It's been a while since we last saw an update to the DS homebrew sprite library PAlib, but here it is! Veteran devs and novice programmers alike can finally enjoy the latest build of PAlib (version 080823), compiled and released by developer Sweater Fish Deluxe. Check out the complete changelog to the new release in our full article after the jump.

Download: PAlib v080823 (Windows installer)
Download: PAlib v080823 (zipped archive version)

Is the party cooling down when the action hasn't even started yet? You can try to jumpstart things with homebrew developer GEMISIS' PrankDS, a fun application for your DS that doles out a few rounds of humor that are both shocking and mundane. More in the full article.

Download: PrankDS v1.0

Because Mario just won't go passé, here's a new DS homebrew game from Delca called Super Pong Bros. Combining two classic games together, Delca has Mario and Luigi bouncing around a fireball in a game of Pong. More details in the full article.

Download: Super Pong Bros.

The DeSmuME development team is back with a new version of DeSmuME, its Nintendo DS emulator for PCs and Linux operating systems. In addition to bug fixes, 3D emulation was also introduced to DeSmuME version 0.7.0, as well as sprite rotation and scaling.

In any case, here is the changelog for DeSmuME version 0.7.0:

General:

• Added support for *.duc files [cyberwarriorx]

GPU:

• Added support for sprite rotation/scaling [shash]
• Added support for the 3D core (openGL and null plugins) [shash]

Windows port:

• A bunch of fixes [Dmitry Krutskih]
• Fixed a bug in sound that was causing it to still not work for some people [cyberwarriorx]

GTK:

• Added 3D emulation
• Added command line options.
• Added option to use OpenGL to render window (allows resizing).

GTK-Glade:

• Added 3D emulation

Give it a try, and don't forget to check the readme for more information. If you're interested in the Linux variants, don't hesitate to visit the team's website and drop the devs a line as well. Enjoy!

Download: DeSmuME v0.7.0 (Windows Port)

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Blood Elf Engineer: Hmm... Tower Defense? No, that's a silly idea, it'd never work.

Noda has released v0.2 of his Warcraft: Tower Defense beta. A number of bug fixes, as well as a few adjustments in the gameplay so your towers are erected with a minimum of fuss (Still not multiplayer, though). Two big additions to cheer about are:

• New maps, nearly all of them user-created (and Noda thanks everyone who submitted their maps!)
• Now the PAFS version of the game can be used with the DeSmuME emulator.

The game is well-documented, with manuals for the game, manuals for the map editor, and important Readmes for the PAFS and Fatlib versions of the game in this package. It would be such a waste if these documents are left unread. So, whenever you're ready to prove that defense is the best offense, download v0.2 below, RTFM, and get cracking. And now, a word from our sponsors, the United Blood Elf Engineers' Union, masters (and skeptics) of tower defense.

'I'll have it up in no time.' is an official term of the United Blood Elf Engineers' Union and should not be taken as a reasonable actual estimation of the actual time it will take to complete a task in any way, shape, or form.

Download: [Warcraft: Tower Defense v0.2 beta]

NDS has updated the DeSmuMe homebrew, a DS Emulator for the PC. What it does is boot DS homebrew apps and games (some of which are playable) on PCs.

Also, the app allows DS homebrew devs to test drive their apps and iron out the kinks in their PCs before loading them on their DS. No need to switch back and forth!

Originally a project of YopYop, DeSmuME v0.5.0 is now 100% C code, compiles and runs on 64-bit compilers, FAT/CompactFlash emulation, framebuffer emulation, sound emulation, backup memory emulation, and save states.

So far, early users reported a few bugs but NDS assures all he isn't finish with it yet.

Anyway, please refer to the readme.win file (for Windows port) and the readme.lin (for the Linux port) for a lot more details.

Download: [DeSmuME v0.5.0]

Tharandur has given the famous bubble puzzle game a Naruto spin on the DS with Naruto Magical Drop v1.0.

