Kicking it Old School! :))

Red Wii!

Just saw this while we were at VivoCity. It's slick. It's shiny. It's the red Wii! They're celebrating 25 years of Mario :)




- via BlogPress in iPhone

Weeee!!! Got a Wii!

Che and I bought a new Wii for ourselves. The SGD350 Wii promo at Funan a few weeks ago was just too much for us to pass up. Been busy since then.

I've already spent 18 days on the Wii Fit Plus... So far, I've lost just 2 pounds :( It is Christmas though, many parties and the like... I'm still glad I still lost something. :) Favorite workout there is the Rhythm Boxing which is a great way to lose those extra weight.. especially the 10 minute workout.

We also got Mario Kart Wii... I was actually a bit skeptical whether I would actually enjoy this game. Well, good thing I am! :)) Just completed the 50cc tracks. Unlock the two unlockable cars as well as two unlockable characters - King Boo and Diddy Kong. Time to rest up my aching thumb and prepare for the 100cc tracks! :)

Identifying Fake R4DS cartridges

Okay folks, before you ask whether how or why you had problems upgrading your R4DS software, better be sure that you actually have the real thing.

I tried numerous times and the R4DS kernel update from the R4DS site works for mine, so I'm pretty sure I have the real R4DS cartridge -- or at least a very good fake! LOL! :))

Okay, so how do you know a real one from a fake one?

Real R4DS cartidges are shaped exactly like any NDS Lite game cartidge. Therefore, it should fit snugly in place when inserted into your NDS Lite.

Real R4DS don't have internal memory.

Real R4DS requires standard MicroSD(TF) -- up to 2GB is supported.

When you peel off the R4DS sticker, the real R4DS cartidge has only one chip in it.

You may want to check out this video:



Please note that in my previous posts, "R4DS" should not be confused with the new "R4III", which supports 4GB MicroSDs. There was confusion before as to whether R4DS actually supports 4GB cards. It doesn't.

Note: There's a difference with "what you can do" and "what is supported". In this context, R4DS does not support 4GB cards, BUT nothing is stopping you from actually using R4DS with 4GB cards. For some it works, for some it doesn't. If it works, good for you. If it doesn't, well, IT IS NOT SUPPORTED. So don't go bitchin' around complaining that it doesn't work. IT IS NOT SUPPORTED, capiche?

Anyway, with the release of R4III and Nintendo DSi, I guess it's worth exploring the combination of those two; that is whether R4III works well with DSi at all. Then again, I would have to buy those stuff again, but that would be quite painful for me at this time :)) Oh well...

But for those who would rather stick to R4DS and NDS Lite (like people who don't have disposable income for buying DSi and R4III like me), just be careful of what you buy. Don't get suckered in by people who are selling fake R4DS!

My Working R4DS Files (Updated Links)

For a while now, I've been getting some questions about Setting up R4DS from scratch and Initial R4DS Setup - UPDATED.

To help you guys, I've suggested that I copy out the files in my microSD and copy all the files into a new one, then test it out. No installation necessary; simply copy the files, then simply plug it into your R4DS and play straight away.

Guess what? It works! :)

Download the files here:
Rapidshare Link
Hotfile Link


Unrar the files and simply copy it to your microSD - preferrably a newly formatted one. I've tested this out multiple times so I'm sure these files will work. If it still doesn't work for you, I'm not sure what else might be wrong.

Here are the versions used:

- R4DS English 1.18
- Moonshell 1.7.1p1 with DPGTools 1.3.1
- DSOrganize 3.2

Also, I'm currently using a Super Mario theme, so the opening screen and buttons might be different from the one you're expecting.

Any questions? Leave a comment. :)

R4DS Initial Setup - UPDATED

The initial setup of the R4DS has been posted in one of my earlier posts here.
However, thanks to an anonymous reader who left a comment, it has come to my attention that some of the required files that are supposed to be downloaded from specific sites are no longer available.

Hence, for the convenience of everyone, this post serves as (1) a guide to properly install the R4DS from scratch; and (2) as a "proxy" for downloading the required files.

