Nintendo DS emulation on Android stands out as one of the most efficient forms of emulation available. With a plethora of DS emulators on the market, it's essential to identify the best Android DS emulator tailored specifically for DS games. For enthusiasts looking to dive into Nintendo 3DS games as well, a dedicated Android 3DS emulator is necessary. Don't worry, we've got recommendations for those too! (And if you're curious, we also have insights on the best Android PS2 emulator.)
Best Android DS Emulator
In this section, we'll spotlight our top choice for the best DS emulator and provide a few honorable mentions as well.
melonDS – The Best DS Emulator
The reigning champion among DS emulators is melonDS. This emulator is free, open-source, and consistently updated with new features and performance improvements. melonDS offers a customizable experience with robust controller support, allowing you to tailor your setup to your preferences. Whether you prefer light or dark themes, melonDS has you covered. You can enhance your gaming experience by scaling up the resolution of your titles, striking the perfect balance between performance and visual quality.
Additionally, melonDS includes built-in support for Action Replay, making it easy to utilize cheats. Remember, while there's an unofficial port available on Google Play, the most up-to-date version can be found on GitHub.
DraStic – Best For Older Devices
DraStic is another excellent option for DS emulation on Android, although it comes with a premium price tag of $4.99. Despite this, it's considered a worthwhile investment due to its robust performance and longevity in the market since its release in 2013. DraStic excels in running almost all Nintendo DS games smoothly, even on lower-powered devices, thanks to its long development history.
This emulator offers numerous customization options, including increased 3D rendering resolution, save states, speed adjustments, screen placement modifications, controller support, and the ability to use game shark codes. The only notable drawback is the lack of multiplayer support, though this is less of an issue with most DS multiplayer servers now offline.
EmuBox – Most Versatile
EmuBox is a free-to-download emulator supported by ad revenue, which means you may encounter ads during use. This also requires an internet connection, which could be a limitation for some users. Despite these drawbacks, EmuBox stands out for its versatility. It supports not only DS ROMs but also ROMs from other consoles like the original PlayStation and Game Boy Advance, making it a multi-purpose tool for emulation enthusiasts.
