Looks like we were wrong in thinking that Infantile Paralysiser's MoonShell v1.6 "final beta 2" was indeed final. Yep, there's a new one yet again, and this time, it's the final beta 3.

So, what's different with this one? Well, this version could actually be used with "M3Simply/R4/SCDS/EZ5." Apart from that, the disk driver has been changed completely, and there is that possibility that the adaptor that has worked wouldn't. Hmmm... is that to say that we can expect a "final beta 4" next time around?

Anyhow, another important thing to note is that the Start NDSROM file name was changed. The folder name '/shell' has also been changed to '/moonshl', while the file name 'global.ini' was changed to 'moonshl.ini.'

And while there's no change in the main body of MoonShell, there are several things changed and added to it. Check it out:

DLDI driver

• changed: To add the boot loader, the driver for G6 changed
• added: dlms_moon.dldi DSLink (microSD Card)
• added: m3cf_moon.dldi M3 Adapter (Compact Flash)
• added: mmcf_moon.dldi Max Media Dock (Compact Flash)
• added: scsd_moon.dldi SuperCard (SD Card)

Confirmed DLDI driver

• MPCF, M3CF, EZSD(EZ4Lite), DLMS, EWSD, SCCF, SCSD, NMMC, nsd2, G6FL(G6Normal/G6Lite), M3SD(M3OldPro/M3NewPer/M3NewPro/M3Lite), R4TF(M3Simply-R4DS).

Unconfirmed DLDI driver

• EZSD(EZ4MiniSD/EZ4LiteCompact/EZ4LiteDeluxe), MMCF, MPSD, NJSD, SCDS, M3SD(M3NormalSD/M3OldPer).

Failed DLDI driver

• EZ5S, AKFS.

What are you waiting for? Try it out and let Infantile Paralysiser know of your feedbacks. It's never a waste of time to try out a great app!

Download: [Moonshell v1.6 final beta 3]

SNEmulDS, an SNES emulator for DOS and linux partially based on SNEmul, has been updated by its developer to v0.3 alpha. According to Archeide this is only a preview release (and not the real release) although it has several very real, new features:

• Sound support using PocketSPC engine (thanks to gladius). The sound is not very good yet because of bad synchronising
• Improved stylus support
• Max Media support (use SNEmulDS_maxmedia)
• SPC jukebox lets you listen to your favorite music while playing another game with better sound quality than with the real sound emulation

To install and use SNEmulDS v0.3 alpha requires a card reader (like M3, Supercard, G6, etc.) and a passkey/passcard:

• Create a SNES directory in the root directory of your card
• Put all your SNES ROMs in this directory
• Launch the SNEmulDS.ds in your ROM launcher
• A list should appear displaying all the SNES ROMs
• Tap on the desired game and press START to launch the game

The download file includes a readme file which you should always read before installing any application, homebrew or otherwise.

Download: [SNEmulDS v0.3 alpha]

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UPDATE: Archeide has returned with a beta update for the preview SNEmulDS v0.3. What's important is that, while alpha's save feature wasn't working properly, archeide was able to restore a simpler save function in beta thatshould work for all devices that support saving. Other changes he implemented are larger items in all file selections and a back button in the Select ROM selection.

Download: [SNEmulDS v0.3 beta]

The Colecovision is one ancient gaming console. So ancient that I myself don't have any recollection of seeing one at home. All I know is that I remember playing that fun penguin game [points to above picture] when I was a kid. Well, sentiments aside, we're still happy that emulators of the present still revive the past.

The last time we've heard about alekmaul's ColecoDS was way back in August. And back then, he hit the third spot from the top of  the NDS apps for the Neoflash Summer Coding Competition 2006. Now, his homebrew Coleco emulator is up at version 1.1 and it's gotten more support. Here's what he's been able to do so far:

• Add NinjaDS support (tested) and Max Media, EZ4 (not tested)
• Add G6Lite support with GBFS

He's asking for you guys to report any bugs and other issues, and if you do, he even promises to put your name into the "Special Thanks" screen in the next version.

Download: [ColecoDS v1.1]

Neil Millstone and the rest of the ScummVM team, aims for perfection through the tedious but result yielding process of trial and error. Just a few days after making the announcement that ScummVM DS v0.9.1beta1 is open for testing, he's following it up with beta number two.

Just like everyone else, the developers are also hoping for less bugs this time around.

Changelog:

• Max Media Dock Support
• Fix to Zip file reader
• Replaced SCSD driver with original version
• Re-added MP3 support

We'll all arrive at the perfect emulator that can play Lucasarts' back catalog of point and click adventure games on modern computers, by being involved in the project. So, after trying their creation out, let them know what you think through the comments section.

Download: [ScummVM DS v0.9.1beta2 Binary]

After a significant long period of time of laying dormant, the ScummVM team has released DS v0.9.1beta1 for this interpreter that allows you to play Lucasarts' back catalog of point and click adventure games on modern computers up for testing.

M3 and SD devices got a driver's update, so no need to worry about compatibility anymore. A NinjaSD support has also been added. We'll have to wait until the next beta for Max Media Dock and G6 support to be present. If you're having some problems with this, please go back to using v0.61 instead.

Changelog:

• New Games Supported: Simon the Sorcerer 2 and Legend of Kyrandia
• Made the DS turn off when you quit a game
• Updated flash device drivers
• Added a 200% scale option for the zoomed view
• Change zoom range for the zoomed view so you can zoom right out
• Speed increase!
• Fixed crashing when saving in Beneath a Steel Sky
• Fixed inventory not appearing in Beneath a Steel Sky
• Fixed incorrect colours in frontend
• Made frontend more responsive

Look out for v0.9.1 after a month.

Download: [ScummVM DS v0.9.1beta1]

Our previous coverage told you about the latest upgrade to Max Media Player from Datel. With 1.2, MMP allowed for video playback support. 1.22 fixes some issues with the 1.2 to improve your mp3 and video playback experience.

As always, just grab the bootme.ds from the file, and move the file into your DS's boot directory, through whatever means you usually use to move stuff from the comp to the DS. Afterwards, restarting the DS will start up 1.22. Simple, no?

Here's the changelog for 1.22.

• Full native video and MP3 playback through Max Media Player
  
• Version 1.22 is a minor revision to 1.21 that fixes a bug with stereo MP3s being played back in mono. Use 1.22 to extend the functionality of the built in MP3 player to now support video playback, natively from within Max Media Player
• Updates in this version:
• Fixed stereo sound problem in 1.21
  
• All previous updates

Thanks a lot, badam for the tip!

Download: [Max Media Player 1.22]

After getting many requests from DSDoom fans, Brumi has updated DSDoom 1.0.0 for Max Media Dock. Upon its launch a few days ago, Brumi mentioned that you need to rename the "dsdoom_mmds.nds" to "bootme.nds", otherwise, you won't be able to run the game. In this updated version, you don't need the bootme-fix anymore, just launch it from within Max Media Player.

In addition, the developer also changed the working directory to /games/dsdoom, just so the files are organized.

Brumi also included several reminders:   

• READ the included "readme" for further details and installation instructions.

• "DSDoom 1.0.0 for Max Media Dock is only intended to be used with Datel's Max Media Dock". The modified version is not  compatible with any other homebrew device as it could mess up your data.

• Use the DSDoom 1.0.0 for Max Media Dock at your own risk.

Download: [Updated DSDoom 1.0.0 For Max Media Dock]

After some changes to the source code and with support from MisterSentient, developer Brumi got a version of DSDoom running with Max Media Player on a Max Media Dock (CF-Card). It's still in beta version though and the Moonshell Team implemented the MMD FAT code.

DSDoom is a port of PrBoom to the Nintendo DS. PrBoom is a version of Id Software's classic 3D PC shooter game, Doom.

To get DSDoom running, first download the DSDoom file then follow the installation instructions. Then grab the modified nds-file. Place all the files in the root-directory of your cf-card (including your wad-file). It's important to rename the "dsdoom_mmds.nds" to "bootme.nds", otherwise, you won't be able to run the game.

Download: [DSDoom 1.0.0]

Chishm has been at work on his libfat for months now, and finally he has the application ready for testing. This alpha version now fully supports Neoflash MK2/3, GBAMP CF, M3 CF, M3 SD, SC CF, and Flash Carts with unconfirmed support for Max Media Player/Dock and EFA2.

You'll need malloc for this libfat to work. As each page of this chishm creation takes about 550 bytes of memory, you'll need to use more pages for extra speed when randomly accessing files. A minimum of two cache pages is needed to operate this efficiently.

To install chishm's libfat, just extract the archive to your libnds directory so you should have /path/to/devkitpro/libnds/include/fat.h and /path/to/devkitpro/libnds/lib/libfat.a.

Chishm shares how this application can be used:

To use, you'll need to #include in the file where the library will be initialised, and #include in any source file that needs file access. In your makefile, add libfat to the list of libraries, before libnds. You'll also need to link in libnds. Eg:

Code:
LIBS   :=  -lfat -lnds9

In your program initialisation code, add a call to fatInitialise. The first parameter specifies the size of the sector cache in pages and the second parameter determines if this is to be the default file driver. For 4 cache pages and setting this as the default I/O device, use:

Code:
if (fatInitialise(4, true)) {
    // Success
} else {
    // Failure
}

Directory listing is not yet available in this app as DevKitPro r19a - which is needed to run libfat - does not have this functionality.

Download: [chishms' libfat Alpha Version]