melonDS vs DSperate

melonDS9.3Visit DDSperate8.8Visit

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

vs

D DSperate #4 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit DSperate

• melonDS fits best

  Desktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi

• DSperate fits best

  Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer

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Side by side

Feature	melonDS 9.3/10 Visit ↗	DDSperate 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.8
Ranking	#2 in Nintendo DS Emulators	#4 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for	Desktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi	Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Linux
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features melonDS 0/4 · DSperate 4/4
Save states	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Local multiplayer	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Nintendo DSi support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Cheat support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf
Screen layout options	Not checked yet	vertical, horizontal, single, picture-in-picture, dominant vertical, dominant horizontal
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	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
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	Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use DSi and DSiWare support is experimental Release binaries target AArch64 and ARMhf Linux systems
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 →	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 →

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

• 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

• melonDS9.3/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit melonDSFull verdict →
• DDSperate8.8/10 · Free plan

  A feature-rich open-source emulator for Linux users who need DSi and LAN play.

  Visit DSperateFull verdict →