Play awesome Nintendo DS games on your smartphone!: With Nintendo DS emulators available for Android, you can enjoy your favorite DS games on your mobile or tablet. There are plenty of great emulators for playing on Android, many of which are completely free for long periods.
To play Nintendo DS games, you’ll need to download ROMs. However, check your local laws to see if obtaining ROMs online is legal. Specifically, ROMs can be found on sites like torrents, but make sure you have reliable antivirus software to avoid viruses.
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Legally, you can create ROMs from your own DS game cartridges. This can vary depending on what country you’re in. So, it’s important to get clarity on your country’s laws before doing anything!
01 – Best paid DS emulator: DraStic DS Emulator
What we liked:
You can adjust the size and position of the screens to your liking.
Access to your saved data from multiple devices.
What we didn’t like:
Only one save slot per ROM.
No free version available.
The $4.99 DraStic DS Emulator offers great value for your money. It has hundreds of front-end save features and allows you to back up your save data directly to Google Drive cloud. Plus, there’s an option to enhance graphics. DraStic DS Emulator provides all the necessary features, including support for external controllers.
It works really well on most Android devices. Also, it delivers the best performance on high-end smartphones and tablets.
Download For: Android
02 – Best Multi-Platform Emulator: RetroArch
What we like:
Support for various handheld and console video game systems.
Runs on open source, and there are no ads.
What we don’t like:
Takes time to set up and requires some tech knowledge.
Interface can be less user-friendly.
RetroArch is a powerful multi-platform video game emulator that works on every major platform. The Android version supports many games including Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, and the original Game Boy. It allows access to console games and non-Nintendo systems as well. You need to download “cores” for each emulator separately.
Using RetroArch’s Libretro API, you can create and play your own homebrew games for the DS. It even stands out as a great option for complex tasks.
Download For: Android
03 – Best performing DS emulator: Fast DS Emulator
What we liked:
Customizable screen filters.
Consistent frame rate for a better gaming experience.
What we didn’t like:
Annoying unremovable ads.
Internet connection is required to start.
Fast DS Emulator is designed for devices running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and above, but it can also run on Android 5.0 (Lollipop), making it a great solution for older phones.
This emulator allows you to run DS games smoothly on your Android device. You can customize the screen controls to your liking and connect external controllers like Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons to enhance your gaming experience.
Download For: Android
04 – Best DS emulator: EmuBox
What we liked:
Great quality graphics.
Ability to play in Portrait and Landscape modes.
What we didn’t like:
Performance drops when too many cheats are activated.
No option to remove ads.
Like Retroarch, EmuBox can emulate multiple systems. It supports many games like NES and PlayStation. Since it’s designed using Google’s Material Design, it offers a very beautiful and smooth experience.
You can easily take screenshots in EmuBox, and it provides 20 save slots for each ROM, allowing you to save your gaming progress without any hassle.
Download For: Android