the cart/compass.

Calligraphy Brush[]

DS Bimoji Training includes a "brush" - really just a long stylus - as it's almost impossible to use a normal DS stylus to play the edutainment game.

Magnetic Stand[]

A stand that utilizes the Slot 2 to hold up the DS or DS Lite. It has embedded magnets on the back, can be closed and hung on a metallic surface such as a refrigerator (for use with cooking, music or exercise programs). It comes with a special stylus with a knob at one end, with a string attached to it to hang from the stand. Although it was marketed alongside Personal Trainer: Cooking, it can work with any title.

DS Stand[]

A stand included with Face Training, it helped hold the DS or DS Lite in profile format so that system and camera could be used handlessly.

Wi-Fi USB Connector[]

The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector is a device that plugs into an open USB port on a computer, and allows the Nintendo DS and Wii to access Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection through it. This device is not needed if you already own a Nintendo Wifi capable wireless router. The device is only compatible with Windows XP and Vista, with a broadband Internet. Nintendo stopped making the connector because of computers or firewalls blocking some of the programs, which means that it's not supported on any Windows OS after Vista.

GBA/DS Connectivity[]

In addition to features added by slot 2 accessories and functionality, a number of GBA games (both first and third party) offered slot 2 support as well offering add-ons and content to their DS counterparts (similar to extra features added by GBC/GBA link functionality on certain GBC games on a GBA, or GBA/Wii connectivity on a number of games). For example putting GBA generation Pokemon games in slot 2 would allow DS to transfer pokemon into the DS games. Connection Aria of Sorrow into Dawn of Sorrow would unlock a few extra items in the store, and the player's inventory. Unlockables varied per game including in-game wallpaper/pictures, videos, items, new characters, easter eggs, new areas, in-game currency, mini-games, bonus outfits, new music, extra bosses, etc.

Stylus[]

A basic stylus that fit inside DS stylus slot came with every iteration of DS up to 3DS and 2DS systems.

Licensed and unlicensed third party styluses were also released as well. Some were exclusive to preorders such as the Orcs & Elves magic wand stylus or the limited edition blue Guitar Pick Pick Stylus for Guitar Hero on Tour. Other colors of Guitar Pick Styluses came with various Guitar Hero and spin off games on the DS.

The original DS came with a small stylus, the lite came with a slightly larger version. DSi used more standard sized ones that were similar to the ones introduced with the lite.

The original 3DS came with a telescoping metal and plastic stylus, but later models (3DS XL, New 3DS, New 3DS XL, 2DS and New 2DS) used solid plastic styluses again (similar to the ones that came with the DS Lite/DSI/DSI XL).

Touch Pen[]

The Touch Pen (also known as Granny Pen) is an object included with the Nintendo DSi XL and is exclusively made for it. The Touch Pen is a larger version of the standard Nintendo DS Stylus, allowing for easier grip and tapping for certain games and applications such as Flipnote Studio. Despite its similar size, the Nintendo 3DS XL does not include a Touch Pen and it cannot be fit into a Stylus Slot in any DS.

Similar sized Touch Pens were sold separately for earlier DS iterations, some including a stylus that would retract with the push of a button.

Nintendo DS Wrist Strap & thumb stylus[]

The original DS came with a special wrist strap which included a small piece of smooth plastic intended to be used as a stylus with your thumb. The wrist strap could be bought separately with later editions of the DS, through the Nintendo Store, and all iterations of the DS had a hole for the official thumb stylus wrist straps, or third-party straps.

The wrist strap has a small plastic pad attached to it that can also be used on the Touch Screen. This pad is designed for use on games that work better with a sliding type of control. To use it a player placed their thumb or finger against the plastic pad and slide the straplock along the wrist strap to hold the pad in place.

Game Pak Slot Cover[]

This was an accessory that came with DS Lites in assorted colors matching the system it came with. It was blank Option Pak that fit into the slot 2 flush with the system to keep dust out of the slot.

