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Head-to-head · Nintendo DS Emulators

Pilas-melonDS vs WatermelonDS

  • 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
WatermelonDS #5 in Nintendo DS Emulators 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit WatermelonDS

Pilas-melonDS leads on 1 check, WatermelonDS on 0, and 4 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

Pilas-melonDS scores higher on our rubric for nintendo ds emulators: 8.9 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Pilas-melonDS offers local multiplayer; WatermelonDS doesn't.

Pilas-melonDS is the better fit for browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support. WatermelonDS is the better fit for android users wanting DS and DSi features.

  • Pilas-melonDS fits best

    Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support

  • WatermelonDS fits best

    Android users wanting DS and DSi features

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Side by side

Feature Pilas-melonDS 8.9/10 Visit ↗ WatermelonDS 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.5
Ranking #3 in Nintendo DS Emulators #5 in Nintendo DS Emulators
Best for Browser users needing DSi and multiplayer support Android users wanting DS and DSi features
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Mobile
Platforms Web Android
Support Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Pilas-melonDS 3/4 · WatermelonDS 3/4
Save states ✓ ✓
Local multiplayer ✓ (best) —
Nintendo DSi support ✓ ✓
Cheat support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Web browsers on desktop and mobile devices Android
Screen layout options Not checked yet Per-ROM layouts, screen rotation, external-screen layouts, layout editor
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 DSi software, including DSiWare integration
  • Offers multiple renderers, resolution scaling, shaders and external-display support
  • Includes save states, cheats and RetroAchievements with offline play
Cons
  • DSi mode is experimental
  • Some DSi functionality requires legally dumped system files
  • Browser-only access may not suit users seeking a native application
  • Local multiplayer is not supported
  • DSi SD-card support is not included
  • Available as an Android port rather than across multiple platforms
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 →

WatermelonDS is an open-source Android emulator for Nintendo DS and DSi software. It is aimed at Android users who want DS and DSi features on handheld devices or hardware connected to external displays. The feature set covers core…

Read the review →
  1. Pilas-melonDSNintendo DS Emulators 8.9Free plan
  2. WatermelonDSNintendo DS Emulators 8.5Free 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

  • WatermelonDS — where it wins

    • Supports Nintendo DS and DSi software, including DSiWare integration
    • Offers multiple renderers, resolution scaling, shaders and external-display support
    • Includes save states, cheats and RetroAchievements with offline play

    Where it doesn't

    • Local multiplayer is not supported
    • DSi SD-card support is not included
    • Available as an Android port rather than across multiple platforms

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