How are DS games saved?
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DS games are saved using flash memory on the game cartridges themselves, which store user data such as game progress or high scores, while some games may also utilize EEPROM to save data, and a few exceptions do not have any save memory at all. The Nintendo DS console relies on the cartridges to store save data, with the console’s limited built-in memory reserved for storing information like profile names and Wi-Fi settings.
Understanding DS Game Savings
Save Game Data
The Nintendo DS stores its save game data on the cartridges themselves, with each cartridge containing integrated flash memory for game data and an EEPROM to save user data. This means that the save data is associated with the individual game cartridge, rather than the console itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do DS games save on the card or console?: Every DS game will be saved to the cartridge, not the system or SD card.
- How do DS games store data?: The cards contain an integrated flash memory for game data and an EEPROM to save user data such as game progress or high scores.
- Where is DS game data saved?: Save data is stored in the System Memory, and for the most part, it is associated with the individual user.
- Do 3DS games save to cartridge or SD card?: According to Nintendo, all 3DS games are saved to the cartridges they are played on, unless they are games downloaded from the eShop.
- What happens if you put a DS game in a 3DS?: Yes, you will be able to play most Nintendo DS games on your Nintendo 3DS, with exceptions being games that use the GBA Slot.
- Does 3DS use SD or Micro SD?: The Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, and Nintendo 2DS systems are compatible with SD cards up to 2 GB in size, and SDHC cards of 4 GB and larger up to 32 GB in size.
- What is the lifespan of a DS game?: Only time will ultimately tell, and guesswork based on cycle-data can give you estimates from 20-50 years, potentially longer.
- Why are DS games still so expensive?: DS games have become extremely expensive in recent years, with prices doubling or even tripling due to increased demand and limited supply.
- Are games saved on the SD card?: As your save data is a valuable record of your progress in games, it’s saved to the system memory in order to keep it safe, and not stored on the microSD card or game cards.
- Does game data saved on the cartridge?: No, all save data is saved on the internal storage of the Switch, as Switch cartridges are read-only.
- Do DS games stop saving?: DS cartridges use flash memory instead of a battery to keep the save, which means that it will virtually last forever, but flash memory is limited by the number of writes.
- Do DS cartridges have memory?: The Nintendo DS game cartridge uses flash memory to store the game data and an EEPROM to save user data/saves.
- Can you redownload DS games?: Once deleted, Nintendo eShop purchases can be redownloaded at no cost, and downloaded items appear as a gift on the HOME Menu.
- How do I transfer data from DS?: To transfer content between Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, and Nintendo 2DS systems, go to System Settings, select Other Settings, then System Transfer.
- What is the biggest SD card for 3DS?: 32GB is the highest “supported” SD card size for the 3DS, but users have reported that 64GB and 128GB cards work fine as long as they are formatted to FAT32 and SDXC.