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AKMenu-Next

Setting Up AKMenu-Next

Info

AKMenu-Next is a frontend for nds-bootstrap & Pico-Loader based on a fork of akmenu4 for running Nintendo DS Software & Homebrew. It supports cheats along with support for Acekard themes. For controls such as soft-reset and quitting games, please see nds-bootstrap controls

Setup Guide:

Installing AKMenu-Next Flashcart Edition

  1. Download the latest release of AKMenu-Next Flashcart Edition.

  2. Extract the downloaded akmenu-next-flashcart.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. From within the AKMenu-Next files, copy the following files/folders to your SD card root:

    • _nds folder
    • _pico folder
    • BOOT.NDS

Soft-Reset Not Supported for Pico-Loader

Note that Pico-Loader inside AKMenu-Next currently does not support soft-resetting to the game menu. If this is important to you, consider using the nds-bootstrap loader within AKMenu-Next.

Warning

Using the wrong version of Pico-Loader could damage your flashcard! If you are unsure which version to use, check the Supported Platforms section.

  1. Download the latest release of Pico-Loader. Choose the version that corresponds with your flashcart. If you are unsure click here to see a table where you can match up your flashcart with the corresponding loader. If your flashcart is not on the list, you may skip to "nds-bootstrap installation (Optional)" below.

  2. Extract the downloaded Pico_Loader_YOUR_FLASHCART_HERE.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. Copy the contents of the files from the extracted Pico_Loader_YOUR_FLASHCART_HERE.zip file to the _pico folder on your SD card. Create this folder if it does not exist.

You can now load BOOT.NDS with your flashcart's kernel, or alternatively follow the autoboot steps below.

nds-bootstrap installation (Optional)

  1. Download the latest release of nds-bootstrap.

  2. Extract the downloaded nds-bootstrap.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. Copy the contents of the files from the extracted nds-bootstrap.zip file to the _nds folder on your SD card.

  4. n AKMenu-Next, press Start and go to Settings. Go to the Other Settings tab and change the Game Loader to nds-bootstrap.

Autobooting AKMenu-Next

Note

If you don't see your flashcart in the Autoboot folder or the corresponding one in the README.TXT file, skip this section as you will need to use your flashcart kernel to load AKMenu-Next instead. In some cases you can make a copy of BOOT.NDS and rename it to default.nds to make it chainload autoboot on some flashcart kernels.

  1. Open the Autoboot folder within the AKMenu-Next files. Find the folder that corresponds to your flashcart name or type.

  2. Copy the contents of the folder (do not copy the folder itself) that corresponds with your flashcart to the root of your SD card.

  3. If your flashcart is a DSTTi clone that requires additional boot files, check the Supplementary DSTTi Clone Files folder. You can check the YSMenu compatibility list to check which one you need. If the file you need is not there, you can make copies of the TTMenu.dat file from the DSTT & DSTTi folder and rename them accordingly.

Cheats

  1. If you'd like to be able to use cheats on your games, download a cheat database.

  2. You will need the usrcheat.dat file from the download link in the post. Copy this file to _nds/akmenunext/cheats/ on your SD card. (Create the cheats folder if it doesn't exist)

Installing AKMenu-Next DSpico Edition

  1. Download the latest release of AKMenu-Next DSpico Edition.

  2. Extract the downloaded akmenu-next-pico.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. From within the AKMenu-Next files, copy the following files/folders to your SD card root:

    • _nds folder
    • _pico folder
    • BOOT.NDS
    • _picoboot.nds (If you wish to autoboot AKMenu-Next)

Soft-Reset Not Supported for Pico-Loader

Note that Pico-Loader inside AKMenu-Next currently does not support soft-resetting to the game menu. If this is important to you, consider using the nds-bootstrap loader within AKMenu-Next.

  1. Download the latest release of Pico-Loader for DSpico.

  2. Extract the downloaded Pico_Loader_DSPICO.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. Copy the contents of the files from the extracted Pico_Loader_DSPICO.zip file to the _pico folder on your SD card.

