link:
http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=565312

1.) the ds one and r4 chips are legal to own, homebrewers need them. what is not legal is downloading commercial games from rom sites. you can legally download homebrew games (they are never listed on rom sites) just google ds homebrew.

2.) games are hard to make for the ds, however there is a ds game making software:
http://dsgamemaker.com

3.) it would not be wise to send a chip to them with your game as it will just be thrown in the trash as it was not made with the official Nintendo software

4.) it is nearly impossible to get the Nintendo software

5.) i haven't found a place that will mass produce ds chips yet - still looking

Quote: Original post by Ruffsta
1.) the ds one and r4 chips are legal to own, homebrewers need them. what is not legal is downloading commercial games from rom sites. you can legally download homebrew games (they are never listed on rom sites) just google ds homebrew.

Legality depends on location.

Quote: 2.) games are hard to make for the ds, however there is a ds game making software: http://dsgamemaker.com

Games take effort to make, no matter what platform. There is a major difference between making a homebrew console game, which has no requirements but can never be published, and making an official console game, which has very strict publishing requirements.

Quote: 3.) it would not be wise to send a chip to them with your game as it will just be thrown in the trash as it was not made with the official Nintendo software

Much beyond that: Attempting to ship or publish or otherwise use a hacking device shows at best an ignorance of the professional world. At worst it is direct evidence (depending on location) of blatant criminal behavior. If it is a crime in your location and you decide to distribute mass produced chips, expect a visit from a lawyer and/or police agency.

Quote: 4.) it is nearly impossible to get the Nintendo software

Wrong. It is very easy to get the Nintendo software. You simply must be an authorized business. As a rough estimate, I'd say there are between 500-1000 such studios around the globe. It is by far the easiest to get licensed for.

Quote: 5.) i haven't found a place that will mass produce ds chips yet - still looking

Nintendo will do it for you, and it is 100% legal. Visit warioworld.com for an application.

In the US and EU and various other locations, manufacture of the chips without Nintendo's approval can be punished as a crime and land you in jail and/or give you incredibly high fines.



If you want to develop a console application for public distribution, you need to follow the console owner's guidelines. With the exception of the XNA Creators Club, you must demonstrate to the company that you have the resources to develop a game and bring it to market. This normally means having a business plan, a few experienced developers, and access enough startup funds to not just develop, but also market and distribute and get the product in stores.