Rumor: Nintendo to offer flash cards for Game Boy downloads

by Justin McElroy { Oct 25th 2007 at 9:05AM }

You might remember that yesterday we linked to a rumor-rich story that Animal Crossing could be going the MMO route. While we still have no idea on the validity of that, buried within that story was the equally interesting (and equally rumored) nugget that Nintendo would be releasing a DS flash card designed so Nintendo could sell Game Boy and Game Boy Color games though some sort of download service.

As you know, GB and GBC carts do not work in the DS, because, scientifically speaking, they would look stupid, so we're happy to see some of the classics become available. That said, the big question (just after "Is this actually happening?") is how much we'll be paying. As we've learned, where Nintendo's concerned, nostalgia can often come at a premium.

[Via DSF]

Tags: flashcards, gameboy, nintendods

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

FrankTheCrank @ Oct 25th 2007 9:32AM

I so want a black DS Lite. My white one, bought at launch, is getting tired. And the touch screen is off a bit. Calibration doesn't seem to help. Time to eBay it!

zwarrior @ Oct 25th 2007 9:45AM

Ebay: One man's trash is another one's treasure... until they found out the item is a lot worst than its description

Karen @ Oct 25th 2007 10:14AM

I just traded in my launch white with cracked hinge last week at EB Games in Canada. They had a sale on new DS for $109.99 and a trade in credit deal of $100 on new hardware. So for 9.99 I got a new Black DS. I've never been that satisfied leaving an EB before after trading something in. The sale is over now though.

jpn @ Oct 25th 2007 9:33AM

Cool. But why not offer a slimmed down GBA slot flash card? You'd think they could fit more memory, but I know nothing about either of those types of media/media slots. Plus it would enable you to just leave it in there 24/7 instead of switching it out all the time...put that slot to good use...

fischju @ Oct 25th 2007 3:43PM

They would have to run in DS mode to have enough power, and you can't run GBA flash carts in DS mode without a slot 1 or modified firmware

Adam Zey @ Oct 26th 2007 2:10PM

Unless, you know, Nintendo updated the firmware, because it is, after all, their device. Homebrew flash cards need a slot-1 passme or firmware solution not because the DS can't execute ARM9 code from slot-2, but because it doesn't normally allow it.

That said, the ARM7 processor does, in fact, have enough performance (even in GBA mode, where it runs at 16.7MHz) to emulate a GB/GBC. There are many homebrew GB/GBC emulators for the GBA.

However, there is little reason to go that route. Space for flash chips is not an issue in slot-1 carts. Consider that microSD cards, which I believe are available in up to 8GB capacity currently, are many times smaller than a DS cart. You could fit perhaps 12 such flash cards into the space of a DS cart. Most slot-1 homebrew solutions actually have a microSD slot *INSIDE* the ds cart, a slot within a slot if you will.

Considering how much space GB/GBC games take up (almost nothing), and considering how it would be theoretically possible to fit dozens of gigabytes in something the size of a DS cart, I really don't see any problem here. Even though most people put 1GB or 2GB in their slot-1 homebrew carts, Nintendo could probably do just fine with something like 32MB. After all, Gameboy games topped out at 8mbit (1 megabyte), so even 32MB of flash memory, which costs pennies, would store 32 games.

Timo710 @ Oct 25th 2007 9:44AM

This would only work if they would keep the profit lying on the sales of the flash cards, making the games available for free. Also, it won't get to big if it doesn't have GBA games on it...

Ninty probably has the plans laying somewere in a stack of paper, and probably will never use it...

mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Oct 25th 2007 12:31PM

They could also give away the cart for free and make the money off the games.

Psaakyrn @ Oct 25th 2007 9:54AM

I vote unlikely. Too hard to ensure security. (though granted, there are already existing illegal methods of getting roms to play on the DS currently, or the PSP and other portables (PDAs, smart phones...) for that matter.

Adam Zey @ Oct 26th 2007 2:15PM

Why is it any harder than it is now? Make it a closed system; flash cart goes in DS, downloads happen direct from Nintendo through an encrypted tunnel, no direct read/write access to the flash from any other device (like a computer), and do code signing so that only signed (and encrypted, while we're at it) code can run.

