PARTNER-CTR
Developed by Kyoto Microcomputer Co., Ltd. (KMC)[2] for Nintendo, the PARTNER-CTR development kits were offered by Nintendo to develop software for the original Nintendo 3DS.
The PARTNER-CTR was available as 3 different development kits:
- Debugger
- Capture
- Capture Debugger
The Debugger can be used to test and debug software, as well as to write/erase flash cartridges. The Capture unit can only be used to test software, capture footage/audio, and output directly to a display(s).
The Capture Debugger offered dual functionality and was able to be rented from Nintendo for $3,950.
Two Versions of the PARTNER-CTR Debugger Functionality
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There are two versions of the PARTNER-CTR Debugger and Capture Debugger. Here are the differences between the two units:
| (Capture) Debugger 2G | (Capture) Debugger-2 8G |
|---|---|
| CTR09A-EMU Board | CTR09C-EMU-02 Board |
| 2 GB of DDR2 RAM | 8 GB of DDR3 RAM |
| No internal fan | Internal fan |
The 2/8 GB of RAM is used to emulate a Flash Card and limits the maximum size of Flash Cards that can be written to.
Upgrade
Nintendo also offered a service where older 2 GB PARTNER-CTR units could be shipped back to KMC for a hardware upgrade. At the same time, for Debugger only units, a Capture card could be fitted. These units got a sticker on top replacing the old logo (PARTNER-CTR Debugger) with the upgraded one (PARTNER-CTR Capture Debugger).
Two Versions of the PARTNER-CTR Capture
Similar to the IS-TWL-CAPTURE, there is a retail version of the PARTNER-CTR Capture, identified by a sticker on the top of the box. This version is retail-keyed and can play retail game cartridges, unlike all the other PARTNER-CTRs. This would usually be used at events.
PARTNER-CTR Debugger Packaging
Debugger 2G
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Debugger-2 8G
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Front of the Unit
PWR SWITCH
The power switch is a simple push button. Pressing the button turns on the power to the box. The power LED will light up red. Pressing the button again will turn on the handheld unit. To turn off the devkit, press and hold the power button for 2 to 9 seconds.
CARD PWR
The LED indicator will turn green when a cartridge is detected.
FLASH CARD
This is where you would insert a CTR flash cartridge.
Early PARTNER-CTR units were shipped with "GAME CARD" printed on the case, covered by a sticker labelled "FLASH CARD".
SD CARD
Similar to a standard SD card slot on a retail 3DS unit.
VIDEO MODE ROTARY KNOB (Capture & Capture Debugger)
There are 16 modes that can be switched between and are fully customizable via the PARTNER-CTR Capture program. By default, rotating it changes the video display output to one of the 3 outputs, DV OUT1, DV OUT2, or AV OUT.
CONTROLLER 1 (RED) & CONTROLLER 2 (BLACK)
These are where the red and black labeled cables from the dummy handheld unit connect to. Both cables are labeled as AWM E101344 2835 VW-1 Space Shuttle-D.
The cables shipped with PARTNER-CTR units were straight in both ends, but it was possible to order a set of cables that were angled in one end. The angled cables allowed easier use of the 3D camera on the back of the system.
SYSTEM INDICATOR
The system indicator blinks when the unit is in an unusual mode or an update is being performed.
IrDA PORT
This header is for connection to an IrDA Unit.
ACTIVE INDICATOR
The LED will blink when a connected PC is accessing the devkit.
EXT CN PORT (Debugger & Capture Debugger)
This port is for use with the Classic Controller for Debug.
The EXT port connects to the 3DS's I²C bus 2, together with the Gyroscope and IrDA among others.[9].
Since this is physically available on a retail 3DS, it is possible to do a hardware mod to connect a Debug Controller to a retail 3DS.
Back of the Unit
CAP USB (Capture & Capture Debugger)
Connect via a USB type-B cable to a PC in order to use the capture function with the PARTNER-CTR Capture Program.
DV OUT1 & DV OUT2 (Capture & Capture Debugger)
It can output 720p via dual DVI-D ports. One for the top screen, one for the bottom screen.
AV OUT1 (Capture & Capture Debugger)
It can output 480p of both top and bottom screens to one screen via a Nintendo Wii AV Cable (RVL-009). Funnily enough, because the devkit uses the same AV OUT port as the Nintendo Wii, the orange Wii sensor bar port is still attached to the AV OUT port. The sensor bar port is only visible when the unit is taken apart.
ANTENNA
Connect a wireless LAN antenna to use WLAN.
DEB USB (Debugger & Capture Debugger)
Connect via a USB type-B cable to a PC in order to use the debugger function with the PARTNER-CTR Debugger Program.
DIP SW
All 4 of the dip switches are set to OFF by default and KMC recommends leaving them in the OFF position.
BT.POWER
The BT.POWER button on the back of the unit engages the AA batteries inside. If the BT.POWER button is turned off, all power, including the backup power for the control processor is cut off and the backup data will be lost. The unit will not start if the BT.POWER is not turned on or the batteries are empty/not present.
DC IN
It uses a standard Nintendo Wii power adaptor (RVL-002) to fully power the devkit.
GROUNDING KNOB
You are able to connect a ground wire to the device.
