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How to Make Your Own Clones for DS

Nintendo DS games can be cloned using third-party "flash cards," also known as media cartridges. These cards use MicroSD storage cards to transport cloned game memory files from your computer to the DS, where they can be played just like regular cartridges, keeping your original games safe from wear and tear. To clone your Nintendo DS cartridges, you'll need to download software that sends a backed-up copy of the game data to your computer.

Things You'll Need

Windows-based computer with wireless router
MicroSD card and reader (sold with media cartridge)
Media cartridge for Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS game cartridge

Instructions

- 1
  Download the backup tools from online sources, which have been pre-configured to allow easy game cloning. Double-click the downloaded file to unzip.
- 2
  Click your computer's "Start" button and click "Accessories." Choose "Command Prompt" and type "ipconfig" to display your computer's IP address.
- 3
  Right-click the unzipped file "NDS_Backup_Tool_Wifi.ini" and choose "Open with Notepad." Scroll down to the entry "Server IP" and write your IP address after the "=" sign. Open Notepad's "File" menu and choose "Save," then close the file.
- 4
  Connect the MicroSD card used for your media cartridge to the USB slot of your computer using the cartridge's MicroSD adapter. If using a Slot-2 media cartridge that connects directly to the USB port of your computer, connect this now. Copy the file "NDS_Backup_Tool_Wifi.nds" and the edited "NDS_Backup_Tool_Wifi.ini" to your MicroSD card, placing both in the root directory, then disconnect the card.
- 5
  Double-click the file "Smallftpd.exe" and click the green triangle to start the program running. Connect your Nintendo DS to a wall outlet within range of your wireless router.
- 6
  Connect the MicroSD card to the MicroSD slot of your media cartridge. Insert the cartridge into your Nintendo DS. Turn the system on and select your media cartridge from the system menu. Choose "NDS Backup Tool." Press "A" when the program menu is displayed to launch the game-cloning procedure.
- 7
  Remove your media cartridge and insert the game you wish to clone into your Nintendo DS. Press "A" to begin copying the game cartridge's data to your computer's hard drive, which may take up to two hours. A message will be displayed on your DS's screen when the process is complete.
- 8
  Double-click the "My Computer" desktop item on your computer and open the "Temp" directory to reveal a new file whose name ends with "NDS." Reconnect your MicroSD card to your computer and copy this file to the "ROM" directory of your card. Disconnect the MicroSD card and re-insert it into your media cartridge.
- 9
  Turn your Nintendo DS off and remove the game cartridge. Insert the media cartridge and turn the system on. Launch the media cartridge from your console's main menu.
- 10
  Select "ROM" from your cartridge's menu and choose the copied game image file to turn your cartridge into a clone of your chosen game. The cartridge will save game files and run just like a real game card, but will return to normal operations once the system has been turned off or reset.

Nintendo DS