Required Files:
Before proceeding any further, please download the files listed below:

Hotfile Links:

• English-1.18.rar
• moonshell171p1_with_dpgtools131.zip
• DSOrganize_3_2.zip
• es_r4m3.zip

MediaFire Links:

• English-1.18.rar
• moonshell171p1_with_dpgtools131.zip
• DSOrganize_3_2.zip
• es_r4m3.zip

Required Hardware:
Well, there's no point reading this if you don't have these things with you.

• Revolution for DS (R4DS);
• Your microSD - 2GB or below; received news that 4GB may not work (haven't tested though, since I don't have one yet; sorry);
• USB reader for the microSD (either using the mirco-SD to SD adapter and USB card reader or the MicroSD USB reader would do).

Ensure that the microSD is empty and that you have backed up everything first before proceeding further.


Procedure

1. Install the R4DS kernel file.
Either download the kernel file from above English-1.18.rar, or the latest one from http://www.r4ds.com/, if it's up already (it's been down for quite a while now).
• Unzip the contents of the kernel file. You should end up with _system_ folder/directory, _DS_MENU.DAT, and _DS_MSHL.NDS.
• Connect your R4DS into your PC via your card reader.
• Copy all of the files, into the microSD.
2. Update Moonshell
You'll be using the moonshell171p1_with_dpgtools131.zip file (or get latest version from http://mdxonlinemirror.dyndns.org/moonshell/files/) to update the moonshell. Do the following:
• Ensure that the microSD is plugged in to your PC;
• Unzip the moonshell zip file into a temporary directory;
• Run setup.exe in that temporary directory; it would automatically detect the drive assigned to your microSD
• Click OK
• Configure the moonshell as follows:
  
  • Configuration files: Select moonshl.ini (full) is copied.
  • ROM Files: Select R4TF R4(DS) - Revolution for DS only.
  • Other configs: this is up to you :)
• Click OK then wait for the setup to Finish
• Verify that the microSD has the MoonShell_R4TF_M3Simply-R4DS (MicroSD Card).nds and moonshl folder/directory.
3. Copy the NDS Game Roms
I would suggest that you create a new folder/subdirectory, say, named Games and then each ROM would have its own directory. This is entirely up to you. I suggest the above just for easier organization.
4. Install DSOrganize
DSOrganize is one of the most popular homebrew organizer application for the Nintendo DS. It provides a calendar, drawing pad, todo list, address book, and web browser. Almost like a PDA, but not quite. You will need the DSOrganize file and the custom exec_stub.bin file. You can download both from http://www.dragonminded.com/?loc=ndsdev/DSOrganize or you can use the DSOrganize_3_2.zip and es_r4m3.zip above.
• Unzip the DSOrganize zip file into your hard drive;
• Unzip the exec_stub.bin file from es_r4m3.zip.
• Replace the exec_stub.bin file in the DSOrganize/RESOURCES directory.
• Copy the entire DSOrganize folder and DSOrganize.nds file into the root directory of the microSD.
And that's it. I had no time to play with the DSOrganize plugins, though, so I can't comment on them yet.
5. OPTIONAL: Customize Theme
First, it is important to know how the images in the NDS are mapped to which files first. So here's the rough description:
• logo.bmp - Bootup top screen image;
• icons.bmp - Bootup bottom/touchscreen image (i.e., "Play", "Media", or "Slot2");
• bckgrd_1.bmp - the browser top screen background image;
• bckgrd_2.bmp - the browser bottom/touchscreen background image;
• gbaframe.bmp - the border used for GameBoy Advanced (GBA) games (slot 2).
Hence, when using a theme, you need to rename the images to their corresponding filenames above. (You wouldn't want the top and bottom screen images on the wrong screen, would you?) Here are some important notes to remember:
• The files should be copied into the _system_ folder;
• The image size should be 256x192;
• The file format should be a 24bit Bitmap (BMP).
If you prefer downloading instead of creating your own, search the web. I suggest the site http://www.ndsthemes.com/, which, thankfully, is still up and running.

I hope this updated guide is useful.

Thanks for reading!

