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melonDS

Free#23 of 35 in Game Console EmulatorsNintendo DS Emulators Emulator Software

melonDS: A capable free emulator for Nintendo DS play, with DSi support still in progress. Ranked #23 of 35 in Game Console Emulators by our editors (6.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for nintendo DS emulation with LAN play.

6.9/10Editor score

Visit melonDS

melonDS6.9 Visit melonDS

At a glance

Editor score
6.9 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Nintendo DS emulation with LAN play
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Supported console systems
Nintendo DS; DSi emulation in progress
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Supports Nintendo DS emulation with 3D resolution upscaling
- Offers save states, JIT recompilation, microphone, and RTC support
- Includes local multiplayer over LAN or Wi-Fi
Where it doesn't
- DSi emulation is still work in progress
- Designed for Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop platforms
- Requires legally obtained game images and firmware dumps

Our verdict on melonDS

melonDS is an open-source desktop emulator for Nintendo DS hardware, with work-in-progress support for DSi emulation. It is aimed at players who want to run Nintendo DS software on Windows, macOS, or Linux using legally obtained game images and firmware dumps. The feature set covers software and OpenGL rendering, configurable internal 3D resolution, controller support, audio, microphone input, save states, and firmware or BIOS boot options.

Its strongest case is the combination of graphics, performance, and system-level support. melonDS includes 3D resolution upscaling and JIT recompilation, while microphone and RTC support address hardware features used by some Nintendo DS software. BIOS and firmware boot support adds another way to reproduce the console startup process. These capabilities make it a practical fit for users who want more than basic game launching, particularly when display scaling, save states, or hardware-related features matter.

Multiplayer is another clear differentiator, with local play over LAN or Wi-Fi. That makes melonDS suitable for desktop users who want connected Nintendo DS sessions rather than strictly solo emulation. The main boundary is platform scope: the listed builds target Windows, macOS, and Linux, so it is not positioned as a mobile emulator. DSi emulation is also still in progress, making the product a better choice for Nintendo DS-focused use than for users whose primary requirement is mature DSi coverage. Choose melonDS for free, open-source Nintendo DS emulation with upscaling and local networking; consider another option if mobile support or completed DSi emulation is essential.

Your product? Our editors can test melonDS in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

melonDS pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on melonds.kuribo64.net

melonDS fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Supported console systems	Nintendo DS; DSi emulation in progress
Desktop operating systems	Cross-platform
Netplay	Yes
Graphics upscaling	Yes
Open source	Yes
License type	Open-source
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	melonds.kuribo64.net
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to melonDS

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Also Ranked In

melonDS is ranked in 3 of our directories.

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Featured on iTechGuides

melonDS is listed in our Game Console Emulators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update