A flash cartridge is one of several cartridges containing flash memory that have been developed for use in video game consoles. These cartridges enable homebrew applications and games to be used. The capacity of the cartridges can range from 64 Mbit up to 8 Gbit[citation needed] (Commercial carts range from 32 Mbit to 256 Mbit). More recent cartridges use external memory cards as memory, in place of onboard memory, such as Compact Flash, Secure Digital, etc. memory cards.
These cartridges remain the best-known way to create and distribute homebrew games for many consoles, such as the Game Boy Advance. (another option in this case being the GBA Movie Player, which can run specially designed homebrew programs but cannot run illicit copies of commercial GBA Game cartridges due to the lack of onboard RAM for fast data access).
Linkers[edit]
Games are written to the cartridge with a device called 'linker'. Depending on the brand of flash cartridge, the linker either connects to a link port on the console and writes to the cartridge through the console, or connects to a mini-USB slot on the cartridge itself and writes directly to the flash cartridge. These linkers usually connect to a PC through a USB or parallel plug on the other end. Most linkers that connect to a link slot are capable of copying ROM information from commercial software cartridges. Some more recent flash cartridges use digital media cards (SD,MMC,CF, etc.) in which files are placed via a memory card reader.
Flash card adapters[edit]
Recently a number of devices have been released which use popular flash memory cards such as SD and CF for storage. These have proven popular since the development of techniques to run Nintendo DS software from a GBA cartridge, due to the smaller size of DS games and the low price of these cards compared to conventional GBA flash cartridges. Examples of such devices include the M3, R4 and Supercard.
Software[edit]
There are those that use a program called LittleWriter to write games to the cartridges. However, some people (especially people with older computers) use other software to write games to the cartridge. An example of this software is X-ROM Frontend by DanSoft Australia.
Some flash cartridges use specialized software designed for the specific cartridge, such as Power Writer and USB Writer software for the Flash2Advance Ultra cartridges. This presents several conflicts in regard to homebrew, as Power Writer uses a large database for proper naming and saving of games. ROMs that are not in the database (such as emulators or any other GBA homebrew) are prone to saving issues, and editing the database manually is difficult and involves the use of a hex editor. Such cartridges often have a proprietary interface, making it difficult or impossible to use operating systems other than Microsoft Windows for writing to the cartridge with a few exceptions.
Other Flash Carts[edit]
Flash cartridges such as Supercard DSTWO are also available directly for other consoles, like the Nintendo DS and DSi, and the 3DS. The Nintendo DSi and the Nintendo 3DS have the ability to update their system firmware via the Internet, which makes it possible for Nintendo to fix the exploit that allowed the flashcarts to work, and essentially block the flashcart from loading on the console. There are also project files existing on the Internet that guide people through creating their own flash cartridge for the original Nintendo Game Boy.[1]
Legality[edit]
The legality of flashcarts has been called into question many times, primarily by Nintendo. In a 2010 high court case, the court ruled in Nintendo's favour, and flashcarts were outlawed in the United Kingdom.[2]
Official flash cartridges[edit]
Some game consoles have official flash cartridges (and official emulators) used by developers to test prototypes of their games. These cartridges are usually part of the console's software development kit and are only available to licensed developers.
References[edit]
- ^http://www.digital-circuitry.com/DOC/NINTENDO/GAMEBOY/DIY%20Nintendo%20GAMEBOY%20Classic%20Flash%20Cartridge.pdf
- ^'high court case'. Nintendolife.com. 2010-07-28. Retrieved 2012-05-02.
External links[edit]
Is it possible to back-up a cartridge version of a 3DS game (or one sold in retail)?
2 Answers
Hack 3ds Game Cartridge Broken
From Nintendo's support page:
![Hack 3ds Game Cartridge Hack 3ds Game Cartridge](https://sickr.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/ds_cartridges.jpg)
Obviously, this means that only downloaded E-Shop titles will be able to use the Backup functionality. If you bought your game through a retail store or bought a physical copy, you will be unable to back up your saves.
