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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

DSperate vs NooDS

  • 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
NooDS #8 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.0/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit NooDS

DSperate leads on 0 checks, NooDS 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 planonly DSperate
  • Most featuresDSperate · 4 of 4

DSperate scores higher on our rubric for nintendo ds emulators: 8.8 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

DSperate is the better fit for linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer. NooDS is the better fit for users prioritizing broad platform availability.

  • DSperate fits best

    Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer

  • NooDS fits best

    Users prioritizing broad platform availability

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Side by side

Feature DSperate 8.8/10 Visit ↗ NooDS 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.0
Ranking #4 in Nintendo DS Emulators #8 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer Users prioritizing broad platform availability
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Linux Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo
Features DSperate 4/4 · NooDS 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 Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Switch, Wii U, and Vita
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 and GBA emulation
  • Runs across desktop, mobile, Switch, Wii U, and Vita builds
  • Offers upscaling, multi-core rendering, and configurable file paths
Cons
  • Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use
  • DSi and DSiWare support is experimental
  • Release binaries target AArch64 and ARMhf Linux systems
  • Requires legally dumped DS BIOS and firmware files
  • Uses software rendering rather than a broader rendering approach
  • Focuses on core DS and GBA emulation rather than wider features
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 →

NooDS is an open-source Nintendo DS and GBA emulator developed by Hydr8gon as a personal project. It is aimed at users who want portable access across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with documented builds also covering Switch,…

Read the review →
  1. DSperateNintendo DS Emulators 8.8Free plan
  2. NooDSNintendo DS Emulators 8.0Open source

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

  • NooDS — where it wins

    • Supports Nintendo DS and GBA emulation
    • Runs across desktop, mobile, Switch, Wii U, and Vita builds
    • Offers upscaling, multi-core rendering, and configurable file paths

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires legally dumped DS BIOS and firmware files
    • Uses software rendering rather than a broader rendering approach
    • Focuses on core DS and GBA emulation rather than wider features

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