A new way to hack your 3DS’ region lock can lead to the handheld system becoming inoperable, reports suggest. Earlier this month, we reported that hackers had found a way to disable the console’s region lock and enable the use of overseas titles by using a 3DS flash card. But there’s a problem set to leave a nasty after taste for those who use Gateway’s 3DS flash card – one that leaves your device bricked.
After the flash card manufacturer took measures to ensure its technology would no longer be pirated by other users, it installed a new ‘kill switch’ in a recent update. Unfortunately, when users began to tamper with and modify the flash card’s code, the switch was triggered leading to an unusable, bricked console.
Gateway has since issued a statement saying that it is investigating the situation, saying that “flawed copying or modifications of our official launcher firmware” is the main cause. On its official website – though it is currently experiencing technical issues – the company says it “specifically warn[s] users to avoid clone launcher firmware and avoid the region-free patches made by Normmatt” – the user who initially uncovered the region-free hack.
Though Gateway offers support to genuine customers, those with inoperable devices will have to contact Nintendo directly. And as such, Gateway’s Customer Support Team said the following:
“Our focus is to bring the best experience to genuine Gateway users. We can confirm that NO Gateway user had any issue with their console or their Gateway card.
“We do not answer rumors, speculations and other tactics from people who are not even real competitors but simply companies stealing our hard work. It would be just taking away our time from what we owe our customers: Bringing them a better and better experience with Gateway new firmware, functions and compatibility.
“If you are not a Gateway customer, please simply contact your product manufacturer. We only offer warranty and support for [a] genuine Gateway card.”
This honestly sucks! It’s not fair that if a game is delayed or cancelled for a specific location, I can’t go and get them elsewhere!
LOL
loled
it needs an old firmware that no longer exists on retail 3DS(only storeaged old ones) so it’s useless
Good for them. People shouldn’t be hacking consoles. Look at Project M. It looks cool, but I do have to doubt the ethics of such a game. I prefer to follow the law as much as I can. No Beer. No Hacks. No Cheat Codes!
Project M, not like this, is a reverse enginner that “screws” to the flaws to load stuff from SD. This is a fucking fimware breach, which, on law, is way worst
On terms of tolerance, Smash Hacks are different as theyimprove the way of playing, region lock, while annoying, is the key for FAR more hacks, which would bring chaos
Beer… isn’t illegal…
Not anymore anyway. Still, beer feels unethical. Plus, why go for beer when you can go for Pepsi or Fanta Orange?
Just because you don’t want to drink it doesn’t mean other don’t.
True, but people can control their urges and resist it. It is legal so I’m cool with people drinking beer. That being said, if it were banned in the states in the future, I would hope that people could control themselves
Seriously? Assuming that you ARE of age to actually consume alcohol (which im assuming is false) I’m placing a wager that youve only stuck to piss colored, watered down beers.. that are akin to foul water. Craft beers, IPA’s, Lagers are VERY enjoyable. Prohibition will never take effect in the states again and the first time was a mistake. States are overwhelmingly loosening drug laws (legalize it!) that are relics of the past when large corporations/industry caused them to be outlawed in the first place. Veering off course as this is a response to the beer, why is it unethical?
Ahh yes, why go for beer when you can go for an artificially sweetened soda that is loaded with sugar, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, and a myriad of other crap. (And this coming from a guy who is very pro pepsi/orange soda.. screw Coke!)
Beer is beer. It may taste good and it may not. Either way, I don’t plan on ever tasting it to find out for myself. Soda may not be very healthy, but it leaves you with a sense of satisfaction. It’s a feeling that can’t really be matched by any other drink except for water. Coke Zero is awesome btw. Beer isn’t unethical in itself, but the fact that you can get drunk means that I don’t really trust the drink. Anything that can make people go crazy like that shouldn’t really be sold. The fact that kids are not supposed to have it is yet another warning
shut the fuck up, you piece of horse shit, drink your sodas and be retarded somewhere else, this is a NINTENDO site, say one more thimg unrelated, i’ll jump through your fucking monitor and break your neck…motherfucker
that “Sense of satisfaction” could also be said for people who drink beer. Before typing, understand what you are saying. Beer or alcohol is a depressant. While soda is a stimulant. People do not drink beer to get drunk or crazy, they drink to relieve stress, anxiety, or whatever to calm their nerves, it’s a depressant. Drinking soda is the exact opposite. all that sugar you’re dousing down stimulates you like caffeine does, and will make you anxious, edgy, nervous, and jittery. But people drink it for a boost of energy (opposite of beer) You may not feel the sugar rush at whatever age you are, assuming you have a tolerance by now, but it works the same way as beer if you drink to much. for beer, you get sluggish, and slurred. Whereas high amounts of soda would make you the opposite and you’ll probably stay up all night. Both beer and soda (or any artificial stimulate) have their after effects, a crash and a hangover.
