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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

Pilas-melonDS vs DSperate

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 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
DSperate #4 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit DSperate

Pilas-melonDS leads on 0 checks, DSperate on 0, and 5 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 scorePilas-melonDS · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresDSperate · 4 of 4

Pilas-melonDS scores higher on our rubric for nintendo ds emulators: 8.9 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

Pilas-melonDS is the better fit for browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support. DSperate is the better fit for linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer.

  • Pilas-melonDS fits best

    Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support

  • DSperate fits best

    Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer

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Side by side

Feature Pilas-melonDS 8.9/10 Visit ↗ DSperate 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.8
Ranking #3 in Nintendo DS Emulators #4 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support Linux users needing DSi and local multiplayer
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Web Linux
Support Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Pilas-melonDS 3/4 · DSperate 4/4
Save states ✓ ✓
Local multiplayer ✓ ✓
Nintendo DSi support ✓ ✓
Cheat support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Web browsers on desktop and mobile devices Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf
Screen layout options Not checked yet vertical, horizontal, single, picture-in-picture, dominant vertical, dominant horizontal
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
  • Experimental DSi and DSiWare support alongside Nintendo DS emulation
  • LAN multiplayer supports local wireless and Download Play
  • Save states, cheats, layouts, remapping, and RetroAchievements support
Cons
  • DSi mode is experimental
  • Some DSi functionality requires legally dumped system files
  • Browser-only access may not suit users seeking a native application
  • Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use
  • DSi and DSiWare support is experimental
  • Release binaries target AArch64 and ARMhf Linux systems
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 →

DSperate is an open-source Nintendo DS emulator designed primarily for ARM Linux handhelds. It supports standard Nintendo DS emulation through interpreted and recompiled CPU modes, with software 2D and 3D rendering. The project also adds…

Read the review →
  1. Pilas-melonDSNintendo DS Emulators 8.9Free plan
  2. DSperateNintendo DS Emulators 8.8Free 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

  • DSperate — where it wins

    • Experimental DSi and DSiWare support alongside Nintendo DS emulation
    • LAN multiplayer supports local wireless and Download Play
    • Save states, cheats, layouts, remapping, and RetroAchievements support

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use
    • DSi and DSiWare support is experimental
    • Release binaries target AArch64 and ARMhf Linux systems

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