Company claims its device can play pirated 3DS games

[dlevere]

By Jeffrey Grubb

Nintendo’s 3DS handheld is on the rise. After a shaky start, the 3D portable device has had a strong year of new releases and some decent sales. That all might change soon.

A company called Gateway just released a video of its Gateway 3DS product, which it claims enables gamers to play “backup ROM's” on their 3DS units. In other words, this flash card, if it works, will open Nintendo’s handheld to piracy.

“The wait is over,” reads a post on Gateway’s website. “The first ever backup device that enables playback of 3DS ROM's is now a reality. “The device is in its final stages of design and production is just around the corner. Stay tuned and enjoy the show.”

“The show” refers to the following video that shows someone starting up various 3DS games using the Gateway 3DS and different SD cards:

It’s possible that this video is fake. We’ve reached out to Gateway to get more information about the device. We’ve also contacted Nintendo. Neither company has returned our requests at this time, but we will update this post with any new information.

For the unaware, a flash card is a small cartridge-like device that fits into the game slot of a game console. They trick the system into thinking a legitimate product is in the system and then boots data from a micro-SD card. Devices like the R4 are very popular for the DS among pirates.

These devices are ostensibly so that gamers with lots of titles can safely backup the data on one massive SD card. In reality, this offers pirates the capability to play ROM's of games that they downloaded illegally from peer-to-peer networks.

If Gateway 3DS works, and Nintendo can’t find a way to block it, this could mean a potential dip in revenue for 3DS developers. Gateway is taking requests from wholesalers — so we’ll know soon enough if this is real or a scam.

[Demonic722]

I'm hoping this is real so I can look forward to purchasing it along with the 3DS.

[dlevere]

EDIT: Rumor debunking round-up by raulpica:

• Some members keep stating that the flashcard (if real) will require one microSD for each game, and that the microSD needs to be of the same exact size of the ROM. GaryOpa (trusted member of the scene) directly debunks that here.
  
• This probably doesn't remove Region Lock, since that would require a 3DS-mode exploit. The cart somehow fools the system that a real cart is inserted, so no mods (region-free, hacks, etc.) should be allowed.
  
• The estimated release should be in two weeks, yet again according to GaryOpa.

[dlevere]

Here is a little FAQ about Gateway 3DS, answering customers most popular questions:

Quote:

- Is it one microSD per game?

Currently yes.

- Must the microSD card size match the game size?

No, so long as the microSD card is larger than the rom size.

- Can it play games from other regions?

Currently no, however due to popular demand, we have launched an investigation into this possibility.

- Can it play Homebrew?

No.

- Are saved games working? Once you take out the game is the save file kept or lost?

We are currently working to fully support back up and restore of save data.

- Can Nintendo block Gateway with an update?

Anything is possible we would rather not speculate (As always, any updates should be avoided)

- How big are the games and what is the minimum size for the microSD card?

Some range from 256MB to 4GB

- Can you play multiplayer local and mostly online?

Yes, but we advise not to use online features

- Does the game keep Internet capacity?

Yes, but we advise not to use online features

- Is it upgradable?

Yes some aspects of the design will be upgradable.

- Can it run normal DS roms?

No, there are many alternative options for this.

- Suggested Retail price?

About $80/€65

- Availability: End of June.

BUT until production has started, we are not accepting any pre-payment, therefore end-users should NOT pay until we indicate on our site that pre-orders are officially open and payments from resellers are being accepted.

PLEASE DO NOT PRE-PAY UNTIL WE SAY SO !

Well there you have it folks! Hopefully this answers a few of the burning questions

[dlevere]

Gateway 3DS - First 3DS Flashcart

By Devin

RELEASE DATE: End of June

Great news we have today, we here at MaxConsole have confirmed from resellers and original NDS flash card homebrew developers that the following news about the Nintendo 3DS is actually happening, the impossible has been done, there is now actual working Flash Card for the 3DS, not just for old DS games, but your actual 3DS games.

Gateway 3DS is the world's first 3DS flash card!
The GATEWAY 3DS TEAM proudly presents the first ever video proof that many thought impossible.

Supports all 3DS ROMs to date
Works on 3DS & 3DS XL consoles

We have confirmed from resellers and original NDS flash card developers that this device is real and coming very soon for your 3DS enjoyment.

