Popular Nintendo DS Emulator Removed from Google Play Store
The popular Nintendo DS emulator, Drastic, has been unexpectedly removed from the Google Play Store, leaving many users and emulation enthusiasts puzzled. While the exact reason for its removal remains unclear, sources close to the matter suggest that the decision was initiated by the developer, Exophase, rather than Nintendo.
Before its removal, Exophase had made Drastic free to download and announced plans to open-source the code, though this has not yet materialized. Insiders report that while Nintendo’s recent legal actions against emulators did not directly influence the decision to remove Drastic, they may have accelerated the process.
Attempts to reach Exophase for comment on the removal have been unsuccessful, leaving many questions unanswered.
The sudden disappearance of Drastic from the Google Play Store marks a significant loss for the emulator community, which has already faced challenges due to Nintendo’s legal actions against other emulators such as Yuzu and Citra. Despite these setbacks, the community continues to adapt and evolve in the face of adversity.
In a related development, a recent change in Apple’s App Store guidelines has led to the emergence of a growing iOS emulator marketplace. This shift presents new opportunities for emulator developers and users on iOS platforms, potentially offsetting some of the losses experienced in the Android ecosystem.
As the emulation landscape continues to change, enthusiasts and developers alike are watching closely to see how these developments will shape the future of retro gaming on mobile devices.
