Nintendo Ds Emulation Thread

InfinitumInfinitum Anime Encyclopedia Join Date: 2002-08-08 Member: 1111Members, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">Emulation != Roms. You dense fools..</div> <b><span style='color:orange'><!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->coil has told me that he will indiscriminately delete any and all reference to illegal activities, as per forum guidelines.  And then he'll hunt you down and kill a puppy in front of you.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--></span></b>
No references to carts you own legally or otherwise.
No game names "Game X would be awesome emulated!" "Game X was awesome"
No 24 hour deletion crap
Legally developed games/homebrews/tech demos = good
Hacks/cracks/otherwise = bad
This is a discussion of the POSSIBILITIES the DS posseses.
Don't LINK to the emulators. Name only is ok I suppose...
I swear to god you're an idiot if you don't adhere to this...


So we all know that the Nintendo DS boasts some pretty damn impressive hardware. From initial movies it looks like it has little, to no problem reproducing Nintendo 64 quality graphics.

Thus it enters my mind the possibilities of emulation.
Let us go through this system by system

Gameboy and Gameboy Colour:
It has been officially confirmed that the Nintendo DS will lack the ability to play GB and GBC carts, namely due to the fact that Nintendo have removed the processor needed to play the carts to save on development costs for the DS. Which is fair enough I suppose...
I feel this will be the first emulation task programmers will tackle and I'm sure it will be a fairly easy one.

Gameboy Advance:
The DS will play GBA games, that is a hard fact. Another hard fact is that there will be no link up cable. So no Crystal Chronicles fun via a DS...
I'm however fairly adament that some programmer is going to try to work around this, but it's going to require seperate hardware for it at a minimum.

NES:
A few NES emulators already exist for the GBA, so it will be of little suprise to see one on the DS. I'm betting this to hit the emulation scene either 2nd... or possibily first to the GB&GBC work around.

SNES:
Some poor souls have started the long journey to get a SNES emulated on the GBA. In my mind they will have a much easier time developing on the DS, as I've been told that the DS boasts is relatively easier to develop for. I can see this as either a medium to very long development process... depending on how many code monkies jump on it. There is no doubt in my mind that we won't see the DS without a SNES emulator.

N64:
The Piece De Resistance~
You've all seen the movies of Super Mario 64x4, so we all know DS more or less = 64. This will be either be the hardest emulator to develop, or the easiest... depending on how different the hardware is inside the DS... The RAM pack (You know that red thing you needed for like 2 games?) will be a nice obstacle, at least in my mind.
Oh we will have a 64 emulator... how long is the question.




While we're at it, lets touch base on the DS's other abilities and how they may relate to emulation/programming tools

Wireless:
Multiplayer linkup via wireless, oh yes. She will be mine.
Initial versions of emulators will only be single unit emulation, but having WAN there... oh the possibilities. I'm sure each system emulated will have it's own problems handling the process... but perhaps one smart cookie will develop the code and share it with each system emulator's dev team... It'd be a nice thought at least.

Voice:
My friend suggested 'free' mobile phone.
I told him to program it for me...
He said he'd get back to me on that...
=D

Touch:
Dunno... it'd be nice have a media player (movies/pictures/text/otherwise) with touch screen controls


So yeah, lets hear some LEGAL discussion!

Comments

  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    I wonder if they'll emulate the ability to kick **** and take names.
  • coilcoil Amateur pirate. Professional monkey. All pance. Join Date: 2002-04-12 Member: 424Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    Hmm. The GBA functionality that the DS lacks is really unfortunate; I was hoping to use the DS as a surrogate GBA for Crystal Chronicles and Four Swords Adventures. Perhaps they will release a wireless port peripheral for the GC that will let the DS link up.

    That said, one thing you didn't mention which might have repercussions on the emu/modding scene: the DS has TWO processors, one per screen. Hmm!
  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-coil+Sep 27 2004, 06:18 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (coil @ Sep 27 2004, 06:18 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Hmm. The GBA functionality that the DS lacks is really unfortunate; I was hoping to use the DS as a surrogate GBA for Crystal Chronicles and Four Swords Adventures. Perhaps they will release a wireless port peripheral for the GC that will let the DS link up.

    That said, one thing you didn't mention which might have repercussions on the emu/modding scene: the DS has TWO processors, one per screen. Hmm! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm kinda glad that they've taken the move to drop backwards compatability. I've felt every gameboy has been just like a new update or a new version, glad to see that the DS is an entirely new beast that doesn't have to fall back on a catalogue of old games as one of it's main selling points rather than, as the DS is doing, innovative new technologies and ideas.
  • raz0rraz0r Join Date: 2003-07-24 Member: 18395Members
    edited September 2004
    <!--QuoteBegin-esuna+Sep 27 2004, 08:18 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (esuna @ Sep 27 2004, 08:18 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I wonder if they'll emulate the ability to kick **** and take names. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    in true Reggie Fils-amie style!

