Millions of gamers across the world have enjoyed many hours of joy due to the iconic handheld Nintendo DS (NDS) gaming console. Even though the system is no longer in production, many gamers still have a soft spot in their hearts for its games. Fortunately, players can now experience the joy of their favorite NDS games on their Android devices thanks to NDS emulators. Finding the best emulator to meet your needs can be difficult given the growing popularity of emulators. To help you play your favorite NDS games effortlessly on your Android device, we’ve put together a list of the 12 best NDS emulator for Android in 2023. We have provided the best alternatives accessible to satisfy all your needs, from basic to advanced features. But, if you were wondering if is there a good NDS emulator for Android, then, let’s get started and explore the best NDS emulators for Android in 2023.
Best NDS Emulator for Android
Here, you will get to know about the list of best NDS emulator for Android device.
Is there a Good NDS Emulator for Android?
Yes, there are several excellent NDS emulators for Android that provide a fantastic gaming experience for NDS games. These emulators offer a fun and practical gaming experience by enabling players to play their favorite NDS games on Android devices. These emulators also offer a quick and convenient method to revisit your favorite video games from your childhood or to play retro games for the first time. One such emulator is NDS4Droid Emulator, one of the most well-known NDS emulators for Android and has long been a favorite among users. It’s features and more you will know about in our list of best NDS emulator download for Android in the next section along with other best emulators you can go for your Android smartphone.
List of Best NDS Emulator for Android
You can revive those Nintendo DS games in a brand-new way with the best emulators for Android. So, we’re sharing with you best free DS emulator for Android along with some paid emulator apps. Let’s now waste any time and head straight to best NDS emulator for Android.
Note: You must download ROMs in order to play Nintendo DS games on Android. ROMs for video games are accessible online via torrent websites.
1. NDS4Droid
We are starting our list with NDS4Droid. Everyone is sure to love the Nintendo DS emulator NDS4Droid. There is no charge to you because this is a free Nintendo DS emulator. Because it supports sound and saving, you can be guaranteed that your game will continue where you left off. The fact that the code for NDS4Droid is open source is one of its extremely cool features and makes it one of best free DS emulator for Android. This indicates that the program is constantly being improved for users and by users. Let’s look at some of its best features.
Features:
- Open-source emulator.
- Includes support for most Nintendo DS games, such as Mario Kart and Pokémon.
- Several input types, including on-screen controls and hardware controllers.
- There are other display choices, such as full-screen mode and screen size/layout changes.
- Support for both portrait and landscape orientations, with a rotating gaming screen option.
- frame skipping and save states
- Settings for emulation speed and cheat options.
- Requires a powerful Android smartphone, and not all games may be compatible.
2. DraStic DS Emulator
Another advanced Nintendo DS emulator for Android is DraStic. One of the best Nintendo DS emulators is the one from Exophase, and there is even a setting to improve the graphics. Additionally, it has all the features featured in the other NDS emulator download on this list, such as support for external controllers. DraStic DS works on most Android devices; however, it works better on more high-end smartphones and tablets. The DraStic DS Emulator is a great deal for $4.99. It allows you to back up saved game data directly to your Google Drive Cloud and comes with hundreds of pre-loaded cheats.
Features:
- Supports a wide selection of Nintendo DS games, including many popular titles.
- Offers a variety of customization options, including the ability to change the screen’s size and position as well as its on-screen controls.
- Includes a fast-forward feature for skipping through in-game cut scenes or gameplay and supports cheat codes.
- Provides multiple save slots and lets users save and restart game progress at any time.
- Physical controllers are supported.
- Can improve 3D graphics with shader effects and high-resolution rendering.
- Allows players to use Google Drive to save data and synchronize game progress across various devices.
Also Read: 20 Best Android Gaming Consoles
3. RetroArch
RetroArch is a versatile video game emulator that is available on all operating systems, including Linux and Android, and is one of best NDS emulator for Android out there. Along with console games and non-Nintendo systems, the Android version of the software supports titles for the Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, and original Game Boy. However, you need to download the core for every single emulator. With the Libretro API, you may even play and develop your own games on the DS.
Features:
- Cross-platform support is available on several operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more.
- Emulator cores for a variety of systems.
