Retro Replay Retro Replay gaming reviews, news, emulation, geek stuff and more!
The Nintendo DS is one of the most beloved handhelds in history, with over 150 million units sold and an iconic library that includes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Mario Kart DS, and Animal Crossing: Wild World. Its dual screens, touch controls, and creative gameplay defined an entire era of portable gaming.
But the original DS hardware is aging, and many cartridges are expensive or hard to find. Thankfully, the best NDS emulators for Android make it possible to enjoy DS classics directly on your phone or tablet. With the right app, you can customize layouts, save your progress anytime, and even enhance graphics beyond what was possible on the original handheld.
What Makes a Strong DS Emulator
Unlike older consoles, the DS introduced dual screens and stylus-based gameplay. That means emulators must do more than simply run games—they need to replicate touchscreen controls and offer flexible layouts so you can position both displays however you prefer.
Good emulators also provide save states, cheat support, fast-forwarding, controller compatibility, and the ability to upscale graphics. Smooth performance and active development ensure that a wide range of DS games run accurately and without glitches.
melonDS – Open Source and Standalone
melonDS is one of the most respected Nintendo DS emulators, now available as a standalone Android app. It focuses heavily on accuracy, meaning it strives to replicate the original hardware as closely as possible. The result is excellent compatibility across a wide range of DS titles.
The Android version offers customizable screen layouts, touchscreen support, save states, and controller mapping. Because it is open source, melonDS also benefits from frequent updates and a strong development community. For players who want a free and reliable solution, melonDS stands out as one of the best options for DS gaming on Android.
DraStic DS Emulator – Still a Fan Favorite
👉 DraStic DS Emulator on SourceForge
For years, DraStic DS Emulator was the most popular DS emulator on Android. The developer eventually pulled it from the Google Play Store and stopped updating it, but it remains available for download through SourceForge.
DraStic is praised for its smooth performance, even on lower-end devices. It supports screen customization, controller input, fast-forwarding, and high-resolution rendering that makes DS games look better than ever. Its intuitive interface also made it one of the most beginner-friendly emulators around.
While it is no longer actively developed, DraStic still runs very well and remains a favorite among DS fans who want an easy-to-use standalone emulator.
RetroArch with melonDS or DeSmuME Cores
Another option is RetroArch, which supports DS emulation through its melonDS and DeSmuME cores. RetroArch has a steeper learning curve than standalone apps, but it rewards advanced users with powerful customization options.
With RetroArch, you can apply shaders, use rewinding, cloud saves, and even earn retro achievements. For players who want an all-in-one app that can handle dozens of consoles in addition to DS, RetroArch is a strong choice.
Why DS Emulation Is Still Important
The Nintendo DS had one of the most diverse and creative libraries of any handheld. From touch-based experiments like Cooking Mama to timeless hits like Pokémon Black and White, the DS offered something for everyone.
Emulation ensures that these experiences remain accessible even as hardware becomes scarce. Android emulators not only preserve these games but also improve them with modern features like save states and enhanced resolution.
Final Thoughts on the Best NDS Emulators for Android
If you want an actively developed, accurate emulator, melonDS is the best free option today. If you prefer simplicity and smooth performance, DraStic remains a great choice even though it is no longer updated and must be downloaded outside the Play Store. For advanced users who like to tinker, RetroArch offers a powerful multi-system solution.
Together, these apps make sure that the Nintendo DS library remains alive and accessible for future generations. Whether you are revisiting your favorite Pokémon adventure or trying DS gems for the first time, Android emulators keep the magic alive.
More Android Emulator Guides
- Best Game Boy Emulators for Android – Relive handheld classics like Pokémon, Zelda, and Tetris on your phone.
- Best GBA Emulators for Android – Play Game Boy Advance favorites with smooth performance and modern features.
- Best NDS Emulators for Android – Bring back the dual-screen magic of the Nintendo DS on Android devices.
- Best 3DS Emulators for Android – Experience Nintendo 3DS titles with touch and 3D features right on your phone.
- Best SNES Emulators for Android – Rediscover 16-bit legends like Chrono Trigger and Super Mario World.
- Best NES Emulators for Android – Go back to the roots with 8-bit classics that started it all.
- Best N64 Emulators for Android – Jump into 3D classics like Ocarina of Time and Mario 64 on Android.
- Best GameCube Emulators for Android – Play timeless Nintendo GameCube hits with HD graphics on mobile.
- Best Wii Emulators for Android – Enjoy Wii motion-based classics with touch or controller support.
- Best Sega Genesis Emulators for Android – Relive the 16-bit rivalry with Sonic, Streets of Rage, and more.
- Best Sega Saturn Emulators for Android – Explore Sega’s cult favorite console on Android devices.
- Best Dreamcast Emulators for Android – Experience the last Sega console with fan-favorite titles in HD.
- Best PS1 Emulators for Android – Relive Sony’s first console with Final Fantasy and Resident Evil on mobile.
- Best PS2 Emulators for Android – Play legendary PS2 titles on your Android phone with smooth emulation.
- Best PSP Emulators for Android – Take Sony’s portable powerhouse with you anywhere on Android.
- Best PS3 Emulators for Android – Enjoy PlayStation 3 classics with advanced mobile emulation.
- Best Atari Emulators for Android – From the 2600 to the Lynx, bring Atari’s classics to your Android phone.
- Best Neo Geo Emulators for Android – Experience arcade-perfect fighters and shooters on Android devices.
- Best TurboGrafx-16 Emulators for Android – Relive PC Engine and TurboGrafx hits with ease on mobile.
- Best Commodore 64 Emulators for Android – Enjoy retro computing and games from the legendary C64.
- Best Amiga Emulators for Android – Bring back the Amiga’s legendary games and software on Android.
- Best MSX Emulators for Android – Explore the MSX library of games and programs on your phone.
- Best ZX Spectrum Emulators for Android – Play Spectrum classics on Android with accurate emulation.
- Best WonderSwan Emulators for Android – Experience Bandai’s unique handheld and its rare library on Android.
- Best Neo Geo Pocket Emulators for Android – Relive SNK’s pocket classics with Android emulation.
One comment
Pingback: Best PS1 Emulators for Android in 2025 | Retro Replay