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L~A · Jan 7, 2014

Just saw this on Twitter :

This new trick enables you to play a legit imported cartridge on your system. Again, this is not for piracy whatsoever and it does not play ROMs, just retail games.

Like most 3DS hacks lately, you need a 3DS with v4.5 firmware or older, so if you have updated your portable in the last nine months, youre out of luck. By using a DS or 3DS flashcard compatible with the legacy firmware, you can run a special patched launcher file that modifies your system to load cartridges from other regions. You can even install more recent firmware afterward to play imported games that require it (with a few caveats for online play that might require game patches from region-specific eShops).

Short story : you take a flashcard compatible with the 3DS 4.5 Firmware, you put a special file on it. It then modifies the game launcher, allowing you to use cartridges from a different region than your console's. Apparently, you can also update the firmware once you've used the hack to get rid of region-free

More info at this link. Source (Tiny Cartridge).

NB : this is not for pirated game, it's for legally purchased game. You don't download any game, you just use your regular game cartridges. Becareful though, because it modifies your system, which means you can potentially brick your console or get locked out our some online games.

Set my region to "Lock land" if old. I'm not sure if the link is ok, but please remove it if it's not.

GulAtiCa · Jan 7, 2014

Oh, neat!

WrenchNinja · Jan 7, 2014

Cheesemeister post if you are okay

Frolow · Jan 7, 2014

Like most 3DS hacks lately, you need a 3DS with v4.5 firmware or older, so if you have updated your portable in the last nine months, youre out of luck.

There's the kicker.

sixteen-bit · Jan 7, 2014

Fuck yeah. This is wonderful news.

Region locking is shitty and I'd love to finally be able to play Culdcept.

zroid · Jan 7, 2014

wish i hadn't updated the firmware on my out-of-use OG 3DS... ;_;

Immaculate · Jan 7, 2014

this news is some months old it just wasn't posted here

Red Liquorice · Jan 7, 2014

Hoping they get around the firmware stumble.

Effect · Jan 7, 2014

BroBuzz said:
There's the kicker.

It's very likely all 3DS and 2DS being shipped out to stores have the latest firmware or close to it as well. Don't updates come on the game carts as well?

BlackJace · Jan 7, 2014

I've updated, fuck.

The Bankslammer · Jan 7, 2014

Well, it's progress...
Really happy about more people getting to play some of 3DS's awesome imports in the near future. There's a lot of good stuff.

It's such a fucking bummer that it has to come to this, though.

DaBoss · Jan 7, 2014

Well, this pretty much confirms its a firmware related region-lock.

Danneee · Jan 7, 2014

So the regular user who buys stuff on the eShop is out of luck, as usual.

I guess you can't access eShops in other regions with this?

Mpl90 · Jan 7, 2014

I'm amazed that we're approaching three years since 3DS launched, and the console still is piracy free. Heck, even this hack allows to play only retail, original titles.

AcademicSaucer · Jan 7, 2014

v4.5 firmware ...

Zabant · Jan 7, 2014

I just wish smart dudes would bust the 3ds open. I have legit fears games like ace attorney dual destinies will be unaccessible to anyone 5 years from now.

King Beyond the wall · Jan 7, 2014

They 'flipped the switch'?

Cheesemeister · Jan 7, 2014

Crewnh said:
Cheesemeister post if you are okay

All I want is for region-locking to be officially removed. If this leads to it, awesome.

RaikuHebi · Jan 7, 2014

SMTIV here we come!

cw_sasuke · Jan 7, 2014

Wait...its that easy ? Damn i need to get me an non updated 3DS :-/

With witch firmare did the first PAL XL consoles ship ?

InfiniteNine · Jan 7, 2014

I think I'm going to find an old FE bundle to replace this one then.

sirap · Jan 7, 2014

Mpl90 said:
I'm amazed that we're approaching three years since 3DS launched, and the console still is piracy free. Heck, even this hack allows to play only retail, original titles.

what? piracy has been available for quite some time now.

WrenchNinja · Jan 7, 2014

Cheesemeister said:
All I want is for region-locking to be officially removed. If this leads to it, awesome.

Hear, hear

Mr-Joker · Jan 7, 2014

L~A said:
Like most 3DS hacks lately, you need a 3DS with v4.5 firmware or older, so if you have updated your portable in the last nine months, youre out of luck.

Be careful though, because it modifies your system, which means you can potentially brick your console or get locked out our some online games.

