We all know that there is an option on the Wii's Mii Channel to connect it to the DS. What we didn't know is that it's been lying asleep in the Wii's Mii Channel firmware right from the very start! See this cool discovery after the jump.

Now we all know the real issue over multiplayer on your "homebrewed" Quake is that there's usually no one to play against. The pre-defined servers are usually empty. The only way to get around that hassle was if you had the opportunity to create your own server and connect to it. Passa91 from YouTube has sent us an email saying that he has figured out a way to do just that, and he's even documented a how-to into a video. View it below:

Cross platform multiplayer, homebrew style! Of course, the big hurdle is that you have to have a wireless network installed locally for it to work. A wireless LAN card or a wireless access point wired to the PC server is bare minimum. Server and network settings might be a problem, too. The PSP homebrew game used in the video is a continuation of Peter Mackay and Chris Swindle's work on Quake for PSP. And it reached version 2, complete with infrastructure mode for connecting to servers.

On the other hand, the DS would require its own version of the open-sourced Quake (the one by Simon Hall), and of course, a homebrew enabled DS. Both releases provided below will have the ability to connect to servers via infrastructure mode, thus allowing you to connect to the server.

And just in case you don't have a copy of GLQuake, WinQuake or a retail version of Quake, you can attempt the procedure with the shareware version (available at any Quake fan site or major download site). Just don't forget to run a dedicated server - listen servers seem to have serious lag issues. And do not forget to go through the Readmes of the homebrew versions for complete installation procedures and proper warnings.

Download: Quake for PSP v2.0
Download: Quake DS pre-release 2

 After the creation of the solar-powered Wii station, TwitchGuru responded to a request to build a solar-powered DS Lite, and as such has produced it. Many people commented on the solar-powered Wii Station that was created by Tom's Hardware Guide and even requested a solar-powered DS Lite to be created, and as such, one has been created.

Taking no more than a slightly modified cell phone solar-powered charger and a DS Lite, TwitchGuru has modified their DS Lite to run solely off of the power produced by the Sun. Many were agitated that the device would be running off of battery power and will be recharged with solar energy, however this modified DS is solely powered off of solar energy.

With two solar panels, closely the same size as the NDS Lite folded out, the modified DS folds up into a nice small package not much longer than its original size. You can attach the solar panels however you would like but this modified DS features it attached to the top of the DS Lite's top screen and seems to balance out just fine. Now all we need is a sun-friendly Nintendo DS as it's not pleasant to play in the sunlight with any product that features a LCD. You can view the instructions after the jump and watch the video via the link below -

Watch: [Tom's Workshop Video]

 

No one likes getting ripped off with fake stuff, especially if you think you're paying for the real thing. This is especially true for gamers looking for imports and rarities. Pocket Gamer UK has an informative article up that adds even more tips for telling a fake DS game from a real one.

For one thing, they advise caution when purchasing items on eBay. The collapse of Lik-Sang brought many pirates to peddling their wares on eBay to get in on the action. One thing you have to remember is that if it's too cheap, there's a good chance you're looking at a fake.

Also, the packaging is important. Check the front to see if the sticker matches up. In the above pic, the cutoff on the bottom left corner is more rounded on the fake. Inspect the back of the cartridge for the patent pending AND an individually printed number beneath it. Also, note that authentic carts have indented backs rather than smooth ones.

Lastly, read the manual. The manuals are the last things people check, so pirates don't really take to making good manuals. In any case, you should ask for those sorts of pictures from any prospective seller before placing a bet to lessen the chances of picking up fakes, and you may want to check your current games, just in case someone messed with your cartridges without your knowledge.

Jaeden Amero has updated his Introduction to Nintendo DS Programming, which is a manual for all you wannabe DS homebrew developers out there. The manual covers topics important to the homebrew community, such as the legality of homebrew and the politics behind it, displaying backgrounds on both screens, sprites and some aspects of game mechanics.

According to the author, Introduction to Nintendo DS Programming v4.0 features a brand new section on VRAM exploration in the manual's Appendix A. The section includes VRAM usage and layout. If you're having problems with designing 2D graphics engine, this manual version would be a lot of help. Aside from that, Introduction to Nintendo DS Programming v4.0 has an updated page layout for easier reading.

Download: [Introduction to Nintendo DS Programming v4.0]

Painting your DS Lite is a good way to show your individuality, but it's just so easy to mess up. That's why replacement cases are really popular these days. You can just pick out a design or color that you like, and if you have the money, you're pretty much good to go. The only hard thing about it is the actual case replacement part. Not all of us are good with their hands, and sometimes the sheer thought of taking a screwdriver to your DS Lite and taking it apart when you're not a Nintendo-certified DS Lite tech is enough to make some people break down with fear and guilt.

Alright, we're exaggerating. Maybe. Who knows, there really might be people like that out there in the wide blue yonder.

