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Linux Coming to the Nintendo DS

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the handheld-servers dept.

GamersZion writes "A recent IRC conversation with ChaosKnight, a member of the DS Linux development team, revealed information about the status of the DS Linux project. 'It was a bit tough to get the ball rolling, but with PassMe fully functional and everything starting to fall in order, I wouldn't be surprised to see an alpha release within the next month.' While little information is being revealed about the release of this anticipated software, it looks like we can be expecting it sometime in the short future."

45 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. Wait a minute... by EtherAlchemist · · Score: 5, Funny


    Paris Hilton isn't involved, is she?

    --
    R(k)
  2. Universal OS. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Linux Coming to the Nintendo DS"

    Maybe we should compile a short list of what Linux DOESN"T run on.

    1. Re:Universal OS. by wheany · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm pretty sure it doesn't run on a piece of tofu.

    2. Re:Universal OS. by Lisandro · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm pretty sure it doesn't run on a piece of tofu.

      Well, doh. You have NetBSD for that.

    3. Re:Universal OS. by Koiu+Lpoi · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It's going to be a very short list. Almost anything we call a 'computer' (and that is going to include almost all gaming systems) is going to run - the only challenges you have are a) getting it to compile on whatever processer you run b) all types of I/O, memory addressing, etc. there's enough geeks out there that we can have linux on pretty much anything. Give it a month, I expect Linux on the PSP as well. They've already got Linux on the Playstation 2, so I don't see it taking much time.

    4. Re:Universal OS. by tonsofpcs · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I have yet to see either run on a TI calculator (z80 [82/83/84/85/86] or m68k [89, 92]). I don't think Linux runs on any Z80 [please correct me if I am wrong], so there goes my two TRS-80s (one model 3, one CoCo), and also my two Sharp 1500s (one 1500A, one 1500; these are the same as the TRS-80 PC-2s)

      --
      Video Production Support
    5. Re:Universal OS. by zachetus · · Score: 2, Informative

      I think that for Elks (embeddable linux kernel) one target was z80, though i don't know did it actually never run on it, but least one unix port named Uzi is running on it.

    6. Re:Universal OS. by Prod_Deity · · Score: 2, Informative

      The first PlayStation had the unoffical PSX, then they named the PlayStation media center PSX,.

      http://www.psx.sony.co.jp/

      So the PS3 will be just, PS3.

  3. See... by Simon+Garlick · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...THAT'S what Debian needs to get its release schedule back on track. Project leaders with names like "ChaosKnight".

    --

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    PGP Key ID 0xCB8FF658
  4. Welll.... by Enjoi · · Score: 3, Funny

    If they can get it on an NT Kernel, they can get it on anything :P

  5. WooHoo!! by deggy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If I could run an ssh client and a web browser on a DS with a wireless connection i'd go out and buy one tomorrow!!

    1. Re:WooHoo!! by gameboyhippo · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I would very much like to see an X server run on the DS. With the touchscreen, it would make a very nice PDA

    2. Re:WooHoo!! by Mignon · · Score: 2, Informative
      The ZipIt might be more what you're looking for. It's a wifi-enabled, Linux-powered, IM client that some folks have figured out how to get a custom filesystem onto. There's already lots of interest in ssh and web clients, but one limiting factor is how much memory it has.

      But US$100 sounds pretty nifty.

  6. Great! by Lisandro · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now i can play all these great gam--oh, wait...

    Just kidding. It's cool, and it might open a door to extend the DS functionality beyond a gaming platform. More like a small PDA, perhaps? It even has the touchpad!

    1. Re:Great! by mrseigen · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Well, Linux definitely has more games than the DS at this point. What a completely dismal line-up.

    2. Re:Great! by Jace+of+Fuse! · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Ignoring that Mario 64 is still a great game (and still fun, even if dated), I wonder how it is some people seem to ignore the fact that there are still countless great GBA games that will play on a DS.