You can only back up your save via the save data transfer tool. Meaning you need a physical copy of a game and digital one (Preferably not used) after you send your data to the digital (It cant be returned to the cartridge) you can back up your game if it has the feature. I am sure 95% of games have it.
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Media type | ROM cartridge |
---|---|
Capacity | DS/DSi: 8–512 MB 3DS/New 3DS: 128 MB–8 GB Nintendo Switch: 1–32 GB |
Developedby | |
Weight | 3.5 g (0.12 oz) |
Usage | Nintendo DS line Nintendo 3DS line Nintendo Switch line |
A Nintendo game card (trademarked as Game Card) is a cartridge-based format used to physically distribute video games for certain Nintendo systems. The game cards resemble smaller, thinner versions of the Game Pak cartridges for previous portable gaming consoles released by Nintendo, such as the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance.[1] The mask ROM chips are manufactured by Macronix and have an access speed of 150 ns.[2] The cards contain flash memory,[citation needed] including game data, and a writable portion for saving user data for Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS titles.
- 1Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS[edit]
Nintendo DS Game Card[edit]
Cards for the Nintendo DS ranged from 64 megabits to 4 gigabits (8–512 MB) in capacity[3][4] The cards contain an integrated flash memory and an EEPROM to save user data such as game progress or high scores. However, there are a small number of games that have no save memory such as Electroplankton.
Based on an IGN blog by the developer of MechAssault: Phantom War, larger (such as 128 MB) cards have a 25% slower data transfer rate than the more common smaller (such as 64 MB) cards; however, the specific base rate was not mentioned.[5]
Nintendo DSi Game Card[edit]
In 2008, the Nintendo DSi was launched. The console offered various hardware improvements and additional functions over previous Nintendo DS iterations, such as the inclusion of cameras. While many Nintendo DS titles released afterwards included features that enhanced gameplay when played on the Nintendo DSi console, most of these games retained compatibility with the original DS iterations sans enhanced features. However, a select few retail game titles were released that worked exclusively for the Nintendo DSi consoles for reasons such as requiring camera functions, and these titles have game cards with white-colored casings (all DSi-exclusive games are region locked). Examples of such game cards include Picture Perfect Hair Salon. While these white game cards can be physically inserted into original Nintendo DS consoles, their software did not function due to the missing hardware features. These DSi-exclusive game cards are fully compatible with the Nintendo 3DS family.
Prior to the release of the Nintendo DSi, Nintendo encouraged developers to release DSi-exclusive games as DSiWare downloadables instead of retail game cards that would not function on older Nintendo DS consoles.[6]
Infrared support[edit]
Despite all iterations of the Nintendo DS line lacking native infrared support, certain titles made use of this type of communication function using game cards with their own infrared transceivers. These game cards are generally glossier and darker than common Nintendo DS game cards, and reveal their translucency when exposed to light. Examples of such game cards include Personal Trainer: Walking, which connect to the included pedometers, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, which connect to the included Pokéwalker accessory, and Pokémon Black and White and Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, which connect to other games.[citation needed]
Although all iterations of the Nintendo 3DS family support native infrared functions, Nintendo DS games still use the infrared-enabled game cards themselves when played on a 3DS system, reserving the native infrared for Nintendo 3DS-specific software.[citation needed]
Nintendo 3DS[edit]
Game cards for the Nintendo 3DS are from 1 to 8 gigabytes in size,[7] with 2 GB of game data at launch.[8] They look very similar to DS Game Cards, but are incompatible and have a small tab on one side to prevent them from being inserted into a DS.[9] However, R4 flash cartridges designed for the 3DS still incorporate the same design as the original DS game card.
Newer flash cartridges for the 3DS, such as the Gateway or Sky3DS, uses the 3DS card design.
