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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

DeSmuME vs NO$GBA

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score DeSmuME #1 in Nintendo DS Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit DeSmuME
NO$GBA #6 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit NO$GBA

DeSmuME leads on 0 checks, NO$GBA on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDeSmuME · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth

DeSmuME scores higher on our rubric for nintendo ds emulators: 9.4 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

DeSmuME is the better fit for free, full-featured desktop DS emulation. NO$GBA is the better fit for windows users needing debugging tools.

  • DeSmuME fits best

    Free, full-featured desktop DS emulation

  • NO$GBA fits best

    Windows users needing debugging tools

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Side by side

Feature DeSmuME 9.4/10 Visit ↗ NO$GBA 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.3
Ranking #1 in Nintendo DS Emulators #6 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Free, full-featured desktop DS emulation Windows users needing debugging tools
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows
Support Community, Docs Email, Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features DeSmuME 0/4 · NO$GBA 0/4
Save states Not checked yet Not checked yet
Local multiplayer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Nintendo DSi support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cheat support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Screen layout options Not checked yet Not checked yet
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
  • Supports Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and DSi emulation
  • Includes disassembly, profiling, tracing and source-level debugging
  • Offers multiplayer GBA linking and complete hardware snapshots
Cons
  • Wi-Fi emulation is not supported
  • Linux users may need to build from source
  • Focused only on Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite
  • Windows is the listed platform for the gaming and debugging versions
  • Its strongest capabilities focus on development rather than general emulation
  • The product is freeware rather than a broader paid support offering
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 →

NO$GBA is a freeware emulator and debugger for Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and DSi software. It is aimed at Windows users who want both game emulation and technical tools for inspecting or developing software. Windows and DOS gaming…

Read the review →
  1. DeSmuMENintendo DS Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. NO$GBANintendo DS Emulators 8.3Free 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

  • NO$GBA — where it wins

    • Supports Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and DSi emulation
    • Includes disassembly, profiling, tracing and source-level debugging
    • Offers multiplayer GBA linking and complete hardware snapshots

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows is the listed platform for the gaming and debugging versions
    • Its strongest capabilities focus on development rather than general emulation
    • The product is freeware rather than a broader paid support offering

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