Some modders have repurposed them to for DIY rumble pak projects.^[16]

Licensed third party accessories[]

Guitar Grip[]

The Guitar Grip controller is an Option Pak which comes packaged with the game Guitar Hero: On Tour and is plugged into the GBA game slot. It features four colored buttons just like the ones that can be found on regular Guitar Hero guitar controllers for the stationary consoles, though it lacks the fifth orange button found on the guitar controllers. The DS Guitar Hero controller comes with a small plectrum-stylus that can be put away into a small slot on the controller. It also features a hand strap.

The controller comes with two Option Pak adapters, one for the DS Lite, and one for the original DS. The grip is required in order to play any of the Guitar Hero: On Tour games, and is also used to play Band Hero for the DS.

Each game came with its own themed style insert to put into the Guitar Grip to decorate the grip. There were also additional designs sold, along with stickers to decorate the grip as well.

Supported Titles:

• Guitar Hero: On Tour
• Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades
• Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits
• Band Hero

Drum Skin[]

The Band Hero DS Drum Skin is a piece of rubberized silicon that slips over a DS Lite, is designed to better enable the feel of rapidly playing the drums than tapping on drum icons on the DS' touch screen, and it's easier on the thumbs than using the buttons.

• Band Hero

Paddle controller[]

The Paddle controller is an Option Pak manufactured by Taito. The Paddle controller was available exclusively in Japan. It was sold both as a standalone and bundled with Arkanoid. The paddle controller is a miniature version of the arcade knob controllers first made popular with Pong. They came in assorted colors including, the most common 'white' (which came with the game), followed by black, pink and silver each sold separately.

Supported titles:

• Arkanoid
• Space Invaders Extreme
• Space Invaders Extreme 2
• Space Bust-a-Move

Despite being available only in Japan, the Paddle controller is compatible with versions of the above titles from any region.^[17]

Motion Pack[]

Tony Hawk's Motion uses a motion-sensing peripheral Option Pak called the "Motion Pack", which is inserted into the Game Boy Advance (Slot 2) game slot as the method of control.

Supported titles:

• Tony Hawk's Motion
• Hue Pixel Painter

Didget glucose system[]

A blood glucose meter is an Option Pak developed by Bayer HealthCare together with Paul Wessel, father of a child with diabetes mellitus. This is essentially an upgraded version of the Glucoboy for the Game Boy Advance, which Wessel developed for his son Luke who often lost his blood glucose meter, and later founded his own company, Guidance Interactive Healthcare to pursue the creation of children’s blood glucose meters. The peripheral came with a pack-in game entitled Knock Em Downs Worlds Fair developed by Sensory Sweep Studios, which is a series of minigames where players are rewarded with bonuses and power-ups should they regularly check their blood sugar levels.^[18]

• Knock Em Downs Worlds Fair

Card Reader[]

An Option Pak manufactured by Sega, this card reader was available only in Japan. It was sold only with a compatible game. It allows players to scan cards.

Supported titles:

• Oshare Majo Love and Berry: DS Collection
• Kouchuu Ouja Mushiking Super Collection
• Card de Asobu! Hajimete no DS

Magic Reader[]

The Magic Reader was an Option Pak manufactured by Konami. It was another card reader that plugged into Slot 2, that came with Juushinden: Ultimate Beast Battlers (a card game similar to Yu-Gi-Oh). The cards were read by tapping them onto the top of the device.^[19]

Piano Keyboard[]

Easy Piano is an Option Pak that includes a 13 key piano that attaches to the DS through the Game Boy Advance game slot.^[20]

Supported titles:

• Easy Piano

Beypoint Reader and Beypointer[]

Made specifically for the Beyblade series, the Beypoint Reader and Beypointer Option Pak was a GBA slot 2 device which acted as an adapter that connected the Nintendo DS game to a Beypointer, a device that attaches to a Beyblade Launcher and keeps track of your top spinning Beyblade stats in real life and in the Nintendo DS game. The BPR came with the game Metal Fight Beyblade.

Supported titles:

• Metal Fight Beyblade/Metal Fight Beyblade DS
• Metal Fight Beyblade - Bakutan Cyber Pegasis
• Metal Fight Beyblade - Bakushin Susanoo Shurai
• Beyblade: Metal Fusion
• Beyblade: Metal Masters

Pedometer[]

Known as the "Thrustmaster Ubisoft Pedometer", it is a Slot 2 compatible Pedometer Option Pak that came with My Weightloss Coach by Ubisoft.

