Nintendo Blocks Flash Carts With DSi Software Update

[Logan Westbrook]

Nintendo Blocks Flash Carts With DSi Software Update

Nintendo steps out of the courts and takes the fight against DS pirates to cyberspace.

A new firmware update for the Nintendo DSi has apparently blocked a number of flash carts from working with the device. The Nintendo site [http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/dsi/en_na/systemMenuFeatures.jsp] says that the 1.4.1U update provides the "behind-the-scenes improvements to system performance," which reportedly includes preventing the use of some of the most popular brands of flash carts.

Nintendo has released multiple updates for the Wii in order to combat the use of homebrew and pirated software, but this is the first update for the DSi in over a year. Nintendo's tactic for the DSi has been to appeal to courts, and has won a number of lawsuits in Japan [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89792-Japan-Makes-DS-R4-Card-Illegal], Australia [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/98409-Nintendo-Wins-R4-Lawsuit-in-Australia] and Europe [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102411-R4-Cartridges-Declared-Illegal-in-the-U-K] either seeking to ban the sale of flash cartridges, or to seek compensation against people selling them.

Most flash cartridges can load firmware updates of their own, so this block is only a temporary solution at best, but considering the massive impact Nintendo claims piracy has on DS software sales - it blamed a drop of nearly 50 percent in European sales on piracy - any reprieve is likely to be welcomed.

Source: Tiny Cartridge [http://tinycartridge.com/post/1086140688/new-dsi-update-released-flashcarts-blocked]


Permalink

 

[Motakikurushi]

Yes, because we can't possibly have a price-drop on the most successful handheld console of all time, which continues to rake in money despite the same design being re-released 3 times with no significant changes to the quality of the console itself and very few decent exclusives being released at all. I've also noticed that a huge majority of homebrew users resort to hacking their Wii because it's so utterly boring and terrible they need to find some way of making it useful, and it provides a small incentive for their nintendo consoles to still exist.

 

[Ewyx]

So the 50% drop number was pulled out of their asses as with all piracy loss numbers?

 

[Dr Bob]

Interesting; Nintendo actually releasing post-launch support for their hardware.

If only my DS Lite could receive such support!

 

[Uber Waddles]

Yes, because we can't possibly have a price-drop on the most successful handheld console of all time, which continues to rake in money despite the same design being re-released 3 times with no significant changes to the quality of the console itself and very few decent exclusives being released at all. I've also noticed that a huge majority of homebrew users resort to hacking their Wii because it's so utterly boring and terrible they need to find some way of making it useful, and it provides a small incentive for their nintendo consoles to still exist.

Someones a Nintendo hater...

You criticize a console for selling? Notice that the article says SOFTWARE, and nothing about the HARDWARE. The only thing even remotely CLOSE to mentioning hardware is the fact that there was a firmware update; nothing was said about the prices.

But lets tackle your little rant. Yes, it was released multiple times (DS, DSLite, DSi, DSiXL), but thats how Nintendo has ALWAYS done their handhelds. If you wait for the re-release of the console, they will usually incorperate features that people deem useful. Personally, for a handheld, I found my original DS a bit bulky. After one too many drops, I decided to spend the money on the DSLite, which was a much slimmer, portable model, that fixed the lighting issues. The DSi allowed users to use a memory stick for extra features, and the DSiXL gave people a hand-held console for people who don't plan to take the DS with them.

As for no excluse games, are you serious? I guess those Nintendo IP's that rake in major money (Ya know, Pokemon, Zelda, Mario, Metroid) havent had any installments on the DS...

( http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/100568-Pokemon-HeartGold-SoulSilver-Sell-8-4-Million )

Hmm... Well, its good they dont have any exclusive titles. Like The World Ends with You, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Dragon Quest, Mario and Luigi, those Brain Age games that are insanely popular with the elderly...

As for the Wii, do you have any actual proof to back up your claims? I would like to see the actual numbers of people who's ONLY reason to have their Wii is for homebrew. Because, God knows NO one could find ANY Wii game fun because you can't. And its not like some person flaming a company would COMPLETELY pull facts out of their ass. That would be silly.

Ignoring obvious troll now, NINTENDO. On that note, I'd have to say its a pretty valiant effort, but kinda wasted. If the Flashcarts can run their own firmware, a firmware update isn't going to do anything. Not to mention, the user doesnt HAVE to download the update. Personally, I dont play my DS Online anymore (my router wont allow me to and I lost my USB connector sadface single tear). While I dont pirate, if I did, what would be stopping me from just not using the online features?

While attempts to stop piracy, even if its only for a few weeks or so, is a reasonable thing to do. However, its also a waste of money when it turns rather futile in the end. Creative DRM is the way Nintendo (look at the dev who made that dating sim that made the girls reject you if you pirated it. Stuff like THIS is good).

 

[Cabisco]

If it helps stop piracy, i'm all for it. Though I would have prefered the update to make those flash cards explode, but ahh well I suppose this is more humane.

I do wonder though, how many people actually use the DSI or handhelds in general online, I don't know any personally.

 

[Danpascooch]

Yes, because we can't possibly have a price-drop on the most successful handheld console of all time, which continues to rake in money despite the same design being re-released 3 times with no significant changes to the quality of the console itself and very few decent exclusives being released at all. I've also noticed that a huge majority of homebrew users resort to hacking their Wii because it's so utterly boring and terrible they need to find some way of making it useful, and it provides a small incentive for their nintendo consoles to still exist.

It's one thing to pirate, that's not alright but it's understandable (I might have dabbled a bit in it) it's another thing to think you're entitled to it, or it's not wrong.

