The Dual Screen (DS) is a handheld game console manufactured by Nintendo. It has two LCD screens and comes with an in-built microphone and a wireless connection.
You enjoy DS games when you make progress from one level to another. At any time, you can resume playing from where you stopped because your game stores your playing data. These data include stories, characters, and even customized features.
So, do DS games save on the cartridge or console?
DS games save on both the cartridge and console. However, the Nintendo DS automatically saves its gaming data on the cartridge.
Although as a disadvantage, the cartridge has a limited in-built memory reserved for information such as; Wi-Fi settings and profile name.
However, most 3DS games contain an extra save option on the console. Strange Journey Redux and the Shin Megami Tensei are perfect examples. Game data save on the console after the third save on the cartridge.
Cartridges come as Read-Only Memory. Data saved on the cartridge cannot be altered or transferred.
DS first edition was the FAT DS and the DS Lite. They came without internal storage. As a result, data saving was external.
Nintendo later manufactured and designed the DSI with internal storage. As a result, that the cartridge can now save data.
How To Save Your Game On A Cartridge
You can save DS games automatically or manually.
Data saved automatically is available on a slot on the cartridge.
Data is retrieved and stored automatically upon the completion of a mission. The game is programmed to allow the user to attain a particular stage before saving.
However, when the storage reaches a specific limit, you will have to save the data manually.
On the DS, use the “start” button to pause the game.
Find the “save” option, and select an available slot to store the data.
The limited lifespan of cartridges makes them unreliable.
How Long Does Saved Data Last On The DS Cartridge?
The DS cartridge makes use of flash memory to save data. You are allowed to write on the chip as much you can.
Data saved can last so long as the usage is within the available slot.
Where data is saved and left idle, the cartridge can retain information for ten years.
Your data starts to corrupt after this slated period.
Changing batteries in DS means you will have to re-save your game.
Can I Put A Game Cartridge Of A Different Region Into My Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch has a feature called region locking. This feature restricts users from downloading content from other regions.
This content includes things like shop credits and game codes.
The region lock feature also meant that you would have to play that game in that country’s language if you purchased game software in a particular country.
This region lock feature
was quite an inconvenience for many who lived in different countries from that of their origin.
So can you insert a game cartridge of a different region into your Nintendo DS? For the North American Nintendo DS and DS Lite, the answer is yes.
Therefore, you can buy a cartridge from a different language-speaking country for the North American version.
You won’t have to use the game in the language of the country.
How Do I Back Up DS Games In Your Cartridge?
To back up games saved in your cartridge, you will need a Homebrew channel or a Nintendo 3DS custom firmware.
Follow the steps below.
1. Download TWLsaveTool.
TWLsaveTool allows you to save, back up, and restore your DS games on Nintendo 3DS.
You will need the 3DSX if you have only the Homebrew launcher in your 3DS. Use the CIA version if you have the 3DS custom firmware.
2. Install the TWLsaveTool
To install the CIA version, copy the Twlsavetool. CIA file to the Nintendo 3DS SD card. Run the installation using any CIA manager.
To install the 3DSX version, copy the TWLsaveTool to the 3DS folder in your SD card.
3. To Backup
To backup your saved games, open the application.
If you installed it using custom firmware, the application would display on the 3DS home screen.
If you installed the tool using a Homebrew launcher, you would find the tool on the launcher’s home screen.
Use the following keys to execute the corresponding actions.
- B: to back up your saved game
- B: to restore your saved game
If you want to delete the game from the cartridge, use X. Use the left and right keys to edit the title of the saved game.
Note that backing up your game adds a number to the end of the title of the saved game.
If you downloaded your game online and want to restore it to your original cartridge, name it exactly how the tool designated it and add a number at the end of the title.
How Do I Dump My 3DS Game?
To dump your 3DS game means to transfer your game from your system to your SD card in a readable format.
If you want to install the game on your system, you should dump your 3DS cartridge as a .cia file. For emulators, the recommended file type is .3ds.
Note that you cannot dump installed titles as .3ds files. Only .cia file formats are possible for downloaded titles.
In the same vein, you can only dump NDS cartridges as .nds files.
Given the above information, there are different methods for dumping games.
To dump a 3DS game cartridge in .3ds file format:
To do this, slot the game cart into the console. Launch Godmode9 by booting the console while pressing START.
Go to (C:) GAMECART drive. Find the <titleid>.trim.3ds file.
Copy the file to /gm9/out.
Press start to reboot. You will find your game in /gm9/out in the SD card.
To dump a 3DS game cartridge in a .cia file format:
Slot the game cart into the console. Launch Godmode9 by booting the console while pressing START.
Go to (C:) GAMECART drive. Find the <titleid>.trim.3ds file.
Choose NCSD image options. Then tap on build CIA from the .3ds file.
Press start to reboot. You will find your game in /gm9/out in the SD card in the .cia file format.
To dump a 3DS game cartridge in a .nds file format:
Slot the game cart into the console. Launch Godmode9 by booting the console while pressing START.
Go to (C:) GAMECART drive. Find the <titleid>.trim.ads file.
Copy the file to /gm9/out.
Press start to reboot. You will find your game in /gm9/out in the SD card in the .nds file format.
To dump a 3DS installed title in .cia file format:
Again, Slot the game cart into the console. Launch Godmode9 by booting the console while pressing START.
Open the drive options. You can do this by holding R and A and pointing to (A:) SYSNAND at the same time.
Choose the option for searching titles, and then press A. The labels will display.
Go to the game you intend to dump and choose TMD file options. Continue by selecting build CIA.
You will find your installed title in /gm9/out in the SD card in the .nds file format.
Nintendo DS Game Compatibility
Many of us still get a thrill from playing some of the old titles. Gamers love the latest and the best, but they like to relive the classics occasionally.
So you might be wondering, what old titles are compatible with the Nintendo DS?
The Nintendo DS is compatible with Game Boy Advance cartridges, made possible by a particular slot at the bottom.
This slot can accommodate the Game Boy Advance Cartridge. So let’s look at some of the classics you might want to revisit with your DS.
Castlevania Aria Of Sorrow
The follow-up to this available on the DS is the Dawn of Sorrow. This game is the third installment of the Castlevania series.
It follows a teenager Soma Cruz who possesses occult powers. Soma Cruz appears to be the vessel of reincarnation of a sealed Dracula.
The events occur in the year 2035. With a wide variety of weapons to choose from, you get to battle many exciting bosses.
The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap
The Legend of Zelda is one of the most popular Game Boy Advance titles and the 12th of The Legend of Zelda series.
This game has lots of adventure and action with a great story to boot.
It follows the adventures of Link, who is of the Hylian race, a type of elves.
It follows his adventure battling many antagonists, most popularly Ganon, to save Princess Zelda.
In the Finnish Cap installation of the game, Link meets a magic cap Ezlo. Ezlo can shrink him to the size of the Finnish, a race of little people.
It is important to note that only one screen would be active when playing classic Game Boy Advance games.
Conclusion
Gamers can resume playing their games from where they stopped earlier because the game stores their playing data.
Nintendo DS automatically saves its gaming data on the cartridge.
Cartridges come as Read-Only Memory. Data saved on the cartridge cannot be altered or transferred.
Data saved can last on your cartridge for up to ten years.
To back up games saved in your cartridge, you will need a Homebrew channel or a Nintendo 3DS custom firmware and a TWLsaveTool.
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