Accessories
Dummy Handheld (CTRC-03)
The handheld controller (CTR-001(-02)) is similar to a retail Nintendo 3DS. There are a few differences:
- No stylus or stylus slot
- No SD Card slot
- 2 cables sticking out of the top of the unit
The motherboard (CTR-CT-02) boasts an Altera Cyclone III FPGA. It is assumed that the 14-pin header at the top left is a programming port for the Cyclone III FPGA.
All of the 3DS "brains" are inside of the actual Partner-CTR box. The handheld alone is not able to boot or be used without the Partner-CTR box.
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Classic Controller for Debug
The Wii Classic Controller PRO Debug Controller (RVL-005(-05)) is a custom controller made specifically for the PARTNER-CTR Debugger/Capture Debugger units. Albeit, the Capture Debugger did not come with the debug controller. This controller is sampled by the HID Service alongside the normal 3DS inputs. A register read to 0x(4)A400FF expecting 0xF0 is done to check if the controller is connected.[15]
The controller features a unique color scheme: a white front shell, black back shell and black buttons, with no Nintendo logo on the back.
A ferrite core is also included with the controller and users are instructed to position the core 20mm away from the EXT CN port.
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IrDA Unit
The Partner-CTR did not come with IR built in. Instead, an external IrDA Unit needs to be attached to the box for IR functionality.
Inside the IrDA Unit is a CTR09B-IR-01 board, which consists of a normal CTR-IR-01 board (IR sensor, same as a retail 3DS) and some filter parts (capacitor and inductors).
It also came with a connector and extension cable for the IrDA port.
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Inside of the Unit
Depending on the type of PARTNER-CTR, different boards would be installed in the unit.
| Board | Debugger | Capture [23] | Capture Debugger |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTR09A-CAP-05 | - | Yes | Yes |
| CTR09C-TRG-01 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CTR09B-SUB-CARD-01 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CTR09A-CPU | Yes | - | Yes |
| CTR09A-EMU (2G) CTR09C-EMU-02 (8G) |
Yes | - | Yes |
Cover removed
Removing the cover provides access to the battery holder. The unit consists of multiple boards stacked together with standoffs.
KMC recommends changing the AA batteries periodically. The batteries should be removed if the box will not be used for an extended period of time, to prevent leakage.
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CTR09A-CAP-05 (Capture & Capture Debugger)
This board has the 2 DVI connectors, Wii AV connector and USB for capturing screenshots and video footage.
It uses the same audio/video encoder chip as the Nintendo Wii, the AVE-RVL.
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CTR09C-TRG-01
This board has the SD card slot, power LED, the two connectors for the dummy controller unit, the BT.POWER switch and the main power input.
This board also contains most of the 3DS functionality including the CPU and NAND Flash.
The CPU is marked "LR359B12" instead of the usual "CPU CTR".
The NAND chip is a Toshiba THGBM2G3P1FBAI8.
The RAM chip is a Fujitsu MB82M8080-07L.
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CTR09B-SUB-CARD-01
This houses the game card slot, IrDA sensor connector (10-pin header), EXT CN connector and the holder for the 2 AA batteries.
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CTR09A-CPU (Debugger & Capture Debugger)
This board has the USB connector for debugging.
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CTR09A-EMU (Debugger & Capture Debugger)
This board was used in the 2 GB version of the Debugger and Capture Debugger.
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CTR09C-EMU-02 (Debugger-2 & Capture Debugger-2)
This board was used in the 8 GB version of the Debugger and Capture Debugger.
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Development Applications
The unit includes 3 development applications:
- DevMenu
- Config
- Dummy Shop
These three applications are found on most development units, not limited to the PARTNER-CTR line.
Programs for Windows
Also developed by KMC for Nintendo, these programs were given to developers in order to use the devkits to their fullest potential.
PARTNER-CTR Capture Program
- Record both video and audio
- Take screenshots
- Change output settings, which can be saved as .SWG files or directly to one of the 16 modes available on the hardware
- View a key logger from captured footage
PARTNER-CTR Debugger Program
- Write and erase flash cartridges
References
- ↑ Obscure Gamers Discord - MrPinball64
- ↑ https://www.kmckk.co.jp/eng/
- ↑ RGD Discord - rosaage
- ↑ Obscure Gamers Discord - MSX
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/itm/257001169555
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/itm/257001169555
- ↑ https://x.com/XX_750000/status/1507652388085432323
- ↑ https://x.com/XX_750000/status/1507652388085432323
- ↑ https://problemkaputt.de/gbatek-3ds-i2c-device-list.htm
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/itm/257001169555
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/itm/257001169555
- ↑ https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g1189618372
- ↑ https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g1189618372
- ↑ RGD Discord - MORetro
- ↑ https://github.com/hax0kartik/rehid/blob/5bfed26a1306be678fe3d6290c794e3bc529a086/source/DebugPad.cpp#L127C5-L127C31 & https://wiibrew.org/wiki/Wiimote/Extension_Controllers/Classic_Controller
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/itm/177410185670
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/itm/177410185670
- ↑ RGD Discord - MORetro
- ↑ RGD Discord - MORetro
- ↑ RGD Discord - rosaage
- ↑ RGD Discord - rosaage
- ↑ RGD Discord - rosaage
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/3DS/comments/sae5q0/my_3ds_dev_kits_partnerctrcapture_and/
- ↑ https://youtube.com/shorts/nbwCrhDQdAM
