Changes

{{Infobox console|title = Nintendo DS|logo = DSlitewhite.png|developer = [[File:Nintendo_ds.jpgNintendo]]|thumbtype = [[:Category:Handheld consoles|The Nintendo DS handheld Handheld game console]]The '''|generation = [[gametech:Nintendo DSCategory:Seventh-generation video game consoles|Nintendo DSSeventh generation]]''' is a handheld console produced by Nintendo in |release = 2004/2005. The main selling point was the use of dual screens for gameplay, with one being a touchscreen. It is the only console to have come close to the |discontinued = 2013|predecessor = [[Game Boy Advance emulators|Game Boy Advance]]|successor = [[PlayStation 2 Nintendo DSi emulators|PlayStation 2Nintendo DSi]] in lifetime sales, as a result of attracting a large amount of casual players, and even non-gamers, into the gaming community.|emulated = {{✓}}}}

Emulating the The '''[[wikipedia:Nintendo DS|Nintendo DS has proven to be ]]''' (NDS) is a pain handheld console produced by Nintendo on November 21, 2004, and had 2 ARM CPUs (ARM9 and ARM7) with 4MB of RAM. The main selling point was the use of dual screens for emulator authors due gameplay, with one being a touchscreen. It is the only console to its rather unusual hardware, although in some cases bugs that occur in emulators are due have come close to the games being poorly[[PlayStation 2 emulators|PlayStation 2]] in lifetime sales (154.02 million units), as a result of attracting a large number of casual players, and even non-optimized or programmedgamers, into the gaming community.

{| class="wikitable"|+PC|style="text-align:center;"

! scope="col"|Operating SystemPlatform(s)

! scope="col"|[[Game Boy Advance emulators|GBA]]! scope="col"|NDS! scope="col"[[Nintendo DSi emulators|DSi]]

! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>! scope="col"|Active! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]|-!colspan="9"|PC / x86|-|[[DeSmuME]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://desmume.org/download/ {{DeSmuMEVer}}]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}|-|[[melonDS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[http://melonds.kuribo64.net/downloads.php {{MelonDSVer}}] [https://github.com/Arisotura/melonDS/actions <br/>Dev Builds]|{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}|-|[[DeSmuME#DeSmuME X432R|DeSmuME X432R]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}|[http://web.archive.org/web/20150920170430im_/http://shikaver01.webcrow.jp/desmume_x432r/index.html 2015-04-19]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|-|[[GBE+]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/shonumi/gbe-plus/releases {{GBEVer}}]|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>|-|[[mGBA#medusa|medusa]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://mgba.io/downloads.html alpha 2]|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} || {{✗}}<ref name="medusa suspended"/>||{{✗}}|-|[https://corgids.wordpress.com/ CorgiDS]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/PSI-Rockin/CorgiDS/releases git]<br />[http://www.emucr.com/search/label/CorgiDS SVN]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}<ref>https://corgids.wordpress.com/2018/02/12/extended-break/</ref> ||{{✗}}|-|ndsemu|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}|[https://github.com/rasky/ndsemu git]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|-|[[No$|No$GBA]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|DOS}}|[http://problemkaputt.de/gba.htm {{No$GBAVer}}]|{{✓}} ||{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}|-|[https://web.archive.org/web/20110225190819/http://neonds.com/ NeonDS]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}|[https://web.archive.org/web/20100925152735/http://neonds.com/system/files/NeonDS_0.2.1.zip 0.2.1]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|-|dasShiny|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}|[https://github.com/Cydrak/dasShiny git]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|-|[http://ds-duos.blogspot.com/ DuoS]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}|[http://www.emulator-zone.com/download.php/emulators/nds/duos/DuoS.zip 8/25/2012 Beta]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|-|[[Ensata]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}|[http://www.mediafire.com/file/x0odmalrndt9m7a/Ensata+v1.4d.rar 1.4d]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} |Recommended|{{✗}}|-|[https://web.archive.org/web/20111130005614/http://ideasemu.biz/ iDeaS]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}|[http://www.emulator-zone.com/files/emulators/nds/ideas/ideas1040.7z 1.0.4.0]|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[DeSmuMENooDS]]|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|Multi-platformmacOS}}|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://buildbotgithub.orphis.netcom/Hydr8gon/desmumeNooDS/ SVNreleases git]|style="text-align:center;"{{✓}} ||{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|DeSmuME X432R|style!colspan="text-align:center;9"|Multi-platform|style="text-align:center;"|[http:Mobile //shikaver01.webcrow.jp/ Build]|style="text-align:center;"|✗|style="text-align:center;"|✓|style="text-align:center;"|✗|style="text-align:center;"|✗|style="text-align:center;"|✓ARM

