I doubt it? I mean, cartridge-wise the 3DS flashcart looks like a regular DS one, doesnt mean its working in DS mode
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
3DS Flash Cart Now Shipping: Nintendo's nightmare coming true
- Thread starter $h@d0w
- Start date
I doubt it? I mean, cartridge-wise the 3DS flashcart looks like a regular DS one, doesnt mean its working in DS mode
Saint Gregory
Member
The image in the OP looks like it runs in DS mode to execute the exploit to allow the 3DS cart to work unless I'm reading it wrong.
IdreamofHIME
Member
I dont know why anyone would want this. If it could work as a freeloader and help me boot Japanese and US games, then I'd be interested...but as a piracy device it's pretty lame.
The only thing to be applauded is that they actually got a way around Nintendo's protection, but the how they're doing it sucks.
The only thing to be applauded is that they actually got a way around Nintendo's protection, but the how they're doing it sucks.
I dont think anyone wants this thing, it's just one possible step closer to something cool and not piracy related
Hell, for pirates, this is one step closer to a useful device. In it's current form it's useless to just about everyone.
The point I wanted to get across is that the Gateway 3DS flash cart is just the first step, more like proof of concept, just like the PassMe device, Of course it's flawed and not that easy to use, but people will work on it.
ShinKagato
Neo Member
Looks like Nintendo didnt like this company trying to circumvent its protection and is going for the kill, cant say im suprised or even disapointed. They painted a massive target on their back when they made this cart
http://kotaku.com/nintendo-sues-modding-business-over-sale-of-game-copyin-1056893159
http://kotaku.com/nintendo-sues-modding-business-over-sale-of-game-copyin-1056893159
ROFL! I would love to hear Iwata say that.
Canis lupus
Member
If this card leads to region free 3DS I'll buy one.
pretty sure that a seller and not the flashcard makers
Quicksilver88
Neo Member
Ok.....just to get a few things straghtened out about gateway 3DS...
1. It actually handles saves better than I though it would......uses a NAND on the cartridge and then when you do a home, close game it dumps the NAND to the 3DS SD Card as a .sav file. File is automatically reloaded when you re-launch the game.
2. To date Nintnendo has been slowwwww in pushing firmware updates on carts with 5.1 just hitting on the new Mario and Luigi game. I am sure they will step this up but there will always be a delay becuase of the catridge manufacturing cycle.
3. 3rd parties have done little to push udpates as I just got SMT 4 last week and it doesn't force an update....maybe Nintendo will get more stringent requiring 3rd parties to force updates.
4. It does not perm modify your firmware. It is sort of like HEN for a newer PSP. The DS code somehow modifies the DS funciton of the 3DS. This survives a power cycle but if you enter DS mode it gets flushed and must be rerun. The 3DS exploit sits on the 3DS SD card and when you go do the DS/Profile step it must cause a buffer overflow and load the 3DS exploit allowing the cartridge. That step will not survive a power cycle. So all you have to do is a power cycle, insert a DS game and luaunch it and and firmware mod has been flushed.
5. Somebody already found a way to downgrade the 3DS firmware with a very minor solder job and then captured an old firmware off a cart and forced flashed it to a 3DS. So we may soon see flasher kits (like progskeet for ps3) that simplify this process.
6. If this DS buffer overflow that allows them to launch a 3DS exploit gets explored (which it will) then this may lead to better things like a CFW, multigame menu, ability to run unsigned code (homebrew) or region de-lock. It may end up being like the ps3 where you have to have a system that was on 3.55 to be able to run newer CFW but imagine we get a CFW for 4.5 3DS that gives you new version, load games from internal SD and homebrew....that would be sweet.
7. Look at the history of this type stuff.....with well every system ever. At first it is clunky and not very smooth, but eventually it gets slick and easy and cheap. I thought this device was being done with hardware emulation of the catridge slot (like wiikey or xkey) but it turns out it is actually exploiting the catridge slot so they have in a minor way hacked the system.
I don't think at this point this is going to sink 3DS but it is foolish to just say it is crap and won't lead to better things.....that has not been the history of system modding. Meanwhile I am heading out to find a retail 3DS with 4.5 because my XL is already updated and even though I like the XL in some ways I liked the standard as much so just like ps3/x360 I see no harm in having two units.
