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.
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.
how to download ds games on game card
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:
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:
How to play free games on Nintendo DS with R4 SDHC card
How to use DS Download Play to share games with friends
How to download ROMs for Nintendo DS games legally
How to install games on microSD card for Nintendo DS
How to format microSD card for Nintendo DS games
How to backup Nintendo DS game saves to PC
How to update R4 SDHC firmware for Nintendo DS
How to fix error message on R4 SDHC card for Nintendo DS
How to transfer games from PC to microSD card for Nintendo DS
How to choose the best R4 SDHC card for Nintendo DS
How to download homebrew games and apps for Nintendo DS
How to play multiplayer games on Nintendo DS with one game card
How to download and use cheats for Nintendo DS games
How to convert different file formats for Nintendo DS games
How to play region locked games on Nintendo DS
How to download and play fan-made games for Nintendo DS
How to play GBA games on Nintendo DS with slot 2 flashcart
How to emulate Nintendo DS games on PC and mobile devices
How to stream Nintendo DS games to TV or monitor
How to record and capture gameplay footage from Nintendo DS
How to clean and maintain your Nintendo DS and game cards
How to repair and replace your Nintendo DS and game cards
How to mod your Nintendo DS for custom features and themes
How to unlock hidden content and secrets in Nintendo DS games
How to trade and battle Pokemon on Nintendo DS with Wi-Fi
How to download and play NDSi enhanced games on Nintendo DSi
How to use Action Replay codes for Nintendo DS games
How to create your own custom ROM hacks for Nintendo DS games
How to download and play 3DS games on Nintendo DS with flashcart
How to play retro games on Nintendo DS with emulators
How to download and play indie games for Nintendo DS
How to use microSD card as extra storage for Nintendo DSi
How to download and play DLC for Nintendo DS games
How to connect your Nintendo DS to the internet and online services
How to sync your Nintendo DS with other devices and accessories
How to troubleshoot common problems with Nintendo DS and game cards
How to protect your Nintendo DS and game cards from damage and theft
How to sell or trade your Nintendo DS and game cards online or locally
How to buy the best Nintendo DS and game cards for your budget and preferences
How to find rare and collectible Nintendo DS and game cards
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 permission to use. Downloading ROMs may violate intellectual property rights and copyright laws in some countries, and you may be sued or fined by the game developers or publishers.
You may face compatibility issues if you use game cards that are not supported by your DS device or your R4 SDHC card. Some games may not work properly or at all, and some features may be missing or disabled. You may also need to update your firmware or software regularly to keep up with the latest versions and patches.
You may face potential risks of damaging your DS device or getting viruses if you use faulty or malicious game cards, microSD cards, or ROMs. Some game cards or microSD cards may be defective or counterfeit, and some ROMs may contain harmful code or data that can corrupt your device or files. You should always check the quality and authenticity of the products you use and scan them with an antivirus program before using them.
Conclusion
Downloading DS games on game card is a convenient and fun way of playing your favorite titles on your Nintendo DS device. By using an R4 SDHC card and a microSD card, you can load ROMs of DS games onto your device and enjoy them anytime and anywhere. However, you should also be aware of the legal, compatibility, and security issues that may arise from doing so, and take precautions to avoid them. Here are some tips and warnings for downloading DS games on game card:
Only download ROMs of games that you own or have permission to use. Do not download ROMs of games that are illegal, pirated, or unauthorized in your country or region.
Only use game cards and microSD cards that are compatible with your DS device and your R4 SDHC card. Do not use game cards or microSD cards that are damaged, fake, or incompatible.
Only download ROMs from reputable sources that offer high-quality and virus-free files. Do not download ROMs from unknown or suspicious websites that may have malware or corrupted files.
Backup your games and save data on your computer or another microSD card regularly. Do not lose or delete your files accidentally or intentionally.
Update your firmware and software for your R4 SDHC card and your DS device regularly. Do not use outdated or unsupported versions that may cause errors or glitches.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to download DS games on game card easily and safely. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Happy gaming!
FAQs
Q: Can I play 3DS games on my DS device using an R4 SDHC card?
A: No, you cannot play 3DS games on your DS device using an R4 SDHC card. 3DS games are designed for the Nintendo 3DS family of devices, which have different hardware and software features than the Nintendo DS family of devices. You will need a 3DS device and a 3DS game card to play 3DS games.
Q: Can I play online multiplayer or access the eShop with downloaded DS games?
A: No, you cannot play online multiplayer or access the eShop with downloaded DS games. Online multiplayer and eShop services require a valid Nintendo Network ID and a legitimate copy of the game. Downloaded DS games do not have these requirements, and therefore cannot connect to the internet or access the eShop.
Q: Can I transfer my save data from a physical copy of a DS game to a downloaded copy?
A: Yes, you can transfer your save data from a physical copy of a DS game to a downloaded copy, as long as they are the same title and region. You will need a device called a save dongle, which is a USB device that can read and write save data from game cards. You can use the save dongle to copy your save data from the physical game card to your computer, and then transfer it to the microSD card where the downloaded copy is stored.
Q: Can I use cheats, mods, hacks, or translations with downloaded DS games?
A: Yes, you can use cheats, mods, hacks, or translations with downloaded DS games, as long as they are compatible with your R4 SDHC card and your DS device. You will need to download the appropriate files for the cheats, mods, hacks, or translations you want to use, and place them in the same folder as the ROMs on the microSD card. You can then activate them using the menu options on the R4 SDHC card.
Q: Can I download DS games on game card for free?
A: Yes, you can download DS games on game card for free from various websites that offer ROMs of DS games. However, you should be careful about the legality and quality of the ROMs you download, as they may violate intellectual property rights or contain viruses or malware. You should only download ROMs of games that you own or have permission to use, and scan them with an antivirus program before using them.