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Head-to-head · ROM Hacking Tools

NUPS vs DSPRE

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score NUPS #2 in ROM Hacking Tools 7.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Nintenlord
DSPRE #6 in ROM Hacking Tools 6.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit DSPRE

NUPS leads on 0 checks, DSPRE on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNUPS · 7.3/10
  • Free planboth

NUPS scores higher on our rubric for rom hacking tools: 7.3 against 6.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

On game scope, NUPS gives you Multiple games where DSPRE offers Game series.

NUPS is the better fit for applying or creating UPS patches. DSPRE is the better fit for editing Pokémon Nintendo DS ROMs.

  • NUPS fits best

    Applying or creating UPS patches

  • DSPRE fits best

    Editing Pokémon Nintendo DS ROMs

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. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature NUPS 7.3/10 Visit ↗ DSPRE 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.3 6.9
Ranking #2 in ROM Hacking Tools #6 in ROM Hacking Tools
Best for Applying or creating UPS patches Editing Pokémon Nintendo DS ROMs
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Built for Solo Solo
Features NUPS 1/3 · DSPRE 1/3
ROM editing ✓ ✓
Tile/sprite editing — Not checked yet
Hex editor — Not checked yet
Specs
Patch formats UPS Not checked yet
Supported platforms Windows Windows 7 or later
Game scope Multiple games Game series
Our review
Pros
  • Applies UPS patches to selected files
  • Creates patches by comparing original and modified files
  • Displays details about a UPS patch
  • Edits maps, events, scripts, encounters, trainers, and Pokémon data.
  • Extracts NDS ROM data and repacks edited changes.
  • Open-source desktop app with VS Code script compatibility.
Cons
  • Works with UPS patches rather than multiple patch formats
  • Does not provide tile or sprite editing
  • Does not include a hex editor
  • Windows only; supports Windows 7 or later.
  • Focused on Generation IV Nintendo DS Pokémon games.
  • Support varies by region, with only partial hg-engine support.
Our verdict

NUPS is a free desktop utility for creating and applying UPS binary patches, including patches for game ROM files. It is aimed at people who need to apply a UPS patch to a file or produce one from an original and a modified file. The tool…

Read the review →

DSPRE (DS Pokémon Rom Editor Reloaded) is a Windows desktop application for editing Nintendo DS Pokémon games, aimed at solo ROM editors working with Generation IV titles. It supports Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and…

Read the review →
  1. NUPSROM Hacking Tools 7.3Free plan
  2. DSPREROM Hacking Tools 6.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • NUPS — where it wins

    • Applies UPS patches to selected files
    • Creates patches by comparing original and modified files
    • Displays details about a UPS patch

    Where it doesn't

    • Works with UPS patches rather than multiple patch formats
    • Does not provide tile or sprite editing
    • Does not include a hex editor

  • DSPRE — where it wins

    • Edits maps, events, scripts, encounters, trainers, and Pokémon data.
    • Extracts NDS ROM data and repacks edited changes.
    • Open-source desktop app with VS Code script compatibility.

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows only; supports Windows 7 or later.
    • Focused on Generation IV Nintendo DS Pokémon games.
    • Support varies by region, with only partial hg-engine support.

More comparisons

All ROM hacking tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update