Solar Sensors[]

Lunar Knights added solar sensor functionality by utilizing the three Boktai games in Slot 2 ("W-Gate") as Option Paks (DS/GBA Connectivity). Each game offered a different function in relation to the energy taken from the sun.

Depending on which game is introduced into the W-Gate, the Solar Sensor will cause different effects in Lunar Knights:

• Solar Sensor Version 1: By inserting Boktai: The Sun Is in Your Hand in the GBA Slot, the standby character will fill his ENE (Energy),
• Solar Sensor Version 2: By inserting Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django in the GBA Slot, the standby character will fill his LIFE,
• Solar Sensor Version 3: By inserting Shin Bokura no Taiyō: Gyakushū no Sabata in the GBA Slot, the standby character will fill his TRC (Trance) meter.

Unlicensed 3rd party accessories[]

Ranger GPS System[]

The Ranger NDS GPS System is an Option Pak designed by China’s Fab Chain, the Ranger is a GPS add-on module for your NDS Lite. It provides turn-by-turn directions with Google Maps integration. The Ranger can display maps in both 2D and fake 3D perspective modes, and even has automatic day/night modes.

Hyperkin 3 Game Selector[]

An add-on that plugs into Slot 1, and allows the player to insert three different DS cartridges, and select between them on the DS main menu.

Zoom Case[]

A the Nyko Zoom Case was a case that added a zoomable long-range camera attachment to the DSi camera.

SmartStylus[]

The SmartStylus by PDP is designed to add vibration feedback "based on movements and commands in the game." It came in two models, the wireless SmartStylus 1 and 2 devices for the Nintendo DS. Both feature a vibration feedback that players using the stylus will feel based on movements and commands in the game. The SmartStylus 2 includes a variety of added features, including LED's, sound, and motion feedback. With the motion feedback capability, the stylus acts as a motion input device, allowing the player, for example, to hit a home run by swinging the stylus off the DS screen.

FM Radio Converter[]

A number of add-ons for DS and DS Lite that added FM Radio support to the DS. Dragon NDS Lite FM Radio Converter cart fit into the Slot 2 (DS Lite only),^[21] while the FM Radio by Futureronics fit into Slot 1 (DS to DSi XL).^[22] The Bling Tunes FM Radio was yet another DS compatible radio add-on that simply attached to a DS, and linked through the audio-out jack.

Third Party Rumble Paks & Memory Expansion Paks[]

A number of unlicensed or generic third party rumble paks were released by various companies in lite or original formats as stand alone or conjunction with a flash cart. They utilized a number of different methods to add rumble to games, most using standard mobile-phone motor technology for rumble. Official ones used sliding motors from ALPS, leading to level of vibration between official, and third party rumble paks being inconsistent or different (some noisier than others, or sometimes offering different settings for intensity via a flashcart menu).

Some unlicensed rumble paks were included inside slot 2 flashcards or as separate slot 2 accessories (with slot 1 flashcards). These include products such as the DSTT rumble pak (designed to work with DSTT flashcart),^[23] the EzFlash 3in1/Ezflash V (which included Rumble/Memory Expansion, and NOR GBA support for compatibility for DS/GBA connectivity), Supercard Lite (which was a slot 2 DS only flashcart with built in Rumble Pak, the rumble replaced GBA support),^[24] or the M3DS Real that came with a generic lite rumble pak,^[25] the NDS/NDSL 2in1 rumble for R6 Gold flashcart, and many other brands. Most of these came in black or white options (but at least one off brand included transparent shells like the Lite Memory Expansion Pak).

Supercard Mini SD Rumble was a GBA cart sized combo-flashcart + Rumble Pak for the original DS (which had a clear atomic purple shell).^[26] EZ-Flash 3in1/Ez-Flash V also had versions for the original DS as well.

Ewin produced a North American version of the lite option pak following the June 11, 2006 release of the system. Ewin's expansion paks came in different colors to match the most common DS Lite colors at the time (black, white, pink, light blue, and other colors).^[27] This used a mobile-phone rumble motor as opposed to the official DS Lite which used a sliding motor.

