DSPRE review
A free, open-source toolkit for editing maps, scripts, events, and game data.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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 SoulSilver, with support varying by region, and partial support for hg-engine ROMs. Its broad set of editors covers maps, scripts, events, encounters, trainers, Pokémon and move data, items, text, and other game tables.
The editing depth is its main appeal. Map tools include collision, permissions, and building placement controls; event editing covers NPCs, warps, triggers, and spawnable events. Scripts can be edited in binary or plaintext formats, with search, syntax checks, and navigation. Other editors reach into wild encounters, trainer parties and AI, Pokémon stats and abilities, learnsets, evolutions, egg moves, move properties, item data, textures, overlays, and map headers. ROM toolbox patches can modify or expand game capabilities. This breadth suits users who want to work across multiple parts of supported games in one editor, rather than a tool aimed at general-purpose ROM hacking.
DSPRE can open an NDS ROM, extract its data, and repack changes into a modified ROM. Its script ecosystem includes a VS Code compatibility extension and a script command database. The project is open source and distributed through GitHub releases, and the software is free. The trade-off is its narrow scope: it targets Windows and Generation IV Nintendo DS Pokémon games, and regional support is not uniform. Editors working on other platforms or game series should choose a different tool; those focused on supported Pokémon titles may find DSPRE's game-specific coverage a closer fit.
DSPRE pros and cons
- 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.
DSPRE fact sheet, pricing and score →
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