For no one is a secret that, the Nintendo DS or “NDS” it is weighted as one of the most popular and recognized portable game consoles worldwide. Whereas, it holds the first place when it comes to unit sales and is at the height of the Game boy and the PSP.
However, nowadays, these types of machines are completely obsolete and that is why, many people have had to stop enjoying the legendary video games that were running on the NDS. But, although it is not easy to bring the experience of video games on consoles to smartphones, currently it is possible to use emulators to continue enjoying them.
In this sense, although the experience is different, its symbolic value is very remarkable and, therefore, many users choose to recall some of the most classic adventures of the Nintendo DS directly from your Android device. For which, it is necessary install some of the emulators that we will mention in this post.
What features are ideal for my mobile to play Nintendo DS games?
Before starting the list about the best emulators that exist of the NDS for Android nowadays, it should be noted that the mobile device to be used It has to have certain features and / or particularities to be able to run an emulator based on said game console. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to relive the gaming experience from your smartphone.
Therefore, first of all, it is important to verify that your Android device has the following utilities (as a minimum) in order to can run a Nintendo DS emulator and corresponding ROMs to start the gaming experience.
The minimum requirements are as follows:
- Version Android 1 or later.
- Speed CPU: Quad Core 1.2GHz.
- Memory RAM 3 or 4 GB.
- Memory internal of 16 GB. However, it can be expanded with an external microSD memory of up to 64 GB.
- An external remote control with a Bluetooth connection to optimize the experience (it is optional).
List of the best Nintendo DS emulators to play on Android
Although it is true, at a general level, emulators are applications that they are used to run games or programs belonging to other platforms. Since, they are designed with the aim of creating a virtual platform where you can start an experience that, actually corresponds to other hardware. In this sense, fortunately, there are currently numerous options capable of emulate the operation of the legendary NDS from an Android device, whether mobile or tablet.
Therefore, in this section of the post, we will mention the best 10 solutions so that you can choose the one you like and can enjoy the native Nintendo DS video games that you prefer:
NDS Emulator
Is about a free application available on the Google Play Store which offers the possibility of running games from the famous NDS game console from an Android device. Thus, it will be possible to start titles from the extensive catalog corresponding to this machine and obtain an optimal experience in the comfort of your Android.
For its part, NDS Emulator is characterized by supporting several file formats and among those, are: ZIP, NDS and ROM. In addition to this, the emulator allows save games to load later and also store statistics. Further, has support for external controls and offers the possibility of configuring them on the screen in order to personalize the gaming experience to the maximum.
DraStic DS Emulator
It is another of the main emulators to run games on the video console Nintendo DS that, mainly, stands out for providing extremely good emulation, that is, with an optimal frame rate and is compatible with most titles. Besides that, allows you to customize different aspects to improve the gaming experience and increase its original resolution up to 2 times.
Among other details, this emulator also offers the necessary option to save your game and restore it whenever you want, without losing any movement. Also, it is ideal to synchronize your games with Google drive, in order to obtain greater security. Added to that, DraStic DS Emulator It has support for external drivers and fast forward. But, is a payment solution with a cost of 4.99 euros in the Play Store.
Nds4droid
It consists of one of the Nintendo DS emulators for Android older, which is open source, totally free and has some time without receiving updates. So, sometimes it tends to have certain faults and has a slower operation compared to other emulators of this type.
However, Generally speaking, Nds4droid works well And luckily, it doesn’t run published ads and doesn’t offer in-app purchases. As with most alternatives, this solution also allows you to save your games to continue at another time, has support for NDS files. On the other hand, it should be noted that, also compatible with Ouya game console.
NDS Boy! Android
It is one of the most recent Nintendo DS emulators, also free and compatible with Android. In this sense, you can run this app on your smartphone or tablet to enjoy the vast majority of titles compatible with this video game console. However, it is essential that it is a high-end device for the app to work properly. Assessing that, it has a quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, at least.
Among its main characteristics, we highlight that, includes customizable controls to optimize users’ gaming experience. Added to this, Features ZIP, 7Z, RAR, and NDS file compatibilityIt also saves games and reloads them quickly, in addition to having a very simple interface to use.
The N.DS Pocket of Simulator
Refers to a free application available on the Google Play Store, which is used to emulate complete games of the legendary Nintendo DS game console. Among its main peculiarities, we find that it has the ability to save and load the titles whenever you want, it is also easy to use and emits an enjoyable and effective gaming experience.
But luckily, is an NDS emulator that supports different types of files and any kind of video game. It should be noted that, does not work on Android 10 Q, specifically.
RetroArch Android
Basically this is an all in one emulator, considering that with RetroArch you can have all the game consoles directly on your Android and thus, in addition to running titles compatible with the Nintendo DS, also facilitates an optimal gaming experience based on most popular video game consoles (Super Nintendo, PlayStation 1, Game Boy, Sega, etc.).
Now, accentuating its most important characteristics, we find that It is a mobile application available and free in the Google Play Store, it is open source and does not emit annoying advertisements. In addition to this, it has different menus to personalize your gaming experience, presents multi-language support, allows quick saves, like reconfigure controls.
EmuBox – Multi Fast Emulator
Refers to an alternative available in the Google Play Store and completely free. Which, presents compatibility with games belonging to the NDS, NES, Super Nintendo, PS1, Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color. In addition, it is the first multi-emulator type app Designed with Material Design and this provides a great user experience from the prism of the visual.
For its part, EmuBox has the ability to save and load game states, considering that, it can withstand up to 20 slots. Among other particularities, it allows you to adjust its configuration to acquire an optimized performance, it is compatible with external controllers and has advanced advanced admitted of the highest quality.
5 Classic NDS Games You Must Try On Your New Emulator
Once you have installed the emulator you prefer on your Android device, you will like to know which are the best games for this console.
Therefore, in this section of the post, we will show you which are the main 5 Nintendo DS games that you should not stop trying to have the most fun:
Mario Kart DS
Without a doubt, this title is considered the most iconic go-kart game on the Nintendo DS. Thus, through it, you will have the ability to face your friends by participating in fun kart races, using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. In addition, not only must you be the fastest to win, but you will have to know how to use the weapons and powers that you obtain throughout each circuit.
Pokemon Black and White 2
It consists of the title with which it was possible to verify that The remarkable Pokémon fever could be reborn on the Nintendo laptop. Thus, a game that invites you to immerse yourself in a great adventure in which you will have to explore new places and face the resurgent Plasma team.
GTA Chinatown Wars
From this excellent experience, you will be able to walk the criminal streets of Liberty City and being participated in different conflicts, fights and corruption that give great emotion to the game as such. In this case, the main objective of the player, will recover the ancient sword to complete unimaginable missions. Thus, it is considered one of the most complete and addictive games.
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
It refers to First Castlevania video game available for the Nintendo DS. Which is based on a story in which it will be necessary to do everything possible to change the fate of the legendary Soma so that he does not manage to transform himself into the new lord of darkness. For that, you will have to fight against the fearsome sect and all kinds of malevolent creatures.
Brain training
Basically is a brain training and learning video game which presents a very entertaining way to exercise your cognitive skills and thus obtain greater mental agility as a game. Which is aimed at all kinds of public and contains many varied and animated exercises.