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New DSi update brings flash cart device blockery photo

We keep going back and forth on the whole DSi flash cart issue, mostly because Nintendo is working to keep these R4-ish devices out of the cartridge slot of your system. You see, they like it when you buy their games.

The DSi 1.4J firmware was supposed to bring Facebook functionality to the handheld, but it also brought the digital smackdown for your piracy devices. The following have been blocked by the update:

  • DSTTi
  • Hyper R4i
  • ak2i
  • R4 Ui
  • R4i Gold 
  • EZVi

It appears that if you try to run any of these carts, you're asked to turn the system off and put in some legit software.

Sure, some of these flash cart makers are going to figure out a way to work around the block. But then Nintendo is going to release another firmware update. I think this is Nintendo getting aggressive, and I could see them ramping up efforts if it gets any worse.

[via Kotaku]


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33 comments | showing # 1 to 33

atastysammich's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 10:30
atastysammich
Yeah? Well, I like it when Nintendo makes good on their word and brings Jet Impulse and Daigasso! Band Brothers here.
FatherChesz's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 10:32
FatherChesz
That's ass. I'd say in a matter of hours this will be circumvented. Don't let me down, AceKard! I'll be a little pissed if I can't play Donkey Kong Country any more.
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 10:46
GoldenGamerXero
Gasp! How dare they expect you to PAY for their hard work!?!
DinnertimeNinja's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 10:49
DinnertimeNinja
That's all well and good, but is there any real REASON to update a DS firware?

I mean, I have my DS lite that hasn't once updated anything and it's just fine.

Does Nintendo even have any measures (like with the PSP) that encourage or practically force you to update?
Konrad9's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 10:50
Konrad9
Great job, Nintendo. Yes you stopped those dastardly pirates but you also completely destroyed the homebrewers as well.

Two thumbs way up!!!
Subenu's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 10:51
Subenu
Good thing I got myself an import version of Devil Survivor some days ago...
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 10:52
Chronic Logic
Gasp! Downgrade! Downgrade!
Bigmoose85's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 10:54
Bigmoose85
Don't worry it will be cracked again :)
Neonie's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 10:56
Neonie
I don't have a DSi, I have a DSLite. Problem solved. It's already been cracked ;)
that1dude24's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 10:59
that1dude24
@konrad9

It's likely to last a couple of weeks, tops.
MJG's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:06
MJG
Why would someone using a flash cart accept official firmware updates?
Spectreman's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:11
Spectreman
* People want download full DS games. Nintendo is losting the battle like the music industry. Donīt make sense carrying multiple cartridge when just one device can handle dozen of games.
Zepwich's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:13
Zepwich
And thats why i wont buy a DSi
BluDesign's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:16
BluDesign
@mjg

someone who legitmately buys their games and doesn't like carrying dozens of carts around with them.

And kids who don't know any better. I think it's dumb for nintendo to play this hand, I'm sure that more updates are to come. I'd bet that if you Wanna continure using dsiware you better be willing to endure these lockouts like this.
funran's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:16
funran
Sony does this every psp update, but does it stop the hackers? Why would this be any different.
Professor Pew's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:23
Professor Pew
Yeah way to learn from Sony. Nintendo!

To be fair though, in my experience a lot of DSLite flashcard owners don't even know how to get the software on it. They also have a lot of unofficial R4s (R4 SDHC etc). Compared to the PSP where the people that crack it usually know how to update it themselves, this will probably take a little larger bite out of piracy for the DS than it does for the PSP. Still not really a giant bite though. It will probably just mean that people will have to bug their relatives and friends some more.
coffeesash's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:24
coffeesash
I love how everyone's response is that of an indignant teenager. 'Fine, it won't be long before I find the key to the drinks cabinet again' Only someone else found you the key and you shouldn't be doing it anyway.
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:29
DaedHead8
And this is why I don't use devices like that. Don't get me wrong, I'd really like to be able to carry around all my legally purchased games on one cart, but I really don't like the idea of that same cart (which cost real money) being rendered useless by an update like this.
Freefall's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:33
Freefall
It's not like the games are too big to fit in your pocket or wallet. NO EXCUSES!
TheToiletDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:34
TheToiletDuck
@Daedhead8, don't worry about that as people say lasts only a week or so (tops) and even then you don't have to update in the first place.
Aurain's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:45
Aurain
Yes, People are putting games they "Legitimately" own on R4's...

They might aswell accept they've lost the fight. The Number of Flashcart users compared to Genuine Software users is probably somewhere around the 1:10 ratio.
Timmeh's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 11:55
Timmeh
What a waste of money, these people will simply never learn.
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 12:01
Monodi
Even if I despise flash carts in my DS, this is kind of a blow.

Still gives me faith more people will buy their games and Ubisoft atually realize their sales are related to horseshit.
Chack's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 12:10
Chack
I try to buy games. I only use my R4 (in a DS Lite) to check new games so I can decide which one is worth to be purchased... And run homebrew apps.

I have a DSi and I use it to play original games, I have no problem with this update.
ouched's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 12:10
ouched
Probably a waste of money, but I can't fault them for trying to fight the legions of deadbeats, thieves, and general purpose scum that pirate games for any number of bullshit reasons.
LK4O4's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 12:12
LK4O4
Well if you must, the DS Lite can use flash carts, AND it plays GBA games, AND it's cheaper than the DSi. But still, you guys shouldn't be pirating retail DS games. It's one thing to emulate some 15-year-old SNES game, but it's completely different when you're downloading games that are on the fucking shelf at Best Buy. That kind of shit actually does hurt the games industry.

I'm sorry to say it, but Nintendo is right to try and block out those carts, no matter how futile the attempt.

Full Disclosure: I'm actually planning on getting a flash cart just for NeoDS. Having Mark of the Wolves on the go is far too tempting. :D
CJSchmidt's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 12:12
CJSchmidt
They know full well that they can't stomp out piracy completely, all they need to do is make it at least a little difficult for the general populace. The hardcore geeks will always find ways to open up their hardware and run unsigned code (and the occasional pirated rom). The R4 made it so easy that all the norms could just steal everything without any effort at all. Complicating the process with custom firmwares and rom patches makes piracy manageable and keeps the riffraff out of the scene.
gamadaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 13:39
gamadaya
That's why I recommend the DSONEi. It's technologically superior and isn't affected by updates. If it is ever affected, the team is very active, and will handle the problem quickly. Probably can't say the same about these trashy R4 knockoffs.
adultswim810's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 21:34
adultswim810
dslite w/ cyclods evo. It's effortless.
Caelum Nocte's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/01/2009 02:45
Caelum Nocte
I agree with Nintendo doing this. These updates would definitely stop me from pirating, and I guess I know as much as the average person. I will probably have to emulate KH: Days because I want the story but not enough to buy a DS for a single game. Not that the DS doesn't have good game, I just don't care about them. Personally I think they look mostly crappy.
whormongr's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/01/2009 11:13
whormongr
it's a waste of $ for nintendo and as someone with a lite and not a dsi I don't want to buy one if they keep doing this because I want o be able to use lsdj, nitrotracker and other music software on my ds or it is a waste of $ and space.
huluvu's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/03/2009 10:13
huluvu
@Monodi
haha =D
Jeremy Chai's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/18/2009 00:49
Jeremy Chai
Idiot...dude R4i Gold does work for v1.4A...get ur facts right!
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