melonDS vs WatermelonDS

melonDS9.3Visit WWatermelonDS8.5Visit

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

vs

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

• melonDS fits best

  Desktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi

• WatermelonDS fits best

  Android users wanting DS and DSi features

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Side by side

Feature	melonDS 9.3/10 Visit ↗	WWatermelonDS 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.5
Ranking	#2 in Nintendo DS Emulators	#5 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for	Desktop users who want LAN multiplayer and DSi	Android users wanting DS and DSi features
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Android
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features melonDS 0/4 · WatermelonDS 3/4
Save states	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Local multiplayer	Not checked yet	—
Nintendo DSi support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Cheat support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Android
Screen layout options	Not checked yet	Per-ROM layouts, screen rotation, external-screen layouts, layout editor
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 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	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	Local multiplayer is not supported DSi SD-card support is not included Available as an Android port rather than across multiple platforms
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 →	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 →

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

• 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

• melonDS9.3/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit melonDSFull verdict →
• WWatermelonDS8.5/10 · Free plan

  A free Android emulator with broad DS and DSi features, but no local multiplayer.

  Visit WatermelonDSFull verdict →