As with the the Neo-Geo and Super Nintendo versions, the game is played in a Tetris-style box. Random colored bubbles descend from the top screen, while Naruto (that's you!) can pick up the bubbles and drop them to form at least three same-colored bubble on a single column. This homebrew version is really fast-paced. One wrong move and the onslaught of descending bubbles will render you helpless, leading to your defeat.

While Uzumaki Naruto takes center stage, you can also choose to play as Uchija Sasuke or Hatake Kakashi. Of course, their respective "powers" wouldn't contribute to the success of your bubble-dropping skills, but still, it's good to know there are two more character options.

The A button enables you to pick a bubble and the B button lets you drop the bubbles (but we're guessing you already know that). Don't be fooled by the simple controls though, because the game is no walk in the park.

Those who have tried the Beta version of the game would agree that there have been improvements in the animation and fluidity. However, there seems to be a bug that's causing the bubbles to disappear from view. Restarting the game seems to solve the problem. We're not sure if this is an isolated case as Tharandur didn't mention it in the readme file.

Naruto Magical Drop works with SC, M3, and G6 media cards. If using an emulator, it's recommended that you use Dualis, but it also works ok on DeSMuMe and NeeDS.

Download: [Naruto Magical Drop v1.0]

Remember that DS emulator for PC, GoodNDS, that made updates on DeSmuME via icon changes and language translations? If yes (and if you happened to love what the previous release offered), then here's an update: v0.0.4. If this is the first time you're hearing about the emulator, here's the best time to get acquainted with goodnds' creation.

What to expect in v0.0.4? Read on:

• Option to change video size (but it's currently not working)
• Help button was added
• A Pause message now appears
• FastForward was changed a little

The developer of the DS emulator, which is very useful for 'brew developers, still promises to add better 2d and 3d graphics and to incorporate sounds in future releases. Meantime, enjoy v0.0.4. And as always, your constructive criticisms and suggestions are welcome.

Download: [GoodNDS v0.0.4]

One month after Franck569 released the demo build of Amuz DS, he comes back with a very payable version of the DS homebrew. One change that will be immediately spotted is the all-new graphics sported by this latest build. Get into the game and you'll probably notice the all-new combo scoring system, as well as an extra three levels to play with.

Each level is generated by the game (it's not pre-stored in the ROM file), so Franck569 says it should be easy to create new levels for future builds of the game. All that remains in his to-do list are to correct one bug remaining from the previous build, and to include a score upload/saving system.

The game mechanics remain the same: create groups of three or more same-colored balls to eliminate them from play, and in the name of all that's holy, stop the balls from reaching the Sun God. As there are only a few levels to the game, should you emerge victorious in Level 4, you will return to the first level, but your score will carry over.

The game runs pretty well on the No$ GBA emulator (the .nds file); it also runs on DeSmuME, but it runs slowly and doesn't support all the animations.

Download: [Amuz DS (.nds file)]
Download: [Amuz DS (.sc.nds file)]

From "goodnds" (contact via MSN Messenger) comes GoodNDS v0.0.3. This is a "new" Nintendo DS emulator for the PC (which can be a useful thing for homebrew developers). It is actually an update of DeSmuME, and the developer changed the name of DeSmuME to GoodNDS, changed the icon, and translated some of the words to English. The project now aims to add better 2D and 3D graphics and also aims to get sound working.

This is from the GoodNDS FAQ:

• When is the next release? When we fix some graphics errors in the emulator.
• Will it have WiFi? WiFi will probably be the last thing we add.
• How come in GoodNDS v0.0.3, I can't load my game's save state? Well its a little weird because you have to use the same GoodNDS executable that you used to save it with.
• Why does the emulator say error and freezes on me when im pressing a buttion? Its because you can only press the buttions that are set up for it or it freezes.
• How come I only see a black screen? Ether you pressed a wrong buttion or the emulator doesent support that game.
• Does GoodNDS have 3D graphics? It does. But not very good 3D graphics right now.

If you care to try it out, please let us know what you think about it.

Download: [GoodNDS v0.0.3]