If DS isn’t that much more powerful than GBA, why is Pokemon ROM hacking so much more advanced with GBA than DS and why is emulation for the DS way harder to find?

Challenges in DS ROM Hacking

1. Complex Architecture: The Nintendo DS features a more complex architecture compared to the GBA. This complexity makes it significantly harder to create tools for editing and modifying DS ROMs. For example, while GBA ROM hacking benefits from a variety of established tools, such as mapping tools, similar resources are scarce for DS games
2. Patching Difficulties: Patching DS ROMs is often described as tricky, which contributes to the limited number of available hacks. Many existing hacks come with specific patching instructions, indicating that the process is not straightforward
3. Lack of Tools: The absence of comprehensive tools for editing maps and other game elements in DS ROMs has led to fewer community-developed hacks. In contrast, GBA ROM hacking has a robust toolkit that allows for extensive modifications

Emulation Challenges

1. Technical Complexity: Emulating the DS is generally more challenging than emulating the GBA due to its dual-screen setup and more advanced hardware features. The architecture of the DS requires emulators to implement sophisticated techniques like Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation and multi-core processing to achieve acceptable performance levels
2. Performance Issues: Many users report that DS emulators can be slow or exhibit graphical glitches, making it difficult to find reliable emulation options This contrasts with GBA emulators, which tend to be more stable and widely supported.
3. Community Support: The GBA has a larger community and a longer history of development in terms of both ROM hacking and emulation. This has resulted in a wealth of resources and tools that are not as prevalent for the DS