      Even if they are ignored for simply not being specifically for the DS, that's still more good games than are available for the PSP.

      In fact, I personally only really consider Lumines to be the only good game for the PSP. I can't play my copy though. I've had to return NINE PSPs for being defective (in several different ways) and am currently now without a PSP.

      --

      "Everything you know is wrong. (And stupid.)"

      Moderation Totals: Wrong=2, Stupid=3, Total=5.
    3. Re:Great! by shirai · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I know you were being funny, but this does open up the door for potentially running MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator). The DS is an interesting platform for this since the lower screen could be used to insert quarters, push Player 1/2 start buttons, etc.

      Of course, I'd really be wanting this on the PSP with its gorgeous screen (if you own one, you know what I'm talking about). Since it has a memory card (better to hold games with) it would probably be the better overall MAME platform. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.

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    4. Re:Great! by idlake · · Score: 3, Informative

      Get an Archos PMA-400; similarly gorgeous screen, it runs Linux out of the box, and it doesn't use any proprietary disks.

    5. Re:Great! by notque · · Score: 4, Insightful

      In fact, I personally only really consider Lumines to be the only good game for the PSP. I can't play my copy though. I've had to return NINE PSPs for being defective (in several different ways) and am currently now without a PSP.

      Without the exceedingly high cost, and the overwhelming complaints, I'd bu... Oh, and the lack of good launch titles, the company not being particularly willing to replace defective products,

      I'd love to own a PSP.

      Did I mention the absolutely insane cost of a 1 gig memory chip?

      --
      http://use.perl.org
  7. We're Back by numbware · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now I KNOW we are back to regular Slashdot. Attempts to run Linux on everything solid. :)

    -Justin

    --
    I'm going to go create my own technology news site, with blackjack and hookers. You know what? Forget the news site.
    1. Re:We're Back by Ford+Prefect · · Score: 4, Funny

      Now I KNOW we are back to regular Slashdot. Attempts to run Linux on everything solid. :)

      Actually, I recently managed to install Linux on a cubic metre of fresh air. I'd take photos, but it admittedly looks a bit unimpressive...

      --
      Tedious Bloggy Stuff - hooray?
  8. just wondering... by weavermatic · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why do you people want to put linux on everything under the sun?

    1. Re:just wondering... by Lisandro · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Because they can? Let the nerds be happy i say.

    2. Re:just wondering... by aslate · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Because it might actually be useful?

      Set up the DS with a browser, use the wireless to get on the internet, the touchscreen would make a great way to navigate the net or type. You could turn it into a PDA of sorts.

  9. In other News... by big_groo · · Score: 5, Funny
    From the dept-of-craptastic-journalism-dept

    "A recent IRC conversation with *insert_generic_nic_here*, a member of the Link_goes_here development team, revealed information about the status of the *instert_name* project. 'It was a bit tough to get the ball rolling, but with *insert_function* fully functional and everything starting to fall in order, I wouldn't be surprised to see an alpha release within the next month.' While little information is being revealed about the release of this anticipated *insert_something*, it looks like we can be expecting it sometime in the short future."

    I for one can't wait!

  10. What are people doing with their exotic Linuxes? by Dancin_Santa · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I am not going to rain on these guys' parade, I think that they ought to do whatever floats their boat. If hacking Linux onto the DS is their "thing", more power to them.

    But I wonder what people are doing with their exotic Linux installations. Linux on the PS2, on a toaster, on the blender, etc. What are these used for besides showing off? Is there some real-life application to having Linux on these things?

  11. culture jamming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) Buy a DS
    2) Carefully remove shrink Wrap
    3) Install linux on DS
    4) Put a very tiny mark on the packaging then place shrink wrap back on DS
    5) Return DS to store so they can restock it on the shelves

    - SJ53

  12. This is great by MemoryDragon · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Add to that the opie project and you get a fully functional pda...

