Turn Your Nintendo DS Into An MP3 Player - Easy Guide

Transforming Your Nintendo DS into a Portable Music Player

Released in 2004, the Nintendo DS handheld gaming system has undergone several revisions – the original model, the Lite, the DSi, and the DSi-XL. Despite these iterations, certain features commonly found in touchscreen-equipped handhelds were not universally included. While the Nintendo DS possesses the capability to function as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or portable multimedia device, Nintendo has primarily focused its development efforts on gaming experiences.

Conversely, the Sony PSP, a key competitor to the DS, offers a broader range of functionalities, including game playing, movie viewing, and music playback. This disparity has prompted some Nintendo DS owners to seek ways to expand their console’s capabilities.

This guide details the process of converting your Nintendo DS into an MP3 player, enabling music playback on your dual-screened handheld. This may negate the need to purchase a separate device like an iPod.

Although the newer Nintendo DSi natively supports AAC audio files, users of older models, or those preferring MP3s, may find themselves without this functionality. However, unlocking the DS’s hidden potential is achievable through a straightforward method.

Acquiring a Flash Card

The initial step involves purchasing a flash card compatible with your Nintendo DS. These cards function similarly to game cartridges, utilizing flash memory to store data. They allow for the addition of functionalities, such as running applications capable of playing MP3, Ogg Vorbis, and AAC files. Flash cards offer convenience, ease of installation, and generally do not invalidate your warranty, as they require no hardware modifications.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that Nintendo does not officially endorse the use of flash cards, so proceed at your own discretion.

Numerous brands of DS flash cards are available, each with varying features and quality levels. Prominent brands include CycloDS, M3, and Acekard. This tutorial will focus on the Acekard 2i, recognized for its balance of affordability and performance. The Acekard official website provides a list of recommended retailers.

If you do not already possess a MicroSD card, consider purchasing a package that includes both the MicroSD card and the Acekard. I obtained a complete kit for under $35, comparable to the cost of a single game. The kit includes simple instructions for preparing the card for use with your DS, primarily involving downloading and copying files via the included USB adapter.

Downloading and Installing Moonshell

With the flash card in hand, you’ll need an application to play your music. Moonshell fulfills this role. Moonshell is an unofficial multimedia player designed for the Nintendo DS, supporting music playback, video viewing, photo display, text reading, and other features.

To install Moonshell, follow these steps:

1. Insert your MicroSD card into your PC using the USB loader provided with the Acekard kit.
2. Download Moonshell from the official website.
3. Run the downloaded file, or unzip its contents to a directory and then execute the setup.exe file. You will be prompted to select your preferred language.
4. Choose your mounted card. For example, it might be identified as "Removable Disk J:".
5. The application will begin copying the necessary files.
6. Once the process is complete, you can also copy an MP3 file onto the Removable Disk for testing. Safely eject the USB reader and card.
7. Insert the Acekard into your DS and power it on. Select the option to load the Acekard from the main menu.
8. Choose the Moonshell program to launch it. Upon the first launch, you will be asked to select a language.
9. After a brief loading period, a file explorer will appear on the bottom screen, allowing you to select the MP3 file you wish to play. The top screen will display instructions for controlling playback, adjusting volume, and other functions.
10. Simply select the desired song, and it should begin playing immediately. You can add more MP3s to your SD card as needed, organizing them into directories as you would on a computer. Important Note: I've observed that Moonshell version 2.10 may experience issues with MP3 files featuring exceptionally high bitrates, though most MP3s function without problems.

Did you find this tutorial easy to follow? Have you successfully used your Nintendo DS to play music? Do you have any suggestions for enhancing the experience? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!