1. It actually handles saves better than I though it would......uses a NAND on the cartridge and then when you do a home, close game it dumps the NAND to the 3DS SD Card as a .sav file. File is automatically reloaded when you re-launch the game.
2. To date Nintnendo has been slowwwww in pushing firmware updates on carts with 5.1 just hitting on the new Mario and Luigi game. I am sure they will step this up but there will always be a delay becuase of the catridge manufacturing cycle.
3. 3rd parties have done little to push udpates as I just got SMT 4 last week and it doesn't force an update....maybe Nintendo will get more stringent requiring 3rd parties to force updates.
4. It does not perm modify your firmware. It is sort of like HEN for a newer PSP. The DS code somehow modifies the DS funciton of the 3DS. This survives a power cycle but if you enter DS mode it gets flushed and must be rerun. The 3DS exploit sits on the 3DS SD card and when you go do the DS/Profile step it must cause a buffer overflow and load the 3DS exploit allowing the cartridge. That step will not survive a power cycle. So all you have to do is a power cycle, insert a DS game and luaunch it and and firmware mod has been flushed.
5. Somebody already found a way to downgrade the 3DS firmware with a very minor solder job and then captured an old firmware off a cart and forced flashed it to a 3DS. So we may soon see flasher kits (like progskeet for ps3) that simplify this process.
6. If this DS buffer overflow that allows them to launch a 3DS exploit gets explored (which it will) then this may lead to better things like a CFW, multigame menu, ability to run unsigned code (homebrew) or region de-lock. It may end up being like the ps3 where you have to have a system that was on 3.55 to be able to run newer CFW but imagine we get a CFW for 4.5 3DS that gives you new version, load games from internal SD and homebrew....that would be sweet.
7. Look at the history of this type stuff.....with well every system ever. At first it is clunky and not very smooth, but eventually it gets slick and easy and cheap. I thought this device was being done with hardware emulation of the catridge slot (like wiikey or xkey) but it turns out it is actually exploiting the catridge slot so they have in a minor way hacked the system.
I don't think at this point this is going to sink 3DS but it is foolish to just say it is crap and won't lead to better things.....that has not been the history of system modding. Meanwhile I am heading out to find a retail 3DS with 4.5 because my XL is already updated and even though I like the XL in some ways I liked the standard as much so just like ps3/x360 I see no harm in having two units.
So... apparently, they are now working on region-free?!
http://youtu.be/dPFO0ZDzBfA
(^ They show a Jap game running on an European 3DS XL at 0:49)
http://youtu.be/dPFO0ZDzBfA
(^ They show a Jap game running on an European 3DS XL at 0:49)
Ooooooh boy
Hopefully this sends a message to Nintendo to stop region locking their games. The only way this could get worse is if it leads to somehow figuring out how to emulate 3DS. 3DS emulators on smart phones would be amazing.
What I wouldn't give to play Zelda Link to the Past 2 with a higher resolution screen, high contrast image, and those perfect OLED blacks with a controller that is not as useless as the 3DS circle pad.
One can dream.
What I wouldn't give to play Zelda Link to the Past 2 with a higher resolution screen, high contrast image, and those perfect OLED blacks with a controller that is not as useless as the 3DS circle pad.
One can dream.
chadderbox77
Member
Was just reading about this. Now for them to get multiple games working from one card.
Hopefully this sends a message to Nintendo to stop region locking their games. The only way this could get worse is if it leads to somehow figuring out how to emulate 3DS. 3DS emulators on smart phones would be amazing.
What I wouldn't give to play Zelda Link to the Past 2 with a higher resolution screen, high contrast image, and those perfect OLED blacks with a controller that is not as useless as the 3DS circle pad.
Yea, don't count on that happening anytime soon, or at all.
If they can break region-locking and spoof firmware, putting multiple games on one SD seems entirely reasonable..
And it looks like the "it's only for piracy" argument is out the window if you can play other region games, kind of. Almost want one now..wish they could break the region-lock without having to rely on the flash cart.
Better hope the spoof method can be blocked in future titles else the Gateway might be future-proofed.
And it looks like the "it's only for piracy" argument is out the window if you can play other region games, kind of. Almost want one now..wish they could break the region-lock without having to rely on the flash cart.