    <span style='color:white'>NUKE #1. Do not discuss emulating existing, copyrighted games.</span>
  • InfinitumInfinitum Anime Encyclopedia Join Date: 2002-08-08 Member: 1111Members, Constellation
    Just had a brilliant idea on the cable support problem

    1.) Take a wavebird
    2.) Take a DS
    3.) Redirect the DS's wireless signal onto the Wavebirds frequency.
    4.) Instant invisible cable.

    That is of course unless the wavebird can't emulate anything other than a gamecube controller...
  • That_Annoying_KidThat_Annoying_Kid Sire of Titles Join Date: 2003-03-01 Member: 14175Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Infinitum+Sep 27 2004, 10:12 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Infinitum @ Sep 27 2004, 10:12 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <b><span style='color:orange'><!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->coil has told me that he will indiscriminately delete any and all reference to illegal activities, as per forum guidelines.  And then he'll hunt you down and kill a puppy in front of you.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--></span></b>

    Voice:
    My friend suggested 'free' mobile phone.
    I told him to program it for me...
    He said he'd get back to me on that...
    =D <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    That seems appropriate, and it does seem like coil


    and the voice thing would be oh so win, please keep us informed as to how that goes. The DS does look graphically impressive so I bet emulation stuff will spring right out of the woodwork sooner or later.
  • raz0rraz0r Join Date: 2003-07-24 Member: 18395Members
    edited September 2004
    <!--QuoteBegin-raz0r+Sep 27 2004, 08:24 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (raz0r @ Sep 27 2004, 08:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <span style='color:white'>NUKE #1.  Do not discuss emulating existing, copyrighted games.</span> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Sorry about that, got a bit carried away in thiking of the possiblities <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    As long as someone emulates an online walkaround(like the Warpipe for GC) then i'm happy

    [EDIT:] I see I am an idiot <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Infinitum+Sep 27 2004, 11:12 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Infinitum @ Sep 27 2004, 11:12 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The RAM pack (You know that red thing you needed for like 2 games?) will be a nice obstacle, at least in my mind. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The Expansion Pack? Wasn't that just a 64MB, or more? I only remember needing it for Majora's Mask, Perfect Dark and Turok 2, I don't know if Turok 3 needed it. Kinda worth it considering you could only do Combat Simulation without it.
    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->1.) Take a wavebird
    2.) Take a DS
    3.) Redirect the DS's wireless signal onto the Wavebirds frequency.
    4.) Instant invisible cable.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Don't believe it would ever work.

    How could one make their own game for the DS? Like... get a blank cartridge or something?
  • InfinitumInfinitum Anime Encyclopedia Join Date: 2002-08-08 Member: 1111Members, Constellation
    Well the DS runs on a card similar to a flash card/memory stick/what have you.

    The GBA runs on cartridges.
    You can buy flash cards to place developed games onto the cart, and then run it on the GBA.
    Retail price is around 100 us for a 128 megaBIT cart. 128mb is the largest cartsize used on the GBA. You can get up to a gigabit in the flash cards.

    So I'm sure a similar system will be made for the DS eventually... a few months after the release probably.
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    edited September 2004
    Liku, my guess is that something similar to what exists for the GBA will exist for DS (that is a programable flashcard that will work as a DS cart)

    and inf beats me to the punch.

    Oh, and Inf, for your wave bird idea.

    has anything been stated about what the DS's wireless capabilities will be?
  • InfinitumInfinitum Anime Encyclopedia Join Date: 2002-08-08 Member: 1111Members, Constellation
    edited September 2004
    Ohh the protocol is named somewhere... give me a minute. I'll edit it in.

    <a href='http://www.gamingheadlines.co.uk/view.asp?id=529&p=ds&d=nintendo' target='_blank'>INFO HERE</a>
    802.11b
    Bluetooth ahoy.
  • TheWizardTheWizard Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10553Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-coil+Sep 27 2004, 01:18 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (coil @ Sep 27 2004, 01:18 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Hmm. The GBA functionality that the DS lacks is really unfortunate; I was hoping to use the DS as a surrogate GBA for Crystal Chronicles and Four Swords Adventures. Perhaps they will release a wireless port peripheral for the GC that will let the DS link up.
    <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Coil, Nintendo releasing peripherals after initial release? I don't believe it could ever happen. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->



    I suppose that is my biggest complaint with Nintendo. If I decide to purchase a console type gaming system I do it because I want an all in one package and not one that has 10 different addons I need to purchase to make the experience worth it.

    /end Nintendo Rage.
  • InfinitumInfinitum Anime Encyclopedia Join Date: 2002-08-08 Member: 1111Members, Constellation
    The DS is a fairly good complete package.

