MelonDS: Difference between revisions

|version = {{MelonDSVer}}

|platform = Windows, Linux, [[Nintendo Switch emulators|Nintendo Switch]], [[Android]]

|target = [[Nintendo DS emulators|Nintendo DS]]

|support = [https://www.patreon.com/staplebutter Patreon]

|prog-lang = C++,C

|license = GNU GPLv3

'''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 is developed by Arisotura (formerly known as StapleButter), a former contributor to DeSmuME, and has been available as a [[libretro]] core since version 0.6.

|align=center|{{Icon|Win|Lin}}

|align=center|{{Icon|Win|Lin}}

|'''[http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=107 JIT Beta Build (0.8.3)]'''<br/><small>Developed by Generic (aka RSDuck).  Adds a JIT recompiler which improves CPU emulation speeds.</small>

|'''[https://github.com/rafaelvcaetano/melonDS-android Alpha Build]'''<br>

|[https://github.com/Hydr8gon/melonDS/releases Switch Port (WIP)]<ref>http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=64 </ref><!--I don't know what the current status is for the Switch Port in terms of compatibility-->

|[https://github.com/Rinnegatamante/melonDS-Vita Vita Port]<br><small>No longer maintained</small>

As of 0.8.3, melonDS offers:

* Nearly complete core (CPU, video, audio, ...)

* Various display position/sizing/rotation modes

* (WIP) Wifi: local multiplayer, online connectivity

Though it's not as mature as DeSmuME in some areas, it's a relatively simple emulator to use and has potential.  There are also plans on adding support for <abbr title="Action Replay>AR</abbr> cheats in the near future. 

The OpenGL renderer is still being worked on, meaning that there's a slight chance some models/textures may not render correctly.

On October 15, 2019, Arisotura released the beta version of an emulator called melonDSi, an experimental melonDS branch for DSi emulation. So far, it has been able to boot into the home screen of the DSi's firmware and boot some DSiWare, DSi-Enhanced games aren't working yet.  The beta requires a lot of files to be dumped in order to work (most of which are console-unique), more information can be found [http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=103 here].

==Getting Started==

:''melonDS requires BIOS/firmware copies from a DS. Files required:''

:*''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 [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PW1G_5iygRiARZMLZnYMr8PrMhbjAYrD here]. If you do choose to look elsewhere online for system files, be warned that there are old hacked dumps floating around that breaks if the WFC configurations are altered.

In order to use the OpenGL renderer, you must have at least OpenGL 3.1.

==References==

<references/>

==External Links==