At that point, any successful crack of the system would be so involved that you might as well just use a homebrew flash cart.

That and the fact that a small amount of flash (say, 32MB, which is enough for roughly 30 to 1000 games, which range in size from 32KB to 1MB) wouldn't be terribly useful for much else.

Martin @ Oct 25th 2007 9:56AM

I'd buy it if it was reasonably priced. Current flash carts for the DS lack any real GB/GBC support, and there were plenty of games from that era that I'd love to play through again.

Erwos @ Oct 25th 2007 9:56AM

Seems believable, yet I would expect something more along the lines of:

1. You buy the flashcard for the DS. The flashcard has a basic "hook up to Wii, wait for ROM(s) to be sent" functionality, along with the appropriate emulators.

2. You buy some games on Wii VC.

3. You can select "sync to my DS" on the Wii, and it'll send game(s) to the flashcard on the DS.

4. Enjoy!

Bonus points if Nintendo can make at least some NES, SMS, SNES, TG-16, and Genesis games sync to the card, too. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Oct 25th 2007 10:18AM

They'd get more that bonus points for pulling that off.

They'd get the internet.

And money.

Adam Zey @ Oct 26th 2007 2:25PM

The DS and Wii both have wireless capabilities. There's no reason to go through the Wii, as the DS can/could access the internet directly and display a store on-screen. Alternatively, the DS could connect to the Wii and use it as a sort of gateway. But there's no need for any sort of physical hookup.

Bustahwolf @ Oct 25th 2007 9:57AM

Using a GBA flash card does seem like a nice idea, I'm definitely one of the DS users that rarely places anything in that port. But I have a bad feeling that would cost us in the end.

I doubt that Nintendo's manufacturers are set up for any major production of GBA cards anymore, and would probably have to reallocate resources, factory space, and man-hours to do so. That sounds to me like a required cost increase on the end product to compensate for the loss in DS card production.

If they make a nice cheap, not-to-big DS card for gameboy downloads (could anyone possibly need more than a gigabit of memory for this!?), I may be interested. So long as game downloads don't cost any more than getting an NES game on the VC.

Adam Zey @ Oct 26th 2007 2:25PM

Three points:

1) The DS carts support more than one gigabit; there are already 2 gigabit games out.

2) You can easily stick multiple gigaBYTES of capacity into a ds cart. Observe solutions such as the R4DS, which use a microSD slot to allow a ds-sized cart to hold up to 4GB. And it can't use the higher capacity cards just because it lacks an SDHC controller, not because of space limits.

3) GB games topped out at 1MB in size. Even one gigabit could store more than a hundred GB games.

Andrew Beeken @ Oct 25th 2007 10:04AM

Well, I believe that the official DS MP3 player (Play Yan?) actually uses a SD card reader that plugs into the GBA slot. This idea could, theoretically, be used for the GB/GBC games.

Buy a kit which comes with the reader, DS "launcher" software card, maybe a 256Mb SD card with something like Tetris preloaded. The SD card goes into the front of the Wii. Games are downloaded via the VC, can be transferred to the SD card (would be sweet if they could also be played on the TV, but I'm not holding my breath), SD card goes into reader, the whole lot goes into the DS and - well, job done...

Bustahwolf @ Oct 25th 2007 10:32AM

Whoa, I completely missed that item's existence until you mentioned it. You're right, it's called Play Yan. I'd never consider using up my DS battery on playing audio, but that looks like a great platform for this rumor.

Chris @ Oct 25th 2007 10:12AM

The thing that sucks about Nintendo rumors are, that unlike Microsoft and Sony rumors, Nintendo rumors are never true.

You'll hear, Rumor: 40GB PS3 coming with price drop. Then a few days later Sony confirms it. With Nintendo you'll hear, Rumor: DS able to download GB games, along with holographic projector that takes a part of your soul and digital imprints it into the game, and it runs on the tears of kittens. And then it never happens.....

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Oct 25th 2007 10:20AM

I LOL at tears of kittens.

+++ for you.

