How to Download Free Games on Nintendo DS

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to play a downloaded version of a game on a classic Nintendo DS. In order to play downloaded games on your DS, you will need an R4 SDHC card, a microSD card, and a computer on which you can download the game files.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Setting up the Equipment

PDF download Download Article
  1. An R4 SDHC card is the substitute for a game card when loading your own games on a DS. This is what you'll plug into the DS in order to load your downloaded games. [1]
    • The easiest way to find an R4 SDHC card that will work with your DS is by typing r4 sdhc nintendo ds into an online store's search.
  2. The microSD card is actually where the games will be stored, so try to find a two-gigabyte (2 GB) card if possible. [2]
    • You can find microSD cards online as well as in most tech stores.
    • Most microSD cards come with an adapter that allows you to open the SD card on a computer. If your selected microSD card doesn't include an adapter, you'll need to buy one as well.
    Advertisement
  3. At the top of the microSD's adapter card, there should be a small slot into which you'll insert the microSD card. [3]
    • The microSD card only fits one way, so don't force it. If the microSD card won't fit into the adapter card, flip the microSD card over and try again.
  4. There should be a wide, flat slot on the side of your computer (laptop) or on the CPU box (desktop) into which the adapter card fits.
    • If you use a Mac, you may need a USB-C to SD card adapter.
  5. Format the card . Before you can add files to the microSD card, you'll need to make sure that the card's format is correct: [4]
    • On Windows , select FAT32 as the file system.
    • On Mac , select MS-DOS (FAT) as the file system.
  6. A ROM is a game file; by placing these game files on your SD card and then using the card with your DS, you'll be able to select games directly off of the card. The easiest way to download ROMs is by searching for your game title followed by "ds rom", selecting a reputable site , and clicking the "Download" button or link.
    • Keep in mind that downloading ROMs for games that you don't already own is piracy, which is illegal in most places.
    • Make sure that you only download from sites that you can trust based on user feedback and reviews. You don't want to accidentally download a virus.
  7. Once the ROM for your game has finished downloading onto your computer, you can proceed with adding the ROM to your microSD on a Windows or Mac computer.
    8. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Adding Games on Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you unplugged the adapter card (or the microSD card from the adapter card) from your computer, re-plug in the card before continuing. [5]
  2. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  3. Click the folder-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the window.
  4. On the left side of the File Explorer window, click the folder to which your ROM was downloaded.
    • For example, if your downloaded files normally go to the Downloads folder, you'd click Downloads here.
  5. Click the ROM file that you just downloaded.
  6. Press Ctrl + C to copy the ROM.
  7. Click your SD card's name in the lower-left side of the File Explorer window. [6]
    • You may have to scroll down to find the SD card.
    • Alternatively, you can click the This PC folder and then double-click your SD card's name under the "Devices and drives" heading.
  8. Click a blank space in the SD card's window, then press Ctrl + V to paste in the ROM. You should see the ROM's file icon appear in the window. [7]
  9. Click the flash drive-shaped icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen, then click the Eject option in the pop-up menu. Once you receive a notification, you can physically remove the SD card from your computer.
    • You may first have to click ^ in the lower-right corner of the screen to see the flash drive icon.
    10. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Adding Games on Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you unplugged the adapter card (or the microSD card from the adapter card) from your computer, re-plug in the card before continuing.
  2. Click the blue, face-like app icon in your Mac's Dock. [8]
  3. On the left side of the Finder window, click the folder to which your ROM folder was downloaded.
    • For most browsers, the default download location is the Downloads folder.
  4. Find the ROM file and click it.
  5. Press ⌘ Command + C to do so. [9]
  6. In the lower-left side of the Finder window, you should see a "Devices" heading, under which your SD card should be listed. Clicking this opens the SD card's window.
  7. Click the SD card window, then press ⌘ Command + V . You should see the ROM file appear in the window. [10]
  8. Click the triangle-shaped "Eject" icon to the right of the SD card's name in the Finder, then remove the card from your Mac when prompted.
    9. Advertisement
Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Playing Downloaded Games

PDF download Download Article
  1. There should be a small slot at the top of the R4 card into which the microSD card fits. [11]
    • As with the microSD card's adapter card, the microSD card only fits one way.
  2. The R4 card should fit into the slot into which you usually insert your games' cards. [12]
    • Make sure that the microSD card is snugly inserted into the R4 card as well.
    • On the original DS, you may first have to plug a card reader into the bottom of the DS.
  3. Press the "Power" button to turn on the DS. [13]
  4. Once the DS finishes powering on, you should see a "MicroSD Card" option (or something similar) on the bottom screen.
  5. The game that you downloaded in ROM format should be displayed here. Select it to open it on your DS and begin playing! [14]
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I use a smartphone to do this?
    Community Answer
    If you mean use a smartphone to transfer the files to the Micro SD card, then yes.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 78
  • Question
    What is the recommended size for an SD card?
    Community Answer
    32 GB should be enough. It's what I'm using and has 64 games on it, from Pokémon to Zelda.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 17
  • Question
    Is there a trusted site to buy R4 cards?
    Community Answer
    There is no trusted site to buy R4 cards. You can try eBay at your own risk. Technically, R4 cards are cheaper than Gateway cards.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 13 Helpful 34
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • The steps in this article pertain to a Nintendo DS classic edition. You won't be able to use the same process on the newer 3DS platform.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings


      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make a Pen Stylus
      How to
      Unlock World 4 in Super Mario Bros. DS
      How to
      Get Luigi on Super Mario 64 DS
      How to
      Reset a Nintendo DS Lite
      How to
      Play Roms on a Nintendo DS
      How to
      Unlock World Seven on New Super Mario Bros. DS
      How to
      Determine if Your DS Game Is Fake
      How to
      Make a Lot of Bells (Money) in Animal Crossing: Wild World
      How to
      Fish on Animal Crossing
      How to
      Mod a Nintendo DS with an R4 Flashcart
      How to
      Get Luigi on New Super Mario Bros. DS
      How to
      Add Codes Onto Your Action Replay for Nintendo DS
      How to
      Save on New Super Mario Bros DS
      How to
      Get Wario in Super Mario 64 DS
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/274/~/what-sd-cards-and-microsd-cards-are-compatible%3F
      2. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/274/~/what-sd-cards-and-microsd-cards-are-compatible%3F
      3. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/274/~/what-sd-cards-and-microsd-cards-are-compatible%3F
      4. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/220/~/how-to-format-an-sd-card-or-microsd-card
      5. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/309/~/how-to-transfer-data-between-sd-cards-or-microsd-cards
      6. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/309/~/how-to-transfer-data-between-sd-cards-or-microsd-cards
      7. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/309/~/how-to-transfer-data-between-sd-cards-or-microsd-cards
      8. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/309/~/how-to-transfer-data-between-sd-cards-or-microsd-cards
      9. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/309/~/how-to-transfer-data-between-sd-cards-or-microsd-cards
      1. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/309/~/how-to-transfer-data-between-sd-cards-or-microsd-cards
      2. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3906/~/how-to-insert-and-play-a-nintendo-ds-game-card
      3. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3906/~/how-to-insert-and-play-a-nintendo-ds-game-card
      4. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3906/~/how-to-insert-and-play-a-nintendo-ds-game-card
      5. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3906/~/how-to-insert-and-play-a-nintendo-ds-game-card

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 766,282 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Sreeraj Rajmohan

        Nov 17, 2016

        "Thanks, now I know that I need a DS for my birthday."
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement