Difference between revisions of "MelonDS"

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{{lowercase title}}
 
{{lowercase title}}
 
{{Infobox emulator
 
{{Infobox emulator
|title = melonDS
+
|title = melonDS
|logo = MelonDS.png
+
|logo = MelonDS.png
|logowidth = 80
+
|logowidth = 80
|version = 0.7.1
+
|version = {{MelonDSVer}}
|active = Yes
+
|active = Yes
|platform = Windows, Linux
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|platform = Windows, Linux, [[Nintendo Switch emulators|Nintendo Switch]]<small> (unofficial)</small>, [[Android]] <small>(unofficial)</small>
|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>
+
|developer = [https://github.com/Arisotura Arisotura]<br/><small>[https://github.com/Arisotura/melonDS/graphs/contributors Repository contributors]</small>
|architecture = x86_64
+
|accuracy = Medium-Accurate
|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]
+
|prog-lang = C++,C
 +
|license = GNU GPLv3
 +
|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 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.
  
 
==Downloads==
 
==Downloads==
* '''[http://melonds.kuribo64.net/downloads.php Official builds]''' (Windows, Linux)
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{| cellpadding="4"
 +
|-
 +
|align=center|{{Icon|Win|Lin}}
 +
|'''[http://melonds.kuribo64.net/downloads.php Official Builds]'''<br/><small>Also available on [https://github.com/Arisotura/melonDS/releases Github]</small>
 +
|-
 +
|align=center|{{Icon|Win|Lin}}
 +
|'''[https://github.com/Arisotura/melonDS/actions Dev Builds]'''
 +
|-
 +
|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. (Note: The latest Dev builds include the JIT recompiler)</small>
 +
|-
 +
|colspan="3"|<hr/>
 +
|-
 +
|align=center|{{Icon|Android-big}}
 +
|'''[https://github.com/rafaelvcaetano/melonDS-android Alpha Build]'''<br><small>(unofficial)</small><br>
 +
|-
 +
|colspan="3"|<hr/>
 +
|-
 +
|align=center|{{Icon|NX-big}}
 +
|[https://gbatemp.net/threads/melonds-for-switch-continuation.570021/ GBATemp Thread+Builds]<br/>[https://github.com/RSDuck/melonDS/tree/switch Git]<br><small> Ported by Hydr8gon, and currently maintained by Generic (aka RSDuck), who added an ARM64 JIT and other improvements. (unofficial)</small><!--I don't know what the current status is for the Switch Port in terms of compatibility-->
 +
|-
 +
|align=center|{{Icon|Vita}}
 +
|[https://github.com/Rinnegatamante/melonDS-Vita Vita Port]<br><small>No longer maintained</small>
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==Overview==
 +
As of 0.8.3, melonDS offers:
 +
* Nearly complete core (CPU, video, audio, ...)
 +
* OpenGL renderer, 3D upscaling
 +
* RTC, microphone, lid close/open
 +
* Joystick support
 +
* Savestates
 +
* 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. <abbr title="Action Replay>AR</abbr> cheats will be added in the next melonDS version, 0.9<ref>https://melonds.kuribo64.net/board/thread.php?pid=2001#2001</ref>. 
  
 
==Issues==
 
==Issues==
The sole developer put the melonDS project on a [http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=42 hiatus on May 2018], leaving this [http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=43 to-do list] for anyone who wished to contribute improving the emulator, which is still open-source. [http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=44 On July 2018] it was announced that development was going to continue for melonDS.
+
Like most emulators, development has been rocky with at one point the sole developer putting the project on a [http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=42 hiatus in May of 2018] leaving this [http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=43 to-do list] for anyone who wished to contribute improving the emulator, which is still open-source. [http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=44 On July 2018] it was announced that development was going to continue for melonDS and has since shown potential.
 +
 
 +
There is very little to tweak in terms of improving performance (which can be a good or bad thing). This is mainly due to the developer's goal of accurate emulation rather than providing game-specific hacks.
 +
 
 +
The OpenGL renderer is still being worked on, meaning that there's a slight chance some models/textures may not render correctly.
 +
 
 +
==melonDSi==
 +
On October 15, 2019, Arisotura released [http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=103 the beta version of an emulator called melonDSi], an experimental melonDS branch for DSi emulation.  So far, it's able to boot into the home screen of the DSi's firmware and boot some DSiWare, DSi-Enhanced games and other features (cameras, DSP, new wifi, etc.) aren't supported yet.  It used to have required a lot of files to be dumped in order to work (most of which were console-unique), however it has been reworked to require less files (namely, the DSi ARM7 & ARM9 BIOS, the DSi Firmware, and a NAND dump). It has since been merged into the master branch and is available on the [https://github.com/Arisotura/melonDS/actions latest dev builds]<ref>http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=117</ref>.
  
