melonDS vs Delta

melonDS9.3Visit Delta8.2Visit

Higher score melonDS #2 in Nintendo DS Emulators 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit melonDS

vs

Delta #7 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Delta

• melonDS fits best

  Desktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi

• Delta fits best

  iOS users wanting DS plus other consoles

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Side by side

Feature	melonDS 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Delta 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.2
Ranking	#2 in Nintendo DS Emulators	#7 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for	Desktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi	iOS users wanting DS plus other consoles
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Mobile, Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	iOS, macOS
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features melonDS 0/4 · Delta 0/4
Save states	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Local multiplayer	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Nintendo DSi support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Cheat support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Screen layout options	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux Local multiplayer over LAN or Wi-Fi Upscaling, JIT recompilation, saves, microphone, and RTC 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	DSi emulation remains work in progress Desktop-only deployment limits use on mobile devices Focuses on Nintendo DS and DSi rather than broader system support	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	melonDS is an open-source Nintendo DS emulator for Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop computers. It is intended for users who want to run Nintendo DS software on a computer with legally obtained game images and firmware dumps. The project… 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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• melonDS — where it wins

  • Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Local multiplayer over LAN or Wi-Fi
  • Upscaling, JIT recompilation, saves, microphone, and RTC support

  Where it doesn't

  • DSi emulation remains work in progress
  • Desktop-only deployment limits use on mobile devices
  • Focuses on Nintendo DS and DSi rather than broader system support

• 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

• melonDS9.3/10 · Free plan

  A capable desktop DS emulator with LAN multiplayer, upscaling, and in-progress DSi support.

  Visit melonDSFull verdict →
• Delta8.2/10 · Free plan

  A broad Apple-focused emulator with strong DS support and useful synchronization tools.

  Visit DeltaFull verdict →