Difference between revisions of "Modding consoles/flashcarts"

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(Megadrive/Genesis)
(5.5 happened + small rewrite)
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==Wii U==
 
==Wii U==
vWii ([http://wiiubrew.org/wiki/WiiMode Wii mode]) is hackable. [http://www.wiihacks.com/wii-u-guides-tutorials/107959-guide-virtual-wii-wii-mode-softmod-wii-u.html vWii Soft Mod Guide].
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vWii ([http://wiiubrew.org/wiki/WiiMode Wii mode]) is hackable. [http://www.wiihacks.com/wii-u-guides-tutorials/107959-guide-virtual-wii-wii-mode-softmod-wii-u.html vWii Soft Mod Guide]. Only install IOS modules if they state they are compatible with vWii as otherwise you WILL brick. Note that there isn't a way to unbrick vWii currently.
  
[https://github.com/fix94/nintendont/ Nintendont] (run GameCube games, requires hacked vWii)
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[https://github.com/fix94/nintendont/ Nintendont] is a launcher for GameCube games in Wii mode. Works for the Wii and vWii, and supports any HID-compliant controller.
  
[https://gbatemp.net/threads/download-loadiine-backup-loader-for-wiiu-5-3-2-only-no-5-4-no-5-5.398623/ Loadiine] is a backup loader for 5.3.2 Wii Us, and there is a fork that supports 5.4.0.
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[https://gbatemp.net/threads/loadiine-gx2.413823/ Loadiine] is a backup loader for Wii U firmwares 3.0.0 - 5.5.1, and supports loading games from SD. As it loads games via the Mii Maker app, which doesn't use online features, it cannot play online at the moment. It only supports DLC if you bought the DLC first. It doesn't support Wii VC injection (i.e. Xenoblade and friends for Gamepad controls).
  
 
==Master System==
 
==Master System==

Revision as of 21:09, 14 May 2016

This page contain console modding information. Game Tech Wiki may also have useful information.

PS1

Modchip

PSIO (~$112) Requires internal modification and an available parallel port.

Disc Swap Method (YouTube it) (can damage optical drive with excessive use)

PS2

Free McBoot Requires any one of the following:

PSP

CFW4Dummies

Don't use PRO-C2 listed there, use PRO-Cfix3 instead. PRO-C2 has a bug that breaks PSN PS1 EBOOTs.

Alternatively, you could try LME instead.

PS3

PS3 Modding

3K3y ODDE ($90, only recommended for unhackable consoles. Soldering required.)

PS Vita

Only the PSP emulator inside Vita is hackable, and to use these hacks you either need to wait for a game exploit, or be on a lower FW.

NES/Famicom

EverDrive N8 NES ($109) Uses SD cards, and receives support, including fan-made mappers, such as the Sunsoft 5B. Some mappers support save states. These mappers can cause issues on very early NES systems manufactured before 1987. Supports Game Genie codes.

EverDrive N8 Famicom ($109) Uses MicroSD cards, and is the exact same product as the above.

PowerPak ($135) Uses CF cards to play games. Supports Game Genie codes. Does not receive any updates anymore, but is still a good option if you need to use Compact Flash cards instead of SD cards. Also has a built-in NSF player. Fan-made mappers are available, including ones that support save states, but these are unofficial.

Look at the compatibility chart to see if the games you want to play are supported, and which cart supports them. Expansion audio is supported by both carts, but a modification to the NES is necessary to support it. The Famicom does not require this modification.

Game Boy (Color)

usb 64m smart card ($42) No RTC, only one .sav stored at a time (alpha hack available, but deletes saves on occasion), issues when having GBC and GB games in the same bank, and not the easiest to use. Only uses an MBC5 mapper, and tries to fake other mappers. There are game-specific hacks to fix any issues caused by this. Multisave menu, hacks

EverDrive GB ($88) No RTC, supports the use of MicroSD cards, mappers MBC1, MBC2, MBC3, MBC5, Game Genie cheats, individual ROM sizes up to 8MB (128Mb), and saves for each game.

SNES

SD2SNES ($190) Has an FPGA to support some special chips, along with MSU-1 support (notable exceptions being SuperFX and SA-1). Can also play large ROMs such as Star Ocean. Can theoretically be firmware upgraded to support more chips, but that has not happened yet.

Super EverDrive ($79) Optional support for DSP1-4 chips, but otherwise, no special chip support. Is a good option if you do not care about special chips.

N64

EverDrive 64 v2.5 ($106 including a CIC chip) No RTC, 99.9% comptibility (no Animal Forest, and Pokemon Stadium 2 either does not save, or has graphical glitches). Must reset before powering off to save. Also includes support for 64DD cart conversions.

EverDrive 64 v3.0 ($174 including CIC chip) Includes RTC, 100% compatibility, no need to reset before powering off to save.

With both options, the UltraCIC II supports multiple CIC types. This is useful for Rareware games such as Banjo Tooie and Donkey Kong 64, removing the need for hacks.

GameCube

POT Tweak (No homebrew, only useful for pirating games)

SDload (Requires Action Replay)

Phantasy Star Online Mod (Requires PSO and BBA)

DriveChip (Solderless, $25)

NDS

DSTwo Flashcard ($35)Only Nintendo DS flashcart that has decent to good GBA and Super Nintendo emulation depending on the game due to the DSTwo having it's own processor, but also drains your battery when using them. Works on the DSi's latest firmware and supports MicroSDHC.