R4DS: Can't find DS_MENU.DAT

Your Ad Here

Perhaps this is the most common problem for many users of R4DS. You simply need to download the latest kernel / system files from the official Revolution for DS website: http://www.r4ds.com/. Always download the latest version (unless there is a specific reason for which you cannot download this; in this case, please share what you've found out).

From the downloaded file, extract everything into the microSD. Just so you don't encounter any further problems, ensure that you have copied the following:

_system_ (this is a folder, the contents of which must all be copied as well);
_DS_MENU.DAT (the most probable reason you're reading this in the first place);
_DS_MSHL.NDS (well, you copied everything else, no need to omit this out).

You can check out my previous post regarding this (Setting up R4DS from scratch) as a reference in case you get into that tight spot in which you have no choice but to setup R4DS from scratch again. :)

The World Ends with You!

That's the name of the anime-style Nintendo DS Action-RPG (role-playing game) I'm currently hooked with. I like the unique gameplay and the in-depth storyline. I'm always a sucker for a good story. So games with a good plot like this one is irresistable for me. :)



Sure, RPGs have always been there, but so far, they don't have the same depth as they used to. Then this game came along; what a breath of fresh air!

The main character, Neku Sakuraba, awakes to find himself a unwilling participant in a mysterious Reaper's Game. Neku and his partner must complete one mission everyday for the next seven days in order prevent them from being erased from existence. Of course, like any good RPG, this one has many twists and turns and as more and more questions arise as each secret is revealed.


PINS

The game features Psych Pins (or simply Pins) which are used mostly for combat and a mini-game called Tin-Pin Slammer. After each successful combat, the player will gain Pin Points (PP) which will be distributed among the active pins used in battle. Accumulating enough PP will "level up" the pin becoming much more powerful and, in some cases, evolve into a much more powerful pin (think of a pokemon, say, a Pikachu which after gaining enough levels evolves into the much more powerful Raichu).

Some pins evolve requiring specific types of PP. There are three kinds: Battle PP, which is the usual PP gained from combat; Shutdown PP, which is PP gained after shutting down your Nintendo DS (yep, even if your not playing, your pins can level up!); and Mingle PP, which is PP gained in "Mingle Mode" using the wireless features of the NDS (when your NDS picks up signals from other NDS, no matter what game they are playing, you get PP!)

Psych pin abilities are activated by touching, pressing, slashing, dragging, drawing circles, or scratching using the stylus or shouting through the microphone.


STRIDE CROSS BATTLE

Another unique feature is the stride cross battle -- you control both of your characters during combat, using the stylus and microphone to use Neku's psych pin abilities, and the control pad (left direction pad or right XYAB pad, depending on which is your stylus hand) to use your partner's attacks and abilities.

90% of the time, though, you need to only control Neku on the bottom screen; you can set the option to have the AI take control of your partner on the top screen. You only need to glance every now and then to help your partner do some quick dodges to avoid getting hit, or to hit combos to fill up the fusion meter quicker.

Furthermore, once your partner has racked up points to fill up the fusion meter, you can activate the Fusion attack, a powerful combo attack executed by both of your characters that delivers a massive amount of damage to all remaining enemies in battle.

Another important thing to note is that your two characters share the same Hit Points. Which means you can lose the battle if one of your characters is taking a serious ton of beating even if the other one aint.


The World Ends with You Shibuya and the Real Shibuya

The game's setting, the city of Shibuya, is based from the real city of Shibuya in Japan. The game's starting location, Scramble Crossing is based from the same iconic busy Scramble Crossing in Shibuya, Japan. Most commerical places have been renamed such as the actual 109 Building being renamed into 104 Building.



Other places of interest with legendary and/or historical significance such as the Statue of Hachiko has remained more or less the same in the game itself.



People who are inclined to the modern Japanese culture would appreciate the fact that actual places and landmarks are found in this game as well as some historical information presented about these places at certain points in the game. I'm not really into modern Japanese culture but even I like the story behind these places. It tells alot about the people and the game introduces these fine points in Japanese culture to the world.

