melonDS vs NO$GBA

melonDS9.3Visit NNO$GBA8.3Visit

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

vs

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

• melonDS fits best

  Desktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi

• NO$GBA fits best

  Windows users needing debugging tools

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Side by side

Feature	melonDS 9.3/10 Visit ↗	NNO$GBA 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.3
Ranking	#2 in Nintendo DS Emulators	#6 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for	Desktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi	Windows users needing debugging tools
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features melonDS 0/4 · NO$GBA 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 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	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	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	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 →	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 →

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

• 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

• melonDS9.3/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit melonDSFull verdict →
• NNO$GBA8.3/10 · Free plan

  A free Windows emulator whose strongest features target debugging and development.

  Visit NO$GBAFull verdict →