The Best Nintendo DS Emulators in 2026
We researched Nintendo DS emulators from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Rankings consider each emulator’s core job, value for money and verified features, helping you compare platform support, dual-screen controls and useful compatibility features for Nintendo DS gaming.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
DeSmuME#1 of 189.4/10A free desktop emulator with strong graphics, input, save, and cheat support.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
melonDS#2 of 189.3/10A capable desktop DS emulator with LAN multiplayer, upscaling, and in-progress DSi support.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Pilas-melonDS#3 of 188.9/10Free browser emulation with DSi support, persistent saves, and multiplayer bridges.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 18 tools, best first
-
Best forFree, full-featured desktop DS emulation
A free desktop emulator with strong graphics, input, save, and cheat support.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit DeSmuME -
Best forDesktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi
A capable desktop DS emulator with LAN multiplayer, upscaling, and in-progress DSi support.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit melonDS -
Best forBrowser users needing DSi and multiplayer support
Free browser emulation with DSi support, persistent saves, and multiplayer bridges.
- Local multiplayer
- Nintendo DSi support
- Save states
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Pilas-melonDS -
Best forLinux users needing DSi and local multiplayer
A feature-rich open-source emulator for Linux users who need DSi and LAN play.
- Local multiplayer
- Nintendo DSi support
- Cheat support
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit DSperate -
Best forAndroid users wanting DS and DSi features
A free Android emulator with broad DS and DSi features, but no local multiplayer.
- Nintendo DSi support
- Cheat support
- Save states
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit WatermelonDS -
Best forWindows users needing debugging tools
A free Windows emulator whose strongest features target debugging and development.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit NO$GBA -
Best foriOS users wanting DS plus other consoles
A broad Apple-focused emulator with strong DS support and useful synchronization tools.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Delta -
Best forUsers prioritizing broad platform availability
A broad-platform open-source emulator with focused DS and GBA support.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit NooDS -
Best forAndroid users wanting a DeSmuME-based emulator
A free, open-source Android emulator with broad controls and an unstable fork status.
- Cheat support
- Save states
7.9/10★★★★☆View iDroidDS -
Best forAndroid users wanting a simple free emulator
A straightforward free Android emulator with useful controls, layouts, saves, and cheats.
- Cheat support
- Save states
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit nds4droid -
Best forAndroid users wanting extensive customization
A highly configurable Android emulator with broad controls for DS games.
- Cheat support
- Save states
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit ANDSemu -
Best forBrowser users wanting lightweight DS emulation
A free, open-source browser emulator with controller input and IndexedDB saves.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit DS Anywhere -
Best forDevelopers testing DS cartridge formats
A free, open-source DS emulator aimed at developers working with cartridge formats.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit dasShiny -
Best forPlayStation Vita users with partial 3D needs
A free Vita emulator with flexible controls, saves, cheats, and partial 3D support.
- Cheat support
- Save states
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit DSVita -
Best forUsers needing broad platform coverage
A broad, flexible emulator with Nintendo DS support still identified as beta quality.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit SkyEmu -
Best forMulti-system users with experimental DS needs
A capable multi-system emulator, but Nintendo DS support remains experimental.
- Save states
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit GB Enhanced+ -
Best forMind-mapping users, not DS emulation
A capable mind-mapping tool, but not a Nintendo DS emulator.
4.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit MindSpark -
Best forDisk-usage analysis, not DS emulation
A focused terminal utility for finding storage usage, not running Nintendo DS software.
3.5/10★★☆☆☆Visit dust
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DeSmuME | Yes | Free | 9.4 | |
| 2 | melonDS | Yes | Free | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Pilas-melonDS | Yes | Free | Web browsers on desktop and mobile devices | 8.9 |
| 4 | DSperate | Yes | Free | Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf | 8.8 |
| 5 | WatermelonDS | Yes | Free | Android | 8.5 |
| 6 | NO$GBA | Yes | Free | 8.3 | |
| 7 | Delta | Yes | 8.2 | ||
| 8 | NooDS | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Switch, Wii U, and Vita | 8.0 | |
| 9 | iDroidDS | Yes | Free | Android | 7.9 |
| 10 | nds4droid | Yes | Free | Android | 7.8 |
| 11 | ANDSemu | Free | Android | 7.7 | |
| 12 | DS Anywhere | Free | web | 7.3 | |
| 13 | dasShiny | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | 7.2 |
| 14 | DSVita | Yes | Free | PlayStation Vita | 7.1 |
| 15 | SkyEmu | Yes | Free | 6.9 | |
| 16 | GB Enhanced+ | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS | 6.8 |
| 17 | MindSpark | Yes | Free | 4.0 | |
| 18 | dust | Yes | Free | 3.5 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- DeSmuME vs melonDS
- DeSmuME vs Pilas-melonDS
- DeSmuME vs DSperate
- DeSmuME vs WatermelonDS
- DeSmuME vs NO$GBA
- DeSmuME vs Delta
- DeSmuME vs NooDS
- melonDS vs Pilas-melonDS
- melonDS vs DSperate
Explore other topics All topics →
- AI Tools 303 directories · 8,269 tools ranked AI Writing Tools · AI Video Generators · Text-to-Speech Software
- Web Hosting & Domains 275 directories · 6,107 tools ranked Shared Web Hosting · Managed Cloud Hosting · Dedicated Server Hosting
- Productivity 157 directories · 4,948 tools ranked Note-Taking Apps · Calendar Apps · Project Management Software
- Marketing 135 directories · 3,978 tools ranked SEO Tools · Influencer Marketing Platforms · Email Marketing Software
- Sales & CRM 152 directories · 4,161 tools ranked Real Estate CRM Software · CRM Software · Proposal Software
- Customer Service 55 directories · 1,547 tools ranked Chatbot Builders · Knowledge Base Software · Call Center Software
How we rank nintendo DS emulators
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update