Nintendo DS Emulator ‘DraStic’ Disappears from Google Play Store
The popular Nintendo DS emulator DraStic has been removed from the Google Play Store, according to a report by Android Authority. The reason behind its disappearance remains unclear, but it appears that the developer, Exophase, rather than Nintendo, may have been responsible for the removal.
Why Was DraStic Removed?
Last year, Exophase made DraStic free-to-download and mentioned plans to remove it from Google Play while open-sourcing its code. However, the emulator’s source code was never officially released.
This move came shortly after Nintendo’s legal battle led to the shutdown of the Switch emulator Yuzu and the Nintendo 3DS emulator Citra. At the time, Exophase denied that Nintendo’s legal actions were the reason for removing DraStic, but acknowledged that they accelerated the decision.
As of now, Exophase has not responded to The Verge’s request for comment regarding the app’s removal.
Impact on the Emulator Community
The loss of DraStic is a significant blow to the Android emulation scene, which has been shaken by Nintendo’s aggressive legal actions. However, the broader emulator market is still evolving—particularly on iOS, where Apple’s App Store guidelines have recently changed, opening the door for new emulator apps.
For now, fans of Nintendo DS emulation on Android will have to look for alternative solutions or wait for further announcements from Exophase.