Details aside people have their own taste, some want to wind down with a nice cool beer, while others want bursts of energy. doesn’t mean it’s unethical; both are a sense of satisfaction. I’m not an avid beer drinker myself. I’ve had some, occasionally, as well as vodka, and svedka, a little rum, and some wine.
I’ve only gotten drunk twice, and all I did was laugh my ass off at everything. that’s it.
I’d rather drink soda given the availability because I don’t need a depressant and nothing in my life is bothering me that bad for me to want to relieve myself, but alcohol does have a sense of satisfaction when you reached the “buzz” feeling. not the same as getting full blown hammered. If you’re afraid of getting drunk then you don’t need to drink at all considering the fact that you control the amount you drink.
One shot isn’t going to make you insane, It’s not like you go out on a drunken adventure when you’re intoxicated, it’s not a cliche movie. Just hang out with reliable friends.. as long as you’re smart, you’re okay.
If I were to have beer, it would be the nonalcoholic variant.
Yes, they do exist.
I suppose you never drove over 70mph on the free way?
Never! I don’t like to drive and I’ve only done it a handful of times. I’ve never even come close to the speed limit. Life is like a bowl of mashed potatoes. One slip and everything can be turned upside down. That’s why I don’t take risks like that
Then you sir have never lived. Life is to be lived, not to be spent hiding in the corner hoping that death/injury wont come. Dont take stupid risks, but dont shy away from life to the fullest. Death is inevitable, might as well enjoy it while you can.
For me, “Life to the fullest” is staying at home and playing video games. Jobs and outside experiences are just break time from games and true life imo. Death is inevitable unless the rapture comes before I die (Which actually is possible since we seem to be in the end times) but why should I just add risk to my life? Unless you don’t have any loved ones, that seems to be a little selfish. Many people would be devastated if you died and likewise for me. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t take any risks, but only ones that are actually worth it. Driving that fast just seems to be asking for trouble. It’s like ordering a bowl of mashed potatoes when you already finished a 5 course meal of macaroni and cheese while playing Wii Sports!
You are too fearful of death, that’s what. You’re also more safer if you are around the speed that everyone else is going, you can also get fined for going too slow.
Project M requires an actual SSBBrawl disc. It’s an add-on that doesn’t require hacking the console, using only an SD card. There’s nothing shady about it either. Project M is just a mod, and a clean one at that. There’s no theft involved whatsoever. The ethics are fine.
No, not good for them. The Gateway card is BUILT to let you pirate games. Putting these measures into that is just fucking cheeky and out of line.
How in the holy N’s name the authorities don’t arrest these fools is beyond me…
I don’t agree with region locking but everyone should know when you do something like this to your console that this is the risk you take. No sympathy.
And in other new the sky is blue
Not at night.
You shouldn’t even have to hack it in, region locking is idiotic.
Phew, thank goodness I went the expensive route and imported a Japanese 3ds
Region locking is so stupid. I don’t care what their excuse is for doing it, none of it is really valid. If I want to import a game I should be free to. I can for my Vita, why not my 3DS? It’s not like they’re losing out on money, someone is still buying the game regardless of the region.
Region locking is a good practice. If you want a japanese game, then go to japan and buy a japanese console. We shouldn’t be able to play games that the American Nintendo does not want us to play. It’s all ethical
That is the dumbest logic I have ever heard.
Obviously you have not been to Japan in a while
*Did not mean that Japan had worse logic. I just meant that the plan makes more sense if you have been to Japan. Plane tickets aren’t outrageous and you may save money considering how much it is to import a console*
I would understand bricking the flash card, but not the whole fucking console.
You hack you should have your system break. That simple. Hacking is disgusting and pathetic.
the gateway flashcard is an illegal card unlike flashcards like r4i-sdhc, acekardi, dstwo and the like. these that i mentioned while some say its illegal, its actually if you dont load ds roms into the required memory card size. i have r4i-sdhc that works for 3ds but since i updated my 3ds its blocked, luckily i have my fat ds and i mostly use it for music and use the cheats for games i own (i never use cheats for online) and transfer my save data to the actual game i own using a device called save dongle.
I sadly hate how people complain about hacking a console it’s self. Kind of sad.
Anyway,
Hackers will probably find a way around. And hell, this isn’t even a ROM piracy thing.
Region Locking is very out-dated and we live in a time when mods and hacks exist now. I think Nintendo is like the only company who still believes in the dark ages the most and worse: attack customers by bricking there $350 console whenever someone in there own rightful ownerships mess with what they bought.
Note: I’m a Nintendo fan but not blindly. Just making my self clear. xD
The flash card bricks the console, not Nintendo software. This is because the flash company wants to stop other people from “stealing hard work” they did developing the card. Which is a contradiction because the card already steals the games.
So’s Gateway’s complaining that their illegal rom enabler device is being tampered with? Fucking hypocrites!