If you want to pirate, fine, I understand, but don't act like you deserve the games for free, because you don't

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Piracy seems to be quite a problem with handhelds now. Flash Cards are everywhere and when you can download a game for free in half an hour with a good connection and virtually no repercussions I'm not surprised. I went into a computer shop looking for a new keyboard and saw a selection of Flash Cards sitting in a display case. I'm surprised that they had the guts to openly sell, now illegal, goods.

I haven't bought a PSP game since Vice City Stories however many years ago that was, but I still despair that a good console is being so badly hurt due to piracy.

 

[V8 Ninja]

Is this really that big of news? It's just an update to stop piracy. It's not a game-changer in the piracy wars.

 

[njsykora]

I came expecting a thread full of people who were going to try and justify their piracy and I'm surprised at how even it is. Anything that's done to keep flashcards from working is a good thing to me, I have no doubt that it's not affecting Nintendo's own franchises that much but it's got to be hurting some of the better games on the format. Ya' know, the ones that supposed hardcore gamers want (Trauma Center before it went to the Wii, The World Ends With You, Dementium etc) that never sell because everyone's just 'trying them out' on their flashcards.

 

[Sixties Spidey]

Ten minutes later: Homebrew community bypasses latest DSi Software Update.

So much for that, eh chaps? I bought the flash cards to play homebrew games on it, not to *ahem* "try them out."

 

[Gsmoove]

As someone once said, "all pirates are just dissatisfied customers."

 

[Cabisco]

If it helps stop piracy, i'm all for it. Though I would have prefered the update to make those flash cards explode, but ahh well I suppose this is more humane.

Oh yeah, like that wouldn't be a PR nightmare. I don't care if they steal shit, blowing their hands off means you will never get the money out of them, and they will sue your ass for your unwarranted destruction of their property, (anything they might be close to), damage to their person, (I'm sure they didn't need their fingers) oh and let's not forget that doing that is most certainly vigilantism. Trust me, if they want to do anything, just let them make the 3DS sooner and maybe they could restrict sales of a flashcart for it before it hits shelves.
and before you go "chill it's a joke" no, it was stupid, and the many children I know (by children I mean kids about 10 to 12) who have flashcarts most certainly do not deserve to be harmed, even if they are technically "thieves".

But it was a joke, and I wholeheartedly believe your overeacting massively.

However that being said, If I offended you in anyway I do apologise as I didn't intend to and did mean it as a joke (something you yourself picked up on).

OT: Still, anything to curb piracy is a plus if this update does this good for nintendo, though I do still wonder how effective it will be, with a large majority of handheld gamers not really going online.

 

[Megacherv]

Yes, because we can't possibly have a price-drop on the most successful handheld console of all time, which continues to rake in money despite the same design being re-released 3 times with no significant changes to the quality of the console itself and very few decent exclusives being released at all. I've also noticed that a huge majority of homebrew users resort to hacking their Wii because it's so utterly boring and terrible they need to find some way of making it useful, and it provides a small incentive for their nintendo consoles to still exist.

You. Stop with the douchebaggery.

OT:

Well, you'd only have the download the update if you went online with it right?

And the DS' online really only used to play 3 games.

Pokemon, Metroid Prime Hunters, and Mariokart.

I do love me a good match of Hunters, though.

So, this really doesn't matter at all.

Actualy, the stuff he/she said about the Wii is sort of right, since it's why I soft-modded mine, can't beat a bit of Quake on there.

Ten minutes later: Homebrew community bypasses latest DSi Software Update.

So much for that, eh chaps? I bought the flash cards to play homebrew games on it, not to *ahem* "try them out."

In fact, it's instant, as one card (which I won't name) has a built-in processor that can automatically bypass protection, which I have one of, but I have a DSLite anyway.

 

[Dr. HeatSync]

Yes, because we can't possibly have a price-drop on the most successful handheld console of all time, which continues to rake in money despite the same design being re-released 3 times with no significant changes to the quality of the console itself and very few decent exclusives being released at all. I've also noticed that a huge majority of homebrew users resort to hacking their Wii because it's so utterly boring and terrible they need to find some way of making it useful, and it provides a small incentive for their nintendo consoles to still exist.

I think this post should better be interpreted that a price drop would convince more people to buy one. I can't help but feel he is right; there have been very few differences between the latest models of the DS, and there are few titles worth getting on both platforms. The 3DS will change that of course but right now the differences are pretty much moot. Maybe he didn't say it in the nicest possible way but perhaps people here should be more open-minded rather than quick to jump on the hate-wagon and assume he's a pirate.

OT: not much of a revelation since Nintendo has finally discovered firmware updates and with some luck in the future, normal maps and HD. Its inevitable that pirates will combat this update and then Nintendo update the firmware and so on.

Imo I feel it is better to entice than it is to threaten. Have no mercy on the people who sell or download excessively, sure, but for the guy with a 2.2mbps connection going to college, going RIAA on his ass might be a bit too harsh just because he wanted to play Puyo Pop or something. Steam sales work, so why not take inspiration from that? But I suppose companies do what they should do, and it makes sense to attempt to stop it.

 

[BeholdMyGlory]

Well that sucks. I really don't like how Nintendo is treating the homebrew community. There are a lot of quality homebrew applications out there for the DS that people have spent a lot of time on, and now Nintendo are shutting the whole community out. Note that I'm not talking about piracy, not at all, but rather indie devs who have created software in their own free time and released for free. Mostly people who just like to work on these kind of things, often open source communities, but also people who have simply been unable to use the official DS SDK, which Bob's Game is an example of.