Download DS Games on Game Card with DS Download Play - Here's How
How to Download DS Games on Game Card
If you are a fan of Nintendo's handheld gaming systems, you may have heard of DS games and game cards. DS games are software titles that run on the Nintendo DS family of devices, which include the original DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSi XL, 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, and New 3DS models. Game cards are the physical media that store the game data and can be inserted into the slot on the DS device.
how to download ds games on game card
Downloading DS games on game card is a way of playing your favorite titles without having to buy them from a store or download them from the Nintendo eShop. By using a special device called an R4 SDHC card, you can load ROMs of DS games onto a microSD card and play them on your DS device. This can save you money, space, and time, as well as give you access to a wider range of games that may not be available in your region or on the eShop.
However, downloading DS games on game card also has some drawbacks, such as legal issues, compatibility problems, and potential risks of damaging your device or getting viruses. In this article, we will explain how to download DS games on game card safely and easily, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.
Types of DS Game Cards
Before you start downloading DS games on game card, you need to know what kind of game cards are available and which ones are compatible with your DS device. There are four main types of DS game cards:
Regular game cards: These are the most common type of game cards that work on all models of the Nintendo DS family. They are black in color and have a capacity ranging from 8 MB to 512 MB. They can store one or more games depending on their size.
Enhanced game cards: These are game cards that have additional features that can only be accessed when played on a Nintendo DSi or later model. They are similar to regular game cards but have a small tab on the top right corner to prevent them from being inserted into older models. They can also store more data than regular game cards.
Exclusive game cards: These are game cards that only work on a Nintendo DSi or later model and cannot be played on older models at all. They are white in color and have a tab on the top right corner as well. They are usually used for games that require camera functions or other hardware features that are not present in older models.
Infrared game cards: These are game cards that have an infrared transceiver built into them that allows them to communicate with other devices or peripherals using infrared signals. They are darker in color than regular game cards and have a transparent window on the front side where the infrared sensor is located. They are used for games that support wireless multiplayer or accessory connectivity.
The table below summarizes the compatibility of each type of game card with different models of the Nintendo DS family:
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Game Card TypeNintendo DSNintendo DS LiteNintendo DSiNintendo 3DS
RegularYesYesYesYes
EnhancedNoNoYesYes
ExclusiveNoNoYesYes
InfraredNoNoYesYes
How to Download DS Games on Game Card
Now that you know what kind of game cards you can use, let's see how you can download DS games on game card. To do this, you will need the following items:
A Nintendo DS device of your choice.
An R4 SDHC card, which is a device that looks like a regular game card but has a slot for a microSD card. You can buy one online or from a local store that sells gaming accessories.
A microSD card, which is a small memory card that can store data. You will need one that has enough space for the games you want to download. The size of the games varies depending on the title, but most of them are between 16 MB and 256 MB.
A computer with an internet connection and a card reader or adapter that can read microSD cards.
A website that offers ROMs of DS games, which are files that contain the game data. There are many websites that offer ROMs for free, but you should be careful about the legality and quality of the files. Some websites may have viruses or malware that can harm your computer or device, or ROMs that are corrupted or incomplete. You should only download ROMs from reputable sources and scan them with an antivirus program before using them.
Once you have all the items ready, follow these steps to download DS games on game card:
Insert the microSD card into the card reader or adapter and connect it to your computer.
Format the microSD card using the FAT32 file system. This will erase all the data on the card, so make sure you back up any important files before doing this. You can use the built-in formatting tool on your computer or a third-party software such as SD Formatter.
Download the latest firmware for the R4 SDHC card from its official website. The firmware is a software that allows the R4 SDHC card to function properly and support various features. Extract the files from the downloaded zip file and copy them to the root directory of the microSD card. The root directory is the main folder that contains all the other folders and files on the card.
Create a folder named "Games" on the root directory of the microSD card. This is where you will store the ROMs of the DS games you want to download.
Go to a website that offers ROMs of DS games and search for the titles you want to download. Make sure they are compatible with your DS device and your R4 SDHC card. Download the ROMs and save them to the "Games" folder on the microSD card. You can download as many games as you want, as long as you have enough space on the card.
Eject the microSD card from your computer and insert it into the R4 SDHC card. Then, insert the R4 SDHC card into the slot on your DS device.
Turn on your DS device and select the R4 SDHC icon from the menu. You should see a list of games that are stored on your microSD card. Select the game you want to play and enjoy!
Advantages and Disadvantages of Downloading DS Games on Game Card
Downloading DS games on game card has some advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before doing it. Here are some of them:
Advantages
You can save money by not having to buy physical copies or digital downloads of DS games.
You can save space by not having to store multiple game cards or cartridges.
You can save time by not having to wait for shipping or downloading times.
You can access a wider range of games that may not be available in your region or on the eShop.
You can backup your games and save data on your computer or another microSD card.
You can customize your games with cheats, mods, hacks, or translations using third-party software or tools.
Disadvantages
You may face legal issues if you download ROMs of games that you do not own or have pe