When DragonMinded released the Alpha version of DS Organize v2.7, he also released a disclaimer stating that the homebrew was far from polished. We'll be coming back today with an update, as DragonMinded releases the full version of DSOrganize v2.7.

Now, in case you're new to this, DSOrganize is best described as an organizer for the DS (hence the name), and carries features like a scribble pad, an image viewer, a music player, and even an HTML editor.

Listed below is part of the massive revisions DragonMinded's been working since 2.7 Alpha's release last March. Make sure to pore over this to see what's been changed, and the bundle's file README for further details. Enjoy the download!

• Massive overhaul to the sound system allowing for vastly superior sound:
• Modules are now played at 44100 instead of 22050 frequency.
• Wav files don't stutter anymore on higher bitrates.
• Oversampling for .mpa/mp2 files brought up to 2x.
• Oversampling for .mp3 files brought back to 4x (streams stay at 2x).
• Sped up .m4a/.m4b decoding so higher bitrates play.
• Oversampling for .aac files brought up to 2x (streams stay at 1x).
• Fixed slight skip heard in some .flac audio files.
• .nsf file are now played at 48000 isntead of 40000 frequency.
• Oversampling for .sid/spc/nsf files is now up to 2x.
• Fixed the weird echo issue with .spc files.
• Overhaul to the HBDB system allowing for much better databases:
• Changed the way that the HBDB sorts files, allowing for categories and more card types.
• Changed the way that the HBDB detects the dsorganize or root directories.
• Changed the downloader system to be more robust.
• Added simple web browser!
• Added eq meters to .flac and .m4a/m4b/aac files.
• Added left and right d-pad support to browser and web browser to act as page up and page down.
• Added ability to edit m3u and pls files on the fly in the text editor.
• Added chishm's DLDI loader to DSOrganize. This fixes booting on MMD.
• Added support for cellspacing/cellpadding in tables (mostly makes fark.com readable).
• Changed

Hexen: Beyond Heretic first haunted gamers back in 1995. It was an FPS game that features mythology-derived creatures and a trio-demon brothers known as the Serpent Riders. Actually, it was first ported to the DS August of last year. Rather in time for Halloween, developers Rich Whitehouse and Sektor update this hair-raising homebrew to v0.25.7z.

According to Sektor's site, much of the hard work was done by Rich and his participation includes adding support for more devices and modified the controls. While sound and touchscreen functions are now supported, the save game option still doesn't work. Saves are written to /data/hexen/ and trying to load them will result to error that reads: "Corrupt save game: Segment [108] failed alignment check."

Sektor added that the game needs the retail of hexen.wad and that it uses Chishm's libfat to read it. Accordingly, libfat is compatible with MK2/3, GBAMPCF, M3CF, M3SD, SCCF, SCSD and NinjaDS. Those who own a G6, EZ4Lite or a 256mbit flashcart will be needing the GBFS version (requires the .wad file to be attached to the .nds).

Another new feature is the special DS menu that allows for changing the gamma and other things such as level warp and cheat codes. Controls of HexenDS v0.25.7z are as follows:

• dpad to turn and move
• touch screen to look around
• A button fires
• Y button jumps
• L button cycles through inventory
• R button cycles through weapons
• X button uses objects (doors, switches)
• X button + dpad to strafe
• B button uses the selected inventory item
• Select brings up the menu and exits out of it (acts as escape)
• Start selects menu items, or toggles the automap when not in a menu
• X+Up/Down on dpad flies up/down while in fly mode

Download: [HexenDS v0.25.7z]

Just a few days after the last update, Neil Millstone (agentq) has again released a new version of ScummVM DS, bumping it up to v0.9.1 Beta 5. ScummVM DS, which is a port of the ScummVM PC app. ScummVM DS is a little piece of homebrew that - get this - lets you play those old LucasArts point-and-click PC games on your DS.

That's right folks, with ScummVM DS you can finally get to experience the purple menace in Day of the Tentacle all over again! And today's a perfect time to try that game out, seeing as how the main baddie there made it into this list of the 20 greatest bosses in videogame history.

Anyway, here's what's new in Beta 5:

• M3 Driver can now be enabled/disabled
• NinjaDS driver now works properly (tested)
• Fixed delay on startup
• Fixed long delay on starting Kyrandia

What're you waiting for? Click on the download link below to download ScummVM DS and start playing.