Better hope the spoof method can be blocked in future titles else the Gateway might be future-proofed.
I still don't understand why anyone would want thi- wait, it circumvents region locking, you say? So bought.
Seriously though, Nintendo is so goddamn stupid. If this device improves as promised, I will yet again have to "hack" my Nintendo device just so I can play games from other regions. Do you understand this, Nintendo? I wouldn't give a shit if you wouldn't be so backwards with blocking your devices like we're living in the 90's.
Oh, wait, even in the 90's your handhelds were region-free.
Seriously though, Nintendo is so goddamn stupid. If this device improves as promised, I will yet again have to "hack" my Nintendo device just so I can play games from other regions. Do you understand this, Nintendo? I wouldn't give a shit if you wouldn't be so backwards with blocking your devices like we're living in the 90's.
Oh, wait, even in the 90's your handhelds were region-free.
ZombiePlatypus
Member
Can't Nintendo just disable this with a mandatory firmware update? I don't see how this will work unless they plan to get into a back-n-forth game with Nintendo.
Funnily enough, the Gateway was already blocked before they even announced it. It only runs on 4.5, and 5.1 was the current firmware when it was announced.
Presumably the Gateway would be halted by the combination of this and minimum firmware requirements on game cards, but the back-and-forth has indeed started with firmware spoofing, running 5.1 requiring games on 4.5.
peanutbutterlatte
Member
Because I'm sure all of you will be importing a legit Japanese copy of whatever region-locked game you decide to "backup".
Some of you will. Good people! Most won't.
Diprosalic
Banned
i just hope this won't fuckup Pokemon XY. I was looking forward to a game without everyone cheating.
I doubt it will.
It only runs on firmware 4.5 and I'm pretty sure Nintendo is going to have a firmware update on the Pokemon cards.
Oh god I won't have to worry about MH4 if Capcom decides to be themselfs about shit. I can just Import and rip! Please make this a reality
Only 1 game per card.I dont know if there are some pirates that are willing to go through a hassle of frequently deleting your game in order to play a new one.Not worth it,IMHO.
Or the pirates can buy multiple cards for multiple games.But if you can buy multiple cards just to pirate,why dont you just go legal?Maybe the cards are cheap I dont know,but its still not worth it to jump through multiple hoops just to enjoy your pirated game.
For non-pirates,its REGION FREE that matters.Homebrew or backup games are just a bonus,IMHO.
Or the pirates can buy multiple cards for multiple games.But if you can buy multiple cards just to pirate,why dont you just go legal?Maybe the cards are cheap I dont know,but its still not worth it to jump through multiple hoops just to enjoy your pirated game.
For non-pirates,its REGION FREE that matters.Homebrew or backup games are just a bonus,IMHO.
This card isn't going to be the device that blows the 3DS open, but it could be the catalyst that kick starts the entire process (if the exploit it uses can be explored further).
KojiKnight
Member
Hell, if they get the DS exploit to allow for legit region free games, they may even have a REAL legit market.
It would be like swap disc for PS2. I used it for my import PS2 games (loved me some Gundam Seed at the time).
It would be like swap disc for PS2. I used it for my import PS2 games (loved me some Gundam Seed at the time).
Sony went after that legit market after time, as I believe the specific swap discs are now illegal in the US. Who is to say Nintendo won't?
Well, the game is also coming to NA. I don't see any reason for you to buy a EU 3DS when you can play it with NA 3DS.
Since is a digital release only, yes, you will need to.
Digital-only in US, Physical in EU. I share the same sentiment, I was either planning to import a EU 3DS + physical copy or not play it at all. Granted a Gateway is still expensive.
It has finally happened. Good show. Hope this spurs Nintendo to make the 3DS region-free in a firmware update (though I kinda doubt it will).
KojiKnight
Member
Notice I said "legit" and not "legal". It's much easier to stand on a moral high ground if the actual product can only have legal uses. No matter how many people claim "region free only", if the device can be used for piracy it will only be defined by it's ability for piracy.
DonMigs85
Member
Nintendo should really just drop region locking already, at least for cartridge games. I guess it's understandable to keep the eShop region-specific since you can't make multiple user accounts ala PS3.
