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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

DeSmuME vs WatermelonDS

  • 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
WatermelonDS #5 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit WatermelonDS

DeSmuME leads on 0 checks, WatermelonDS 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 featuresWatermelonDS · 3 of 4

DeSmuME scores higher on our rubric for nintendo ds emulators: 9.4 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

DeSmuME is the better fit for free, full-featured desktop DS emulation. WatermelonDS is the better fit for android users wanting DS and DSi features.

  • DeSmuME fits best

    Free, full-featured desktop DS emulation

  • WatermelonDS fits best

    Android users wanting DS and DSi features

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Side by side

Feature DeSmuME 9.4/10 Visit ↗ WatermelonDS 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.5
Ranking #1 in Nintendo DS Emulators #5 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Free, full-featured desktop DS emulation Android users wanting DS and DSi features
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Android
Support Community, Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features DeSmuME 0/4 · WatermelonDS 3/4
Save states Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Local multiplayer Not checked yet —
Nintendo DSi support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Cheat support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Android
Screen layout options Not checked yet Per-ROM layouts, screen rotation, external-screen layouts, layout editor
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 Nintendo DS and DSi software, including DSiWare integration
  • Offers multiple renderers, resolution scaling, shaders and external-display support
  • Includes save states, cheats and RetroAchievements with offline play
Cons
  • Wi-Fi emulation is not supported
  • Linux users may need to build from source
  • Focused only on Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite
  • Local multiplayer is not supported
  • DSi SD-card support is not included
  • Available as an Android port rather than across multiple platforms
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 →

WatermelonDS is an open-source Android emulator for Nintendo DS and DSi software. It is aimed at Android users who want DS and DSi features on handheld devices or hardware connected to external displays. The feature set covers core…

Read the review →
  1. DeSmuMENintendo DS Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. WatermelonDSNintendo DS Emulators 8.5Free 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

  • WatermelonDS — where it wins

    • Supports Nintendo DS and DSi software, including DSiWare integration
    • Offers multiple renderers, resolution scaling, shaders and external-display support
    • Includes save states, cheats and RetroAchievements with offline play

    Where it doesn't

    • Local multiplayer is not supported
    • DSi SD-card support is not included
    • Available as an Android port rather than across multiple platforms

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