Nintendo DS emulation stands out as one of the most efficient types of emulation available on Android. Compared to other platforms, Android boasts a wide range of DS emulators, making it essential to know the best Android DS emulator for your needs.
Remember, if you’re looking to play both Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS games, you’ll need separate emulators tailored for each system. We’ve got you covered there too, and we even have recommendations for the best Android PS2 emulator.
Best Android DS Emulator
Here, we’ll highlight our top choice for the best emulator along with a few honorable mentions.
melonDS – The Top Choice
Currently reigning supreme is melonDS. It’s free, open-source, and frequently updated with new features and performance improvements.
This emulator offers a variety of customization options to tailor your experience. melonDS supports controllers and allows for theme adjustments, catering to both light and dark mode users. You can adjust resolution settings to balance performance with visual quality. Additionally, it includes built-in support for Action Replay, making cheating easier than ever.
Note that the Google Play version is an unofficial port, while the GitHub version remains the most up-to-date.
DraStic – Ideal for Older Devices
DraStic ranks among the best DS emulators on Android. Although it’s a paid app at $4.99, its value far outweighs the cost. Since its release in 2013, it has consistently delivered stable performance. Most DS games run smoothly, except for a few exceptions. Moreover, it performs well even on lower-end devices due to its long development history.
DraStic provides numerous customization options, such as increasing 3D rendering resolution, using save states, adjusting speed settings, changing screen layouts, and enabling controller support. It also supports Game Shark codes.
A notable drawback is the lack of multiplayer functionality, though this is less of an issue since most DS multiplayer servers are now defunct.
EmuBox – The Most Versatile Option
EmuBox is free to download and relies on ad revenue, which may be distracting for some users. It also requires an active internet connection, which could be inconvenient.
However, its versatility sets it apart. Unlike other emulators, EmuBox supports multiple console platforms, including PlayStation and Game Boy Advance, in addition to Nintendo DS.
Emulation for Nintendo DS continues to evolve, offering players new ways to revisit classic games on modern devices. Whether you prefer melonDS for its flexibility or DraStic for its reliability, there’s an option suited to every gamer’s needs.
