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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

DSperate vs WatermelonDS

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

DSperate leads on 1 check, WatermelonDS on 0, and 4 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 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

DSperate offers local multiplayer; WatermelonDS doesn't.

DSperate is the better fit for linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer. WatermelonDS is the better fit for android users wanting DS and DSi features.

  • DSperate fits best

    Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer

  • WatermelonDS fits best

    Android users wanting DS and DSi features

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Side by side

Feature DSperate 8.8/10 Visit ↗ WatermelonDS 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.5
Ranking #4 in Nintendo DS Emulators #5 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer Android users wanting DS and DSi features
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Mobile
Platforms Linux Android
Support Community, Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features DSperate 4/4 · WatermelonDS 3/4
Save states ✓ ✓
Local multiplayer ✓ (best) —
Nintendo DSi support ✓ ✓
Cheat support ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf Android
Screen layout options vertical, horizontal, single, picture-in-picture, dominant vertical, dominant horizontal Per-ROM layouts, screen rotation, external-screen layouts, layout editor
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 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
  • Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use
  • DSi and DSiWare support is experimental
  • Release binaries target AArch64 and ARMhf Linux systems
  • Local multiplayer is not supported
  • DSi SD-card support is not included
  • Available as an Android port rather than across multiple platforms
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 →

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. DSperateNintendo DS Emulators 8.8Free plan
  2. WatermelonDSNintendo DS Emulators 8.5Free 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

  • 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