  4. You can now load BOOT.NDS from Pico-Launcher kernel, or alternatively autoboot by using the _picoboot.nds file.

nds-bootstrap installation (Optional)

  1. Download the latest release of nds-bootstrap.

  2. Extract the downloaded nds-bootstrap.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. Copy the contents of the files from the extracted nds-bootstrap.zip file to the _nds folder on your SD card.

  4. In AKMenu-Next, press Start and go to Settings. Go to the nds-bootstrap settings tab and change the Game Loader to nds-bootstrap.

Cheats

  1. If you'd like to be able to use cheats on your games, download a cheat database.

  2. You will need the usrcheat.dat file from the download link in the post. Copy this file to _nds/akmenunext/cheats/ on your SD card. (Create the cheats folder if it doesn't exist)

Running DSiWare (DSi & 3DS only)

Please see this guide for running DSiWare on a DSpico.

Note

This requires a modded Nintendo DSi system. If your Nintendo DSi is not modded, please follow dsi.cfw.guide to install it.

Installing AKMenu-Next Nintendo DSi Edition

  1. Download the latest release of AKMenu-Next DSi Edition.

  2. Extract the downloaded akmenu-next-dsi.zip file with 7-Zip.

    Warning

    If you are using TWiLight Menu++ and want to dual boot AKMenu-Next, do not copy over BOOT.NDS as this will overwrite the one TWiLight Menu++ uses. You can instead launch akmenu-next.dsi with TWiLight Menu++ or Unlaunch.

  3. From within the AKMenu-Next files, copy the following files/folders to your SD card root:

    • _nds folder
    • BOOT.NDS (Please read the warning above)
    • akmenu-next.dsi
    • title folder (if using HiyaCFW)

  4. Download the latest release of nds-bootstrap.

  5. Extract the downloaded nds-bootstrap.zip file with 7-Zip.

  6. Copy the contents of the files from the extracted nds-bootstrap.zip file to the _nds folder on your SD card.

  7. Load BOOT.NDS with your desired entrypoint method (e.g. Memory Pit, stylehax or Flipnote Lenny). Alternatively, use Unlaunch or TWiLight Menu++ to boot akmenu-next.dsi. If you are using HiyaCFW, it will appear as an app on your home screen, provding that you copied the title folder.

Cheats

  1. If you'd like to be able to use cheats on your games, download a cheat database.

  2. You will need the usrcheat.dat file from the download link in the post. Copy this file to _nds/akmenunext/cheats/ on your SD card. (Create the cheats folder if it doesn't exist)

Autobooting AKMenu-Next

Note

Autobooting AKMenu-Next on a DSi requires Unlaunch or Astronaut to be installed.

  1. Turn on your DSi while holding A and B

  2. In the Unlaunch menu, go to OPTIONS

  3. Set NO BUTTON or a button of your choice to the akmenu-next entry that says akmenu-next.dsi on the bottom screen

  4. Switch off your DSi and switch it back on, it will now automatically boot into AKMenu-Next

  1. Turn on your DSi while holding A and B

  2. In the Astronaut menu, go to Settings, then go to Change Boot Options

  3. Select default boot option and choose Launch something from SD

  4. Locate akmenu-next.dsi on the SD card and select it

  5. Press go back at the bottom and then Save on the previous screen

  6. Switch off your DSi and switch it back on, it will now automatically boot into AKMenu-Next

Note

This requires a modded Nintendo 3DS system. If your Nintendo 3DS is not modded, please follow 3ds.hacks.guide to install it. This guide is also applicable to the Nintendo 2DS models but will be referenced as a 3DS in the steps below.

Installing AKMenu-Next Nintendo 3DS Edition

  1. Download the latest release of AKMenu-Next 3DS Edition.

  2. Extract the downloaded akmenu-next-3ds.zip file with 7-Zip.

    Warning

    If you are using TWiLight Menu++ on your Nintendo 3DS and want to also use AKMenu-Next, do not copy over BOOT.NDS as this will overwrite the one TWiLight Menu++ uses.

