The Nintendo DS (Dual Screen) came out in 2004 and used dual LCD screens. It offered a built-in microphone, stereo speakers, support for wireless connectivity, and more. Though Nintendo discontinued the DS, it sold more than 154 million units as of 2016. That made it one of the best-selling consoles of all time, second only to Sony’s PlayStation 2. While the DS is region-free (any console will run any cartridge worldwide), the Chinese IQue DS games (the Chinese version) can’t be played on the other versions of the original DS. That’s because the firmware chip does not contain the Chinese character glyph images. However, you may want to connect to a VPN while playing.
| Rank | VPN Service | Our Score | Server Locations | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 9.8 | 160 |  |
| 2 |  | 9.4 | 87 | |
| 3 |  | 9.2 | 95 | |
| 4 |  | 9.0 | 110 | |
| 5 |  | 8.8 | 73 | |
As we mentioned, the DS was wildly popular. Though the original DS is region-free, the DSi version has a geo-lock on DSiWare downloadable games and DSi-specific cartridges. It will run standard DS games from any region, though. You can get around that regional restriction if you connect to a VPN. Unfortunately, because the Nintendo DSi is older technology, getting around the lock is not easy to do.
Additionally, WiFi connectivity can leave you vulnerable, especially on older devices like the DS. While it offers WEP security, many hackers can get around your DS protection. If you want to protect yourself while playing and have your laptop or desktop around, you can protect your device by connecting to a VPN. Why do you have to be close to one? That has to do with the way you set up the Nintendo DS. There are two processes to use a VPN with your DS.
How to set up a VPN with Nintendo DS
Before setting the VPN up, you need to have the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB connector. Then, follow these steps.
- On your laptop or desktop, download the latest version of the software for the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector (1.07).
- Open and run the setup file.
- Once installed, connect your Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector.
- Now, find the connector under connections and make sure you enable internet connection sharing.
- Next, you want to look for an option that allows other network users to connect through your computer’s internet connection and select Local Area Network from the dropdown.
- Go to the ExpressVPN website and sign up for service. They offer a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee for new users.
- Next, download and install the ExpressVPN app on your laptop or desktop.
- Connect to the closest VPN server, or if you have a DSi, select the region you want to check.
- Start playing your DS. If you chose a different region, you should be able to access the region-locked games now.
- If you have any issues setting the VPN up on your PC, the ExpressVPN team will be glad to help you.
As we said, using your DS with a VPN is not easy because it doesn’t allow it natively.
VPN considerations for your DS
Because of the age of the DS, there aren’t many considerations to make. Here are our thoughts on what you need to look for:
- Solid features list – When using your DS on a VPN, you need to see the provider’s features. In this case, the one you need to see is a kill switch. While you can take advantage of others, the kill switch is crucial.
- High network stability – If you are in the middle of a game, a disconnect can be bad. That’s especially true if you are playing against people in other regions. By choosing a VPN provider that has a larger network, you can lessen the number of disconnects by quite a bit.
- Next-gen protocols – Speeds won’t be as important as they would normally be, because the DS is not intensive. Since you are sharing the connection with your PC, though, you want to get the best speeds and protection. Look for providers that offer next-generation encryption protocols. These include ExpressVPN’s Lightway, WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN.
Here is a deeper look at our choices.
1. Best VPN for Nintendo DS: ExpressVPN
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No matter what type of device you prefer, ExpressVPN has you covered with apps or setup instructions for your favorite ones. That includes easy to use apps for Windows, Mac OSX, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Linux. If you are one of the people that want to protect their other devices, there are convenient setup guides to protect your router, smart TV, or even your favorite gaming console. Be sure to check the website so you can configure all of your devices to work with the right VPN server address.
Because protecting your security and accounts are essential while gaming, connecting to a VPN server with ExpressVPN is crucial. If you are a gamer, you will spend many hours playing. No matter what the game is, there are achievements, money, and account information that you should be able to protect. To do so, all you need to do is connect to the server of your choice. That way, you will create a layer of encryption that will keep all of your personal gaming information and accounts safe.
ExpressVPN is our top-rated VPN service of 2023. Regardless of your goals for using a VPN, ExpressVPN combines a robust network with privacy features to keep you protected. We commonly use it to protect our privacy while traveling and to access our favorite streaming services back home. While you can sign up for monthly access, we recommend you take advantage of this exclusive deal that gives you 3 extra months free when you sign up for a year. You can also get a full refund within 30 days if you’re not completely satisfied, so you can test their network with ExpressVPN’s money-back-guarantee.
Want to learn more? Read our full ExpressVPN review.