  13. Hmm by Sv-Manowar · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It seems the PSP is not the only handheld that is being developed on now, this is great news for nintendo fans, as the buzz about the psp "web browser" and other modifications had the posibility to increase market share dramatically for the psp

    If stuff like this comes out for the DS, it will put both the consoles on a more even playing field for sales, and therefore neither will be favoured by games producers as much.

    --
    Business Voyeur
  14. I need Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Running my vibrator. I want it cooing sweet things to me with excellent uptime.

    GET. IT. DONE. NOW.

  15. Re:What are people doing with their exotic Linuxes by marsu_k · · Score: 4, Funny

    The DS has built-in WLAN. You could be running ettercap while everyone will assume you're playing Mario.

  16. That says it all... by zappepcs · · Score: 4, Funny

    The site lists a page titled "Developer Blogs" and on that page lists 2 hackers and zero developers....

    I can't wait till my TV remote has linux running on it, then I can program it to watch crap TV while I'm not there

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  17. Fake signature by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    The parents Sig is actualy part of his post , he copys parts of storys and karma whores to get his sig seen , Thank you for your time
    --Stop Spam at its source---

    --TKgroup

  18. This is unusually interesting to me by SetupWeasel · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Most of the "Linux runs on X" news isn't all that interesting to me. Usually if it would be useful to run Linux on X, it already has a lot of the functionality Linux would give from other software. If X doesn't have software that gives it this functionality already, porting Linux is usually useless for the average chap (like with the PS2).

    This, however, is a case of a piece of hardware that could greatly benefit from a Linux OS, but doesn't have anything like it already available. My DS may be the first piece of hardware I have ever run Linux on.

    (I feel like I just screamed "WE CAME FROM APES!" to a bunch of Southern Baptists when I typed that last sentence.)

  19. Yay! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    "I survived April Fool's day on the intarweb and all I got was this lousy T-shirt."

    We have normality, I repeat, we have normality. Anything you still can't cope with is therefore your own problem. :-)

  20. Re:What are people doing with their exotic Linuxes by A.K.A_Magnet · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I agree that except for the glory, porting Linux to exotic hardware is quite limited.

    But remember Linux on XBOX. At the time it went gold, the XBOX had a good hardware configuration for a decent price (and now it's still OK : $150). It doesn't take too much space, and you can have a linux home server.

    Now the same thing applies with the DS (or the PSP but no tactile screen...). It's damn hard to get a Zaurus or equivalent in Europe and it's really expensive. If those nintendoDS hackers can get Linux to run on the DS, can get dual boot, and reverse engeener the tactile screen and the wifi connection, it could become one of the best available PDAs : true games (not crappy Palm games...) and a true OS.

    So there's a goal. Now do I think that THIS portable console generation will be powerful enough (in term of batteries, processor, and lack of sufficient storage device) so I will get one and install Linux on it ? Nope.

    But maybe in a few years it will be possible on the next Sony or Nintendo. And then I can well imagine myself in my university campus browsing the web, and chatting on IRC (that would require a separate wifi mini keyboard ? hardware hacker, anyone ? ;)) on the grass under the sun :). The NintendoDS is small enough to take it anywhere with you.

    We have a freedom guaranted by free software. When I buy a NintendoDS, it's a closed package. I get what I paid for. But if I can put some free software on it then it goes beyond my first motive of buying it. That's something the current society doesn't want us to do. It wants us to buy prepared food, and they want us to buy prepackaged hardware (which may be excused by pragmatic reasons since it would be impossible to support if we got every hardware piece separated from software). But still if it's my NintendoDS, I can do whatever I want with it. Just like I can buy beef at the chinese and cook my own rice (incredibly cheaper .. not quite as good but heh..)

    To sum up, I think that even if such initiatives doesn't always end up as one (= the initiative's founder especially ;)) would have wished, they're still great and everyone motivated enough not to follow the standard path (people who cook their own food) can profit from it. So all in all : Kudos to people who port free software to unsupported hardware :)

  21. So cites IRC by LordHatrus · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "A recent IRC conversation..." Yes, we should cite those as very reliable sources. ... Because everything you read on IRC is true. ... Did I mention I'm a 18 year old female from your general area?

