A Nintendo DS emulator app for Android called DraStic DS Emulator is now free on Android. If you were looking for a way to emulate your games on your phone, this is probably one of the best ways to do so. The choice to go free is happening in the wake of Nintendo’s lawsuit against the creators of the Yuzu Nintendo Switch emulator. Back on February 28, Nintendo filed a lawsuit against the emulator’s creators, Tropic Haze, seeking a shutdown of the emulator and monetary damages.
It didn’t take long for Nintendo to get the results it wanted. Tropic Haze settled with Nintendo to the tune of $2.4 million on March 4. In addition, Nintendo is seizing the company’s Yuzu website and its domains, and it’s no longer allowed to market Yuzu. This was, mostly expected, even if fans were hoping for a different result. The settlement is also having some adverse effects. With DraStic DS Emulator creator changing the app on Android from a paid app to a free one. It used to cost $4.99 to download. Exophase, the app’s developer, also says the app is going to be pulled down eventually.
“I just changed the app on GPlay to free. I don’t intend to even have it on there for that much longer,” Exophase wrote on the DraStic Discord server.
The DraStic DS emulator for Android going free isn’t entirely because of Nintendo
It’s clear that Nintendo’s lawsuit has some part to play in this decision. But as Exophase notes (via The Verge) the lawsuit and Yuzu’s recent settlement agreement “made the matter more urgent.” With DraStic going free, and it being pulled down soon, users won’t be left without other options. DraStic isn’t the only DS emulator available on the Play Store. However, it is one of the more highly rated options.
On top of DraStic shutting down other communities related to Yuzu or Nintendo emulation are taking similar measures to DraStic. The Steam Deck Discord server is temporarily closing down its channel dedicated to emulation. The team is not associated with Valve and isn’t equipped to handle potential legal repercussions, a channel admin noted.
The Verge also reports that another popular Nintendo Switch emulator called Ryujinx, has temporarily paused invites to the Discord server. However, the emulator is still up and running for the time being.
2024-03-06 15:08:03