Using R4 Flash Carts for Homebrew Game

[+Gemintronic]

I thought it would be a cool idea to give out homebrew Nintendo DS holiday greeting cards instead of the boring paper kind. Trouble is none of my research could come up with sources for custom carts.

 

Does anyone see any problems with hunting down dirt cheap R4 NDS Flash Carts and putting my own homebrew code on it? Will Miyamoto personally spew fireballs at me?

[Wickeycolumbus]

It's not illegal if you aren't stealing commercial DS ROMs.

[sack-c0s]

I think they are banned in the UK though, possibly other places

[+RevEng]

Does anyone see any problems with hunting down dirt cheap R4 NDS Flash Carts and putting my own homebrew code on it?

Provided you know that all of the recipients have DSes and not DSIs you should be good.

 

Last time I checked, with a DSI at the latest firmware you'll need something more expensive than a R4i.

[+Gemintronic]

Does anyone see any problems with hunting down dirt cheap R4 NDS Flash Carts and putting my own homebrew code on it?

Provided you know that all of the recipients have DSes and not DSIs you should be good.

 

Last time I checked, with a DSI at the latest firmware you'll need something more expensive than a R4i.

 

That's what I thought. The Chinese wholesalers seem to be offloading the DS only flash carts. You always see the lame headlines about Nintendo successfully suing importers over flash carts. Was wondering if that's true or just fear tactics.

[+RevEng]

That's what I thought. The Chinese wholesalers seem to be offloading the DS only flash carts. You always see the lame headlines about Nintendo successfully suing importers over flash carts. Was wondering if that's true or just fear tactics.

In some jurisdictions they're clearly illegal... in the U.K. and Australia, for example. A lot of the news you read about raids and seizures are in these regions.

 

I don't believe there's been a defining ruling in the U.S. or Canada, and since the devices are used for more than piracy, it's a bit of a grey area. I don't believe customs will hold up a small shipment of these, but I don't even play a lawyer on TV so I can't give you definite advice.