Antonio @ Oct 25th 2007 10:24AM

This will be helpful for me since I bought Wario Land 2 for the GBC and then accidentally put it in the same pocket as a big-ass magnet. :(

If they're gonna charge for games (and they are), they'd better be reasonable. $3 seems about right, unless we're talking a Link's Awakening-caliber game.

Dale @ Oct 25th 2007 10:34AM

Why don't they just re-purpose (and properly launch) the Nintendo MP3 Player?

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/22/nintendo-confirms-ds-mp3-player/

They could even enable Wii owners to download games to the SD card in their machine, then transfer the card to their DS to play them.

James @ Oct 25th 2007 11:22AM

I could do with something like this, Pokemon Crystal is going for a veritable fortune around here.

DangerMouse @ Oct 25th 2007 11:24AM

I would love to play older games on my DS, but shit, unless i can change the A/B button scheme Y/B button scheme, i'll pass. It's so hard to play GBA games using A and B. Why can't there be a stupid option to switch 'em. Nintendo pisses me off by making everything so retard friendly sometimes.

Sean @ Oct 25th 2007 11:58AM

That'd be pretty cool. Though, I imagine I'd download as many games as I've already downloaded off the VC (none).

ALH @ Oct 25th 2007 12:44PM

im not rebuying my old gb/gbc games when i have them here with me and a perfectly functional oldskool GBA to play em on.

that said, if nintendo ever thinks of collecting together all 3 gameboy zelda games and offering em together on one cart i wouldnt say no :)

Evan @ Oct 25th 2007 1:05PM

"As you know, GB and GBC carts do not work in the DS, because, scientifically speaking, they would look stupid"

The DS (and the Micro) lack the step-up voltage convertor to drive the GB's 5V cartridges (GBA carts are 3.3V).

Donald @ Oct 25th 2007 1:14PM

I expected something like this on the DS2, to be honest. But I still want some Mario Land 2 action.

And if they call it the Virtual Handheld, I'm going to punt a kitten.

Sean @ Oct 25th 2007 1:27PM

Pwease not the kittens. :-(

samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Oct 25th 2007 1:21PM

That would definitely be awesome. Especially if you can play them on your Wii, too.

t_m @ Oct 25th 2007 1:53PM

I've never understood why nintendo didn't embrace the idea of a flash card in the DS with open arms. it would be such a money-maker for them.
(though i guess they don't need another).

Through Wiis or Wi-Fi hotspots you could pay (iTunes style) to download:
- GB, GBA, NES, SNES, etc.. Games
- DS Demos & gametrailers
- Music
- Cartoons, Anime and other TV shows
etc..

53 Million DSs would jump them instantly into 2nd place in the portable mediaplayer market.

I knw security would be an issue, but surely they could lock it down pretty well? Heck, people can do all this already... they just have to use unofficial cards that allow them to play pirated games... official ones that didn't would be much better...

Luke @ Oct 25th 2007 2:18PM

I wish they would just add GB/GBC games to the Wii Shop channel. You could play your GB games on your TV back in the day with the SNES adaptor, why not let it happen again through the Virtual Console? Then use this special cartridge to download them from the Wii to your DS if you want to play them on the go. I'm sure they could create some sort of connection between the DS and Wii to allow a DS to only sync with one Wii at a time, if you want to resync, you have to dump all your existing games.

Still wouldn't prevent some amount of sharing, but maybe all the money from these long-dead revenue streams coming back would make up for that.

theron @ Oct 25th 2007 4:02PM

I think this has broader implications for the homebrew community. Here's to hoping these proposed flash cards are hackable.

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Oct 25th 2007 6:18PM

Only one title I miss on DS is Fire Emblem.

But now I have a Luminous Arc which isn't bad too.

What I'm trying to say that DS game library is very large already - adding GB games at this point of time wouldn't improve anything.

And all people who wanted GB games already got themselves unofficial Slot 2 flash cards for that purpose.

Well, but probably I would buy such card from Nintendo - just for Fire Emblem. I'm damn addicted to such games. ^_^

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Oct 25th 2007 6:22PM

Hm. Thought crossed my mind: probably Nintendo prepares to launch something similar to WiiWares for DS? Because otherwise such launch really makes little/no sence.

DS already has everything for downloadable games: own browser to connect to shop, wireless network. What is missing is storage device.