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Head-to-head · ROM Hacking Tools

NUPS vs DSVEdit

  • 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
DSVEdit #7 in ROM Hacking Tools 6.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit DSVEdit

NUPS leads on 0 checks, DSVEdit on 1, and 3 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
  • Most featuresDSVEdit · 2 of 3

NUPS scores higher on our rubric for rom hacking tools: 7.3 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

DSVEdit offers tile/sprite editing; NUPS doesn't.

NUPS is the better fit for applying or creating UPS patches. DSVEdit is the better fit for editing supported NDS and GBA Castlevania ROMs.

  • NUPS fits best

    Applying or creating UPS patches

  • DSVEdit fits best

    Editing supported NDS and GBA Castlevania 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 ↗ DSVEdit 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.3 6.8
Ranking #2 in ROM Hacking Tools #7 in ROM Hacking Tools
Best for Applying or creating UPS patches Editing supported NDS and GBA Castlevania 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 · DSVEdit 2/3
ROM editing ✓ ✓
Tile/sprite editing — ✓ (best)
Hex editor — Not checked yet
Specs
Patch formats UPS Not checked yet
Supported platforms Windows Windows
Game scope Multiple games Multiple games
Our review
Pros
  • Applies UPS patches to selected files
  • Creates patches by comparing original and modified files
  • Displays details about a UPS patch
  • Edits rooms, maps, entities, graphics, sprites, and text
  • Builds modified ROMs from edited game files
  • Can launch an emulator for modified-ROM and room testing
Cons
  • Works with UPS patches rather than multiple patch formats
  • Does not provide tile or sprite editing
  • Does not include a hex editor
  • Supports only five specified Castlevania games
  • Requires Windows
  • Does not document patch-format creation or a hex editor
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 →

DSVEdit is a free Windows desktop editor for modifying data in five Castlevania games on Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance. It is aimed at solo ROM hackers working with Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, Order of Ecclesia, Aria of Sorrow, or…

Read the review →
  1. NUPSROM Hacking Tools 7.3Free plan
  2. DSVEditROM Hacking Tools 6.8Free 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

  • DSVEdit — where it wins

    • Edits rooms, maps, entities, graphics, sprites, and text
    • Builds modified ROMs from edited game files
    • Can launch an emulator for modified-ROM and room testing

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports only five specified Castlevania games
    • Requires Windows
    • Does not document patch-format creation or a hex editor

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