Relive your childhood memories by playing your favorite Nintendo DS games on your Android device. All you need is an emulator and the ROMs of the games you want to play. Emulators are applications that imitate the gaming environment of other operating systems, allowing you to play games that are only available on certain platforms.
Keep in mind that different emulators are designed with different games in mind. Some emulators might work great for some games but have bugs for others. It’s important to try out a few emulators to find the one that works best for your needs.
Here are some of the top Nintendo DS emulators for Android:
- NDS4Droid: Free to use and easy to install.
- DSDroid: Easy to use in full screen and runs at about 7fps.
- AndsEmu: Simple settings and good performance.
- DSoid: Offers dynamic recompilation for a premium subscription.
Get the BIOS File
The BIOS file is not usually included with the emulator because developers try to avoid any potential legal issues by leaving it out. However, the BIOS file is essential for playing games on the emulator. You can obtain it from third-party sources, but make sure to only download it from a reliable and trustworthy source to ensure the security of your device, whether it’s a smartphone or a tablet.
Obtain ROMs
Finding ROMs of your favorite games may be the most challenging part of the process. ROMs are essentially images of the games you want to play. Each game will have its own ROM file, which you can find online. Make sure to only obtain ROMs from reputable sources to avoid buggy or modified versions of the games, or potentially malicious scripts.
When searching for ROMs for your Nintendo DS emulator, look for files with the .nds extension, as all Nintendo DS emulators support this extension. Additionally, most emulators can extract files from compressed archives, such as .7z or .rar, so don’t overlook those file formats.
Load the Game
If you’ve acquired the ROMs for your favorite games, locate the files in your download folder and move them to a dedicated folder. This can be a new folder on your device or SD card, and it’s recommended to give it a descriptive name for easy navigation.
Once the ROM is in place, launch the emulator. Most emulators will have an option to add or load a file, select it and navigate to the folder where you placed the ROM, and load it up. Although you won’t have the same buttons as a classic Nintendo DS, the emulator replicates the screen and provides virtual buttons that mimic the classic device. In other words, you’ll control your characters using these virtual buttons only.
Legal Aspects of Downloading Games
You may be wondering, is it legal to download games and the BIOS file? It depends. Some old games are freeware, meaning they’ve always been free, while others are protected by copyright laws and are not freeware. You can find sources or ROMs for these games easily, but they are considered illegal.
Most emulators do not include a BIOS file or any ROMs, and the good news is that there are reputable websites that offer access to various Nintendo DS ROMs without exposing you to any legal issues or malicious scripts. These websites provide genuine copies of the original files, and you can download them without any risk.
Popular Nintendo DS Games
Struggling to decide where to start? Here are some of the most popular Nintendo DS games to play on your emulator:
- New Super Mario Bros. – released in 2006, this game was the best-selling game for the platform.
- Nintendogs – this game is available in multiple versions and lets you care for, feed, and play with different breeds of dogs in a virtual environment.
- Mario Kart DS – released in 2005, this game takes your racing experience to the next level.
- Brain Age – also available in multiple versions, this game is perfect for when you want to train your brain on a slow day.
- Pokemon – available in several versions, this game allows you to become a Pokemon trainer and work with a variety of creatures.
In Conclusion
To sum up, you don’t need to search for an old Nintendo DS console or buy a new one online. Instead, you can combine the convenience of a smartphone or tablet with classic games that will keep you entertained.
Whether you’re looking for a way to pass the time or want to relive childhood memories, you can now play old Nintendo DS games on your Android device with virtual controls and high-quality animations. While it may take some effort to set everything up, it’s definitely worth it.
