Nintendo DS prototype NTR-CPU-X4

NITRO-BOOTMENU ver.40820D Firmware

This firmware is so early that it doesn't even have any resemblance to the final design. But before diving into this firmware, let's recall how the Nintendo DS boots up.

Unlike the final version of the firmware, version 40820D doesn't even have the Nintendo DS logo, and the startup screen is taken from the Game Boy Advance. If you start the console without a cartridge, the text "Game Boy" will appear, although the boot sound will be different – children shouting the word "Nintendo".

Notice how quickly the console turns on:

And if you start the console with a Nintendo DS cartridge inserted, in addition to the "Game Boy" text, the line "Nintendo (R)" will appear, which completely mimics the Game Boy Advance boot sequence.

The moment where the stylus writes the word "Nintendo" – that's when the game has already started.

Main Menu

Let's talk about the main menu.

Here there are 4 buttons and the text "BLT:ON".

Let's start with the buttons. As you can see, the "Play DS Game" and "Play GBA Game" buttons are red and cannot be selected. This functionality remained in the final version of the firmware – if you don't insert a cartridge, these menu buttons won't be active.

"Wireless Download" – this is the prototype of DS Download Play, although on the prototype it couldn't be used for the simple reason that there was no Wi-Fi chip.

In place of this bunch of colorful wires (on the left) should be the Wi-Fi chip. Most likely, since at the other end of these wires was a 34-pin IDE connector, this whole structure was connected somewhere.

If you press the "Wireless Download" button, this menu will appear:

If you press the B button in this menu, the text "Completed" will appear in Japanese.

To return to the menu, you'll have to restart the console.

"NITRO Settings" – these are the settings.

"USER INFORMATION" – user information. You can specify your nickname, date of birth, and user color.

"DATE & TIME" – date and time settings.

"LANGUAGE" – language selection. Out of all the options, only two work: English and Japanese.

Choosing any other language will still result in English.

"AGB MODE" – which screen to display the GBA game on: top or bottom.

"TOUCH PANEL" – touch screen calibration.

"AUTO BOOT" – enable/disable automatic loading of the NDS cartridge when the console starts. This option is enabled by default.

And the last text "BLT:ON" – means that the backlight is on. If you press R, the backlight will turn off, and the text will change to "BLT:OFF".

Emulator

This firmware can be run on an emulator.

Download the archive X4_NDS.zip. It contains three files:

1. BIOSNDS9.ROM – BIOS image that works with the ARM9 processor (responsible for running NDS games);

2. BIOSNDS7.ROM – BIOS image that works with the ARM7 processor (responsible for running GBA games);

3. FW0802D6.BIN – firmware image 40820D.

You will need the melonDS emulator. Download this archive melonDS.zip.

Click the "Config" button at the top – Emu Settings.

The "Emu settings – melonDS" window will open. Select the "DS-mode" tab and specify the path to all three files (from the archive you downloaded above).

After that, click "Ok".

Next, click "File" and "Boot firmware".

Running the Firmware on a Real Console (NDS Firmware Update)

This firmware can also be run on an original Nintendo DS console.

For this, you will need a Nintendo DS (according to IS1982, a Nintendo DS Lite will also work, but I haven't tested it) and any flash cartridge.

PLEASE NOTE! THERE IS A REAL POSSIBILITY OF BRICKING YOUR CONSOLE.

THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS THAT AFTER RESTORING THE CONSOLE TO THE ORIGINAL FIRMWARE, THE Wi-Fi STOPS WORKING!!!

I took this step because I didn't mind the console. I initially bought it cheaply, plus it had strange screens (orange backlight bleeding on black backgrounds).

YOU PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Step № 1. Backup your console's firmware.

To do this, download the archive dsbf_dump.zip. It contains two files:

1. dsbf_dump.ds.gba – we don't need this;

2. dsbf_dump.nds – we need this.

Copy the dsbf_dump.nds file to the flash drive and run it from the console. You don't need to press anything else. After launching, the program will automatically create all backups. After the text "Dumps completed" appears, you can turn off the console and copy the dumps to your computer (for safekeeping).

Step № 2. Prepare to flash the console.

1. Fully charge your console;

2. Prepare a small Phillips and a small flathead screwdriver;

3. Download the X4_NDS.zip archive with the firmware. You only need the FW0802D6.BIN file;

4. Rename the FW0802D6.BIN file to cfw.bin;

5. Create a folder named "firmwares" in the root of the flash cartridge's memory card;

6. Copy the cfw.bin file to the "firmwares" folder;

7. Download the fwManager.zip archive with the fwManager.nds program;

8. Copy the fwManager.nds file to the root of the memory card.

Step № 3. Run the fwManager.nds file.

And once again, read the warning. THIS PROCEDURE CAN BRICK YOUR CONSOLE!!! YOU PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

So, if you're reading this, you've decided to proceed. Press A and the process will start, but nothing will happen. You need to use a flathead screwdriver to short the SL1 contacts.

The location is highlighted in red! It doesn't look like a circle, but like a screw for a flathead screwdriver.

Only then will the flashing process begin. Don't be afraid to release the contacts. The flashing process will simply stop and continue when you short them again. The process will stop every 2-5 seconds. So don't panic and immediately try to release the screwdriver.

For me, it ended at the number 99. The text "Done" (or something similar) appeared at the bottom.

After that, you can reboot the console and enjoy the new firmware.

Epilogue

I definitely don't recommend installing this firmware on your console. After all, it's a beta version, and it's unknown what problems might arise during its use.

But if you're a retro console enthusiast, you might want to "feel" this firmware on a real device, just like I did.