Source

Official Site

[dlevere]

Gateway 3DS, ROM releases

By Costello

Gateway & existing 3DS roms

I have just received confirmation from someone who currently has the Gateway 3DS in their hands that the card does indeed support the existing 3DS ROM dumps. Which means the existing 243 releases are confirmed to be legit/valid, and potentially playable (depending on the region). There shouldn't be any need to redump games. The source of this information is reliable but I do not wish to disclose their identity as they prefer to keep it secret.

3DS release info
GBAtemp will partner with a well-known scene release information site (not naming it until it's confirmed) to provide the latest 3DS rom release information straight on our home page. Obviously, there will be *no roms for download* but you'll be able to get fresh info and discussion on this very site, like back in the day

[dlevere]

GATEWAY 3DS Update

7/11/2013

Official opening of pre-orders !

Gateway is please to announce start of manufacturing and the opening of pre-orders. We expect to roll out the first units to resellers within the next fortnight.

Please pay special attention to the following critical information regarding our current software development phase.

1) Yes, we are exploit based (Yay !?) and therefore very dependent on console firmware version: Our current plan is to release for firmware version 4.5 while continuing work on a solution for 6.x + after release. (please see note below)

2) Gateway will be shipped with 2 cards, the red Gateway shown in our video, which will handle 3ds backups, and a blue ds cart which will be used to prepare the console. ( more demo videos showing save game compatibility as well as setup procedures to follow soon )

3) Your console can be safely updated to 4.5 by using an original title released after March 2013 till current. Please double check the update message (version) before proceeding!

Note:

We currently have a very convenient and user friendly way to enter into our Gateway mode, while this entry point has been tested up to 6.0 we expect it to be shut off shortly after we release. We can not stress enough the importance of staying away from any further updates! ( 6.0 compatibility is only valid for our initial entry point, as stated in point (1) we currently only support firmware version 4.5 )

Source

[dlevere]

Update 7/12/13

By Another World

Update 7/12/13

The Gateway 3DS team has reached out once again to answer some questions. Instead of making a new thread I am simply going to quote their comments as an update to this news post.

For save game, we are transferring and saving the save game onto the 3DS big SD card. So it is ok to swap titles using the same micro sd card.

Currently we have tested 4.2 , 4.3 and 4.5 and they all work. All games released after March 2013 will force an update to 4.5 (even backup roms). If a console is lower than 4.2 then it will need to be updated by using an original game released after March 2013. If a console is between 4.2 and 4.5 then there is no need to update, but when a newer rom is loaded it will force the update to 4.5 (again fine).

They closed their comments by stating that the launch is only a few days away. They hope to add updated support and more features shortly after launch.

Source

[47iscool]

Sadly it's already been blocked out.

[dlevere]

Gateway 3DS Game Save Video

By GaryOPA

Proof from Gateway 3DS Team that 'Game Saves' work on their 3DS Flash Cart

When the Gateway 3DS was first announced an month ago, there was problems with 'Game Saves', but now they released a video showing that the units that will be shipping next week will have Game Saves!



As promised a quick video showing the Gateway backup swap with working save game transfer.

We are automatically transferring the save game data to and from the Gateway cart to the 3DS SD card in real time at rom launch and Home button press!

We should ship first units this week, so stay tuned!

NEWS SOURCE: Gateway-3DS (via) Official Site

[dlevere]

Gateway 3DS - Shipping Status - FAQ Update

7/29/2013

First units to ship this week!

And a quick note to update our FAQ regarding the use of the "blue" card and recent title releases:

Can the blue card run DS home brew ?

YES :- The bundled blue ds card, is in essence a standard DS cart capable of both DS backups and home brew for DS mode, tested to work on 6.1

Is the blue card required for every power cycle?

No :- Our custom Gateway Installer DS app is only required to be run once to setup and thereafter any time the console is used in DS mode.

Does Gateway support all games:

No :- Animal Crossing uses unique NAND based save hardware in the cart, support will be added through a GW firmware update. Mario (released last week) is forcing 5.1 update. We have prioritized work on supporting all such future releases. Stay tuned.

Source