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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

Pilas-melonDS vs Delta

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Pilas-melonDS #3 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Pilas-melonDS
Delta #7 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Delta

Pilas-melonDS leads on 0 checks, Delta 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 scorePilas-melonDS · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPilas-melonDS · 3 of 4

Pilas-melonDS scores higher on our rubric for nintendo ds emulators: 8.9 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Pilas-melonDS is the better fit for browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support. Delta is the better fit for iOS users wanting DS plus other consoles.

  • Pilas-melonDS fits best

    Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support

  • Delta fits best

    iOS users wanting DS plus other consoles

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Side by side

Feature Pilas-melonDS 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Delta 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.2
Ranking #3 in Nintendo DS Emulators #7 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support iOS users wanting DS plus other consoles
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Mobile, Desktop
Platforms Web iOS, macOS
Support Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Pilas-melonDS 3/4 · Delta 0/4
Save states ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Local multiplayer ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Nintendo DSi support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Cheat support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Web browsers on desktop and mobile devices Not checked yet
Screen layout options Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Runs Nintendo DS software in desktop and mobile browsers
  • Supports persistent saves and up to six save-state slots per ROM
  • Offers DSi mode, multiple inputs, and browser multiplayer bridges
  • Supports Nintendo DS alongside NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy and more
  • Save states, cheats, controller mapping and external controller support
  • Syncs games, saves, cheats and settings through Google Drive or Dropbox
Cons
  • DSi mode is experimental
  • Some DSi functionality requires legally dumped system files
  • Browser-only access may not suit users seeking a native application
  • Available on iOS and macOS, with no Android support
  • Nintendo DS multiplayer depends on compatible games and community servers
  • Sega Genesis/Mega Drive support is still in beta
Our verdict

Pilas-melonDS is an HTML5/WebAssembly frontend for the melonDS emulator core. It runs legally dumped Nintendo DS or DSi software through desktop and mobile web browsers, rather than as a native desktop application. The project supports…

Read the review →

Delta is a free, open-source emulator for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple silicon Mac and Apple Vision devices. It is aimed at Apple users who want Nintendo DS emulation alongside NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy…

Read the review →
  1. Pilas-melonDSNintendo DS Emulators 8.9Free plan
  2. DeltaNintendo DS Emulators 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Pilas-melonDS — where it wins

    • Runs Nintendo DS software in desktop and mobile browsers
    • Supports persistent saves and up to six save-state slots per ROM
    • Offers DSi mode, multiple inputs, and browser multiplayer bridges

    Where it doesn't

    • DSi mode is experimental
    • Some DSi functionality requires legally dumped system files
    • Browser-only access may not suit users seeking a native application

  • Delta — where it wins

    • Supports Nintendo DS alongside NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy and more
    • Save states, cheats, controller mapping and external controller support
    • Syncs games, saves, cheats and settings through Google Drive or Dropbox

    Where it doesn't

    • Available on iOS and macOS, with no Android support
    • Nintendo DS multiplayer depends on compatible games and community servers
    • Sega Genesis/Mega Drive support is still in beta

More comparisons

All nintendo DS emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update