3DS:Game plugins

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Revision as of 01:05, 19 June 2022 by Ihaveahax (talk | contribs) (proper wiki link)

On the Nintendo 3DS, game plugins are add-ons that run with specific games. They can often be used to:

Plugins most commonly come in two formats: the PLG format and the 3GX format. PLG format plugins are generally older and may not work as expected on the latest firmware.

This page serves as a general tutorial for running plugins - it is not a tutorial on how to use these plugins. For information on specific plugins, check the page for the game in question.

Installing PLG format plugins

What you need

  • The latest release of BootNTR (one of the .cia files)
    • The banner doesn't matter - get the one that you think looks nicer.
    • If you have an Old3DS, you'll need the Mode3 version of BootNTR if you want to use plugins on extended memory mode games (such as the seventh-generation Pokémon games).
  • The latest release of Luma3DS 3GX Loader (boot.firm)
    • Even though we're running PLG format plugins, we currently require the 3GX loader version of Luma3DS for BootNTR Selector to work. You won't actually be using the 3GX loading component (unless, of course, you're using any 3GX plugins).
  • Your PLG-format plugin of choice

Section I: Prep Work

  1. Put your SD card into your computer
  2. Copy the BootNTR Selector .cia file(s) to the cias folder on your SD card
    • Create it if it doesn't exist - it's just for organizational purposes
  3. Copy boot.firm to the root of the SD card, replacing the existing one
  4. Create a folder named plugin on the root of your SD card if it does not already exist
  5. Inside the plugin folder, create a folder named with the title ID of the game
    • You can get the game's title ID from here (cartridges), here (digital games), or from the FBI -> Titles menu
    • For example, Taiko no Tatsujin: Dokodon! Mystery Adventure's title ID is 0004000000190E00, so you'd create a folder named 0004000000190E00
    • The creator of the plugin may have already done this for you, in which case you can just copy the title ID folder from the plugin's .zip file to the plugin folder
    • If you want the plugin to run for all games (for example, for an FPS overlay), create a folder called game inside of the plugin folder
  6. Put your SD card into your 3DS

Section II: Installing CIAs

  You only need to do this if BootNTR Selector hasn't been installed yet, or if BootNTR Selector is outdated.
  1. Power on your device
  2. Open the FBI application
  3. Navigate to SD Card -> cias
  4. Select the BootNTR Selector .cia file(s), then select "Install and delete CIA"
  5. Allow the CIA(s) to install
  6. Exit the FBI application

Section III: BootNTR Selector

  1. Open the BootNTR Selector application (the rocket icon)
    • If you have an Old3DS and you want to run an extended memory mode game, open the Mode3 version; otherwise, open the normal one
  2. If prompted to setup the application, select "Use default"
    • If you mess up here, you can reset BootNTR Selector's config by holding (Select) while opening the application
  3. Select Version 3.6
    • The screen should flash a color, then kick you back to HOME Menu
  4. Open your game of choice
    • The screen should flash another color to indicate that the plugin has successfully loaded
  Your NTR plugin has been successfully loaded! Refer to the plugin's documentation to figure out what key(s) you need to press to access the plugin's settings.

Installing 3GX format plugins

What you need

Section I: Prep Work

  1. Put your SD card into your computer
  2. Copy boot.firm to the root of the SD card, replacing the existing one
  3. Open the luma folder, then create a folder named plugins inside it
  4. Inside the plugins folder, create a folder named with the title ID of the game
    • You can get the game's title ID from here (cartridges), here (digital games), or from the FBI -> Titles menu
    • For example, Taiko no Tatsujin: Dokodon! Mystery Adventure's title ID is 0004000000190E00, so you'd create a folder named 0004000000190E00
    • The creator of the plugin may have already done this for you, in which case you can just copy the title ID folder from the plugin's .zip file to the plugins folder
    • If you want the plugin to run for all games (for example, for the CTRPluginFramework blank plugin), rename the plugin to default.3gx and just leave it in the plugins folder
  5. Put your SD card into your 3DS

Section II: Installing CIAs

  1. Power on your device
  2. Open the Rosalina menu ([Left Shoulder] + [Down D-Pad] + [Select] by default)
  3. Scroll down to the plugin loader option, then press (A) to enable it
  4. Exit the Rosalina menu by pressing (B) a couple of times
  5. Open your game of choice
    • The screen should flash another color to indicate that the plugin has successfully loaded
  Your 3GX plugin has been successfully loaded! Refer to the plugin's documentation to figure out what key(s) you need to press to access the plugin's settings.