Action Replay Device vs. "DS Cheats" - How They Work Together

They are two different things that work together:

• Action Replay (Hardware): A physical cartridge (DS slot-1) or dongle (GBA slot-2) that boots a menu before the game. It has internal memory to store code lists.
• DS Cheats (Data): Text files (usually .xml, .cht, or .dat) containing code lines like 1206F5E0 0000270F (address + value).

How to Use:

1. Download a cheat database (e.g., usrcheat.dat from GameHacking.org or Checkpoint).
2. Copy to the Action Replay's microSD card (or internal storage via PC software).
3. Boot Action Replay → Select game → Enable desired codes → Start game.

Key Point: The Action Replay is the device; the cheats are data files you load onto it. You need both. Without the device, codes are just text. Without codes, the device does nothing.

Modern Alternative: On hacked 3DS/DSi, use Luma3DS Rosalina menu or TWiLight Menu++ to enable cheats without extra hardware.