The legendary Nintendo DS console is no longer in production, but the legacy lives on among gamers and tech aficionados. While some people have childhood memories linked with some of the most iconic Mario and Pokémon titles, many young people are joining in on the fun, wanting to relive a bygone period. Whatever group you fall into, you may enjoy the magic of Nintendo DS consoles on your PC or smartphone by utilising software emulators. So here are the top 9 Nintendo DS emulators for Android and iOS.
Best Nintendo DS Emulators for iOS and Android (2022)
The Nintendo DS was a dual-screen device, but you don’t need one to play its games using an emulator. The top Nintendo DS emulators for your iPhone or Android device are listed below. Furthermore, the most of these emulators are actively being developed, which means they are typically compatible with the most recent versions of Android and iOS. It also implies that they should be reasonably bug-free and have a broader range of compatibility. So, without further ado, here are the top Nintendo DS emulators for iPhone and Android smartphones in 2022.
1. NDS4Droid: Best Nintendo DS Emulator on Android
NDS4Droid has long been regarded as one of the top Nintendo DS emulators for Android. It is a DeSmuME-based free and open-source NDS emulator. The emulator includes key features such as save states, although the controls can be a little confusing, especially with games that need many button pushes, such as Rune Factory.
Unfortunately, Nintendo DS emulation remains relatively sluggish, particularly on older and mid-range phones. To make things a bit easier, the programme has various “frame skip” choices. Another limitation of the emulator is that it does not support any of the Pokémon games. It is, however, backwards compatible with a number of different NDS ROMs. The latest update to NDS4Droid was in 2016, so don’t anticipate any new features or changes very soon.
Download (Free)
2. RetroArch: Best Multi-platform Nintendo DS Emulator
RetroArch is a multifaceted, multi-platform, multi-purpose free and open-source software (FOSS) application that runs on almost any platform imaginable. It is accessible not just on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux, but also on a variety of game consoles such as the PS2, PS3, PSP, PS Vita, Wii, Wii U, 2DS, 3DS, Nintendo Switch, and others. It is one of the greatest emulator front-ends, supporting not just the NDS but also the Game Boy Advance, the original Game Boy, and a slew of heritage and modern consoles.
Please keep in mind that RetroArch only provides the front-end GUI for emulators, game engines, and media players, therefore you must download the core for each particular system separately in order for it to operate. The setup involves some technical knowledge, but the emulator allows you to play old games on a variety of PCs and consoles. You can even use RetroArch to make NDS games utilising the Libretro API.
3. EmuBox: Nintendo DS Emulator With Best GUI
EmuBox, a newcomer to the NDS emulator arena, is an all-in-one Nintendo DS emulator that runs your old game ROMs on Android. It allows gamers to snap screenshots anytime they want and supports up to 20 save spaces for each ROM. It also allows fast forward and external controllers such as Bluetooth gamepads, among other things.
One of the nicest aspects about EmuBox is that it is not limited to the NDS. Instead, it works with a variety of different systems, including the PSX, GBA, GBC, NES, and others. It is one of the earliest Android multi-console emulators and uses Google’s material design philosophy to provide the most aesthetically beautiful and intuitive emulators.
Download (Free)
4. DraStic: Best Premium Nintendo DS Emulator on Android
DraStic is a fully functional Nintendo DS emulator for Android. It is one of the greatest Nintendo DS emulators since it allows you to play games at full speed on the majority of Android smartphones. It may also upgrade the game’s 3D visuals to twice their original resolution on high-end phones and tablets. The emulator also supports add-on controllers and physical controls seen in devices such as the Nvidia Shield.
Support for save states, the option to adjust the arrangement and size of the DS displays, portrait and landscape modes, and more are among important features. The DraStic emulator also allows cheat codes, with a large database containing hundreds of them. Finally, it enables fast forward, which allows you to enhance the emulation pace. On the negative side, DraStic has yet to incorporate Wi-Fi functionality, and there is currently no multiplayer option.
Download ($4.99)
5. SuperNDS
SuperNDS is one of the most recent additions to Android’s increasing number of Nintendo DS emulators. It runs smoothly on current Android smartphones, with rapid gameplay, good rendering, and reasonably glitch-free visuals. It supports NDS, ZIP, 7z, and RAR file formats, as well as functionality like as save states and others.
SuperNDS works with all Android versions up to and including 5.0 Lollipop, however it does require a fair amount of RAM to function. Games on older devices with less RAM may crash every now and then, requiring you to manually free up RAM and restart the emulator. However, on newer devices with enough of RAM, this emulator provides amazing full-speed gaming with good visuals. On our list, it is one of the greatest Nintendo DS emulators.
Download (Free)
6. Free DS Emulator: Best Nintendo DS Emulator for Older Android Devices
On Android, Free DS Emulator supports a huge number of NDS titles, with rapid gameplay and good visuals. It supports.nds,.zip, and a variety of other file formats, as well as features such as save game states, load game states, customised buttons, cheat codes, and more. It also works with external controllers, such as the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons.
Free DS Emulator was created for Android 6.0 Marshmallow, however it works on most smartphones running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean or above. It was also updated last year, making it compatible with the majority of current-generation Android smartphones. If you want to turn your old phone into a specialised Nintendo DS gaming machine, you should download this emulator.
Download (Free)
7. iNDS: Best Nintendo DS Emulator on iOS
Apple’s mobile platform is lacking in high-quality NDS emulators, but iNDS is the finest there is. It is one of the greatest Nintendo DS emulators on the list since it does not require jailbreaking and is based on the renowned NDS4iOS. The iNDS emulator is compatible with all iOS devices up to iOS 14 and provides players with features like as auto-save, in-app customizations, video filters, haptic vibration, and more.
Please keep in mind that iNDS is not accessible in the App Store due to Apple’s tight and fairly harsh approval criteria. You may, however, get it through TopStore, AltStore, or the Cydia Store on your jailbroken smartphone. It’s worth mentioning that even if you obtain the emulator from unauthorised sources, the game ROMs do not come pre-installed, so you’ll have to purchase them elsewhere.
Download (Free)
8. NDS Boy!
The NDS Boy is yet another Nintendo DS emulator that can be used on Android. The emulator allows you to play virtually any game that was available for the Nintendo DS. This contains titles such as Pokemon Saga, Super Mario, Castlevania, and Final Fantasy, among others. One of the nicest features of NDS Boy is its game compatibility – the emulator generally runs most NDS games smoothly and without issues.
If you want to play Nintendo DS games on Android, NDS Boy is an emulator you should certainly look into.
Download (Free)
9. NDS4iOS
NDS4iOS is one of the first Nintendo DS emulators for iOS, and it is still one of the finest. It is a free Nintendo DS emulator that does not require jailbreaking, making it available to a larger number of users on a wider range of devices. It is completely tailored for iPads and iPhones, with features such as iOS controller compatibility and the ability to change control-pad layout and location.
NDS4iOS has a unique feature in that it has an in-app browser for downloading Nintendo DS games as ROMs and other content. The emulator also contains Dropbox connection and AirPlay functionality, which allow the user to sync their emulator files between their phone and TV. NDS4iOS requires iOS 5.1.1 or above, although it also supports subsequent software versions.
Enjoy the Mario & Pokemon Magic on iPhone and Android Devices.
The Nintendo DS was a really legendary handheld platform that lives on through several emulators available for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux. Now that you’ve reviewed our list of the top NDS emulators for Android and iOS, download the one that piques your interest and give it a try. Please let us know which emulator you preferred and why in the comments section below. Also, look at the finest Nintendo DS emulators for your computer, whether it’s Windows, Mac, or Linux.
