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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

DSperate vs NO$GBA

  • 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
NO$GBA #6 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit NO$GBA

DSperate leads on 0 checks, NO$GBA 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 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

DSperate is the better fit for linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer. NO$GBA is the better fit for windows users needing debugging tools.

  • DSperate fits best

    Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer

  • NO$GBA fits best

    Windows users needing debugging tools

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Side by side

Feature DSperate 8.8/10 Visit ↗ NO$GBA 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.3
Ranking #4 in Nintendo DS Emulators #6 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer Windows users needing debugging tools
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Linux Windows
Support Community, Docs Email, Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features DSperate 4/4 · NO$GBA 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 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
  • Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use
  • DSi and DSiWare support is experimental
  • Release binaries target AArch64 and ARMhf Linux systems
  • 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

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 →

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. DSperateNintendo DS Emulators 8.8Free plan
  2. NO$GBANintendo DS Emulators 8.3Free 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

  • 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