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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

Pilas-melonDS vs NO$GBA

  • 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
NO$GBA #6 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit NO$GBA

Pilas-melonDS leads on 0 checks, NO$GBA 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 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Pilas-melonDS is the better fit for browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support. NO$GBA is the better fit for windows users needing debugging tools.

  • Pilas-melonDS fits best

    Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support

  • NO$GBA fits best

    Windows users needing debugging tools

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Side by side

Feature Pilas-melonDS 8.9/10 Visit ↗ NO$GBA 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.3
Ranking #3 in Nintendo DS Emulators #6 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support Windows users needing debugging tools
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Web Windows
Support Docs Email, Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Pilas-melonDS 3/4 · NO$GBA 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 Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and DSi emulation
  • Includes disassembly, profiling, tracing and source-level debugging
  • Offers multiplayer GBA linking and complete hardware snapshots
Cons
  • DSi mode is experimental
  • Some DSi functionality requires legally dumped system files
  • Browser-only access may not suit users seeking a native application
  • Windows is the listed platform for the gaming and debugging versions
  • Its strongest capabilities focus on development rather than general emulation
  • The product is freeware rather than a broader paid support offering
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 →

NO$GBA is a freeware emulator and debugger for Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and DSi software. It is aimed at Windows users who want both game emulation and technical tools for inspecting or developing software. Windows and DOS gaming…

Read the review →
  1. Pilas-melonDSNintendo DS Emulators 8.9Free plan
  2. NO$GBANintendo DS Emulators 8.3Free 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

  • NO$GBA — where it wins

    • Supports Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and DSi emulation
    • Includes disassembly, profiling, tracing and source-level debugging
    • Offers multiplayer GBA linking and complete hardware snapshots

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows is the listed platform for the gaming and debugging versions
    • Its strongest capabilities focus on development rather than general emulation
    • The product is freeware rather than a broader paid support offering

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