Rumor: Official flash cards for downloading Game Boy games

by JC Fletcher { Oct 24th 2007 at 2:50PM }

Normally, if we saw an unsourced rumor stating that Nintendo was planning to release its own DS flash media, for the purpose of offering downloadable Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles via a Virtual Console-type service, we wouldn't even take the time to write one very long sentence about it. But, as the previous very long sentence suggests, we have reason to at least consider the plausibility of this rumor. It was reported by the usually trustworthy EDGE magazine, so it gets at least a "we don't know" shrug from us. Maybe?

If true, EDGE speculates/reports, this development would then lead to a download service like Wii Ware, for original DS content. Confusingly, this is cited as a move to allow officially-supported homebrew content, and thus removing some of the usefulness of non-Nintendo homebrew devices, which can also, of course, be used for piracy. Would it be worth giving up homebrew for the ability to buy the same games? Standardization would at least be nice. And we'd all love some downloadable Game Boy games.

Tags: download, flash-card, game-boy, gbc

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

pas @ Oct 24th 2007 3:02PM

Sounds good. I wonder if they will sell upgraded N64 Games aswell and make this card capable of playing mpg movies and mp3 music ?

Definately, a step we have waited for !

phanboy_iv @ Oct 24th 2007 3:02PM

I really can't belive this rumor.
It'd be too much of a sea change for Nintendo to allow homebrew.

Plus, I'd prefer to make my own decisions about what homebrew to play, not to mention it'll probably mean developers paying some kind of fee to develop for the DS.

It's a pet belief of mine that all console makers should offer an open, albeit usupported, and cost-free SDK for all, with the option to pay for "Nintendo certification".

But if it indeed does happen, I'd probably be somewhat excited.

Nushio (NDF - Blue) @ Oct 24th 2007 3:04PM

While it would be nice to have small, downloadeable DS Games (And Demos!), I'll stick to homebrew.

There's no way Nintendo will make available software as good as Moonshell or DSOrganize, for a cheaper price (free)

David D. @ Oct 24th 2007 3:15PM

I suppose it makes sense. 'Cause it would be hard for them to do GBA from slot-2. (GBA cartridges actually have faster access times than DS cards, so a slot-1 solution is out for GBA games.)

But, I seriously doubt that Nintendo would go this route, especially when they are all set up to have downloadable demos via the Wii. I figure that they'll be downloaded with the Wii anyways, so why not just use Download Play? (Other than that the data is lost when the DS is shut off.) Nintendo should know what happens when you give users writable memory in a game console. (PSP hacking, anyone?)

Jacob @ Oct 24th 2007 3:16PM

I don't see it happening, but if it does, it will be awesome. If they release a Lite-sized cart for the DS Lite, it would never leave my DS.

Especially interesting is the Wii Ware idea. Hopefully, this stuff is true.

Lee @ Oct 24th 2007 3:38PM

Like Nushio said. Free is cheaper, so pirates will win again. Nobody will want to buy games when you can get free games. I know too many friends who say 'if you cant afford it, download it' and this is now considered normal.

But its still piracy. I think DS SHOULD have the cards, so that there is no solid reason why people would use homebrew except for cheap hacks and piracy. I hope PSP comes out with something like this too.

My opinion only, no judgment upon anybody who does download their homebrew 'stuff'. ;)

Almadi @ Oct 24th 2007 4:11PM

Yes yes, the Wii will cover the consoles.
And the DS will cover the portables.

Atari Lynx
Sega Game Gear
Bandai Wonderswan
Here we come!!!

Eyerone @ Oct 24th 2007 4:25PM

it would be a genius idea...

RupeeClock @ Oct 24th 2007 4:35PM

From a commercial perspective this is great, but I've ALREADY got the means to play Tetris DX, Zelda Oracle of Ages/Seasons and loads of other great Gameboy / Color games on my DS.

Tim @ Oct 24th 2007 5:14PM

I highly doubt nintendo would go through with this no matter how awsome it would be.

Nushio (NDF - Blue) @ Oct 24th 2007 5:48PM

Thanks for assuming I'm a pirate Lee. I appreciate it.
Specially considering I mentioned the legal uses of a flashcart.

Chris @ Oct 24th 2007 5:49PM

And whats wrong with the virtual console ? nice idea though, im getting tired looking for LoZ links awakening(?) for the GBColour

Pie Pants @ Oct 24th 2007 7:50PM

It would be an interesting change of heart for Nintendo to make an official flashcart. But not all that surprising... They're not stupid, and they're well aware of the market for these things. They could probably get in an endless battle to break the devices if they wanted (like Sony with the PSP), or they could actually try and cash in on the market.

If they're smart, they'll do the latter. But I can't see it completely killing homebrew flashcarts for the time being, since nintendo's obviously wouldn't support the pirates. Yarr!

Deuz Augustine @ Oct 25th 2007 12:33AM

You guys are seriously overestimating the ability of the average DS owner to understand homebrew.

Bulky @ Oct 25th 2007 11:05AM

I agree with Deuz,

The DS is huge now, mainly because older people, women, girls (Horsez and Hanna Montanna?) are buying it.

The majority of people who own a DS are not the nerdy Flashcard buying boys. The Nintendo Wii's virtual console wouldn't be doing so well if EVERYONE knew how to run an emulator.

fini @ Oct 25th 2007 3:48PM

its amazing how I wrote a post on my blog yesterday about this. Except I wrote as a letter to nintendo, and I never heard of edge magazine till today (in the US its a music magazine and in the UK its a videogame magazine).

Head on over to www.garysbasement.com to check it out
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