PSA: The DSiWare store closes March 31st

[bobrocks95]

I knew the Japanese store was closing March 31st, but I only just now heard that the US store is closing as well... Great heads-up from Nintendo there.

To anyone who wanted to play DSiWare games on original hardware, your time is limited. Personally, I guess I'll be downloading stuff on my DSi and then hoping Nintendo can transfer it later to a US DSi XL (I have a JPN one now and DSiWare is region-locked).

From what I gathered only 1 flash cart can play DSiWare (The Cyclops iEvolution), and it's old and no longer produced, not to mention the low number of DSiWare rips out there on the net. (UPDATE: Its functionality was also blocked with a DSi update, so it can only be used on old firmware)

[philexile]

Thanks for the heads up. Just out of curiosity, what was the falshcart that supported DSiWare?

[austin532]

That means it's only a matter of time before the Wii Shop closes. So long Mega Man 9-10, Gradius, Contra, and Castlevania rebirths.

[bobrocks95]

Thanks for the heads up. Just out of curiosity, what was the falshcart that supported DSiWare?

From what I can tell it's the Cyclops iEvolution card. The main source I have for info on it is this GBATemp thread: https://gbatemp.net/threads/cyclops-no- ... on.321797/

I'd love to be wrong, but I think it's the only card that supports DSi stuff because you have to launch a game in "DSi Mode", just like GBA flash carts can't run GB/GBC games because they boot in "GBA Mode"

UPDATE: Don't put much stock in that card either, apparently it was blocked with a firmware update: https://gbatemp.net/threads/cyclops-no- ... st-4608647

EDIT: I'm also thinking about it and I think if I want these games on a DSi XL the only option is to acquire one by Friday- even if Nintendo did an ownership transfer to an XL later, there'd be no way to redownload the titles... Unless there's some way to put them on the SD card?

[bobrocks95]

As of October of last year apparently there has been no way to add points to your account. So the store is effectively already closed unless you happen to have points lying around in your account for some reason. The earlier-linked flash cart is the only option if you want to run DSiWare on a DSi now.

[cr4zymanz0r]

Are there really any worthwhile DSiWare games that never got released on other platforms? I think there was a Shantae game, but I was fairly certain it got released on PC as well. I'm just curious if we're losing anything good due to this (I never looked at DSiWare much)

[ZellSF]

Are there really any worthwhile DSiWare games that never got released on other platforms? I think there was a Shantae game, but I was fairly certain it got released on PC as well. I'm just curious if we're losing anything good due to this (I never looked at DSiWare much)

While there isn't anything on DSiWare that appeals to me personally, I can guarantee you that someone's favorite game, or what could have been someone's favorite game is now lost.

That's the problem with online services and DRM. Most people only think "was anything worthwhile lost" until they find out one of their favorite games actually isn't worthwhile.

Of course there's plenty of piracy options to replace the shop here. DSi (probably needs to be old version) + flash cartridge, 3DS (probably needs to be old version) or emulators.

[Galdelico]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the entire (minus those titles that may have been delisted for whatever reasons) DSiWare library available in the 3DS eShop? I mean, of course this means nothing to people with a DSi and no 3DS... I'm just wondering whether or not we're gonna lose anything forever, here.

[bobrocks95]

Most DSiWare is available on the 3DS, but a small handful couldn't be transferred and then a few more aren't available for purchase. The problem is DS games on the 3DS either have horrible scaling or are in a very tiny window- I don't think either is a good option.

There are plenty of good DSiWare titles, and a handful of exclusives. Some recommendations are Pictobits, Shantae, Mighty Flip Champs, Mighty Milky Way, Kappa's Trail, Dark Void Zero, and some others.

Also, I found out more recently that you can do a NAND dump and injection for DSiWare titles, so they aren't lost, but they're definitely cumbersome to get a hold of on an actual DSi now.

[BazookaBen]

There are plenty of good DSiWare titles, and a handful of exclusives. Some recommendations are Pictobits, Shantae, Mighty Flip Champs, Mighty Milky Way, Kappa's Trail, Dark Void Zero, and some others.

Cool, thanks for the suggestions. I knew the "Mighty" games were worth picking up, but I didn't know what else I should load up on my DSi XL before friday

EDIT: Well crap, looks like they stopped DSi points purchasing back in October.

[bobrocks95]

Well, unfortunately, unless you already have Nintendo points on your DSi, you can't buy anything either. I was hoping cards would offer a workaround but they can't be used either.

[theclaw]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the entire (minus those titles that may have been delisted for whatever reasons) DSiWare library available in the 3DS eShop? I mean, of course this means nothing to people with a DSi and no 3DS... I'm just wondering whether or not we're gonna lose anything forever, here.