Something about games being based from real-world places is very appealing -- at least for me. You have this new sense of "reality" about the game. One day, I'll go to Japan and visit Scramble Crossing and I'll say hey, I've been on the spot where Neku first found himself in the Reaper's Game! Hehehe... Hmmm... I think I'll include that in my long-term to-do list. :)


Commerical Success

To say that the game is a success is a huge understatement. It is hailed by most game reviewers as one of the best games ever released. It won't be surprising to see this game as the Game of the Year for the console/handheld games category.

It owes its success to the combination of the above; unique and easy-to-learn gameplay utilizing all features of the NDS (stylus, keypads, even the microphone), fun and excellent anime-style storytelling, and the culture that it colorfully and masterfully depicts. I can't remember a game that was given this much love and dedication. As I frequently say to Che about a great job, "Masterfully done!"

Almost makes me jealous of these Japanese guys; when would Filipinos create a similar game? When would we see a game in which you will see the Banaue Rice Terraces, the Taal and Mayon Volcanoes, even the Makati Cetral Business Disctrict? Oh well....


Game Information:
Title: The World Ends with You
Developer: Square Enix
Platform: Nintendo Dual Screen
Genre: Action Role-Playing Game
Modes: Single-player (main game) and multiplayer (minigame)
Release Dates: June 27, 2007 (Japan), April 18, 2008 (PAL), April 22, 2008 (North America)
Websites:
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/subarashiki/
http://www.theworldendswithyou.eu.com/
http://www.theworldendswithyou.com/

The PC Show 2008

For the third time since we got here last October, Singapore will have another IT event; this time, it's the PC SHOW 2008. This event is dubbed as Singapore’s longest-running IT and Consumer Electronics show.

Personally, I'm just looking for some stuff that we can use for our Nintendo DS Lite. Not sure, though, if we will find some; Today has included a supplement for the event. Save for the microSD, nothing NDS related was highlighted.

Oh well. We'll see later when we go there. Here are the event details:

What: The PC Show
Where: Suntec Singapore
International Convention & Exhibition Centre,
Levels 1, 3, 4 (Halls 401-404) and 6 (Halls 601-603)
When: June 12 to 15, noon to 9pm daily

Better check out their site here: www.thepcshow.com.sg

In case you're going, see you there! :)

Setting up R4DS from scratch

*** UPDATE ***
You may want to refer to the following updated post instead.
R4DS Initial Setup: Updated
*** END OF UPDATE ***

Your Ad Here

I've recently had problems with our R4DS. I've managed to get it back up again from scratch. I hope this guide helps people out there who wanted to rebuild/reimage their own R4DS from scratch as well...

Requirements:

* Your microSD - the bigger the capacity, the better;
* USB reader for the microSD (either using the mirco-SD to SD adapter and USB card reader or the MicroSD USB reader would do);
* Revolution for DS (R4DS)

Note: This guide is strictly for R4DS. M3 Simply is similar but I cannot guarantee that the steps would be the same. If someone can test using the steps here with the M3 Simply, please confirm then let us know the results.

Step 1: Install System Files.
Download the latest system files from the official R4DS website http://www.r4ds.com. As of this writing, the latest is Kernel update version 1.18.

Unzip the contents -- expecially the _system_ folder, _DS_MENU.DAT, and _DS_MSHL.NDS -- into the root directory of the microSD.

Step 2: Update MoonShell.
Depending on the version of the system kernel you downloaded, it may or may not have Moonshell copied in there as well. Whatever the case, I suggest install/update the latest version of moonshell. Aside from playing games, Moonshell enables your DS to play media files.

Download the software from the following URL: http://mdxonlinemirror.dyndns.org/moonshell/files/

As of thiw writing, I downloaded the latest version which is "moonshell171p1_with_dpgtools131.zip"

Plugin your microSD reader into your PC/laptop.

Unzip then run the Setup.exe.

It will automatically detect the drive where the microSD is connected. Click OK.

Now for the moonshell setup part:
*Configuration Files: Select moonshl.ini (full) is copied.
* ROM Files: Select R4TF R4(DS) - Revolution for DS only.
* Other configs: up to you :)

Click OK then wait for the setup to finish.

