May 22

Hi and welcome again to my NDS blog. Today i will try to teach you how to use Ez-Flash cards, and after this tutorial you must be able to use it with no problems. At first you will need some basic PC knowlegde like file copying and software installation, but i believe you are great in this.  The main point of using Ez-Flash cards that this let you play homebrew programs and games. It’s really great and it’s not a secret you can play games for free :) Before starting, you will definitely ask what the different between V,V Plus, Vi cards. It’s simple. There is almost no difference. The manufacturer just updated cards in some aspects and changed the name in V plus and etc. Vi card is for NDSi and the best part that it will work with the older consoles so buy the newest pack and lets get started.

ez5i

EZ-FLASH CARD TUTORIAL

Step 1

PREPARE MICRO – SD CARD

This first step will be very simple. To prepare the card we must format it. All windows have this feature and you could use it, but as the card is really important to play games properly we will use the tool with the main formatting function.

Download the formatting software – SDFormatter V2.0

As this tool is special for formatting we must use it to achieve the best result. After download install it to your computer and connect SD card to your PC.  On my PC there is special micro SD card slot, or you can use USB adapter. It’s must be added in Ez-flash pack. The program will recognize your card, the size of it and you just need to push ‘Format’.

formatp

Be sure not to unplug SD card then formatting!!!

If you don’t like to use this program, you always can format card in windows, but if the card will not work well, format it with this program.

Step 2

EZ- FLASH CARD KERNEL UPLOAD

Firstly what the heck that kernel is? Let’s say it’s operation system of EZ – flash card. As this card don’t have any internal memory we must upload kernel in our Micro SD card and prepare it to work properly. As always i recommend to you upload the newest version, and all EZ – Flash software you can find in official website.  Download the software here.

Download the kernel, extract it to your computer, and upload in your Micro SD card root directory. Let’s say your root is H so your files must look like this:

kernel

After this add you Micro SD to Ez- flash card and put it into your Nintendo. Hit power button and the operation system will boot on console. On this you will be able to play games, watch movies in DPG format, read txt files and use other NDS fans created programs.

If you want to add a game to console, just connect your Micro SD to the PC, and just drag and drop the files.  Be sure to use NDS file formats like:

  • NDS – Nintendo DS games format
  • GBA – Gameboy Advance games format (we will need Gameboy advance adapter top play these games, i will write about this in other posts).
  • DPG – NDS movie format (if you have a film in other format you must convert to this, i will write a tutorial about this).
  • MP3, OGG, WAV, MOD – music formats
  • BMP, JPG, PNG – pictures formats
  • TXT, INI – text files

This basic tutorial must help you, to start using Ez-Flash card and play what vere you want. We have much more questions about using other features but for now i want to start simple. See ya!

May 8

This is the main question for you to decide. Actually if you are here and reading this you are thinking about Nintendo and this is good, but you need to make your 100% decision so here we go.

How to Choose Between a PSP and Nintendo DS

  • Step 1:

    The initial difference between each platform is the price. The Playstation Portable currently retails a bit higher than the DS. The PSP is around 150$ and NDS you can find for 100$. I like to look in eBay as the prices are really nice.The average price of games is a bit closer, but the PSP new titles usually run a bit higher when they are new.  At this point we also must mention the homebrew as Nintendo have great abilities at this.

  • Step 2:

    After price, the most important factor is who will be playing the games. The PSP usually caters to a more mature audience, offering violent titles such as God of War and the infamous Grand Theft Auto series. It also focuses on genres such as first-person shooters, action games, and complex role-playing games, all of which are usually marketed to teenagers at the youngest. For sure you can find at NDS these type of games also but we have to admit that PSP have a wider range.

  • Step 3:

    The DS, in keeping with Nintendo’s family-friendly image, usually provides much more child-friendly fare such as the Mario series, a number of cartoon tie-ins such as Spongebob Squarepants games, and the Legend of Zelda. The DS also tends to produce games in genres with much less violent content such as story-adventure games, puzzle games, and even “educational” games like Big Brain Academy.

  • Step 4:

    The hardware and performance are significantly different between the PSP and the DS. First, the PSP is undoubtedly a more powerful machine, having completely different (and far superior) graphics capability.  Games on the DS will look blocky and a bit jagged, but the graphics are still an improvement over the previous Game Boy Advance. The PSP is also designed for more than playing games since it doubles as an MP3 player and is designed as a portable movie-player. (Note, however, that you must buy moves in PSP format.) NDSi have updated many functions like there is ability to listen music without additional card dual cameras and others so difference between PSP power is reduced but yes, PSP have a advantage at this point.