NOA has a list of titles that don't system transfer to 3DS. Those are probably all of the doomed games?
Never cared much about the DSi itself. 3DS does most of anything I'd want from it.

Asphalt IV
Flipnote Studio
Let's Golf
Nintendo DSi Browser
Oregon Trail
Real Soccer 2009
Real Soccer 2010
SUDOKU MASTER
SUDOKU SENSEI
Sudoku Student

Although it might be worse in China. iQue 3DS XL never opened the eShop, so I don't see how you'd get iQue DSiWare onto one.

[Galdelico]

Most DSiWare is available on the 3DS, but a small handful couldn't be transferred and then a few more aren't available for purchase. The problem is DS games on the 3DS either have horrible scaling or are in a very tiny window- I don't think either is a good option.

There are plenty of good DSiWare titles, and a handful of exclusives. Some recommendations are Pictobits, Shantae, Mighty Flip Champs, Mighty Milky Way, Kappa's Trail, Dark Void Zero, and some others.

Also, I found out more recently that you can do a NAND dump and injection for DSiWare titles, so they aren't lost, but they're definitely cumbersome to get a hold of on an actual DSi now.

NOA has a list of titles that don't system transfer to 3DS. Those are probably all of the doomed games?
Never cared much about the DSi itself. 3DS does most of anything I'd want from it.

Asphalt IV
Flipnote Studio
Let's Golf
Nintendo DSi Browser
Oregon Trail
Real Soccer 2009
Real Soccer 2010
SUDOKU MASTER
SUDOKU SENSEI
Sudoku Student

Although it might be worse in China. iQue 3DS XL never opened the eShop, so I don't see how you'd get iQue DSiWare onto one.

Thanks for clarifying, guys. Much appreciated.
As expected, nothing of my interest has been lost, apparently. Not that I've ever been an avid digital customer, on the DSi, but it's still a relief.

Also, I know the 3DS is not ideal to play DS/DSi games, due to the different screen size/resolution, but I come from a pretty underwhelming experience on a DSi XL, so - to my eyes - the IPS screen of my New N3DS XL does a better job, overall, even with the image scaled up.

[BazookaBen]

to my eyes - the IPS screen of my New N3DS XL does a better job, overall, even with the image scaled up.

Hold start when launching DS games on 3DS, you can play them in 1:1 mode. Smaller image, but they look better.

[bobrocks95]

You're incredibly lucky if you got a dual IPS N3DS, is the problem. All DSi XL's have IPS screens, though the calibration on them seems more hit and miss (my top screen is warmer than my bottom)

[Galdelico]

You're incredibly lucky if you got a dual IPS N3DS, is the problem. All DSi XL's have IPS screens, though the calibration on them seems more hit and miss (my top screen is warmer than my bottom)

Just 'average' lucky. I've got a mixed one, top screen is IPS and touch screen is TN. No big deal, I can tell the difference, but the other way round would've been horrible.

I didn't know DSi XL's screens were IPS too... They looked pretty bad, on my console. The whites were ok-ish, but everything else looked washed out and drab.

[BazookaBen]

You're incredibly lucky if you got a dual IPS N3DS, is the problem. All DSi XL's have IPS screens, though the calibration on them seems more hit and miss (my top screen is warmer than my bottom)

Is this the case with the original 3DS, or just later models? Both my screens look pretty good.

[bobrocks95]

You're incredibly lucky if you got a dual IPS N3DS, is the problem. All DSi XL's have IPS screens, though the calibration on them seems more hit and miss (my top screen is warmer than my bottom)

Just 'average' lucky. I've got a mixed one, top screen is IPS and touch screen is TN. No big deal, I can tell the difference, but the other way round would've been horrible.

I've got top IPS bottom TN as well, but I bought the new Pikachu edition and it was dual TN, so it's just sitting here in the packaging unused...

I didn't know DSi XL's screens were IPS too... They looked pretty bad, on my console. The whites were ok-ish, but everything else looked washed out and drab.

Mine look colorful and vibrant, but knowing Nintendo's horrible quality control I'm sure they put out some less than stellar screens.

Is this the case with the original 3DS, or just later models? Both my screens look pretty good.

Only the new 3DS has a chance to have IPS screens, all original models are TN. They do look pretty good as far as TN panels go.

[Ikaruga11]

Just inject the DSiWare titles you want onto your DSi[XL] or [New]3DS.

The advantage of the DSi XL is you can play DS and DSiWare games at the largest size without any scaling, while also having dual IPS screens to boot. The advantage of the New 3DS is the ability to play DS and DSiWare games on the smallest dual IPS screens.

[bobrocks95]

Easier said than done with the DSi. Have you seen how tiny the IC carrying the data line is that you need to solder to?