|style="text-align:center;"|[[No$GBADraStic]]|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Android|Pandora|Windows, DOSPyra}}|style[https://forum.mobilism.org/viewtopic.php?f=422&t="text-align:center;"|3629008 {{DraSticVer}}]<br>[httphttps://problemkaputtpyra-handheld.decom/repo/apps/gba.htm 232 0.8c1 Pyra]|style="text-align:center;"{{✗}} ||✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}

|style="text-align:center;"|dasShiny[[melonDS]] <small>(unofficial)</small>|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Windows, LinuxAndroid}}|style="text-align:center;"|[https://github.com/Cydrakrafaelvcaetano/dasShiny GitmelonDS-android git][https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.magnum.melonds 1.7.0]|style="text-align:center;"{{~}} ||✗{{~}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{~}}

|style="text-align[https:center;"|DuoS//inds.nerd.net/ iNDS]<br/><small>(nds4ios derived)</small><br/><small>(DeSmuME based)</small>|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|WindowsiOS}}|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://www.sendspacegithub.com/fileiNDS-Team/ezoear 8iNDS/25/2012 Betareleases git]|style="text-align:center;"{{✗}} ||{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[Ensata]]nds4ios|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|WindowsiOS}}|style="text-align:center;"|[http://wwwnds4ios.mediafireangelxwind.comnet/downloadi/dr3gooki74kboio?page/Ensata_v1.4d.rar 1.4ddownloads SVN]|style="text-align:center;"{{✗}} ||{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}

|style[http://jeffq.com/blog/nds4droid/ nds4droid]<br/><small>(DeSmuME based)</small>|align="textleft|{{Icon|Android}}|[https://github.com/jquesnelle/nds4droid git]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|-|[[NooDS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}|[https:center;"//github.com/Hydr8gon/NooDS git]|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||iDeaS{{✗}}|style-!colspan="text9"|Console|-|[[Virtual Console]]|align:center;"=left|{{Icon|WiiU}}||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||Windows, Linux{{✓}}|style="text-|[[DeSmuME PSP]]|align:center;"=left|{{Icon|PSP}}|[httphttps://ciacincdn.site90discordapp.com/ideasattachments/590011753849421846/870274164748079104/desmume_psp_4.php 1zip V4][https://github.0com/Xiro28/DeSmuME-PSP git][https://github.4com/Xiro28/desmume_psp_experimental Exp.0]|style="text-align:center;"{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}|style="text-|DesmumeX|align=left|{{Icon|Xbox}}|[https:center;"//www.1emulation.com/forums/topic/35774-desmumex-v087-new-update 0.87]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||✓{{~}}|style="text-|[[melonDS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Switch}}|[https:center;"//github.com/rsduck/melonDS/releases git]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}|style="text-|[[NooDS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Switch|Vita}}|[https://github.com/Hydr8gon/NooDS git]<small> (Switch/Vita)</small><br/>[https:center;"//github.com/Xiro28/NooDS-PSP git] <small>(PSP port)</small>|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}|style="text-|[[DeSmuME PSP|DSonPSP]]|align=left|{{Icon|PSP}}|[https:center;"//wololo.net/downloads/index.php/download/1235 0.7]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} <small>(POC)</small> ||{{✗}}

