Download Article

Download Article

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

  1. 1

    Buy an R4 SDHC carte du jour. 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 social club to load your downloaded games.

    • 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. ii

    Buy a microSD carte du jour. The microSD bill of fare is actually where the games will be stored, and so attempt to discover a two-gigabyte (2 GB) card if possible.

    • Y'all can discover microSD cards online as well as in most tech stores.
    • Well-nigh 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 i too.

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  3. 3

    Plug the microSD card into the included adapter card. At the top of the microSD'due south adapter card, there should be a small slot into which you lot'll insert the microSD card.

    • The microSD card only fits ane style, so don't force it. If the microSD menu won't fit into the adapter card, flip the microSD card over and try again.
  4. 4

    Plug the microSD menu'south adapter carte du jour into your computer. In that location should be a broad, flat slot on the side of your computer (laptop) or on the CPU box (desktop) into which the adapter card fits.

    • If you utilise a Mac, you may demand a USB-C to SD card adapter.
  5. 5

    Format the card . Before you lot tin can add files to the microSD carte, yous'll demand to make sure that the card's format is correct:

    • On Windows, select FAT32 equally the file system.
    • On Mac, select MS-DOS (FAT) equally the file organisation.
  6. vi

    Download a ROM for your selected game. A ROM is a game file; by placing these game files on your SD bill of fare and then using the menu with your DS, you'll exist able to select games directly off of the card. The easiest way to download ROMs is by searching for your game championship followed past "ds rom", selecting a reputable site, and clicking the "Download" button or link.

    • Continue in heed 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 tin can trust based on user feedback and reviews. Y'all don't desire to accidentally download a virus.
  7. 7

    Wait for your ROM to terminate downloading. One time the ROM for your game has finished downloading onto your computer, you can proceed with calculation the ROM to your microSD on a Windows or Mac computer.

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  1. 1

    Brand sure that the microSD bill of fare is plugged in. If you unplugged the adapter card (or the microSD card from the adapter carte du jour) from your computer, re-plug in the carte du jour before continuing.

  2. two

    Open Kickoff . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

  3. iii

    Open File Explorer . Click the folder-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the window.

  4. 4

    Go to the downloaded ROM'southward location. On the left side of the File Explorer window, click the folder to which your ROM was downloaded.

    • For example, if your downloaded files usually get to the Downloads binder, y'all'd click Downloads here.
  5. 5

    Select the ROM. Click the ROM file that you just downloaded.

  6. 6

    Re-create the ROM. Printing Ctrl+C to copy the ROM.

  7. seven

    Select your SD card'due south folder. Click your SD card's name in the lower-left side of the File Explorer window.

    • You may have to scroll down to detect the SD bill of fare.
    • Alternatively, yous can click the This PC binder and then double-click your SD card's proper name under the "Devices and drives" heading.
  8. 8

    Paste in the ROM. Click a blank space in the SD bill of fare's window, then press Ctrl+V to paste in the ROM. You should see the ROM's file icon announced in the window.

  9. 9

    Eject the SD card. Click the flash bulldoze-shaped icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen, then click the Eject option in the pop-up menu. One time you receive a notification, you can physically remove the SD carte from your estimator.

    • You may offset have to click ^ in the lower-right corner of the screen to encounter the flash drive icon.

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  1. 1

    Brand sure that the microSD card is plugged in. If you unplugged the adapter card (or the microSD card from the adapter card) from your calculator, re-plug in the card before continuing.

  2. 2

    Open Finder. Click the blue, face-like app icon in your Mac's Dock.

  3. 3

    Go to the downloaded ROM's location. On the left side of the Finder window, click the binder to which your ROM folder was downloaded.

    • For most browsers, the default download location is the Downloads folder.
  4. 4

    Select your ROM. Discover the ROM file and click it.

  5. 5

    Copy the ROM. Press Command+C to do so.

  6. 6

    Click your SD card's name. In the lower-left side of the Finder window, you should see a "Devices" heading, under which your SD menu should be listed. Clicking this opens the SD card's window.

  7. 7

    Paste in your ROM file. Click the SD carte du jour window, then press Command+Five . You should encounter the ROM file announced in the window.

  8. eight

    Eject the SD card. Click the triangle-shaped "Eject" icon to the right of the SD card's name in the Finder, so remove the card from your Mac when prompted.

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  1. 1

    Plug the microSD card into the R4 bill of fare. There should be a minor slot at the top of the R4 card into which the microSD card fits.

    • As with the microSD menu'southward adapter card, the microSD card merely fits ane manner.
  2. ii

    Insert the R4 card into your Nintendo DS. The R4 bill of fare should fit into the slot into which you normally insert your games' cards.

    • Brand certain that the microSD card is snugly inserted into the R4 menu as well.
    • On the original DS, y'all may first have to plug a menu reader into the bottom of the DS.
  3. 3

    Plough on your DS. Press the "Ability" push to turn on the DS.

  4. 4

    Select the "MicroSD Card" option. Once the DS finishes powering on, you lot should see a "MicroSD Card" option (or something similar) on the lesser screen.

  5. 5

    Select your game. The game that yous downloaded in ROM format should be displayed here. Select it to open it on your DS and begin playing!

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Add together New Question

  • Question

    Can I use a smartphone to do this?

    Community Answer

    If you mean utilize a smartphone to transfer the files to the Micro SD card, and then aye.

  • Question

    What is the recommended size for an SD menu?

    Community Answer

    32 GB should be enough. It's what I'thou using and has 64 games on information technology, from Pokémon to Zelda.

  • Question

    Is there a trusted site to buy R4 cards?

    Community Answer

    There is no trusted site to buy R4 cards. You can endeavour eBay at your own risk. Technically, R4 cards are cheaper than Gateway cards.

  • Question

    Can I put more than than one game on 1 card?

    Community Answer

    Yep, depending on how much the bill of fare tin can store and how large the games are. If information technology says 32GB, for example, that means you can only store up to 32GB of data.

  • Question

    Can I download an NDS file using my Android phone?

    Community Answer

    Yes, as long equally you have enough gratis space on your phone, and you discover a way to put the files on your micro SD.

  • Question

    Is the R4 card technically an SD bill of fare that a DS takes?

    Community Answer

    The R4 card is the normal, DS- sized game cartridge that yous put the SD card into.

  • Question

    Practise I demand a micro SD card or an R4 carte du jour to download games to my DS?

    Community Answer

    Yous need both. R4 acts as a 'card reader' and your micro SD carte is your retentiveness where your downloaded games are saved.

  • Question

    Can I transfer a game from my phone to my Nintendo 2DS?

    Community Answer

    Yes. Transfer the files to an SD bill of fare from your phone and then put your SD card in your Nintendo.

  • Question

    Can I download 3DS games on it (if I own a 3DS)?

    Community Answer

    No, you lot can't because there'southward no shop. You will just take the games that y'all went out and paid for in the shop. Play on Pictochat as an alternative.

  • Question

    Can I put my SD carte du jour into my PC, or do I have to buy a special adapter for information technology?

    Community Answer

    Some have slots and some don't. You'll have to look upwardly data on your specific PC to figure out which you accept.

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  • 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.

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  • Downloading complimentary versions of ROMs for games that you don't own is illegal in almost places.

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Reader Success Stories

  • Sreeraj Rajmohan

    Sreeraj Rajmohan

    Nov 17, 2016

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

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