Hmm it properly would be easier for me just to import a US 2DS and a cheap Japanese 3DS.

I would rather not mess about with my 3DS.

BassForever · Jan 7, 2014

Even if it doesn't work for the newest firmware, it's a good sign that they've got something working already, hopefully they'll catch up to the current firmware soon I'd love to import me some 3DS games from Japan without buying a Japanese 3DS

Principate · Jan 7, 2014

Mpl90 said:
I'm amazed that we're approaching three years since 3DS launched, and the console still is piracy free. Heck, even this hack allows to play only retail, original titles.

Which is great, it means I don't have to feel bad about pirating or aiding piracy spread by supporting this. (I have no personal issues with modding).

fertygo · Jan 7, 2014

Mpl90 said:
I'm amazed that we're approaching three years since 3DS launched, and the console still is piracy free. Heck, even this hack allows to play only retail, original titles.

Not really..

vareon · Jan 7, 2014

Too many risks for me to try, though.

Can this fact be used in the End Region Lock campaign? Still don't understand why Nintendo is so hell bent on this, even if I don't play JP or EU games.

akaoni · Jan 7, 2014

you need a 3DS with v4.5 firmware or older

Sucks.

Aostia · Jan 7, 2014

no thanks. i'd be too risky or uncomfortable to avoid new firmware updates

LiK · Jan 7, 2014

Oh gee, who hasn't updated their FW in the last nine months?

highoffcoffee496 · Jan 7, 2014

Gah, wish I had the older firmware. I want to play Attack on Titan

L~A · Jan 7, 2014

Cheesemeister said:
All I want is for region-locking to be officially removed. If this leads to it, awesome.

Unfortunately, I doubt it'll change anything... at best, it's gonna make Nintendo even more adamant in keeping region-locking...

flatearthpandas · Jan 7, 2014

That's cool, I guess.

But if I need to buy a new 3DS to use this anyway since I've updated my current one, and I have to buy a flash card... I'd probably rather just import a 3DS from Japan.

Need a solution that doesn't involve buying a new system.

Oregano · Jan 7, 2014

So it gets rid of region lock but doesn't necessariky enable piracy.

iamokaywiththis.jpg

Probably will never use it myself, my firmware is fully up to date, but it is nice for people who want it.

Off-Kilter · Jan 7, 2014

Man, who still has 4.x firmware at this point :/

Sir_Crocodile · Jan 7, 2014

Hmmm. my old zelda LE 3DS may have an earlier firmware then that.

May have to check this out. Can't think of more then a handful of games that were released in the states but not europe that I'd want though

Scum · Jan 7, 2014

So this means the region locking "feature" is firmware related? Something that can be patched out, right?

shandy706 · Jan 7, 2014

Is it not possible to roll-back your firmware?

Petrie · Jan 7, 2014

This is why I never updated the spare original 3DS I traded for a few months ago. Sitting pretty on v4.3. Hell yeah.

Boney · Jan 7, 2014

Maaaaaan, stupid fw

indigo-cyclops · Jan 7, 2014

Just bought a 3DS XL today, wondering if I should not update? Not sure how often I'd import...

massoluk · Jan 7, 2014

I honestly think at this point, it is just easier to get Japanese 3ds

Het_Nkik · Jan 7, 2014

Aostia said:
no thanks. i'd be too risky or uncomfortable to avoid new firmware updates

It says you can upgrade the firmware no problem once it's installed.

I already gave in and imported a Japanese 3DS, but it's nice for those who don't want to/can't afford to.

Joqu · Jan 7, 2014

That's great. Too bad about the firmware thing as I won't be able to use this, but it's good news either way.

Somnid · Jan 7, 2014

If you need a second way out-dated system might as well import one.

BitStyle · Jan 7, 2014

Stinks that you have to have the older firmware. Hopefully they find a method for people with the latest firmware, but who knows how long that will take.

indigo-cyclops · Jan 7, 2014

Het_Nkik said:
It says you can upgrade the firmware no problem once it's installed.

I already gave in and imported a Japanese 3DS, but it's nice for those who don't want to/can't afford to.

If so that's huge...

Antiwhippy · Jan 7, 2014

Fuckers, can't do it with my 3DS...

-Horizon- · Jan 7, 2014

If only Nintendo would actually drop region locking. I mean if Sony doesn't seem to have a problem with it on both their consoles then I don't see why Nintendo can't do the same.

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