Lazyone has just announced that an alpha version of the Wolfenstein 3D port for the DS is already out. This newest build has quite a few improvements that have been added to it. In addition to this, the developer gave word on some of the enhancements planned for the future.

The added new features include sound (no music), saving, and a status bar on bottom screen. Lazyone also said that this update was also compiled with the latest libfat which means that it should now work with most if not all DLDI devices. Pretty nifty if you ask us.

Be careful about upgrading your Wolf3d binary though since saving is broken between builds and causes the game to crash. The developer also gave word that if you are experiencing a few graphic errors, you should try the binary fix build which should correct it.

Since the game doesn't come with a readme file, here are the controls and installation instructions according to the post on Lazyone's site:

Keys:

Turn left: DPAD Left
Turn right: DPAD Right
Forward: DPAD Up
Backward: DPAD Down
Strafe Left: L Shoulder
Strafe Right: R Shoulder
Shoot: A
Use: B
Next Weapon: X
Run: Y

Installation Instructions:

Copy the wolf3d folder into the root of your media card, run.

The plans for the next build are pretty exciting as well and include adding music, a build for registered versions and Spear of Destiny, access to the configuration menu, and further sound enhancement. All in all a pretty solid effort by Lazyone and one that fans of this classic game will appreciate.

Our thanks go out to Lazyone for sending this in!

Download: Wolfenstein 3D Alpha
Download: Wolfenstein 3D Alpha binary fix

It's been a while since we last heard stuff about StellaDS, TheChuckster's Atari2600 emulator. We recently got word, however, that TheChuckster has completed work on the latest version of StellaDS, version 0.71.

Perhaps the most evident change between StellaDS v0.6 and StellaDS v0.71 is the inclusion of quality sound into the mix. In addition, the speed of the emulation has also been increased, though it has yet to hit 100%. In any event, here's the changelog for this version of the emulator:

• libfat that allows homebrew programs to read and write files on the memory card inserted in one of the unit's slots">DLDI and libfat support for all of the new flash cartridges
• Updated to latest devkitpro toolchain
• Long-awaited streaming sound without any crackling and popping noises
• Code optimizations (code in the ITCM and the new armv5te compiler optimizations)
• Faster speed but still not 100%
• Usability enhancements with the menus (key repeat, no more bogus dot entries)

Give it a try and see how it works out for you. Enjoy!

Download: StellaDS v0.71 (NDS Rom Binary + Public Domain ROMs)

Well, Lick has all but completely discontinued the Lick's Media Player that he developed for the DS. That, however, doesn't mean that we still can't enjoy some Media Player goodness.

In trying to come up with a way to finish Lick's Media Player, a GBAdev user named Lucas apparently managed to rewrite it from scratch through C, rather than the C++ it was originally written in. As he mentions on the their boards,

In the end, it became a complete rewrite. No more C++, only pure C. At this time, I only have some basic functionality, WAV playback (files must end in .wav) and libmad playback (files must end in .mp3).

I need some feedback, if you can try, just download at http://www.cecm.usp.br/~lucas/lmp-ng/. Theres two versions, a .nds and a .ds.gba. Both are compiled with libfat DLDI, so you can patch if your flashcart does not work out of the box. The source is also in the same page.

He also notes that this is his first homebrew, so there are bound to be bugs. Still, it looks (and sounds) okay to us, so what's not to like? Maybe we can help him improve upon what Lick originally started, eh?

Download: [Precompiled LMP-ng alpha4 for slot-1 flashcard users]
Download: [Precompiled LMP-ng alpha4 for slot-2 flashcard users]

Mateom199 from gbadev has recently picked up an old project by a former DS developer, Etho. Etho originally developed a GBC emulator for the Nintendo DS but later dropped the project. DSBoy started as a clone of gnuboy (Gameboy emulator) and was migrated onto the Nintendo DS, however it is no where near where gnuboy's compatibility and features. After Etho dropped the project several months ago and announced a new one, we have been left in the dark with the emulator and its source.

Mateom199 peaked an interest in this project and decided that he would attempt to work on it. With this new release of the emulator a file browser has been added to browser for your rom files (we do not support piracy here at QJ, but there are a wide array of public roms available). There has also been support for libfat added and it now is capable of being compiled by DKP r20. For those looking to support or help out in this project, feel free to drop by gbadev and show your interest as Mateom199 is not too familiar with GB emulation to optimize it entirely.

Download: [DSBoy v0.1a1 + Source]

Noda has just updated his WoW-based homebrew game for the DS, Warcraft: Tower Defense. This time, the gabeen bumped up to v0.31.

Now, for all those who are itching to have the multiplayer feature up, sorry but this version doesn't have that yet. Noda's already aware that a lot of you guys want that but he says he's still waiting for a new "WiFi lib with enabled NiFi for local multiplayer."

