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Head-to-head · ROM Hacking Tools

YY-CHR vs DSPRE

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score YY-CHR #1 in ROM Hacking Tools 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit YY-CHR
DSPRE #6 in ROM Hacking Tools 6.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit DSPRE

YY-CHR leads on 0 checks, DSPRE on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreYY-CHR · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresYY-CHR · 2 of 3

YY-CHR scores higher on our rubric for rom hacking tools: 8.4 against 6.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

On game scope, YY-CHR gives you Multiple games where DSPRE offers Game series.

YY-CHR is the better fit for editing ROM graphics across multiple systems. DSPRE is the better fit for editing Pokémon Nintendo DS ROMs.

  • YY-CHR fits best

    Editing ROM graphics across multiple systems

  • DSPRE fits best

    Editing Pokémon Nintendo DS ROMs

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Side by side

Feature YY-CHR 8.4/10 Visit ↗ DSPRE 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 6.9
Ranking #1 in ROM Hacking Tools #6 in ROM Hacking Tools
Best for Editing ROM graphics across multiple systems Editing Pokémon Nintendo DS ROMs
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Built for Solo Solo
Features YY-CHR 2/3 · DSPRE 1/3
ROM editing ✓ ✓
Tile/sprite editing ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Hex editor Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Patch formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Windows Windows 7 or later
Game scope Multiple games Game series
Our review
Pros
  • Supports tile formats for NES, Game Boy, SNES, PCE, GBA, and more
  • Palette editor can load palettes from emulator state files
  • Includes ROM Palette Editor and PRG Pattern Editor utilities
  • Edits maps, events, scripts, encounters, trainers, and Pokémon data.
  • Extracts NDS ROM data and repacks edited changes.
  • Open-source desktop app with VS Code script compatibility.
Cons
  • Focused on ROM graphics rather than full ROM editing
  • Palette display changes do not alter the graphics themselves
  • The latest listed build is dated 2021-06-06
  • Windows only; supports Windows 7 or later.
  • Focused on Generation IV Nintendo DS Pokémon games.
  • Support varies by region, with only partial hg-engine support.
Our verdict

YY-CHR is a Windows desktop dot editor for viewing and editing graphics contained in retro-game ROMs. Its audience is people working on graphics across multiple older console and computer formats, rather than users looking for a full ROM…

Read the review →

DSPRE (DS Pokémon Rom Editor Reloaded) is a Windows desktop application for editing Nintendo DS Pokémon games, aimed at solo ROM editors working with Generation IV titles. It supports Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and…

Read the review →
  1. YY-CHRROM Hacking Tools 8.4Free plan
  2. DSPREROM Hacking Tools 6.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • YY-CHR — where it wins

    • Supports tile formats for NES, Game Boy, SNES, PCE, GBA, and more
    • Palette editor can load palettes from emulator state files
    • Includes ROM Palette Editor and PRG Pattern Editor utilities

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on ROM graphics rather than full ROM editing
    • Palette display changes do not alter the graphics themselves
    • The latest listed build is dated 2021-06-06

  • DSPRE — where it wins

    • Edits maps, events, scripts, encounters, trainers, and Pokémon data.
    • Extracts NDS ROM data and repacks edited changes.
    • Open-source desktop app with VS Code script compatibility.

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows only; supports Windows 7 or later.
    • Focused on Generation IV Nintendo DS Pokémon games.
    • Support varies by region, with only partial hg-engine support.

More comparisons

All ROM hacking tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update