    Voice.
    Wireless.
    Touch screen.
    2 screens.
    N64/Gamecube quality graphics.

    The possibilites are nigh on endless.
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-wizard@psu+Sep 27 2004, 12:23 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (wizard@psu @ Sep 27 2004, 12:23 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I suppose that is my biggest complaint with Nintendo. If I decide to purchase a console type gaming system I do it because I want an all in one package and not one that has 10 different addons I need to purchase to make the experience worth it. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Like... what?
  • raz0rraz0r Join Date: 2003-07-24 Member: 18395Members
    My main gripe with Nintendo is that most of the offers on the console(e.g. Zelda collectors disc) were not available when the console was first brought out, and the only real way to get it was to buy a new GC, pretty much not allowing anyone who already had a GC to get the disc.


    And the game boy player was a complete ripoff.
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    I for one will greatly miss the ability to plug in a gameboy cartridge and have it work. Oh well. :(

    HIP HIP HOORAY FOR EMULATION! :D
  • Invader_ScootInvader_Scoot Join Date: 2003-10-13 Member: 21669Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--QuoteBegin-raz0r+Sep 27 2004, 03:19 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (raz0r @ Sep 27 2004, 03:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> And the game boy player was a complete ripoff. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The GameBoy Player had my babies it r0x'd so much.
  • ScytheScythe Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 46NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation, Reinforced - Silver
    <!--QuoteBegin-DOOManiac+Sep 28 2004, 08:07 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ Sep 28 2004, 08:07 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I for one will greatly miss the ability to plug in a gameboy cartridge and have it work. Oh well. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    HIP HIP HOORAY FOR EMULATION! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Not that you're gloating or anything?

    --Scythe--
  • InfinitumInfinitum Anime Encyclopedia Join Date: 2002-08-08 Member: 1111Members, Constellation
    Essentially the way most emulation will work to begin with is by using a GBA flash cart.

    No idea how the process would work... whether games loaded via a GBA cart only have the power of a GBA available to it... or if it can make use of the DS's abilities. I'm thinking the former... due to the fact that the DS is without an original GB chip...

    In that case, anything higher than a SNES emulator will have to wait until DS flash cards start hitting the market. Which in turn will require all emulators to be rewritten for the DS and make them several times more awesome.

    First we learn to walk.
    Then we learn to do wireless GBA multiplayer emulation
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    Personally, they've redeemed themselves slightly to my eyes. They fixed the one thing that REALLY annoyed me about the GBA... the DS has FOUR BUTTONS! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> Not counting shoulder-buttons, if it has those.
    This has the potential to allow me to play such wonderful things as ChuChuRocket with the proper diamond-pad on the right to toss down panes, so long as they support mapping the buttons for GBA games, and not just using a built-in configuration.

    Hell, if it does all that, my old indigo GBA may end up in the garbage. Or traded to a friend for his Blizzard one, so I can customize it up with artwork more easily. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Infinitum+Oct 1 2004, 07:08 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Infinitum @ Oct 1 2004, 07:08 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> First we learn to walk.
    Then we learn to do wireless GBA multiplayer emulation <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    this is one thing I am sorta woried about actualy.

    As of yet no one has made an emulator for GBA that alowes you to emu a link cable.
    It would kinda suck if they make the GBA/GB emu for DS and then were unable to recreate the link cable ;(
  • InfinitumInfinitum Anime Encyclopedia Join Date: 2002-08-08 Member: 1111Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Thansal+Oct 2 2004, 01:59 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Thansal @ Oct 2 2004, 01:59 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Infinitum+Oct 1 2004, 07:08 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Infinitum @ Oct 1 2004, 07:08 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> First we learn to walk.
    Then we learn to do wireless GBA multiplayer emulation <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    this is one thing I am sorta woried about actualy.

    As of yet no one has made an emulator for GBA that alowes you to emu a link cable.
    It would kinda suck if they make the GBA/GB emu for DS and then were unable to recreate the link cable ;( <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm pretty sure there is a GBA emulator for the PC that allows multiplayer via IP...

    PRETTY SURE.
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    <!--QuoteBegin-Scythe+Oct 1 2004, 05:08 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Scythe @ Oct 1 2004, 05:08 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-DOOManiac+Sep 28 2004, 08:07 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ Sep 28 2004, 08:07 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I for one will greatly miss the ability to plug in a gameboy cartridge and have it work. Oh well. :(

    HIP HIP HOORAY FOR EMULATION! :D <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Not that you're gloating or anything?

    --Scythe-- <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    What is there to gloat? THere is no Gameboy emulator on the DS yet anyway...
  • CommunistWithAGunCommunistWithAGun Local Propaganda Guy Join Date: 2003-04-30 Member: 15953Members
    Im pretty sure an emulation program would utilize a mouse to replace the stylus it comes with <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
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