  • Step 5:

    The second hardware difference involves battery power. The PSP can last about 8 to 10 hours while playing games, but only 2.5 while watching movies. The DS, however, can often run in excess of 12 hours while gaming without having to recharge the battery.

  • Step 6:

    The interfaces and controls are also different, but they each have their advantages. The PSP’s controls are almost identical to the original Playstation’s with a D-pad on the left, four buttons on the right, and two shoulder triggers on top. It also includes a small analog stick on the left. The PSP is also capable of recognizing tilt-axis, and some games, particularly racing and flight simulators, allow you to steer by simply tilting the console. Personally for me it’s needs time to adapt the hands as the pain in the fingers are noticeable.

  • Step 7:

    The DS has a similar interface, but without the analog stick and tilt recognition. However, the DS is noticeably unique for having two screens. The top screen is a simple LCD screen, but the bottom is touch-sensitive. Almost all DS games make use of the touch screen, allowing you to use a stylus to tap items to select them, move objects, and even write. The DS also includes a microphone which is incorporated into some games, but which is most useful for voice chat.

  • Step 8:

    This leads to the multiplayer capabilities of each platform. Both have wireless capability, allowing you to play with other people who have PSPs or DSs near you. Both also allow the console to connect to a Wi-Fi hub in order to play with other people via the internet. The PSP, however, has a built-in web browser which you can also use through Wi-Fi. For the DS, you need to buy a browser cartridge in order to access the web. NDSi have updated this abilities so no worries now.

So it’s just for you to pick which is better, or which console you will like more, but remember Mario will be forever :)

Apr 27
Nintendo DSI
icon1 NDS | icon2 Nintendo DSI | icon4 04 27th, 2009| icon3No Comments »

Hi! As you all know we have a new version of Nintendo called DSI. So we need to decide which one we will buy is it will be regular NDS or newer NDSI. The Nintendo DSi is the third iteration of the Nintendo DS handheld consoles. This iteration retains many attributes such as having a clamshell design with two LCD screens inside—with the bottom one being a touchscreen—and adds new features. The lower-case “i” character in DSi is symbolic of its two cameras representing an “eye” and also the subject “I” and its personal individuality.

nintendo-dsi

Let’s look in DSI hardware:

The Nintendo DSi has a similar appearance and retains most of the features included in the previous DS iterations. The console has two larger TFT-LCD screens at 3.25 inches, instead of the previous 3 inches, capable of displaying 260,000 colors. Also on the front are the four face buttons, the directional pad, and two other buttons. The back of the DSi features two shoulder buttons, a slot for game cards and a power cable input underneath the hinge. The DSi is 74.9 mm high × 137 mm wide × 18.9 mm thick (when closed) which is about 12% thinner (2.6 mm) than the Nintendo DS Lite, but slightly longer. The DSi has a matte surface to prevent fingerprints from showing up, as opposed to the glossier finish the DS Lite has.

The handheld has two VGA (0.3 megapixel) digital cameras; one on the internal hinge pointed towards the user and the other in the outer shell. In addition to cameras, the DSi has an SD card slot hidden behind the cover on the right-side of the handheld. The power switch has been replaced with a power button, as the original DS had, but provides extra functions and is located next to the bottom left side of the touchscreen.

The DSi is currently available in six colors. Only the matte black model is available in all regions. Japan received pink, lime green and metallic blue colors on March 20, 2009. Volume and brightness is adjustable on the left-side of the handheld. The DSi has five brightness settings compared to the DS Lite’s four; however, battery life is reduced to 9–14 hours on the lowest brightness setting compared to the 15–19 hours of its predecessor. The unit uses a 840mAh internal rechargeable battery compared to 1000mAh for the DS Lite and it can be replaced by the user at the end of its useful life of approximately five hundred charge/discharge cycles.
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If you have decided to buy DSi prepare to pay more. The regular NDS lite console go’s for about 100$ in eBay and DSI will cost for you about 170$. You can hunt for 150$ or less delivered but needs more time to invest. In the next post i will try to collect more information which console is better to buy and why so stay tooned.

Apr 23

At the beginning you are looking for technical specification and other features but the consoles look is not the last thing. The NDS lite offers us wide range of colors and other special edition so i will try to review them all.