- Customizable user interface
- Shader support for enhancing game visuals
- Netplay for online gaming
- Save states for easy game progress resumption
- Achievements for some game cores
- Gamepad and controller support
- Built-in media player for video and audio files
- Core updater for easy access to the latest emulation technology.
4. EmuBox
EmuBox is a complete Nintendo DS emulator that runs game ROMs on Android, making it one of best free DS emulator for Android. Each ROM supports up to 20 save slots, and fast forward, and external controllers, such as Bluetooth gamepads, are also supported. The NES and the PlayStation are just two of the many platforms that EmuBox can simulate, similar to RetroArch.
Features:
- Supports emulation of multiple game systems, including Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation, and more.
- For some gaming systems, supports cheat codes.
- Save states for easy game progress resumption
- Gamepad support and customizable on-screen controls.
- Multiple game file types, including .gba, .gbc, .nes, .zip, and others, are supported.
- Supports both portrait and landscape orientations.
- Gameplay with Turbo buttons.
- Multiple language support, including English, French, German, Spanish, and more.
Also Read: Top 32 Best Safe ROM Sites
5. SuperNDS
SuperNDS is one of the most recent ones in the rising collection of Android Nintendo DS emulators. It performs well on more recent Android devices, providing quick gaming, decent rendering, and generally good graphics. Most of the functions that you would want in an emulator are there in this DS emulator for Android, however, as was already mentioned, it requires a ROM to play. All Android versions from 5.0 Lollipop and above are supported by SuperNDS, however, it requires sufficient RAM to function. On older devices with less RAM, games can crash, requiring you to restart the emulator and manually free up RAM.
Features:
- Both portrait and landscape modes are supported.
- Customizable controls to suit your playing style.
- Some games allow you to use cheat codes.
- You can save and load your game progress at any time during the game.
- Supports a variety of file formats, including .nds, .zip, and .rar.
- Supports quick save and quick load features.
- External controllers can be used via Bluetooth or USB.
- Ability to customize graphics settings to improve device performance.
- Supports multiple languages including English, French, Spanish, and others.
- No advertisements.
6. vDS-NDS Emulator
vDS-NDS Emulator supports a variety of classic as well as modern DS games and is a good emulator. This emulator runs quickly and smoothly, and it emulates 3D games. To play, you can use files in the NDS, ZIP, 7Z, and RAR formats. Additionally, you can change the layout of the controls and key mappings. But the vDS-NDS emulator is not free, you must pay some charge but that’s a minimal one.
Features:
- Support for multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and others.
- Support for gamepads.
- Users can save their game progress and resume playing from where they left off.
- Cheat Code support.
- Fast forward feature availability.
- Support multiplayer games, allowing users to connect to the internet and play with other players in real-time.
Also Read: 22 Best SNES ROM Hacks
7. The FrieNDS Emu
The FrieNDS Emu app’s first noticeable feature is its distinctly user-friendly interface. It was designed to improve both the appearance and user-friendliness compared to other Android emulators. This NDS Emulator has several new features and has been fully optimized for Android Smartphones and tablets, ensuring that it performs smoothly on Android 4 and above devices.
Features:
- Android versions 4.0+ are supported.
- Supports Controllers for multi-touch, keyboard, and gamepad
- Touch input controls can be moved and resized as desired by users.
- Supports a variety of file formats, including .nds, .zip, and. 7z
- Customizable ROM directory support
- Supports PAL (phase alternating line)
- Customizable ROM directory support Features Shaders are supported for visual enhancement.
8. Fast DS Emulator
Many popular retro NDS games are supported on Fast DS Emulator for Android, which also provides quick gameplay and good graphics. It has several new features and supports a variety of file types, including .nds and .zip. Free DS Emulator works on many smartphones running Android 4.2 Jellybean and higher, despite being initially developed for Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It was compatible with most current-generation Android smartphones because of its constant updates.
Features:
- Compatible with most of the popular Nintendo DS games available in the market.
- Customizable screen layout, control options, and graphics settings to your liking.
- Fast and provides smooth gameplay even on low-end devices.
- Save and Load States
- External controllers support for an enhanced gaming experience.
- Features Autosave, to save your game progress if the app closes unexpectedly.
- Multiplayer support.
