This wikiHow teaches you how to play ROMs, or video game files, on your Nintendo DS. However, keep in mind that if you download a ROM, you are violating Nintendo's rules of use.
Step
Step 1. Make sure you have the necessary tools
To play ROMs on Nintendo DS, you'll need the following items:
-
R4 card for Nintendo DS.
These cards are used to emulate game cards on the DS, and are available online or offline (at select computer stores).
- microSD card to save ROMs. Get a microSD card with a capacity of at least 1 GB.
- MicroSD Adapter to connect the microSD to the computer. These adapters are generally available in microSD sales packages. If your computer does not have a microSD slot, purchase a microSD adapter with a USB connector.
-
The ROM file for the game you want to play.
If you don't have the ROM, download it by entering the keyword "[game name] ROM nintendo DS" in a search engine. Only download ROMs from trusted sites.
Step 2. Insert the microSD into the adapter
This MicroSD will go into the slot at the top or edge of the SD adapter.
MicroSD will only enter from one direction. If you can't insert a microSD, don't push yourself. Rotate the microSD, then try again
Step 3. Connect the adapter to the computer
You will find the microSD slot on the edge of the computer (laptop) or on the CPU case (desktop). If your computer does not have a microSD slot, use a microSD adapter with a USB connector.
Modern Mac computers don't have a microSD slot. Therefore, you should purchase a microSD adapter with a USB-C connector
Step 4. Format the microSD card with the FAT32 file system (Windows) or MSDOS (FAT) (Mac) to read microSD on Nintendo DS.
Step 5. Move the ROM file to the microSD card
Click the file, then press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac). After that, follow these steps according to the operating system you are using:
- Windows: Open the This PC window, double-click the SD card name under "Devices and drives", then press Ctrl+V.
- Mac: Open Finder, click the SD card's name in the lower left of the window, then press Command+V.
Step 6. Remove the microSD from the computer by following these steps:
- Windows - Click the flash disk icon in the lower right corner of the screen. You may need to click the button ^ to activate the icon. After that, click "Eject", and remove the SD card and adapter from the computer.
- Mac - Click the "Eject" icon next to the SD card name in the Finder window, and remove the SD card and adapter from the Mac when prompted.
Step 7. Insert the microSD into the R4 card
Like a microSD card, you'll notice a small slot on the top of the R4 card, which you can use to insert a microSD.
Step 8. Insert the R4 card into the game card slot on the Nintendo DS
Step 9. Turn on the Nintendo DS by pressing the Power button
After installing a microSD card, your DS will turn on a little slower than usual.
Step 10. Select a memory card
On the Nintendo DS bottom screen, select the "MicroSD" or "SD" option when prompted.
If your DS displays the contents of the SD card immediately, skip this step
Step 11. Select the ROM you want to play
Tap or select a game name to open it, then wait for the game to open. Once the game is open, you can play it as usual, just like a card-mounted game.