This device does seem pretty clunky so far, kinda like the early Slot 2 DS flashcart days.
This device does seem pretty clunky so far, kinda like the early Slot 2 DS flashcart days.
Oh man, removing the region lock is the only thing that would make me buy this. If only Nintendo would take the hint and remove it themselves...
Quicksilver88
Neo Member
Iwata said some crap about it a few weeks ago saying that region locking is key to parental controls or some such crap so they have no plans to drop region locking any time soon. Totally annoying as I remember the good old days when I had an import game shop in town and we used to buy stuff like japanese shooters and stuff to play on our genisis and shit.
It looks like right now it is just a firmware spoof which in theory Nintendo can get around by requiring newer compiling keys and such for newer games. Still maybe they will come up with some type of boot loader (or maybe this is) kind of like they had on PSP for a while before newer firmwares got cracked. Still it shows this team is making progress on delivering more functionality that they claimed would be possible. Remember they also claimed multi cart games would be possible.
Also to the guy asking about multiple SD cards....yeah they are dirt cheap, in the US atleast. I got a 3 pack of 4GB cards for $15 off newegg and you can regularly get 8GB cards at retail in the US for less than $10 per....so having multiple SD cards not really that expensive a proposition.
It looks like right now it is just a firmware spoof which in theory Nintendo can get around by requiring newer compiling keys and such for newer games. Still maybe they will come up with some type of boot loader (or maybe this is) kind of like they had on PSP for a while before newer firmwares got cracked. Still it shows this team is making progress on delivering more functionality that they claimed would be possible. Remember they also claimed multi cart games would be possible.
Also to the guy asking about multiple SD cards....yeah they are dirt cheap, in the US atleast. I got a 3 pack of 4GB cards for $15 off newegg and you can regularly get 8GB cards at retail in the US for less than $10 per....so having multiple SD cards not really that expensive a proposition.
sixteen-bit
Member
niiiice
I'll probably get called out for this but...
As much as I fucking despise region lock, I rather pay for an imported machine than fund these guys which will use things like region lock and back ups as an excuse to sell piracy tools. I know they're technically not doing anything wrong but heh, they know 90% of the sales they'll get will be from people with a full intention of illegally DLing games. I don't even care about the hardware maker, Nintendo has enough resources to do whatever they want and still be fine. The thing that do worries me is that I don't want to see what happened to games like Ghost Trick come back, I just don't.
I'm no one to judge anyone who thinks differently, though, if all you want is to play games that otherwise you wouldn't be able to, I guess it's ok. I'm just talking about myself. I guess at the end of the day it's Nintendo's fault that they're using the system's region lock as an excuse.
As much as I fucking despise region lock, I rather pay for an imported machine than fund these guys which will use things like region lock and back ups as an excuse to sell piracy tools. I know they're technically not doing anything wrong but heh, they know 90% of the sales they'll get will be from people with a full intention of illegally DLing games. I don't even care about the hardware maker, Nintendo has enough resources to do whatever they want and still be fine. The thing that do worries me is that I don't want to see what happened to games like Ghost Trick come back, I just don't.
I'm no one to judge anyone who thinks differently, though, if all you want is to play games that otherwise you wouldn't be able to, I guess it's ok. I'm just talking about myself. I guess at the end of the day it's Nintendo's fault that they're using the system's region lock as an excuse.
KojiKnight
Member
Someone hasn't been keeping up with NIntendo's financials I take it?
Every lost game sale is a hit to their licensing fees...
They don't need to buy multiple of the card, just multiple MicroSd cards. I mean, there are people now who just swap out the game cartridge whenever they wanna play a new game. They'd be doing essentially that except with MicroSd cards, and they're dirt cheap.
Don't get me wrong, I've been keeping up with them, what I actually meant is that I'm not saying it as a way of defending my company of preference because of mere sympathy, I'm purely saying it because of what has happened in the past regarding combinations of piracy and niche games, and that's the most direct consequence I, as a costumer, have to deal with. Having said that, I'm aware how big of a problem would piracy be for an already troubled Nintendo, so hopefully they find a way to put an end to this, before the snowball gets bigger. Opening the gates to piracy is never good, no matter how bad I'd want my console to be region free.