  22. You don't need a DS for that. by uberjoe · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You should get a Zaurus. http://openzaurus.org

    --

    The days of the digital watch are numbered.

  23. Lunix on C=64 by tepples · · Score: 2, Informative

    True, but teh Lunix does run on Commodore 64 computers.

  24. I, for one, am all for this by stanthegoomba · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Sure, the "run Linux on your toaster" articles are fun and all, but unlike most this actually has potential. The DS would make an excellent multimedia PDA: Touchscreen for a decent form of input, stereo speakers, dual screens backed up by a more than decent graphics card, compact size, and 2 forms of wireless networking (assuming these can get the proprietary shortrange networking to work in Linux.) I could see myself replacing my Dell Axim with a Linux powered DS if this project ever matures to that point. Good luck to the developers!

  25. Ironically by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It seems the only thing that they can't get Linux to run on is the average user's PC.

  26. So how do I run this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I am very seriously interested in buying whatever is necessary to make this work as soon as it's possible. But one very big question.

    HOW DO I RUN THIS?

    How do I actually load up this ds linux thing? Like, onto the DS? What the hell is a "passme" or a "passthrough"? I'm looking at the photos of "passme" on the front page of dslinux.org and going ugh. I don't understand what's happening in these photos but if I have to have some big thing sticking out of the back of my DS or plug the DS into the computer every time I want to run linux on it... that's not acceptable. I won't bother.

    At what point will I be able to somehow plug a little all-rewritable DS card into my computer (preferably my mac), load a linux kernel onto it, and then three days later just pull it out of my pocket, stick it in the DS, and boot?

    1. Re:So how do I run this? by Melfina · · Score: 2, Informative

      If you read the site a lil more it tells you that the passme/passthrough "redirects the DS to a GBA Flash cart, so you can run your own program on the Nintendo DS. It requires the use of a commercial DS cart and a GBA Flash cart to work." (DSPassme.com) Basicly, you upload your program to a flashcart, than onto passme, and you can run it off of the DS. Obviously it's more work than that, but thats the idea.

      "that's not acceptable. I won't bother."

      The project hasent been subbmitted for your approval, these are some people doing this for fun, and possibly a chance to take over the world (I havent read the blog yet). If you can find a better way good luck. But, to answer your question, the card does stick out of the back, and you dont have to plug it into your pc. Altho that could be fun to test programs instead of flashing and re-flashing them.

      "At what point will I be able to somehow plug a little all-rewritable DS card into my computer (preferably my mac), load a linux kernel onto it, and then three days later just pull it out of my pocket, stick it in the DS, and boot?"

      The best way to do it, would be get "passme" and a GBA flash read/writer and do it like that. Or you could build your own. It's not impossible, I just dont think anyone has done it yet.

      --
      :3 rawr.
  27. i couldn't resist... by wolvie_cobain · · Score: 3, Funny

    imagine a beowulf cluster of...

  28. Please mod me up by sbaker · · Score: 4, Informative

    OK - I've been hanging out on the www.dslinux.org site for a few weeks. This announcement is *WAY* premature. There isn't even a coherent team put together to START the port yet.

    What there is right now is a bunch of individual developers who have each individually solved various parts of the puzzle. However, we are quite far from having all of the parts put together in the form of a runnable kernel - and there is ABSOLUTELY NO ORGANISED DSLINUX TEAM YET!

    In order to try to pull things together, I am in the process of organising an election to nominate a team leader - and then to collect together the expertise of the disparate developers, set up a SourceForge account (there already is one - but there has been nothing committed to it since December.

    I don't know the individual who posted this to /. - but it doesn't represent the current state of affairs one little bit.

    If you need to confirm what I'm saying, visit the forums at www.dslinux.org - or check the emptyness of dslinux.sf.net

    Please mod me up so this message gets out.

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    www.sjbaker.org