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AKMenu-Next

Installing AKMenu-Next

Info

AKMenu-Next is an enhanced, actively developed take on the Acekard/Wood menu (forked from akmenu4) that runs Nintendo DS software & homebrew through nds-bootstrap & Pico-Loader. It adds DSiWare support, cheats, plugins, per-game settings and an upgraded theme system with game covers and music, while still supporting Acekard/Wood themes. For in-game controls such as soft-reset, see the nds-bootstrap controls page.

Pick the tab for your setup below. Not sure which one you need? There's a table on the home page.

Before you start

  • You'll need 7-Zip (or any extractor that handles .zip and .7z).
  • Use a decent, genuine SD card. A lot of "corrupted files" and "theme missing" problems turn out to be fake or dying cards, so if your card is new it's worth testing it first.
  • All the paths in this guide are from the root of your SD card, i.e. the top level, not inside another folder.

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. Copy the following files/folders to the root of your SD card:

    • _nds folder
    • _pico folder
    • BOOT.NDS

    Already using TWiLight Menu++ or another menu?

    If there's already a BOOT.NDS on your SD card that something else relies on, rename the AKMenu-Next one (e.g. akmenu-next.nds) before copying it over, then launch it from your kernel.

Installing a game loader

AKMenu-Next doesn't run DS games by itself, it hands them off to a loader. You need at least one of these. You can install both and switch between them whenever you like, even per game.

  • Pico-Loader only supports certain flashcarts, but if yours is on the list it's a good choice.
  • nds-bootstrap works on pretty much any flashcart that can run homebrew. The Flashcart Edition uses nds-bootstrap by default.

Warning

Using the wrong version of Pico-Loader could damage your flashcart! If you are unsure which version to use, check the Supported Platforms section. If your flashcart isn't listed, use nds-bootstrap instead.

  1. Download the latest release of Pico-Loader. Pick the zip that matches your flashcart, using the Supported Platforms table to work out which one that is.

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

  3. Copy the contents of the zip into the _pico folder on your SD card (create it if it isn't there). When you're done, you should have _pico/picoLoader7.bin and _pico/picoLoader9.bin.

  4. Boot AKMenu-Next, press START and go to Settings. In the Game loader settings tab, change Game Loader to Pico-Loader, then press A and confirm to save.

  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 zip into the _nds folder on your SD card. You should end up with files like _nds/nds-bootstrap-release.nds and _nds/nds-bootstrap-hb-release.nds.

  4. That's it, nds-bootstrap is already the default loader on the Flashcart Edition. If you've previously switched to Pico-Loader, press START, go to Settings > Game loader settings and set Game Loader back to nds-bootstrap.

Note

The first time you launch a game with nds-bootstrap you'll get a message about first-time setup. It creates a large pagefile.sys in _nds, which can take a minute. This only happens once.

You can now launch BOOT.NDS from your flashcart's kernel, or set up autobooting below so you go straight into AKMenu-Next.

Autobooting AKMenu-Next

Note

If you can't find your flashcart in the Autoboot folder (check Autoboot/README.txt too, as a lot of clones share files), skip this section and just launch BOOT.NDS from your kernel. On some kernels you can make a copy of BOOT.NDS called default.nds to have it chainload automatically.

  1. Open the Autoboot folder in the AKMenu-Next files and find the folder that matches your flashcart.

  2. Copy the contents of that folder (not the folder itself) to the root of your SD card. Overwrite anything it asks about.

  3. If your flashcart is a DSTTi clone that needs extra boot files, look in the Supplementary DSTTi Clone Files folder. The YSMenu compatibility list can tell you which file your cart wants. If it isn't there, make copies of TTMenu.dat from the DSTT & DSTTi folder and rename them to whatever your cart needs.

Slot-1 carts that need DLDI patching

Most kernels DLDI patch homebrew for you. A few, like the Games n' Music, or Slot-2 carts booted into NDS mode, might not. If AKMenu-Next can't see your SD card, DLDI patch BOOT.NDS with your cart's driver first.

Cheats (optional)

  1. Download a cheat database.

  2. Copy usrcheat.dat from the download to _nds/akmenunext/cheats/ on your SD card (create the cheats folder if it's missing).

See Using the Menu for how to actually turn cheats on.

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. Copy the following files/folders to the root of your DSpico's SD card:

    • _nds folder
    • _pico folder
    • BOOT.NDS
    • _picoboot.nds (only if you want to autoboot AKMenu-Next instead of Pico-Launcher)

Installing Pico-Loader

  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 zip into the _pico folder on your SD card. You should end up with _pico/picoLoader7.bin and _pico/picoLoader9.bin.

  4. You can now launch BOOT.NDS from Pico-Launcher. If you copied _picoboot.nds, the DSpico will boot straight into AKMenu-Next instead.

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 zip into the _nds folder on your SD card.

  4. In AKMenu-Next, press START and go to Settings. Go to the Game loader settings tab and change Game Loader to nds-bootstrap. You can also leave the global setting on Pico-Loader and only switch individual games over (see per-game settings).