Nintendo revealed the color schemes of the Nintendo DS Lite set for launch in Japan: Crystal White, Ice Blue, and Enamel Navy however, due to manufacturing problems only the Crystal White was available at its launch; the other two colors arrived on March 11, 2006. Nintendo released a Noble Pink version in the region on July 20, 2006, and a Jet Black version on September 2, 2006. On May 30, 2007, Nintendo announced two new colors for Japan: Metallic Rose and Gloss Silver, which were launched on June 23, 2007. These new colors have also been launched in South Korea on July 7, 2007.

NDS colors

This is the main pallet of colors you can find much more around in market so i can be sure that color difference will satisfy anyone. If you want something more specific let’s take a look in the limited edition consoles.

Final Fantasy III edition

final fantasy Announced on July 12, 2006, and released in conjunction with the Final Fantasy III (Nintendo DS) remake in Japan. These featured a Crystal White Nintendo DS Lite, with Final Fantasy III artwork by Akihiko Yoshida.

Pokémon DAISUKI Club edition

pokemon On July 13, 2006, it was revealed that, in conjunction with the promotion for Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, a limited run of special Nintendo DS Lites would be available through a drawing open to members of the Japanese “Pokémon DAISUKI Club”

Ice Blue

ICe blue Released November 28, 2008, this DS is a holiday exclusive to 2008. It is bundled with Brain Age, and a limited edition ice blue carrying case. The case holds a DS lite, three DS games, and a spare stylus pen.

Mario Red

mario edition Released November 28, 2008, this edition, unlike the Crimson/Black color, is completely covered in a bright red that best represents Mario cap and shirt colors. It also features an emblazoned “M” on the front cover.

There are much more and more editions to find around so i will try to cover them all in the later posts. The difference of the NDS tells you one thing. They let you choose and this is the most important trying to pick and buy suitable console for your needs.

Feb 3

Hi and welcome to my blog about Nintendo DS Lite console. I will try to cover all sides about this console, like how it was created, what to choose, how to play homebrew and all other usefull information.

Nintendo DS

The nds lite was created on March 2, 2006 and the demand was overwhelming as of December 31, 2008, sales of the DS Lite have reached 75.74 million units worldwide. The diference between the original Nintendo DS was amazing like weight was reduced 21%, extended battery life compared to the DS, brighter, more durable top and bottom LCD screens, the D-pad (short for directional pad; also known as a joypad) was reduced to 18.6 mm across (16% smaller than the DS), different external extension connection, rendering it incompatible to accessories for the Game Boy AdvanceGame Boy Advance EXT2 port (power cords and headphone adapters).This is not all diferences and deatures about NDS lite so here is detailed specification of this console:

  • Size (closed): 133 millimeters (5.2 inches) wide, 73.9 millimeters (2.9 inches) long, 21.5 millimeters (0.85 inches) tall.
  • Top Screen: A backlit, 3-inch, transmissive TFT color LCD with 256 x 192 pixel resolution and .24 mm dot pitch, capable of displaying 260,000 colors.
  • Touch Screen: Same specs as top screen, but with a transparent analog touch screen.
  • Wireless Communication: IEEE 802.11 and Nintendo’s proprietary format; wireless range is 30 to 100 feet, depending on circumstances; multiple users can play multiplayer games using just one DS game card.
  • Controls: Touch screen, embedded microphone for voice recognition, A/B/X/Y face buttons, plus control pad, L/R shoulder buttons, Start and Select buttons. The stylus is 1 centimeter longer and 2 millimeters thicker than the stylus of the original Nintendo DS.
  • Input/Output: Ports for both Nintendo DS game cards and Game Boy Advance game paks, terminals for stereo headphones and microphone. A removable cover for the Game Boy Advance game pak slot provides added protection from dust and other foreign materials.
  • Other Features: Embedded PictoChat software that allows up to 16 users within local range of one another to chat at once; embedded real-time clock; date, time and alarm; touch-screen calibration.
  • CPUs: One ARM9 and one ARM7.
  • Sound: Stereo speakers providing virtual surround sound, depending on the software.
  • Battery: Lithium ion battery delivering five to 19 hours of play on up to a three-hour charge, depending on use; power-saving sleep mode; AC adapter.
  • Languages: English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Italian

At this first post i just wanted to introduce to you this unbelievable console and start to make you decide to get it. I will try to compare it with other consoles in this way you will be able to pick the best way for you.
So keep in touch and i will be back soon.