Top Android DS Emulators: A Comprehensive Guide
Android boasts impressive DS emulation capabilities. With numerous emulators available, choosing the best one can be challenging. This guide highlights top contenders, catering to various needs and preferences. Note that optimal performance requires ROMs specifically designed for DS games. For 3DS emulation, dedicated 3DS emulators are necessary.
Best Android DS Emulators:

melonDS currently reigns supreme. Its open-source nature, free availability, and consistent updates with performance boosts and new features make it a standout. Enjoy extensive customization options, including controller support tailored to your preferences, selectable themes (light and dark), adjustable resolution for balancing performance and visuals, and integrated Action Replay support for convenient cheating. While a Google Play version exists, the most current build is found on GitHub.

DraStic provides an excellent emulation experience, though its paid status might deter some. At $4.99, it remains a cost-effective choice, maintaining impressive performance despite its age (released in 2013). It handles nearly all DS titles flawlessly, excelling even on less powerful devices. Customization options include enhanced 3D rendering resolution, save states, speed adjustments, screen positioning, controller support, and Game Shark code functionality. However, it lacks multiplayer support, a limitation less impactful given the decline of many DS multiplayer servers.

EmuBox is a free, ad-supported emulator. While ads might be intrusive for some users, and online connectivity is required, its versatility is a significant advantage. It supports ROMs from various consoles beyond the DS, including the original PlayStation and Game Boy Advance.