TWiLight Menu++ - Play DS Games from SD Card on 3DS
This guide will show you how to play Nintendo DS game ROM’s on your 3DS directly from SD card using TWiLight Menu++. TWiLight Menu++ adds a few features to DS games such as a cheats manager, increased sound quality and widescreen support. TWL Menu++ runs entirely in DS mode so some 3DS features will not be available while the application is running. It is compatible with the vast majority of DS games; TWiLight Menu++ DS Compatability List.
Required Downloads:
Hacked (New) Nintendo 3DS (XL) Console
- TWiLight Menu++ requires a hacked 3DS with FBI to install the homebrew application
- Follow this guide (with pictures) or Plailect’s guide on hacking your 3DS if you have not done so before
- An SD Card is required to store the exploit files and homebrew apps
- 32GB or more is recommended to store games
- The SD card must be formatted to FAT32
- MicroSD cards are compatible with Old 3DS consoles via a MicroSD to SD adapter
Preparing SD Card
- Insert your SD card into your PC
- Extract
TWiLightMenu.7z - Copy the
/_nds/folder to the root of your SD card - Copy the
/roms/folder to the root of your SD cardPlace your.ndsROMs inside the/roms/nds/folder
- Go to the
/DSi&3DS - SD card users/folder - Copy the
/_nds/folder andBOOT.NDSfile to the root of your SD card
- Go to the
/3DS - CFW users/folder - Copy
TWiLightMenu.ciaandTWiLight Menu - Game Booter.ciato the/cia/folder on your SD card - Copy
TWiLightMenu-Updater.ciato the/cia/folder on your SD card
Installing TWiLight Menu++
- Insert your SD card into your 3DS and power it on
- Launch FBI on your 3DS
- Go to
SD->cia
- Select
current directory-> [Install and delete all CIAs]
- Press [Home] and go back to the Home Menu when the installation is complete
- Unwrap and Launch TWiLight Menu Updater
- Select the TWL Menu++ [Release] and wait for the files to install
- Select the nds-bootstrap [Release] and wait for the files to install
- Select the Updater [Release] and wait for the files to install
- Select [Cheats] and wait for the files to install
- Select [Extras] -> [Boxart] -> Press [X] and wait for the files to install
- Press [B] to exit then press [Home] to go back to the Home Menu
Congratulations, you’ve installed and updated TWiLight Menu++. You’re now ready to launch the app and boot up some NDS ROMs.
Playing DS Games
- Unwrap and Launch TWiLight Menu++ from your Home Menu
- Select your console type and press [A] to confirm your selection
- Press the yellow arrow on the bottom right corner when the DS Menu loads up to launch the TWiLight Menu UI
It is not advised to use GBARunner2 to play GBA games as it does not fully support save files. It is recommended to install ROMs as Virtual Console titles instead as this has much higher compatibility with games and comes with the ability to apply sleep mode patches. - Navigate to
/roms/->/nds/
- Select your ROM to load the DS game
Setting Up Cheats
The Acekard theme (zelda) is recommended for its improved cheats selection UI.
- Highlight your game in the TWiLightMenu++ file explorer
- Press [Y] for the information window then press [X] for the cheats window
- Toggle cheats on and off with the [A] button then press [X] to save
- Launch your game with the selected cheats
Congratulations, you’ve now setup cheats with TWiLight Menu++ so you can power through your Nintendo DS backlog without random encounters or Game Over screens.
Gaming on 3DS
Install Virtual Console Games (GBC, GBA, SNES etc)
- Convert ROM’s to Virtual Console titles and install them directly to your Home menu using New Super Ultimate Injector
Installing 3DS Backups and Homebrew
- Install 3DS backups easily with FBI
Dump Cartridges to SD
- Play your games without the cartridge inserted by dumping them directly to your SD card with GodMode9
- Cartridges can be dumped as multiple formats:
.ciafor 3DS consoles,.3dsfor emulators or.ndsfor Nintendo DS games
Luma3DS Cheats with Checkpoint
- Easily load game cheats with Checkpoint and activate them using the cheat manager in the Rosalina menu (Luma3DS)