Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

Head-to-head · Neo Geo Emulators

NeoRAGEx vs NeoDS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score NeoRAGEx #3 in Neo Geo Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit NeoRAGEx
NeoDS #6 in Neo Geo Emulators 8.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 6 features Visit NeoDS

NeoRAGEx leads on 1 check, NeoDS 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 scoreNeoRAGEx · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresNeoRAGEx · 3 of 6

NeoRAGEx scores higher on our rubric for neo geo emulators: 8.8 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

NeoRAGEx offers save states; NeoDS doesn't.

NeoRAGEx is the better fit for free Windows AES/MVS emulation. NeoDS is the better fit for free AES/MVS emulation on Nintendo DS.

  • NeoRAGEx fits best

    Free Windows AES/MVS emulation

  • NeoDS fits best

    Free AES/MVS emulation on Nintendo DS

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature NeoRAGEx 8.8/10 Visit ↗ NeoDS 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.0
Ranking #3 in Neo Geo Emulators #6 in Neo Geo Emulators
Best for Free Windows AES/MVS emulation Free AES/MVS emulation on Nintendo DS
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted
Support Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features NeoRAGEx 3/6 · NeoDS 2/6
AES emulation ✓ ✓
MVS emulation ✓ ✓
Neo Geo CD support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Related SNK arcade Not checked yet Not checked yet
Netplay Not checked yet —
Save states ✓ (best) —
Specs
Supported platforms Windows 10, Windows 11 Nintendo DS (Lite)
Our review
Pros
  • Supports both Neo Geo MVS and AES game software
  • Save states, rewind, scaling, shaders, and controller remapping
  • Portable executable requires no installation
  • Supports both Neo Geo AES and MVS emulation
  • Includes ROM conversion through NeoDSConvert
  • Offers input mapping, video scaling, and SRAM saving
Cons
  • Supports 64-bit Windows PCs rather than multiple operating systems
  • ROM and BIOS files must be supplied by the user
  • Unofficial project with compatibility limited to supported titles
  • Limited to Nintendo DS Lite systems
  • Requires converted ROMs and a DLDI-compatible flashcard
  • Does not provide netplay or save states
Our verdict

NeoRAGEx is a free, portable emulator for Neo Geo MVS and AES game software on 64-bit Windows PCs. It is aimed at players who want a focused Windows option with display controls, controller support, and convenient game-state management.…

Read the review →

NeoDS is a free Neo Geo emulator for Nintendo DS Lite systems, aimed at players who want AES and MVS support on compatible flashcard hardware. It emulates Neo Geo protection and encryption, graphics, ADPCM audio, and PSG audio. The…

Read the review →
  1. NeoRAGExNeo Geo Emulators 8.8Free plan
  2. NeoDSNeo Geo Emulators 8.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • NeoRAGEx — where it wins

    • Supports both Neo Geo MVS and AES game software
    • Save states, rewind, scaling, shaders, and controller remapping
    • Portable executable requires no installation

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports 64-bit Windows PCs rather than multiple operating systems
    • ROM and BIOS files must be supplied by the user
    • Unofficial project with compatibility limited to supported titles
  • NeoDS — where it wins

    • Supports both Neo Geo AES and MVS emulation
    • Includes ROM conversion through NeoDSConvert
    • Offers input mapping, video scaling, and SRAM saving

    Where it doesn't

    • Limited to Nintendo DS Lite systems
    • Requires converted ROMs and a DLDI-compatible flashcard
    • Does not provide netplay or save states

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update