Pros:
- Split tunneling on Windows and macOS
- Browser extensions
- Lightway protocol is fast
- Large network with servers in 94 countries
- Supports torrenting
- No data or DNS leaks
Cons:
- Above average prices
- VPN app required for browser extensions
2. Best VPN for Nintendo DS: NordVPN
For all the sports fans out there, it can sometimes be challenging to watch your favorite event, match, or game. If you travel abroad, that can be a big problem. The solution to that, however, is to connect to a VPN server from NordVPN. To do so, all you have to do is choose the proper location. An example of that is if you have an ESPN account and are outside the US, connecting to an American VPN server would allow you to view it with no issues.
Sometimes, you need the protection of a VPN but the safety of knowing that you will have the same IP address every time. If you are looking for a provider that will give you a dedicated IP address, NordVPN has you covered. The advantages of doing so include the ability to secure your online payments, skip captchas and blacklists, and secure access to business servers. Keep in mind, though, that getting one will make you a bit easier to track, and you can only use it on two devices at the same time.
Want to learn more? Read our full NordVPN review.
Pros:
- Unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- Internet and app kill switch
- No DNS leaks
- Based in Panama (privacy-friendly jurisdiction)
- Double VPN feature
- Supports torrenting
Cons:
- Slow to connect in the Windows app
- Discounts only apply to first payment term
3. Best VPN for Nintendo DS: PIA
If you are not aware, one of the big reasons to connect to a VPN server from Private Internet Access is to help you gain access to content from other regions. Whether you want to watch one of the great shows from the BBC, CBC, or some of the other excellent networks around the world, all you have to do is connect to a VPN. Then, simply pick a server in the area you wish to see. That will make the blocking software assume that you are in the correct region.
Private Internet Access offers apps for a whole host of custom apps that you can install, depending on which device or operating system you have. Those include Windows 32 and 64 bit, macOS (64-bit), Linux (64-bit), Android, and iOS. Additionally, they have extensions for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and the Opera browser. If there is not an app for it, they have quite a few setup guides to help you configure several different types of routers like PfSense, Tomato, DD-WRT, and more.
Want to learn more? Read our full Private Internet Access review.
Pros:
- PIA MACE blocks ads and trackers
- Anonymous payment options
- VPN kill switch feature
- Blocks ads, trackers, and malware
- Good torrent download speeds
- Works with US Netflix
Cons:
- Limited servers outside the US
- Average speeds in the US
4. Best VPN for Nintendo DS: CyberGhost
If you are a gamer, one of the things you can avoid by connecting a VPN server from CyberGhost is what is known as a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. If you are not aware, a DDoS attack makes a machine or network unavailable by flooding it with requests in an attempt to overload systems. You should not have to worry about attackers or botnets stopping you from playing your favorite games. When you connect to a VPN, though, it will help you prevent that from happening.
Whether you stream a little or a lot of content online, connecting to a CyberGhost VPN server can help you. Streaming online continues to grow in popularity. Unfortunately, so do the numbers of ISPs that want to throttle your internet performance. They can detect streaming by looking for patterns. Even if you do not think it could happen to you, it certainly can. By connecting to a VPN, however, you can prevent that from happening. Simply choose a server, and your ISP will only see your actions as encrypted traffic. Then, you won’t have to worry about your streaming marathon.
Want to learn more? Read our full CyberGhost review.
Pros:
- Based in Romania (outside 14 eyes)
- Zero log VPN – no activity logs
- Unblocks many streaming sites
- Similar UI across all VPN apps
- Automatic kill switch option
Cons:
- Mac and iOS app lack OpenvPN
- Does not offer double VPN connections
5. Best VPN for Nintendo DS: IPVanish
If you are worried about getting things set up correctly or need help, IPVanish has you covered. On their site, you can find many VPN set up guides to help you get everything going. If you can not find the answer you need, they offer an email ticketing system. While they do not give a specific time as to when they will get back to you, they state it will be as soon as possible. If you would rather talk to someone in person, they also offer a live 24/7 chat feature. This is our recommendation for getting quick answers from their customer support team.
If you are like most gamers, you are aware that lag can cause big problems. Sometimes, that can be a result of a busy game server or a congested network. By connecting to a VPN like IPVanish, you can help stop that from happening. What that will do is re-route your gaming traffic to a less populated server. Doing so may help you get a better experience so that you can enjoy your favorite games. That could make the difference between winning the match, or losing it.
Want to learn more? Read our full IPVanish review.
Pros:
- Unlimited concurrent connections
- Own their DNS servers for better privacy
- They do not use virtual servers
- Unblocks US Netflix
- Tier-1 VPN service
Cons:
- Lacks many international payment methods
- Shared data in 2016 under previous ownership
