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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

DeSmuME vs DSperate

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score DeSmuME #1 in Nintendo DS Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit DeSmuME
DSperate #4 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit DSperate

DeSmuME leads on 0 checks, DSperate on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDeSmuME · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresDSperate · 4 of 4

DeSmuME scores higher on our rubric for nintendo ds emulators: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

DeSmuME is the better fit for free, full-featured desktop DS emulation. DSperate is the better fit for linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer.

  • DeSmuME fits best

    Free, full-featured desktop DS emulation

  • DSperate fits best

    Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer

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Side by side

Feature DeSmuME 9.4/10 Visit ↗ DSperate 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.8
Ranking #1 in Nintendo DS Emulators #4 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Free, full-featured desktop DS emulation Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features DeSmuME 0/4 · DSperate 4/4
Save states Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Local multiplayer Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Nintendo DSi support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Cheat support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf
Screen layout options Not checked yet vertical, horizontal, single, picture-in-picture, dominant vertical, dominant horizontal
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop systems
  • Offers high-resolution 3D with GPU scaling and multiple renderers
  • Includes touchscreen, microphone, save, and Action Replay support
  • Experimental DSi and DSiWare support alongside Nintendo DS emulation
  • LAN multiplayer supports local wireless and Download Play
  • Save states, cheats, layouts, remapping, and RetroAchievements support
Cons
  • Wi-Fi emulation is not supported
  • Linux users may need to build from source
  • Focused only on Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite
  • Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use
  • DSi and DSiWare support is experimental
  • Release binaries target AArch64 and ARMhf Linux systems
Our verdict

DeSmuME is a free, open-source desktop emulator for Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite software. It is intended for users who want to run Nintendo DS titles on Windows, macOS, or Linux computers. Its feature set covers the core DS hardware…

Read the review →

DSperate is an open-source Nintendo DS emulator designed primarily for ARM Linux handhelds. It supports standard Nintendo DS emulation through interpreted and recompiled CPU modes, with software 2D and 3D rendering. The project also adds…

Read the review →
  1. DeSmuMENintendo DS Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. DSperateNintendo DS Emulators 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • DeSmuME — where it wins

    • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop systems
    • Offers high-resolution 3D with GPU scaling and multiple renderers
    • Includes touchscreen, microphone, save, and Action Replay support

    Where it doesn't

    • Wi-Fi emulation is not supported
    • Linux users may need to build from source
    • Focused only on Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite

  • DSperate — where it wins

    • Experimental DSi and DSiWare support alongside Nintendo DS emulation
    • LAN multiplayer supports local wireless and Download Play
    • Save states, cheats, layouts, remapping, and RetroAchievements support

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use
    • DSi and DSiWare support is experimental
    • Release binaries target AArch64 and ARMhf Linux systems

More comparisons

All nintendo DS emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update