UPDATE DECEMBER 13 2025:
A new update has been shown on one of the many to be announced uses that can be given to the USB port on the DSpico, the first one announced was using the DSi as a webcam for your PC:
A lot of people are wondering what the USB port on the DSpico is for. 🤔
Here are some examples of what you can do with it.Starting with the first one: “Using the DSi as a webcam for your PC. 🎥💻”#dspico pic.twitter.com/PKxMWKbAJ7
— Nitehack (@Nitehack) December 12, 2025
Original Article:
After four years of dedicated development, the LNH team has finally pulled back the curtain on something the retro gaming community has been craving: a completely open-source flashcart for the Nintendo DS, DSi, and 3DS (in DSi mode). Meet DSpico, a project that’s not just another flashcart—it’s a love letter to game preservation, homebrew development, and the DIY spirit that keeps classic consoles alive.
What makes DSpico stand out in a market flooded with clones and closed-source alternatives? Everything about it is open. We’re talking PCB designs, firmware, shell blueprints, even the box art. You can download the files, study how it works, modify it to your heart’s content, or send it to a manufacturer to build your own. This isn’t just a product; it’s a blueprint for anyone who wants to understand how these devices actually work.
Built on the RP2040
At the heart of DSpico sits the RP2040 microcontroller—yes, the same chip that powers the Raspberry Pi Pico. The LNH team chose this specifically because it’s powerful enough to handle the complexities of DS cartridge emulation while remaining accessible and well-documented for hobbyists. The firmware running on this chip is where the magic happens, managing everything from game loading to console detection.
One of the coolest features? DSpico implements a multi-bootloader system. The firmware automatically detects whether you’ve inserted it into a DS, DSi, or 3DS, then loads the appropriate bootloader for that system. No manual switching, no separate versions—just plug and play. For DSi and 3DS users, there’s even support for WRFuxxed, an exploit that gives the cartridge full DSi-mode access on unmodified consoles, meaning you can run DSi exclusive titles and DSiWare without any additional hacks.
More than just a cartridge
The project actually evolved beyond being just a flashcart. The LNH team separated everything into modular components that work together but can also be mixed and matched. At the core is the DSpico hardware itself, but there’s also Pico Loader (the ROM loader software) and Pico Launcher (the menu interface for browsing and launching your games).
What’s particularly interesting is that Pico Launcher isn’t locked to DSpico hardware. It works with various existing flashcarts, and conversely, DSpico plays nice with popular alternatives like Wood Menu and TwilightMenu++. This interoperability is refreshing in a scene where proprietary lock-ins are common.
Compatibility-wise, most of the DS library and homebrew applications should run without issues, though the team acknowledges there are a few titles that don’t work correctly yet. The cartridge supports DSi exclusive games and DSiWare through an emuNAND implementation—only games using NAND save types (like certain training software) remain incompatible for now.
A tinkerer’s dream
Perhaps the most exciting aspect for developers and hardware enthusiasts is the development port built into the cartridge. This isn’t some afterthought—it’s a deliberate design choice that opens up possibilities for expansion. Want to add infrared support for games that used it? The port gives you the pins and communication channels to build your own peripherals. It’s basically an invitation to experiment and innovate.
The team has made the entire build process as accessible as possible. Comprehensive guides walk you through ordering PCBs, 3D printing the shell, assembling everything, and compiling the firmware. They’ve even included the sticker designs and box art files if you want your creation to look polished and official.
The open-source difference
Why does open-source matter in the flashcart world? For starters, it sidesteps the murky legal waters that have historically plagued these devices. More importantly, it ensures longevity. When a commercial flashcart manufacturer disappears, their product often becomes unsupported orphanware. With DSpico, the community can keep development alive indefinitely.
The LNH team has been clear about their intentions: they’re not selling these cartridges. They won’t profit from the hardware. Instead, they encourage group buys and manufacturers who want to produce DSpico to make it available to the community. It’s about preservation and education, not profit margins.
Preservation meets innovation
The Nintendo DS library deserves to be accessible. Whether you’re a collector looking to back up your games, a developer wanting to create homebrew applications, or just someone who wants to experience DS titles without hunting down increasingly expensive cartridges, DSpico offers a solution that respects both the hardware and the community.
The retro gaming scene thrives on projects like this—efforts driven by passion rather than profit, by curiosity rather than convenience. DSpico represents hundreds of hours of reverse engineering, testing, refinement, and documentation, all offered freely to anyone interested in keeping these beloved handhelds relevant.
If you’ve ever wanted to peek under the hood of a flashcart, understand how cartridge emulation works, or just support a genuinely community-focused project, DSpico is worth checking out. All the documentation, files, and build guides are available at the LNH team’s website. There’s even a dedicated Discord server where you can ask questions, share builds, and collaborate with other enthusiasts.
The DS may be nearly two decades old, but projects like DSpico prove it’s far from obsolete. When hardware becomes this accessible, this documented, this open—that’s when preservation turns into innovation.
Stay tuned for more stories about the homebrew scene, retro gaming preservation, and the passionate communities keeping classic consoles alive. Follow us to never miss an update!