Recently, there was the release of the Ez-Flash Omega Definitive Edition, which has a switch to switch the flashcart into 'Mode B' which turns the cart into "Link" for DS/GBA linking, Rumble as a stand alone rumble pak, and RAM as stand alone memory expansion for Opera browser.

Hacking and Homebrew[]

DS Brut[]

DS Brut is an open-source hardware prototyping platform for the Nintendo DS, developed by and for electronics enthusiasts, artists and game developers. By connecting the Nintendo DS to the outer world with UART, GPIO, PWM, ADC, I²C, etc., the game console can be easily hooked up to a variety of sensors (e.g. GPS receivers) and can itself control all different kinds of actuators, servo motors and others.

DS Bluetooth adapter[]

is a tiny Slot-1 cartridge that allows the Nintendo DS to hook up wirelessly with other devices such as GPS-receivers, robots and so forth.

DSRobot[]

turns a Nintendo DS into a fully functional robot with 20 digital input/outputs, customizable motors and sensors, and wireless programming and control. It is programmable in C or C++ with devkitpro and a custom library to manage the signals.

Max Media Dock[]

Datel manufactures the Max Media Dock, this allows you to access, store and run media content from CompactFlash cards. It can accept cards up to 8 GB in size. This tool also lets people use DS homebrew. DS homebrew is software written for the Nintendo DS handheld games console by hobbyist programmers. A version of this was literally a card holding a 4gb HD that slid on the back of DS/DS Lite via Slot 2.^[28] Datel also released another media player/backup method Personal Media Player that came with a slot 2 cartridge called the Gigapack.^[29]

Max Media Dock is compatible with both the original Nintendo DS and the Nintendo DS Lite.

Flash Cartridges[]

A device used for running software on the DS not hard-encoded into a cartridge, such as homebrew games, homebrew software, listening to music, viewing pictures or documents, other not-officially available functions, and virtual versions of the software on official cartridges; often stored on removable media such as an SD card. There are many DS flash cart variants on the market. Although they are still compatible with the DS, Slot-2 flash carts originally intended for the Game Boy Advance have been superseded by more modern DS flash cards which use Slot-1, such as the N-Card, M3, Supercard, EZFlash Vi, G6DS Real, DSTT, Acekard, and CycloDS Evolution.

DS Motion Card[]

The DS Motion Card and DS Motion Pak are motion sensors for the DS and DS Lite handheld gaming systems.ndsmotion - DS Motion Card and DS Motion Pak They each contain a 3-axis accelerometer and a single-axis gyroscope, and plug into the DS to enable full motion sensing on the DS and the DS lite. This will work with Mario Kart DS if the Action Replay code is used.

They are the first tri-axis accelerometers that can be used for homebrew DS development, and the first accelerometer/gyroscope combinations available for handheld gaming.

DSMem[]

The DSMem is an adapter for the Nintendo DS produced by the engineer amadeus in his spare time, aiming to supply the DS with a means of rewriteable storage, and to free some of the DS's 4MB of available memory by using userspace XIP on the binaries contained within the internal flash memory. Over the last months, since the project's announcement on the DSLinux forums at 10:36 on 21 July 2005, the device has evolved from a plan into a fully working prototype. It is to provide an RS-232 interface, Flash memory, and a microSD port. The Linux kernel and uBoot bootloader will be stored in the Flash, while other data are to be stored on the microSD cards. The DS has only limited battery power, so low-power parts must be used. This influenced the decision to use the microSD card, Xilinx Coolrunner II CPLDs, and Intel P30 flash memory, with an LM3670 voltage switcher.

FlashMe[]

FlashMe is one of the most prevalent modified firmwares for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite. It allows using Slot-2 flashcarts to run Nintendo DS homebrew without a PassMe device, removes the RSA signature check from DS Download Play, and non-Stealth versions remove the health and safety warning screen.^[30]

GBA Movie Player[]

Plays films and music from flash memory cards.^[31][32][33] Comes in SD and CF versions.