 ===Comparisons===;[[melonDS]]: Unlike DeSmuME, melonDS can use wifi, and has some DSi support. In terms of being user-friendly, options in melonDS are more simplified. Has similar DS game compatibility as DeSmuME. Both can run games at a higher internal resolution (sharper 3D objects) and can open roms inside an archive (zip, rar, 7z). Both can display the two screens in a variety of ways, but melonDS has a hybrid mode. [https://i.imgur.com/S73Eb4m.jpg (Example)] While the developers of No$GBA had documented the Wi-Fi capabilities first, melonDS is the first and only emulator that's gotten as far as it has and it has been found to work reasonably well with a handful of games. melonDS does not have custom file paths yet (all saves will be created where the rom is). Switching to OpenGL in core options may give a performance boost.;[[DeSmuME]]: DeSmuME has had significant improvements since 2018, though new features are still in development and are only available through either nightly/dev builds. It now uses less CPU/GPU resources, and Wi-Fi is also underway. The latest "Stable" build is no longer recommended as it's over 5 years old and lacks any new features. [[OpenEmu]] uses a shallow fork of the stable build and should be avoided as well. If you do run into issues on the dev builds, then try switching back to the last stable build (see [[Common Problems and Solutions]] for tips).;[[DraStic]]: A payware, closed-source emulator for [[Android emulators|Android]] devices that can run games at a decent speed even on potato phones. It's on par with (or in some cases better than) DeSmuME, and emulating it through BlueStacks on PC may actually be a viable and fast alternative aside from a slight input delay. Some rumors have spread around that the developers deliberately put in issues to mess with pirated copies, though this is considered unsubstantiated. At the very least, you shouldn't expect any support from Exophase and company if you use a pirated copy, though it is available for free on the Raspberry Pi and Odroid via RetroPie.;[[No$|No$GBA]]: Focuses on speed, and has major compatibility issues and glitches as a result. Because it was originally a GBA emulator, the DS's 3D features are still very poorly handled. However, it's a good option for low-end machines but don't expect a lot of games to run perfectly. A fan program, No$Zoomer, was released for version 2.6 which increases compatibility and options, as well as the titular zooming and resizing abilities. The biggest addition is noise cancellation which clears up static that No$GBA makes with its 3D rendering. It doesn't change accuracy though. No$Zoomer never rebased to newer no$gba versions, and looks like it's abandoned so likely never will. In v2.8, No$GBA became the first emulator to supports DSi games, which has been their most notable feature. Only use No$GBA for DSi games that don't work on other emulators, debugging (if you've taken up romhacking for DS games or homebrew development), if you value speed above everything, if you're using a potato PC, or just as a last resort.;[[mGBA#medusa|medusa]]: [[mGBA]] developer endrift is also creating a DS emulator, but it's very much a work-in-progress and isn't nearly as far as melonDS in terms of the capabilities it's covered. As of March 2018, medusa's development is "suspended until further notice".<ref name="medusa suspended">https://mgba.io/2018/03/09/holy-grail-bugs-revisited/#postscript-a-several-month-late-explanation</ref>;iDeaS: An abandoned and experimental DS emulator that uses a plug-in system, it's very slow and buggy but has partially gotten some features working like the camera and slide accessories.;[[Ensata]]: Nintendo's official DS emulator that was leaked to the public. It's not very usable or compatible but it can run a few games. '''Comparisons of several Nintendo DS emulators:'''* [https://emucross.com/the-next-generation-of-ds-emulators/ Looking Toward the Next Generation of DS Emulators] (By [[Dolphin]] tester, [https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/authors/JMC47/ JMC47], AKA Justin M. Chadwick. 5 June 2017. Tested emulators: melonDS (0.2 and 0.3), medusa (Alpha 2) & GBE+ (1.1) compared to the mature DeSmuME.) ===High resolution===;melonDS: Has an OpenGL renderer with upscaling as of version 0.8.<ref name="melondsopengl">http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=90</ref> The renderer is much faster than DeSmuME's and supports increasing the internal resolution up to 16x native resolution. More features such as texture filtering are planned.;DeSmuME X432R:A fork of DeSmuME that has graphical enhancement such as an option to increase internal resolution and use MSAA. The devs of DeSmuME have now included an option for increased internal resolution (see below), making X432R outdated. See the [[DeSmuME]] page for more details.;DeSmuME <small>([[libretro]])</small>:Also has an option to increase internal resolution since [https://github.com/libretro/desmume/commit/5e430dfbc22f9d54c77f291304a38352ee1e5a63 August 8, 2015 git commit]. It requires a very high-end CPU to run at a reasonable framerate.;DraStic:Has released a beta version supporting double the original resolution.;Virtual Console <small>(Wii U)</small>:Has a configuration file with support for x2 internal resolution without any significant performance hit (as well as a brightness setting). However, there's no legit way to enable it without a homebrew-enabled console. ==Connectivity==The DS offers five types of connections:* '''Local wireless communications''' - ''(Multiple cartridges)''* '''DS Download Play''' - ''(Single cartridge)''* '''Wi-Fi Connection''' - ''(Online multiplayer)''* '''DS/Wii connectivity'''* '''GBA/DS connectivity''' {| class="wikitable"|+Mobilestyle="text-align:center;"

! scope="col"|Operating SystemPlatform(s)

! scope="col"|GBALocal! scope="col"|NDSDownload Play! scope="col"|[[libretro|Libretro Core]]Wi-Fi! scope="col"|[[Recommended emulators|Recommended]]GBA/DS

|style="text-align:center;"|[[DraSticmelonDS|melonDS]]*|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Windows|AndroidLinux}}|style="text-align:center;"|[httpshttp://wwwmelonds.googlekuribo64.comnet/search?q=drastic+emulator+site:forumdownloads.mobilism.org&tbs=qdrphp {{MelonDSVer}}] <br> [https:0,sbd:1 r2//github.4.0.1acom/Arisotura/melonDS/actions Dev Bulids]|style="text-align:center;"{{~}} ||✗{{~}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✓|style="text-align:center;"|✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}

|style[[DeSmuME]]|align="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Windows|DsoidLinux|style="text-align:center;"macOS|AndroidFreeBSD}}|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://wwwdesmume.emucr.comorg/searchdownload/label/Dsoid?&max-results=12 SVN{{DeSmuMEVer}}]|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{~}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}

|style="text-align:center;"[[No$|nds4droid|style="text-align:center;"|Android|style="text-align:center;"|[http://www.emucr.com/search/label/nds4droid?&max-results=12 SVNNo$GBA]]|style="text-align:center;"|✗|style="text-align:center;"left|✓{{Icon|style="text-align:center;"Windows|✗DOS}}|style="text-align:center;"|✗|-|style="text-align:center;"|nds4ios|style="text-align:center;"|iOS|style="text-align:center;"|[http://nds4iosproblemkaputt.angelxwindde/gba.net/i/?page/downloads SVNhtm {{No$GBAVer}}]|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}}

