TWLoader 1.3.2 released, load .nds files on any 3DS (CFW required)

With the opening up of the Gameboy Advance emulator built into the 3DS firmware allowing users to inject their own games into it, what everyone was wondering about – and wishing for – was when the same was going to happen to the DS mode of the 3DS. For a long time we were told it would be hard, sometimes that it would be impossible. Thankfully that did not stop people from researching and looking into this possibility TWLoader is the result of that hard work.

In a joint effort between a group of developers over at GBATemp, TWLoader was born. In the words of developer Robz8, here is what TWLoader is all about:

TWLoader is a CTR-mode frontend for nds-bootstrap that looks like the Nintendo DSi Menu.
With this, you can run your NDS games, with the DS/DSi boot screen, and clock speed of 133mhz (faster than normal DS).
You can also change the UI color to your favorite color.

However at the moment there is one big limitation with this application:

It’s not possible to run commercial/retail ROMs from SD Card with this. Homebrew and DS Download Play ROMs (<4MB games and demos) only work for now.

This is to be expected, if you ask me. We’re talking about what the developers themselves call a Proof of Concept/Work-in-Progress. The fact they’ve been able to achieve injection of .nds files into the 3DS is already an amazing accomplishment. Currently it is still being worked on, so we can expect further updates and maybe some of them will allow for the injection of bigger .nds files. The other con – if you want to call it that – is that TWLoader only works on CFW 3DS’ so there is no .3ds version.

Instructions for TWLoader

Be aware that if you’ve never played around with installing cia files into the SysNAND of your 3DS, this could be dangerous. This is mostly recommended for advanced users.

Installation:

1. Extract the contents in the “sdroot” folder to the 3DS’ SD Card root.
2. (Optional, but recommended) Put .nds ROMs in the “nds” folder.
3. Install the CIA in “sdmc:/_nds/twloader/cia” to SysNAND.
4. Install “TWLoader.cia” to whichever NAND you use (SysNAND or EmuNAND).

ROM select controls:

L: Change top screen layout.
Left/Right: Select a game/app.
A: Launch selected game/app.

Settings controls (settings will be saved on app exit or game/app launch):

L: Frontend settings.
R: NTR/TWL-mode settings.
A: Change selected setting.
B: Go to ROM select screen.

You can see TWLoader in action in the video below:

Changelog for TWLoader 1.3.2

Since we are a bit late to the TWLoader party, we will post the full changelog since 1.3.0

1.3.0

• Basic file listing mode is gone.
• Settings screen is now improved, and can be selected in the Game/App selection screen.
• Version number can be seen at the top-right in Settings.
• “sdmc/_nds/twloader/cia/TWLapp.cia” is fixed, so the message “Please insert a cartridge” will not appear if “Reset Slot-1” is on, and there’s no card in Slot-1 when running a .nds file.

1.3.1

• Banner audio is replaced with new one.
• Clock time is added to the top-right.
• Improved settings screen a bit, and relaunching TWLoader is no longer required for changing GUI color.

1.3.2

• Fixed problem where cursor can’t be moved if no ROMs are found.

Credits

This wouldn’t have been possible without the following.

• @ahezard: nds-bootstrap, for ROM loading.
• @Apache Thunder: NTR-Launcher, for NTR Slot-1 game loading, and the recreation of the DS/DSi boot screens.
• @Billy Acuña: TWLoader logo.
• @shutterbug2000: File browsing code.
• @spinal_cord: DSi4DS graphic files.

Download TWLoader

To download TWLoader and give it a go on your CFW 3DS just head over to the release and development thread over at GBATemp and get the needed files from there. Alternatively, you can go to Robz8‘s GitHub release page and get the download from there. For the lazier lot of you, here is a direct link.

Are you going to use TWLoader? How are you enjoying it? Sound off in the comments!