Right. Going back to the topic, we're here to talk about replacement cases. Project SHOCK!, in case you haven't read our earlier report, is a full replacement DS Lite case project that, according to their website, aims to "provide gamers with an alternative to the original colors, as well as function as a repair part for destroyed DS Lite cases." In order to make their customers' lives easier they have also made an installation tutorial for their replacement cases. The tutorial is chock-full of photos (actually, it's pretty much made up of nothing BUT photos) to make it easier to understand.

Click on the 'read' link below to check out the full tutorial.

We looked at this and thought two things. Our first thought was: this might be a lot of effort just to play a Nintendo DS demo. Our second thought was: this gives your average DS users a chance to see and try out what only journalists and a select few get to try during conventions and conferences. You see, at Nintendo demos and other conferences, demos are transmitted from servers to let the journalists and guests try out games for free. This how-to shows you how to turn your own computer into that kind of server so you can transmit your downloaded DS demos to your own DS.

A word of caution: it writes over your Wi-Fi card's driver with something else (so you'll need to reinstall your driver if you want to go back to "normal" things like accessing the Internet).

Don't do these steps unless you have your original install disk for your card that has the original drivers for your card (that's usually the CD or floppy that came with your card). These steps will replace your card's driver with a customized driver that will let you communicate with your DS. If you want your card to go back to accessing your home network or working on the Internet, you will need to reinstall your original driver. Therefore, don't even think about doing these next steps until you have found your card's original disks so you can reinstall your original drivers if anything should go wrong.

Head down below for the instructions!

If you love your DS but you don't want to be part of the sea of mass produced black,white, crystal and pink, why not do what an unidentified DS owner did to his Nintendo handheld. He took it and turned it into an expression of his individuality using nothing more than paint and his creativity. You can say whatever you want about this blue and green masterpiece. One thing is for sure. It's a one-in-a-zillion DS. There's no other DS on this planet that looks like it. However, before you do your own modding, we strongly suggest you practice on something else first (or use washable paint).

The PSP scene has been seeing numerous contests this summer leaving the NDS with only a few. However, this contest caught my eye the second I saw it. The reason why this caught my attention was because it was not a usual developing contest. This is rather a tutorial/F.A.Q contest. The goal is to create a tutorial on anything relating to the NDS. These tutorials can range from comprehensive F.A.Q's, to basic tutorials on how to modify your NDS to look pretty. If you can do it for the NDS, and you can write a tutorial, this contest is for you. I, hopefully, will be entering this contest so I would like all the competition I could get!

The main prize, well, I have saved the best for last. The ultimate prize in this contest is a brand new NDS Lite. There are several other prizes you can pick from. You can view all the prizes and regulations below -

[Below rules/prizes have been copied from SCDeV Forums]

Rules

1. You can add pictures and videos to your faq but TEXT is a must. Dont just make a video, write all the steps out aswell incase the video or pictures ever get deleted/lost we will still have the text.
2. You MUST reply here with what your going to write your FAQ over. Once someone has choosen a topic no one else can choose that topic. IF YOU SAY YOUR GOING TO DO ONE PLEASE DO IT. Please dont say your going to do a topic and then not do it as that takes a topic away from being used by someone else.
3. DON'T USE SOMEONE ELSES WORK. If it is determined you copied your FAQ from a previous one already out on the net, you will be disqualified.
4. 1 entry per person. This makes sure 1 person doesn't hog up 5 topics,lol.

Prizes

There will be 5 winners choosen. Prizes will work like this, 1st place winner gets there 1st choice of the prizes, 2nd place gets to choose from the list thats left over, 3rd get to choose from whatever 1st and 2nd didnt choose,ect. The prize pool is:

1x Brand New DS Lite
3x Superkeys
Bundle that includes all of the following: 1x Supercard CF, 1x CF card, 1x Passkey2 with Metroid Demo

The people behind the Nintendo DS app, FlashMe, has updated their creation to v7. If you aren't familiar with this one, it is an alternative firmware for your Nintendo DS and as of now, it is a hacked version of the original firmware.

You already knew all that by now. But this might be something new and interesting to you: This version of Flashme could also be used for the DS Lite. The tutorial below comes with a disclaimer! Lynx, the creator, said that "the use of PassMe/NoPass/FlashMe is at your own risk! This device does NOT allow you to run copyrighted applications. It is for homebrew development only! Natrium42, DarkFader, Lynx, Loopy, Costis and anyone else that helped make this available are not responsible for any damage it may cause to you, your Nintendo DS-Lite, or anything else it comes in contact with. What's this mean? If you fry your DS, NO ONE is going to buy you a new one. You have been warned. Again, use at your own risk!" Clear enough.

The first thing you do is download the installation file. Write it to your GBA Flash Cart or in Lynx's case, he wrote it to his GBA Movie Player. He also reminds you that, although you will be downloading FlashMe.nds, it does not require you to add a header. This .nds file will work just as it is on a GBA Flash Cart OR GBA MP, etc. The video of installing the FlashMe on the DS Lite is provided below, but if you want the step by step procedures you can go on to Lynx instructions here.