 
==Getting Started==
 
==Getting Started==
Line 32: Line 76:
 
:''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.''
 
:''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 [[Emulator_Files#Nintendo_DS / DSi|here]], just rename the bios to match.
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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.
 +
More information can be found [http://melonds.kuribo64.net/faq.php in this FAQ].
 +
 
 +
To use melonDS in DSi mode, you need extra files which can be found [[Emulator_Files#Nintendo_DS_.2F_DSi|on this page.]]
 +
 
 +
==Gallery==
 +
<gallery>
 +
Metroid2X.png|Top: 2x the native resolution without OpenGL. <br>Bottom: 2x the native resolution with OpenGL
 +
Chibi4x.png|Top: Native software render. <br>Bottom: 4x the native resolution with OpenGL
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
 
 +
==External Links==
 +
* [https://emucross.com/the-one-that-flourished/ The One That Flourished: A Look at melonDS 0.8] (By [[Dolphin]] tester [https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/authors/JMC47/ JMC47], aka Justin M. Chadwick. 6 June 2019.)
  
<!-- ==References==
 
<references/> -->
 
 
[[Category:Emulators]]
 
[[Category:Emulators]]
 
[[Category:Windows emulation software]]
 
[[Category:Windows emulation software]]
 
[[Category:Linux emulation software]]
 
[[Category:Linux emulation software]]
 
[[Category:Nintendo DS emulators]]
 
[[Category:Nintendo DS emulators]]

Revision as of 14:00, 29 July 2020

melonDS
MelonDS.png
Developer(s) Arisotura
Repository contributors
Latest version 0.9.5
Active Yes
Platform(s) Windows, Linux, Nintendo Switch (unofficial), Android (unofficial)
Emulates Nintendo DS
Accuracy Medium-Accurate
Website melonds.kuribo64.net
Support ($) Patreon
Programmed in C++,C
License GNU GPLv3
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 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.

Downloads

Windows Linux Official Builds
Also available on Github
Windows Linux Dev Builds
Windows Linux JIT Beta Build (0.8.3)
Developed by Generic (aka RSDuck). Adds a JIT recompiler which improves CPU emulation speeds. (Note: The latest Dev builds include the JIT recompiler)

Android Alpha Build
(unofficial)

Switch GBATemp Thread+Builds
Git
Ported by Hydr8gon, and currently maintained by Generic (aka RSDuck), who added an ARM64 JIT and other improvements. (unofficial)
Vita Vita Port
No longer maintained

Overview

As of 0.8.3, melonDS offers:

  • Nearly complete core (CPU, video, audio, ...)
  • OpenGL renderer, 3D upscaling
  • RTC, microphone, lid close/open
  • Joystick support
  • Savestates
  • 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. AR cheats will be added in the next melonDS version, 0.9[1].

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 shown potential.

There is very little to tweak in terms of improving performance (which can be a good or bad thing). This is mainly due to the developer's goal of accurate emulation rather than providing game-specific hacks.

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

melonDSi

On October 15, 2019, Arisotura released the beta version of an emulator called melonDSi, an experimental melonDS branch for DSi emulation. So far, it's able to boot into the home screen of the DSi's firmware and boot some DSiWare, DSi-Enhanced games and other features (cameras, DSP, new wifi, etc.) aren't supported yet. It used to have required a lot of files to be dumped in order to work (most of which were console-unique), however it has been reworked to require less files (namely, the DSi ARM7 & ARM9 BIOS, the DSi Firmware, and a NAND dump). It has since been merged into the master branch and is available on the latest dev builds[2].

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. 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. More information can be found in this FAQ.

To use melonDS in DSi mode, you need extra files which can be found on this page.

Gallery

References

External Links