Parasite is a Superman villain capable of draining the energy of his victims. A number of versions of the character exist, the most prominent of which has been Rudy Jones. Raymond Maxwell Jensen was a lowlife who got a job as a plant worker for a research center. Smallville Issue 10. Sometime after, Lex 's scientist Dr. Brody extracts enzymes from the parasites in hopes of making a profitable discovery with them. Desperate to continue his research, he injects a serum (containing the enzymes) into the lab monkey Lester. Lester broke free to and is encountered by Chloe (who he injects with the serum). Name: Rudy Jones, Parasite Origin: Smallville Gender: Male Age: Unknown Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Super Hearing, Telescopic Vision, Microscopic Vision, X-Ray Vision, Heat Vision, Super Breath, Freeze Breath, Telekinesis, Regeneration (High-Low), Power Absorption (Can steal the powers of others through physical. The Parasite is a fictional character and supervillain who appears in Superman stories published by DC Comics. The Parasite first appeared in Action Comics #340 (August 1966). Originally a janitor, the Parasite's alter ego has been identified with two different people. Parasite dc comics.
Nintendo Switch[edit]
The Nintendo Switch uses Game Cards. This iteration is smaller and has a larger storage capacity than its previous versions.[10] Despite its similarities, the Switch is not compatible with DS and 3DS cards.[11] The Game Cards used in the Switch are non-writable and save data is stored in the console's internal memory, unlike the DS and 3DS's game cards, which are writable and are able to store save data.[12]
Due to their size, Nintendo Switch Game Cards are coated with denatonium benzoate, a non-toxic, bitter-tasting agent, as a safety precaution against accidental consumption by young children.[13] Videos of users intentionally tasting the cartridges became a meme prior to the console's launch, which originated from Jeff Gerstmann's actions on a Giant Bomb webcast.[14][15]
The cartridges come in a variety of capacities: 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB.[16] 64GB cartridges were planned to be introduced in the second half of 2018, but due to unspecified circumstances, Nintendo has delayed the launch of this variant until 2019.[17]
References[edit]
- ^Vuijk, Rafael (11 October 2006). 'First Nintendo DS cartridge information'. Dark Fader (Rafael Vuijk). Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^'Nintendo: NDS Disassembly'. GainGame's Blog. Archived from the original on 25 February 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^Ni no Kuni was the first DS game to use a 4-gigabit card 'GoNintendo: Level 5's press conference - massive info roundup (Fantasy Life announced, Ninokuni's massive DS cart, and much more!)'.
- ^Adam Riley (15 July 2007). 'E3 2007 News - Archaic Sealed Heat (Nintendo DS) RPG Details'. Cubed³. Retrieved 4 November 2007.
- ^Sara Guinness (16 June 2006). 'MechAssault DS Developer Diary'. IGN. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
- ^Craig Harris (25 March 2009). 'GDC 09: DSi Hybrid, Exclusive Carts Soon'. IGN. Fox Interactive Media. Archived from the original on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
- ^Yeung, Karlie (17 December 2010). '3DS Cartridges Could Store Up to 8GB'. Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
The memory size for Nintendo 3DS cartridges will range from one to eight gigabytes, reports major Taiwanese newspaper China Times.
- ^Pereira, Chris (21 June 2010). 'A Look at the New Nintendo 3DS Game Cards'. 1UP.com. UGO Entertainment. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
- ^'Nintendo 3DS Game Cards Look Like This'. Siliconera. 18 June 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
- ^'Nintendo Switch will use cartridges'. Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ^Arnold, Cory (21 October 2016). 'Nintendo Switch not compatible with physical 3DS or Wii U games'. Destructoid. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
- ^Schreier, Jason (20 January 2017). 'Nintendo Answers (And Avoids) Our Switch Questions'. Kotaku. Retrieved 20 January 2017. 'Nintendo Switch game cards are non-writable; game save data is stored in internal NAND memory.'
- ^Dornbush, Johnathon (2 March 2017). 'Nintendo Switch Cartridges Taste Terrible'. IGN. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^'Nintendo Switch cartridges 'taste so bad''. BBC News. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^'New trend: Putting disgusting Nintendo Switch cartridges in your mouth'. The Daily Dot. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^Yin-Poole, Wesley (13 March 2017). 'Why Nintendo Switch games are ending up more expensive'. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
- ^Mochizuki, Takashi (27 December 2017). 'Nintendo Delays Rollout of 64-Gigabyte Switch Game Cards Until 2019'. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 27 December 2017.