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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

Pilas-melonDS vs NooDS

  • 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
NooDS #8 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.0/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit NooDS

Pilas-melonDS leads on 0 checks, NooDS 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 planonly Pilas-melonDS
  • Most featuresPilas-melonDS · 3 of 4

Pilas-melonDS scores higher on our rubric for nintendo ds emulators: 8.9 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Pilas-melonDS is the better fit for browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support. NooDS is the better fit for users prioritizing broad platform availability.

  • Pilas-melonDS fits best

    Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support

  • NooDS fits best

    Users prioritizing broad platform availability

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Side by side

Feature Pilas-melonDS 8.9/10 Visit ↗ NooDS 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.0
Ranking #3 in Nintendo DS Emulators #8 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support Users prioritizing broad platform availability
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo
Features Pilas-melonDS 3/4 · NooDS 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 Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Switch, Wii U, and Vita
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 and GBA emulation
  • Runs across desktop, mobile, Switch, Wii U, and Vita builds
  • Offers upscaling, multi-core rendering, and configurable file paths
Cons
  • DSi mode is experimental
  • Some DSi functionality requires legally dumped system files
  • Browser-only access may not suit users seeking a native application
  • Requires legally dumped DS BIOS and firmware files
  • Uses software rendering rather than a broader rendering approach
  • Focuses on core DS and GBA emulation rather than wider features
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 →

NooDS is an open-source Nintendo DS and GBA emulator developed by Hydr8gon as a personal project. It is aimed at users who want portable access across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with documented builds also covering Switch,…

Read the review →
  1. Pilas-melonDSNintendo DS Emulators 8.9Free plan
  2. NooDSNintendo DS Emulators 8.0Open source

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

  • NooDS — where it wins

    • Supports Nintendo DS and GBA emulation
    • Runs across desktop, mobile, Switch, Wii U, and Vita builds
    • Offers upscaling, multi-core rendering, and configurable file paths

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires legally dumped DS BIOS and firmware files
    • Uses software rendering rather than a broader rendering approach
    • Focuses on core DS and GBA emulation rather than wider features

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