Eventhough Tower Defense remains multiplayer-less, it still packs in the good old fun you've been having with Noda's brew...albeit with tons of bug fixes and updates of course. And as usual, we suggest you check out the readme for more info about this brew.

Changelog:

• now use latest devkitpro (r20) with latest libnds, libfat & palib
• stylus precision & jumping problems fixed (thanks to latest libnds)
• stylus problems with R4/M3 simply should be fixed (thanks to latest palib)
• corrected the bug that make the map selection screen froze when there was more than 10 maps (FAT version)
• Stat screen flickering/disappear bug in the upper part fixed (thanks to latest palib?)

Download: [Warcraft : Tower Defense v0.31]

CraigT has just released v0.2a for his much-celebrated ZX Spectrum homebrew emu for the DS called SpeccyDS. And as promised, this version packs in tons of fixes and additions to ensure that SpeccyDS will run much smoother on your handhelds.

We know most of you guys have been waiting for this release for quite some time now, so we won't keep you at bay any longer. Here's the full list of stuff that's changed in v0.2a...

• Upgraded to libfat, which includes the DLDI driver.
• Fixed .z80 loading routine. More .Z80 snapshots will now be accepted.
• Fixed flag behaviour in DAA instruction to fix problems in Head over Heels.
• Fixed HALT instruction (again!) to fix crash in Starquake.
• Implemented a few undocumented instructions.
• Optomised display routines.
• Hooked up X and Y buttons.
• Corrected Sinclair 1 and 2 joystick assignments.
  

And as usual, we highly suggest you check out the all-important readme for more necessary info you might want (or need) to know before you go tinkering with your handhelds. Got that? Good. Then go on and...

Download: [SpeccyDS v0.2a]

RyanFB has once again updated his Sega Genesis homebrew emu for the DS called PicoDriveDS, this time bumping it up to v0.1.7.

This version fixes the bugs that were reported in the previous version so you can expect PicoDriveDS to run much much smoother now. That said, here's the full list of stuff that you can expect from this version...

Changelog:

• Updated for DKA r20 and latest libnds.
• Switched to libfat with DLDI support.
• Fixed bug where select key must be released quickly in order to go back to file selection menu.
• Appended ROM check now only happens if FAT is unable to init.
• Added untested Opera RAM expansion support, and RAM support for SCCF.
  

Download: [PicoDriveDS v0.1.7]

This writer is actually old enough to remember Heretic. This writer's old enough to remember calling Heretic "what happens when Merlin bonks his staff on Doom." Well, this time it's Sektor and Rich Whitehouse who bonk their staves on the sidequel game Hexen, conjure the HexenDS port, and bring it up to v0.26.

Sektor's contribution to v0.26 consist of updated libfat and some additional tweaks which correspond to the use of Slot-2 devices and DS-X. Other than that, save and load are still broken (but the game will sleep/powersave if you close the DS).

Requirements to use this are still the same from the last version, such as the wad from the full version of Hexen (read the Readme for the rest).

Download: [HexenDS v0.26]

Just as promised, Noda has finally added DLDI support for his homebrew game. Warcraft: Tower Defense v0.3 is not only just an update, but is also now his entry to PAlib's DS Dev Compo. Noda notes that not all of the bugs mentioned in the previous release have been fixed since he's been quite "very busy with his real life" and still looking for solutions to some of the bugs.

• now use latest libfat with DLDI support
• corrected a bug in the file filter, now FAT version works without having to rename the maps
• fixed the missing border of some icons
• temporary workaround for solving the screwed up sprites problem
• added a new bunch of great 3rd party maps
• corrected some bugs in the “Save The Snowman” map
• corrected tower collision map in the “Long Walk TD” map
• added a circle around the current selection
• new map: Orange Frenzy

Now, on to the fray: he might be quite busy and all, but that doesn't mean you can't help him out with his development. He's promising to include maps that you guys send with every new version that he releases.

Download: [Warcraft: Tower Defense v0.3]

  

Welcome to the mines, folks. Trust us when we say that your stay here will not be altogether pleasant, though it may be rewarding.

Over at the PAlib forums, Alia's released a re-write of the Boulderdash and Digger series of games. Titled DSMiner: Search for the Golden Orange, your task is to find your father's golden orange, which apparently was left in the mines.

As a very early release though, expect new updates to come eventually. As it is, the game's already playable, though the characters move a little too fast for our tastes. In any case, you'll find the list of features, bugs, and future changes below. Try it out for yourself. We've compiled the DSMiner.nds, DSMiner.ds.gba, and DSMiner.sc.nds versions into one archived file so you can pick and choose the one you use with your DS. Enjoy!

Done:

• Basic level loading
• New font
• Some sound effects
• Level conversion. Less than 100 at the moment.
• Simple collision detection and response (pickup/use/dig)
• Some NPC movement (way too fast!)

More details for miners after the jump!