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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

DSperate vs Delta

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score DSperate #4 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit DSperate
Delta #7 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Delta

DSperate leads on 0 checks, Delta 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 scoreDSperate · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresDSperate · 4 of 4

DSperate scores higher on our rubric for nintendo ds emulators: 8.8 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

DSperate is the better fit for linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer. Delta is the better fit for iOS users wanting DS plus other consoles.

  • DSperate fits best

    Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer

  • Delta fits best

    iOS users wanting DS plus other consoles

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Side by side

Feature DSperate 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Delta 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.2
Ranking #4 in Nintendo DS Emulators #7 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer iOS users wanting DS plus other consoles
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Mobile, Desktop
Platforms Linux iOS, macOS
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 2 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features DSperate 4/4 · Delta 0/4
Save states ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Local multiplayer ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Nintendo DSi support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Cheat support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf Not checked yet
Screen layout options vertical, horizontal, single, picture-in-picture, dominant vertical, dominant horizontal Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Supports Nintendo DS alongside NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy and more
  • Save states, cheats, controller mapping and external controller support
  • Syncs games, saves, cheats and settings through Google Drive or Dropbox
Cons
  • Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use
  • DSi and DSiWare support is experimental
  • Release binaries target AArch64 and ARMhf Linux systems
  • Available on iOS and macOS, with no Android support
  • Nintendo DS multiplayer depends on compatible games and community servers
  • Sega Genesis/Mega Drive support is still in beta
Our verdict

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 →

Delta is a free, open-source emulator for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple silicon Mac and Apple Vision devices. It is aimed at Apple users who want Nintendo DS emulation alongside NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy…

Read the review →
  1. DSperateNintendo DS Emulators 8.8Free plan
  2. DeltaNintendo DS Emulators 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • Delta — where it wins

    • Supports Nintendo DS alongside NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy and more
    • Save states, cheats, controller mapping and external controller support
    • Syncs games, saves, cheats and settings through Google Drive or Dropbox

    Where it doesn't

    • Available on iOS and macOS, with no Android support
    • Nintendo DS multiplayer depends on compatible games and community servers
    • Sega Genesis/Mega Drive support is still in beta

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