Difference between revisions of "MelonDS"

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|platform = Windows, Linux, [[Nintendo Switch emulators|Nintendo Switch]]
 
|platform = Windows, Linux, [[Nintendo Switch emulators|Nintendo Switch]]
 
|target = [[Nintendo DS emulators|Nintendo DS]]
 
|target = [[Nintendo DS emulators|Nintendo DS]]
|developer = [https://github.com/StapleButter StapleButter]<br/><small>[https://github.com/StapleButter/melonDS/graphs/contributors Repository contributors]</small>
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|developer = [https://github.com/Arisotura Arisotura]<br/><small>[https://github.com/Arisotura/melonDS/graphs/contributors Repository contributors]</small>
 
|architecture = x86_64
 
|architecture = x86_64
 
|website = [http://melonds.kuribo64.net/ melonds.kuribo64.net]
 
|website = [http://melonds.kuribo64.net/ melonds.kuribo64.net]
 
|support = [https://www.patreon.com/staplebutter Patreon]
 
|support = [https://www.patreon.com/staplebutter Patreon]
|source = [https://github.com/StapleButter/melonDS GitHub]
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|source = [https://github.com/Arisotura/melonDS GitHub]
 
}}
 
}}
'''melonDS''' is a work-in-progress [[Nintendo DS emulators|Nintendo DS emulator]] aiming for better performance than [[DeSmuME]] and to emulate Wi-Fi and local multiplayer capabilities. It's developed by StapleButter, a former contributor to [[DeSmuME]], and has been available as a [[libretro]] core since version 0.6.<!--What even is this number? I think a typo. Maybe 0.6.-->
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'''melonDS''' is a work-in-progress [[Nintendo DS emulators|Nintendo DS emulator]] aiming for better performance than [[DeSmuME]] and to emulate Wi-Fi and local multiplayer capabilities. It's developed by Arisotura (formerly know as StapleButter), a former contributor to [[DeSmuME]], and has been available as a [[libretro]] core since version 0.6.<!--What even is this number? I think a typo. Maybe 0.6.-->
  
 
==Downloads==
 
==Downloads==
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As of 0.7.2, melonDS has had major improvements such as savestates, microphone support, the ability to simulate the close/open function of the console's lid, and better timing.  Though it's still not at the same level of quality on some things as DeSmuME, it is getting <i>very</i> close with 0.8 expected to have decent OpenGL rendering which would allow for things like upscaling and potentially better performance.
 
As of 0.7.2, melonDS has had major improvements such as savestates, microphone support, the ability to simulate the close/open function of the console's lid, and better timing.  Though it's still not at the same level of quality on some things as DeSmuME, it is getting <i>very</i> close with 0.8 expected to have decent OpenGL rendering which would allow for things like upscaling and potentially better performance.
  
Even some of the additions that StapleButter introduced or plans to implement into melonDS such as increased accuracy of Wi-Fi networking emulation (and perhaps DSi mode in future) has forced its 'bigger brother', [[DeSmuME]], to relapse and start their own implementations. The DeSmuME team has, for a very long time, been very reticent, to the point of blank stubbornness, to have any emulation of key NDS technology like Wi-Fi linking.
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Even some of the additions that has been introduced or planned to be implement into melonDS, such as increased accuracy of Wi-Fi networking emulation (and perhaps DSi mode in future), has forced its 'bigger brother', [[DeSmuME]], to relapse and start their own implementations. The DeSmuME team has, for a very long time, been very reticent, to the point of blank stubbornness, to have any emulation of key NDS technology like Wi-Fi linking.
  
 
==Issues==
 
==Issues==

Revision as of 23:57, 22 January 2019

melonDS
MelonDS.png
Developer(s) Arisotura
Repository contributors
Latest version 0.9.5
Active Yes
Platform(s) Windows, Linux, Nintendo Switch
Architecture(s) x86_64
Emulates Nintendo DS
Website melonds.kuribo64.net
Support ($) Patreon
Source code GitHub

melonDS is a work-in-progress Nintendo DS emulator aiming for better performance than DeSmuME and to emulate Wi-Fi and local multiplayer capabilities. It's developed by Arisotura (formerly know as StapleButter), a former contributor to DeSmuME, and has been available as a libretro core since version 0.6.

Downloads

  • Official builds (Windows, Linux)
  • Switch port (WIP) (Some games play at a playable frame rate, but is still far from perfect, don't except to play games at full speed. Is expected to improve when 0.8 is released)[1]

Overview

As of 0.7.2, melonDS has had major improvements such as savestates, microphone support, the ability to simulate the close/open function of the console's lid, and better timing. Though it's still not at the same level of quality on some things as DeSmuME, it is getting very close with 0.8 expected to have decent OpenGL rendering which would allow for things like upscaling and potentially better performance.

Even some of the additions that has been introduced or planned to be implement into melonDS, such as increased accuracy of Wi-Fi networking emulation (and perhaps DSi mode in future), has forced its 'bigger brother', DeSmuME, to relapse and start their own implementations. The DeSmuME team has, for a very long time, been very reticent, to the point of blank stubbornness, to have any emulation of key NDS technology like Wi-Fi linking.

Issues

Like most emulators, development has been rocky with at one point the sole developer putting the project on a hiatus in May of 2018 leaving this to-do list for anyone who wished to contribute improving the emulator, which is still open-source. On July 2018 it was announced that development was going to continue for melonDS and has since showed high hopes for 2019.

The UI is still pretty barebones with very little to tweak in terms of improving performance, this is mainly due to the developer's goal of making a working emulation rather than provide game-specific hacks.

Getting Started

From the README on GitHub:

melonDS requires BIOS/firmware copies from a DS. Files required:
  • bios7.bin, 16KB: ARM7 BIOS
  • bios9.bin, 4KB: ARM9 BIOS
  • firmware.bin, 128/256/512KB: firmware
Firmware boot requires a firmware dump from an original DS or DS Lite. DS firmwares dumped from a DSi or 3DS aren't bootable and only contain configuration data, thus they are only suitable when booting games directly.
DS BIOS dumps from a 3DS can be used with no compatibility issues. DSi BIOS dumps should be usable too, provided they were dumped properly.

These files can be found here, just rename the BIOS to match.

To boot to the DS's system menu you can either go to System -> Run or Config -> Emu settings and uncheck "Boot game directly".


References