You should see the file MoonShell_R4TF_M3Simply-R4DS (MicroSD Card).nds and moonshl folder in the root directory.


And that's all you need! Those are the bare minimum configurations required to have your R4DS functioning. For additional customizations, read on...


Optional Step: Install DSOrganize
DSOrganize is one of the most popular homebrew organizer application for the Nintendo DS. It provides a calendar, drawing pad, todo list, address book, and web browser. Almost like a PDA, but not quite.

Download the DSOrganize file from http://www.dragonminded.com/?loc=ndsdev/DSOrganize.

Unzip first into your hard drive.

Since we're using R4DS, download also Custome exec_stub.bin file from the same URL above.

Replace the exec_stub.bin file in the DSOrganize/RESOURCES directory.

Copy the entire DSOrganize folder and DSOrganize.nds file into the root directory of the microSD.

I haven't played much with the DSOrganize plugins yet. When I do, I'll post an update.


Optional Step: Using Custom Themes

First, it is important to know how the images are mapped to which files first. So here's the rough description:

logo.bmp - Bootup top screen image;
icons.bmp - Bootup bottom/touchscreen image (i.e., "Play", "Media", or "Slot2");
bckgrd_1.bmp - the browser top screen background image;
bckgrd_2.bmp - the browser bottom/touchscreen background image;
gbaframe.bmp - the border used for GameBoy Advanced (GBA) games (slot 2).

Hence, when using a theme, you need to rename the images to their corresponding filenames above. (You wouldn't want the top and bottom screen images on the wrong screen, would you?)

IMPORTANT: The files should be copied into the _system_ folder.

When creating images, take note that (1) the image size should be 256x192, and (2) the file format should be a 24bit Bitmap (BMP).

If you prefer downloading instead of creating your own, search the web. I suggest the site http://www.ndsthemes.com/.

That's all for now. I'll just make additional posts if needed. :)

Thanks for reading!

Countdown to a monster project!

Although it was not my intention, I let this blog hanging again for a week without any posts. :( Due to the big project I'm involved with, I didn't have enough time to spare to do much of anything except do my tasks and keeping my sanity intact...

Good news is, aside from one minor task (which hopefully I can delegate to the other project members who are free), all of the prep work that I needed to do is finished. That should give me enough room this week to do, among other things, blog, play and have fun!

Not that I'm not having fun during last week. For the first time in this job, the end of the week was rewarding for me; well, rewarding technically. I've managed to setup a server switch -- a Cisco Catalyst 6000 -- in the live/production network and is ready for use. Providing tech support or doing configurations on a lab setup is one thing; actually configuring it on your own in production is another.

Also, as I've said, I've been working hard to keep my brain still intact. I've been continuing my Baldur's Gate II game as well. I'm planning on using a different character next time I play it. Also, I have been beefing up Che's Nintendo Dual Screen (NDS). Thanks to youtube and internet, I've tweaked the R4DS. Maybe I'll post a separate entry for the NDS customization.

Here's hoping to a smooth week!

High Score in Ouendan!

After weeks of practice, Che got the S Rank! Now, unless the world shifted overhight, I think S rank is great! I think this is the "Over the Distance" stage (the one with the ghost guy).

Weird thing, though, is that I can't find this when I review the saved stats... ???

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depends on how you look at it LOL!), I am now becoming an DS "convert". Actually, more of an Ouendan convert! Hahaha...

Ah what the hell... Linda Linda! Linda Linda Linda-aaaaahh! It's one the songs in there and the only lyrics that I can repeat the first time I heard it! LOL!

Rock on!

NDS Lite Surprise!

Actually, I've posted this already in Che's blog earlier. :) I always wanted to get one of the handhelds, I just don't know which one to pick. Since Che made it explicitly clear that she wanted to buy the DS in the future, that's when I decided that "OK, NDS it is."

Che liked Mario Kart DS and Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! I like New Super Mario Bros. Now I know exactly what the Red-White, Green-White, Blue-White, and Yellow-Red mushrooms do! :)

Now, I'm looking for other DS games to get. Any suggestions?? Pretty please?!? Hehe :)