Cheats (optional)

  1. Download a cheat database.

  2. Copy usrcheat.dat from the download to _nds/akmenunext/cheats/ on your SD card (create the cheats folder if it's missing).

See Using the Menu for how to actually turn cheats on.

Running DSiWare (DSi & 3DS only)

The DSpico can run DSiWare when it's plugged into a DSi or 3DS. See Running DSiWare.

Note

This needs a modded Nintendo DSi. If yours isn't modded yet, follow dsi.cfw.guide first.

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 use TWiLight Menu++ and want to keep it alongside AKMenu-Next, don't copy over BOOT.NDS, as it'll overwrite the one TWiLight Menu++ uses. Launch akmenu-next.dsi from TWiLight Menu++ or Unlaunch instead.

  3. Copy the following files/folders to the root of your SD card:

    • _nds folder
    • BOOT.NDS (read the warning above)
    • akmenu-next.dsi
    • title folder (only if you use 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 zip into the _nds folder on your SD card.

  7. Load BOOT.NDS with whatever entrypoint you use (e.g. Memory Pit, stylehax or Flipnote Lenny), or launch akmenu-next.dsi from Unlaunch or TWiLight Menu++. If you use HiyaCFW and copied the title folder, AKMenu-Next will show up on your home menu as an app.

Cheats (optional)

  1. Download a cheat database.

  2. Copy usrcheat.dat from the download to _nds/akmenunext/cheats/ on your SD card (create the cheats folder if it's missing).

See Using the Menu for how to actually turn cheats on.

Autobooting AKMenu-Next

Note

Autobooting AKMenu-Next on a DSi needs Unlaunch or Astronaut 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. The bottom screen should show akmenu-next.dsi when it's selected.

  4. Turn your DSi off and back on. It'll now boot straight into AKMenu-Next.

  1. Turn on your DSi while holding A and B.

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

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

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

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

  6. Turn your DSi off and back on. It'll now boot straight into AKMenu-Next.

Running DSiWare

AKMenu-Next can launch DSiWare from your DSi's SD card. See Running DSiWare.

Note

This needs a modded Nintendo 3DS. If yours isn't modded yet, follow 3ds.hacks.guide first. Everything here works the same on the 2DS family, it's just called "3DS" below to keep things short.

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 use TWiLight Menu++ on your 3DS and want to keep it, don't copy over BOOT.NDS, as it'll overwrite the one TWiLight Menu++ uses. You don't need it anyway since you'll be launching AKMenu-Next from the home menu.

  3. Copy the following files/folders to the root of your SD card:

    • _nds folder
    • BOOT.NDS (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 zip into the _nds folder on your SD card.

  7. Put the SD card back in your 3DS and turn it on. Open FBI, go to SD, find akmenu-next.cia, select it and choose Install CIA.

  8. Launch akmenu-next from the 3DS home menu.

Tip

If AKMenu-Next doesn't show up on the home menu after installing (or you're updating an older version), restart your 3DS.

Once it's installed you can delete akmenu-next.cia from your SD card if you want the space back.

Cheats (optional)

  1. Download a cheat database.

  2. Copy usrcheat.dat from the download to _nds/akmenunext/cheats/ on your SD card (create the cheats folder if it's missing).

See Using the Menu for how to actually turn cheats on.

Running DSiWare

AKMenu-Next can launch DSiWare from your 3DS's SD card through nds-bootstrap. See Running DSiWare.

First boot

The first time AKMenu-Next starts, it'll ask you to pick a language. Choose one and it'll restart into the menu. You can change it later in the System settings tab of the settings menu.

After that you'll see the top level of the file browser. What's listed depends on your setup:

Setup What you'll see
Flashcart in a DS / DS Lite microSD Card, Favourites, Recently Played, Slot 2 Card
Flashcart or DSpico in a DSi / 3DS microSD Card, DSi SD (if a card is in the console), Favourites, Recently Played, Slot 2 Card
DSi / 3DS SD card DSi SD, Favourites, Recently Played, Slot 1 Card

Head into your SD card, find a game and press A. Have a look at Using the Menu for everything else.

What your SD card should look like

Here's roughly what you'll have once everything is installed. You don't need to match it exactly, but if something isn't working it's a handy thing to compare against:

SD:/
├── _nds/
│   ├── akmenunext/            <- AKMenu-Next's own files
│   │   ├── cheats/usrcheat.dat
│   │   ├── language/
│   │   ├── plugins/
│   │   ├── ui/                <- themes go in here
│   │   ├── globalsettings.ini <- created on first boot
│   │   └── launcher.nds
│   ├── nds-bootstrap-release.nds
│   ├── nds-bootstrap-hb-release.nds
│   └── nds-bootstrap-nightly.nds (optional)
├── _pico/                     <- flashcart & DSpico only
│   ├── picoLoader7.bin
│   └── picoLoader9.bin
├── BOOT.NDS
└── (your games, in whatever folders you like)

Info

Need help or want to chat about AKMenu-Next? Check out the AKMenu-Next GBAtemp thread.