PassMe[]

After the first passthru (patching card information) got homebrew code running, several people started to produce and sell the so-called PassMe devices. Currently, the BIOS of the Nintendo DS has been disassembled and will lead to passthrules cards. PassMe v1 could simply use any Nintendo DS Game Card to operate, while PassMe v2 required on-board memory for game specific booting, which would combat with later versions of the Nintendo DS's firmware that blocked nongame-specific boots. However, this required SRAM in the media that the PassMe was booting to, and thus did not operate with some media devices, such as the Game Boy Advance Media Player (CF/SD).

NoPass devices[]

Datel has introduced to the market the first of the aforesaide passthrules cards, dubbed "NoPass" by the homebrewing community.^[34] It functions similarly to a PassMe, and unlike previous generations, does not need an official game card or an SRAM-enabled storage device. This opens up the option of using the Game Boy Advance Movie Player with newer-firmware Nintendo DSs.

Trainer Toolkit[]

A device which fits into the GBA slot on a DS. It must be used in combination with an Action Replay DS. The trainer toolkit is connected to a PC via a mini-USB cable where software can be used to produce a dump of the DS's RAM. The software also provides means to analyse the dump for example to search for specific values, changing or static values. Through this process locations for specific values can be found, commonly health, ammo or time. These can be altered by the action replay code language to create custom cheats. It also provides basic action replay functionality allowing the user to test codes they create.

Wi-Fi[]

Ever since the Nintendo DS's release on November 21, 2004, several groups have been attempting to extend and build upon the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi protocol. Darkain was leading the reverse-engineering of the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi and Ni-Fi protocols at the time the Nintendo DS came out, which has influenced many of the available Nintendo DS Wi-Fi hacks and applications today.

Two groups (Project Nitro^[35] and Team Xlink^[36]) had claimed to be successful in tunneling the Nintendo DS WiFi protocol over the Internet creating online multiplayer possibilities around the world using the handheld and multiplayer-enabled Nintendo DS games.

However, Project Nitro never put out any software or evidence to support their claim, and has since completely disappeared (the developers moved on to create DSmeet,^[37] a place to meet other NDS WiFi users). Team XLink claimed to have a workable system, but later publicly announced they were no longer working on tunneling the Nintendo DS, saying they were not making enough progress to warrant their continued efforts.

In both cases, it is all but certain there was never any tangible product created.

Recently a new project entitled DSTunnel^[38] has come into being. It is a culmination of a hacker's work in reverse engineering the DS's Wi-Fi hardware. While it has shown promise, and a beta version has shown some success, it still has the requirement of the user having a RAlink RT2500^[39] based Wi-Fi card for it to work.

Since early to mid-2006, Nintendo DS developers have been able to create working Wi-Fi applications through the use of Stephen Stair's NDS Wi-Fi Library. Through modifications of this library, people such as Bronto, of NDSMail, have created functional Wi-Fi apps. DSLinux has also employed Wi-Fi in their port of the Linux operating system. (See below)

Linux[]

There is currently an ongoing project aiming to bring the Linux operating system to the Nintendo DS, "DSLinux".^[40] As of February 2006, this project has successfully executed a 2.6 kernel, the retawq text-only web browser, simple shell, Telnet, SSH, telnetd, some text-based games, touchscreen support, sound (beta) and Wi-Fi support.

Voice over IP[]

Using the built-in microphone and Wi-Fi connection, developers have recently begun to create Voice over IP applications, effectively turning the Nintendo DS into a WiFi phone. Only DS-to-DS calls were possible, and now support for SIP has been implemented in the form of SvSIP. In conjunction with a SIP provider, it allows you to make phone calls to anyone using the DS whenever there is Wi-FI available.

Cyber Famulator Lite[]

Cyber Famulator Lite is an addon for the Nintendo DS Lite which allows users to play Famicom games, and NES games with a converter.

NDS Adaptor Plus[]

is a NDS Slot-1 flash cartridge read/write USB adaptor that allows users to back up game ROM and SAV files from the NDS game card to a computer.

Games 'n' Music[]

Games 'n' Music is an add-on media player/flashcart for playing homebrew games.

References[]