Also Read: 11 Best Animoji Apps for Android
9. One Emulator for Game Consoles
One Emulator for Game Consoles is an all-in-one open-source emulator for NDS and other games available of Play Store. It’s designed to work on a variety of devices, from smartphones to televisions, and has most of the console choices you could ever want and provides the best Android user experience possible. This emulator is completely free to download and ad-free.
Features:
- Automatic save and restore of game states
- Fastest emulation for battery savings
- High game compatibility with few problems
- Link cable emulation over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
- High-level BIOS emulation with no BIOS file needed
- Fast-forward and slow-down gameplay options
- On-screen keypad and shortcut buttons for load/save
- Powerful screen layout editor
- External controller support, including MOGA controllers
10. Lemuroid
Lemuroid is an Android Emulator app that lets users emulate classic gaming systems including the Nintendo DS on their mobile devices. The app has a wide range of features, including compatibility with a variety of gaming systems. Users can enjoy smooth gameplay even on low-end devices thanks to the app’s optimization for Android. High-quality graphics, multiple rendering options, and fast performance are also offered by this emulator. The app also includes a game library that allows users to browse and play classic games directly from the app.
Features:
- Save and restore game states automatically
- Multiple save slots with quick loading
- Zipped ROM support
- Cheats support
- Fast-forward support
- Gamepad support
- Built-in game library
- Zipped ROM support
- Supports Local Multiplayer gameplay (connect multiple gamepads to the same device)
Also Read: Fix Fate Grand Order Error 43 on Android
11. NDS Boy
NDS Boy is yet another fantastic emulator, with plenty of features to keep players intrigued and returning for more. Please keep in mind that this works best on more recent Android devices, and it may not work on older devices. The developers of the NDS Boy recommend that your device have at least 2GB of RAM. The emulator supports cheat codes to enhance gameplay, just like the original Nintendo DS, and automatically saves gameplay progress to ensure users don’t lose their progress if the app closes unexpectedly.
Features:
- Emulates Nintendo DS games on Android devices
- High compatibility with the majority of popular games
- Customizable screen layout, control options, and graphics settings
- High-quality graphics with 3D rendering support
- Fast performance combined with battery-saving features
- With a single tap, you can save and load your gameplay progress.
- Support for external controllers
- Support for cheat codes
- Autosave functionality
- Wi-Fi or Bluetooth multiplayer support
12. GENPlusDroid
GENPlusDroid is a GENPlus-powered open-source Sega Genesis emulator. It’s a powerful NDS emulator that lets us play some of the best Nintendo games on your Android device. You can also play with a Bluetooth controller if you have one. Gameplay can be rewind in real-time. Multi-touch input can be completely customized, such as size and positioning. Streets of Rage, Sonic the Hedgehog, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter 2 will all be available to you and can run seamlessly on this emulator.
Features:
- High compatibility with most popular games
- Customizable screen layout, control options, and graphics settings
- High-quality graphics with multiple rendering options
- Fast performance with battery-saving capabilities
- Save and load gameplay progress with one tap
- External controller support
- Cheat code support
- Autosave feature
- Multiplayer support over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- Supports compressed file formats (ZIP, RAR) for game files
- Ability to map physical buttons to on-screen controls
- Multiple languages supported
- Ad-free experience
These are the 12 best NDS emulators you can download for your Android device. With features highlighted for every NDS emulator in this list, you can go for any of the mentioned ones according to your requirements and needs.
Recommended:
- How Long Should I Charge My Laptop?
- 17 Ways to Fix Windows 11 Start Menu Not Working
- 11 Best 3D Emulator Download for Android APK
- 13 Best PS2 Emulator for Android
These emulators are excellent for reliving the nostalgia of playing classic Nintendo DS games on your mobile device. They enable you to easily access and play games you previously enjoyed, all from the comfort of your Android device. These emulators provide a simple and accessible way to rediscover your favorite childhood games or experience classic games for the first time. You can enjoy a seamless gaming experience with their range of features and smooth performance, allowing you to take a trip down memory lane whenever you want. Out of all the emulators mentioned the best two as of our research are the NDS4Droid and DraStic, or you can always choose any other from the list according to your liking. We hope that this article on the 12 best NDS emulator for Android has helped you, if you have any queries or suggestions, you can leave them in the comment section below.