  3. From within the AKMenu-Next files, copy the following files/folders to your SD card root:

    • _nds folder
    • BOOT.NDS (Please read the warning above)
    • akmenu-next.cia

  4. Download the latest release of nds-bootstrap.

  5. Extract the downloaded nds-bootstrap.zip file with 7-Zip.

  6. Copy the contents of the files from the extracted nds-bootstrap.zip file to the _nds folder on your SD card.

  7. Boot up your Nintendo 3DS. Open the FBI app, go to your SD card, and find the akmenu-next.cia file. Select the cia, then choose "Install CIA".

  8. Launch the akmenu-next application from the 3DS home screen.

Tip

If you are upgrading from an older version of AKMenu-Next, or if AKMenu-Next does not appear on your 3DS home screen after installing the cia, restart your 3DS.

Cheats

  1. If you'd like to be able to use cheats on your games, download a cheat database.

  2. You will need the usrcheat.dat file from the download link in the post. Copy this file to _nds/akmenunext/cheats/ on your SD card. (Create the cheats folder if it doesn't exist)

Info

AKMenu-Next, nds-bootstrap and Pico-Loader must be updated seperately of each other. If you wish to check for the latest version of AKMenu-Next, nds-bootstrap and Pico-Loader, you can view the latest versions & changelog from the Github releases linked here: AKMenu-Next Releases - nds-bootstrap Releases - Pico-Loader Releases

Updating AKMenu-Next

  1. Download the latest release of AKMenu-Next Flashcart Edition.

  2. Extract the downloaded akmenu-next-flashcart.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. From within the akmenu-next files, copy the following files/folders to your SD card root:

    • _nds folder
    • BOOT.NDS

  4. Overwrite the existing files. If you are on MacOS ensure you click Merge and not Replace, otherwise themes, plugins & cheats may be deleted.

  1. Download the latest release of AKMenu-Next DSpico Edition.

  2. Extract the downloaded akmenu-next-pico.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. From within the akmenu-next files, copy the following files/folders to your SD card root:

    • _nds folder
    • BOOT.NDS
    • _picoboot.nds (If you wish to autoboot AKMenu-Next)

  4. Overwrite the existing files. If you are on MacOS ensure you click Merge and not Replace, otherwise themes, plugins & cheats may be deleted.

  1. Download the latest release of AKMenu-Next DSi Edition.

  2. Extract the downloaded akmenu-next-dsi.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. From within the akmenu-next files, copy the following files/folders to your SD card root:

    • _nds folder
    • BOOT.NDS (If you use Twilightmenu++, skip this file)
    • akmenu-next.dsi
    • If you have AKMenu-Next installed as an app on HiyaCFW, copy over the title folder.

  4. Overwrite the existing files. If you are on MacOS ensure you click Merge and not Replace, otherwise themes, plugins & cheats may be deleted.

  1. Download the latest release of AKMenu-Next DSi Edition.

  2. Extract the downloaded akmenu-next-3ds.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. From within the akmenu-next files, copy the following files/folders to your SD card root:

    • _nds folder
    • BOOT.NDS (If you use Twilightmenu++, skip this file)
    • akmenu-next.cia

  4. Overwrite the existing files. If you are on MacOS ensure you click Merge and not Replace, otherwise themes, plugins & cheats may be deleted.

  5. Install the akmenu-next.cia file with FBI, you may need to restart your 3DS console afterwards to use the new version.

  1. Download the latest release of nds-bootstrap.

  2. Extract the downloaded nds-bootstrap.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. Copy the contents of the files from the extracted nds-bootstrap.zip file to the _nds folder on your SD card.

  1. Download the latest release of Pico-Loader. Choose the version that corresponds with your flashcart. If you are unsure click here to see a table where you can match up your flashcart with the corresponding loader.

  2. Extract the downloaded Pico_Loader_for_YOUR_FLASHCART_HERE.zip file with 7-Zip.

  3. Copy the contents of the files from the extracted Pico_Loader_for_YOUR_FLASHCART_HERE.zip file to the _pico folder on your SD card. Create this folder if it does not exist.

Info

Need help or want to discuss AKMenu-Next? Check out the AKMenu-Next GBATemp Thread