Download: [ScummVM DS v0.9.1 beta5]

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]

Ninjas stay in the shadows, and you won't even know they're there unless you're already facing them (which may be really bad). They have also influenced the passage of empires through assassinations and subterfuge. Supposedly, they no longer exist. We don't know if there are still any ninjas out there, but we do know a group who has acted in a "stealthy" manner for the last few months.

Enter Team Ninja. They are a group of people, dedicated to bringing their product to the Nintendo DS fans. The NinjaDS is an all-in-one NDS homebrew device like your usual flashcarts and adapters. It also functions as a Passkey and SD card Adapter. So there's less equipment to bring and more time to concentrate on playing. It's the Swiss-Knife of DS Homebrew. Available now at their website for 60 euros. And expect that this group will be coming up with a lot more for the homebrew community">homebrew community">homebrew community.

And although this is such a good thing for all DS fans, there are still some people who don't believe Team Ninja exists, that they are nothing but a hoax. Yes, as ninjas they've acted stealthily, but here's a video where you can actually see the ninjas' project in action. Watch the video and tell us what you think.

TeamXodus and DS-X have annouced their first NDS flashcart that will be coming on the market shortly. This comes along side several other NDS flash carts that are the same size as the NDS game cartridge! We originally started to see Passkey/Passme devices form into this new slim, small shape of the NDS cartridge, but it has become a much more popular with development teams using it as a full flashcart. Such products as the NinjaPass, NinjaDS, Ultra Flash Cart, and DSLink have all been housed in a DS cart-sized shell. This new wave of devices comes with drawbacks such as requiring a flashed NDS or a small memory capacity. However, the DS-Xtreme Flashcart will supposedly feature built-in passme support.

TeamXodus's new product, the DS-Xtreme Flashcart, will function as a plug-and-play device with no computer software. You would connect using a USB-B cable to connect your PC's USB-slot directly to the DS cartridge that has a USB-B port at the top of the cartridge. It has been unclear as to how one would go about patching files to play on their DS-Xtreme, but homebrew NDS files do not need to be patched with most devices. 

When the idea of the NinjaDS emerged, several Nintendo DS owners dubbed it as a fake, as a hoax. Well apparently, they were dead wrong...but still, who can blame them right? The NinjaDS, in case you have got no clue about it, aims to be an all-in-one NDS homebrew device that functions pretty much the same way as your average NDS/GBA flashcarts and adapters, allowing you to execute .nds files.

You may be thinking that it's just the same as other NDS dev products, but let me point out that unlike the others, the NinjaDS will function as a Passme/Passkey device and a SD card adapter. Plus, NinjaDS will not waste up your GBA slot, so you can still use it for a whole lot of other things that you please. It is a common belief that this one will be bundled with a ton of NDS software such as a built-in MP3 player, WiFi file transferring utility, and development-friendly software.

The good news is that Team Ninja (the guys responsible for the NinjaDS) announced that this contraption is production ready. They have released some pics of the NinjaDS that will pretty much resemble the end product. Its release is expected in the coming weeks so watch out for that. For now, feel free to marvel at some of its pics.

The NinjaDS team updated their website with more information and the final case design for the upcoming NinjaDS product. At first, the NinjaDS was marked as a "fake" by several NDS owners, but to me, this seems as real as it gets! The NinjaDS will be an all-in-one NDS homebrew device. This device will function very similar to your average NDS/GBA flashcarts and adapters, allowing you to execute .nds files. This device, unlike many other NDS "development" products, will function as a Passme/Passkey device and a SD card adapter. The Supercard and M3 have similar functions, allowing you to read a SD card from your NDS, but those were all allocated in the GBA slot. NinjaDS will not waste up your GBA slot, so you can still experience that wonderful rumble pack!

The NinjaDS team has revealed two designs for their NDS product that will allow the consumer to choose what would be best for their tastes. The two styles are the "U-shape" and the "sticky" version. The sticky version does no refer to an adhesive substance, but rather a long, stick-like device. The U-shape version wraps around the back of your NDS, much like the old Passkey/Passme devices. Although both of these designs may seem logical and creative, both are prone to "popping" out when in your pocket due to their design.

With the design issue aside, this is an excellent product. It is bundled with a ton of NDS software such as a built-in MP3 player, WiFi file transferring utility, and development-friendly software. There as been no official price announcement with this final design announcement, but we will inform you when there has been one. Feel free to marvel at to the upper right (thumbnail, click to enlarge).

Note: NinjaDS has also attached a warning on their site stating that NinjaDS.tw and Samuraids.com are not official resellers of the product and you may be "cheated" out of your NinjaDS if you purchase from them when it becomes available.