R4i GOLD One of the various R4 Clones, but unlike the majority of them these aren't that bad. Make sure the URL displayed on the flashcart are http://r4ids.cn/ or http://r4idsn.cn/ or else you'll be getting a shitty counterfeit card. Supports DSi's latest firmware and support MicroSDHC. Be sure to update Wood Firmware as soon as you get it.

R4 If you don't have a Nintendo DSi and are okay with the 2GB MicoSD limit the you might as well go with original R4, although you're most likely going to get a clone because the original R4 team disbanded shortly after the R4's release the clone cards although not the greatest they get the job done, just be sure to get an R4 flashcart and not an R4 SDHC, R4 dualcore, etc. Usually found for around $5-$7, does not support DSi or MicroSDHC. The R4s usually come with Wood Firmware but if they do not be sure to install it for a much better recommended experience.


If using an older or clone flashcart, it is still possible to get firmware updates, albeit third-party, to work with newer games. To see the (very) expansive list of supported carts plus download links, go here: RetroGameFan firmware

Wii

Complete Softmod Guide

3DS

CFW ($0): There is CFW on the 3DS which requires firmware version 9.2.0, and versions up to 10.7.0 can be downgraded to 9.2.0 using either Ocarina of Time 3D or Cubic Ninja. Versions up to 10.5 can also downgrade using a web browser. It has EmuNAND/RedNAND to be able to play the latest games with no issue, or arm9loaderhax for full control of the system without (in theory) any risk of Nintendo reverting anything in an update. This is the best method if it is available, as it is free. See Plailect's guide for more information.

DSTwo Flashcard ($35): NDS flashcard, only have access to 'NDS-mode'. Note: You may need to update some flashcards with an NDS before you can use them on a 3DS.

If you have an NDS flashcard that was patched out by a previous 3DS/DSi update, you can enable it on 3DS using the TWL Slot-1 Launcher. If you have an NDS flashcard that has never worked on 3DS/DSi, you can try the R4 Stage2 TWL Flashcart Launcher. Even supports the original R4! Note that both of these require CFW to be enabled already to install these.

Gateway (~$60): Can be used for Homebrew, backups, and CIA installation, with EmuNAND support to upgrade to the latest 3DS version. Only works on versions 4.1-9.2.0. New 3DS requires either Cubic Ninja or Ocarina of Time 3D to use.

SKY3DS/SKY3DS+ (~$75): Works on all firmwares (as of 10.7.0), as it emulates a real card. Only useful for backups/piracy, as homebrew will not work, although Ninjhax will work with Cubic Ninja as a ROM. Non-upgradeable. The blue-button version will support unlimited games, whereas the red-button version will only support 10 games forever (even if you switch out microSD cards), although this has been cracked. There is also an orange button version, SKY3DS+, which supports recent anti-piracy in games. Use this one where available, if going this route. Clones are available (QQ3DS which comes with a DS flash cart DS support, r5sdhc). If playing games online, you will need a private header, which can be retrieved from any physical 3DS cart. You will be banned from Nintendo's servers otherwise.

DSTWO+ (~$45): It is a dual-mode 3DS and DS cart with Emulated NAND support, CIA installation, Homebrew, support for 4.1 to 9.2.0. A followup to the DSTWO, but pretty much a bad Gateway clone that causes bricks when using the latest Gateway software, combined with a DSTWO.

Wii U

vWii (Wii mode) is hackable. vWii Soft Mod Guide. Only install IOS modules if they state they are compatible with vWii as otherwise you WILL brick. Note that there isn't a way to unbrick vWii currently.

Nintendont is a launcher for GameCube games in Wii mode. Works for the Wii and vWii, and supports any HID-compliant controller.

Loadiine is a backup loader for Wii U firmwares 3.0.0 - 5.5.1, and supports loading games from SD. As it loads games via the Mii Maker app, which doesn't use online features, it cannot play online at the moment. It only supports DLC if you bought the DLC first. It doesn't support Wii VC injection (i.e. Xenoblade and friends for Gamepad controls).

Master System

Master EverDrive ($77) Can also play SG-1000 games.

Megadrive/Genesis

Mega EverDrive ($143) The premium option complete with an FPGA, save state support, larger ROM support, Sega CD memory card functionality, and near instant load times, along with some other possibly useful features.

EverDrive MD ($78) The first EverDrive to be released. Long loading times, but it does its job well.

Both carts can play Master System games.

Game Gear

EverDrive GG ($77)

PC Engine/Turbografx 16

Turbo EverDrive ($79)

Saturn

PCB v3 ($40, For Saturn models: Model 1 and Model 2 64pin IC)

SSIC8B ($37, For Saturn models: Model 2 32pin IC and Model 2 Sanyo)

Dreamcast

All PAL models, all 3020 models, and all dreamcasts that came in a white and orange box can play burnt CDs without modding. Some 3030 models can, but not all, and dreamcasts that came in a black and blue box can't.

DC-SD ($18) Cheap, but compatibility is not great. Also requires the use of a loader.

GDEMU (~$122) Also uses SD cards. Emulates the disk drive itself, so compatibility is great. Will only work with certain model Dreamcasts, so be sure to check which one you have before ordering.

Xbox

Game Exploit (Requires: Original MechAssault, Splinter Cell or 007 Agent Under Fire)

Hotswap Method

various modchips available

earlier models can be soft modded then TSOP flashed.

Xbox 360

DVD Flashing (No homebrew, only useful for pirating games)

Reset Glitch Hack (Advanced users only)

JTAG (Better tut needed)