The major challenge with emulating multiplayer functionalities is timing inaccuracies, which have made many projects, such as DeSmuME, not want to implement them. So far, the only emulator to actually make any progress is melonDS, but even that is still under development.  ===ComparisonsLocal wireless communication===* [[DeSmuME]] is very goodPlayers who have a copy of the same game can link together using the DS' wireless signals (given that the game offers this feature). melonDS supports wireless communication with several games, including ''New Super Mario Bros.'' and very well developed ''Pokemon'', but works best with higher end you need to have either multiple instances opened, which can slow down overall performance, or connect multiple computersvia LAN. No$GBA can connect but fails before the actual connection is finished.  ===DS Download Play===This emulator aims for accuracy over speed but you can tinker feature allows players with the vast amount a DS device, and only one copy of setting a game, to get some extra FPS (see [[Common Problems and Solutions]] for tips)play together. If youThis way, everyone doesn're still having t need to have a copy of the game. The player with the physical cartridge will host the game while the other players connects using a hard time running anything without "downloaded" version received from the host. Normally they are either simple mini-games, stripped-down demos of the output playing main game, or a limited version of multiplayer. In most cases it's better to use multi-cart instead, however, there are some games, like syrup try No$GBA''Mario Party DS'', that require Download Play to use its multiplayer. DeSmuME  Download Play is recommended regardless of your PC powersupported by melonDS. Like all post-16bit emulatorswith local multiplayer, DeSmuME isn't perfectit is very hit and miss but unlocking the framerate helps. Expect nothing more than 60% at all timesmelonDS will often fail during the download process, but some games actually go as far as booting and sometimes in-game as well.* [[No$GBA]] focuses on speed, ===Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection=== Nintendo's online service that was available for the Wii and has major compatibility issues DS and glitcheswas free to use. As this It was first a GBA emulatorshut down on May 20, 2014, due to the 3D added by company GameSpy, the ones who were managing these servers, shutting down its multiplayer services after being bought out. A popular game that used this feature was ''Mario Kart DS is still very poorly handled''. However, it might be an option for  There was a very low end machine third-party DeSmuME fork that successfully emulated WFC but don't expect has quite a lot bit of games to run perfectlyrequirement (Ethernet cable, or at allthough this can be circumvented with external software). A fan program, No$ZoomerAfter the service shutdown, there was released for a version 2compatible with the fan servers (restoring all DLC data but sadly most multiplayer games had their content lost forever). melonDS is one of the only emulators to offer Wi-Fi capabilities.6 which increases compatibility and more settingIt's still a work-in-progress, as but it works relatively well as . ===DS/Wii connectivity===Uses wireless communication on the DS to connect to the titular zooming optionWii. The biggest boost idea is noise cancellation which will clear up parallel to the static No$GBA makes with 3d renderingLink Cable for the GameCube, and just like the Link Cable, only a handful of games actually have this feature. Version 2.7a isnSome notable examples are ''t compatible with No$Zoomer yet but does add resizing windows options but any increase Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of emulating skills Time'' which is not noticeable. As of v2.8 it supports DSi gamesessentially the same as the DS port but can connect with other DS' with the game, ''Pokemon Battle Revolution'' in which players could transfer their Pokemon to the game and is currently use the DS as a controller, ''Animal Crossing: City Folk'' in which data could be transferred between the only emulator that does. Only use No$GBA for DSi gamesDS version ''Animal Crossing: Wild World'', its debugging features (if you do translate/romhack and the ''Nintendo Channel'' on the Wii where players could download demos of DS/GBA gamesto their console using Download Play (basically the same idea as the Download Station kiosk) or as a last resort. So far, no emulator has been able to emulate this feature, nor have attempted to. If this was ever going to be emulated, it would require work on both ends.

===High ResolutionGBA/DS connectivity===* DeSmuME X432R is Inserting a fork GBA cartridge in the Slot-2 of DeSmuME, that has many more graphical enhancement such as an option to increase internal resolution and use MSAA, See the [[DeSmuME]] page Nintendo DS while a game is running can unlock various gameplay features for more details. Check out [httphttps://www.geocities.jp/gponys/desmume_aanintendo.html this site] to see what you're missing out on.*libretro port of DeSmuME also has an option to increase internal resolution since [https://githubfandom.com/libretrowiki/desmume/commit/5e430dfbc22f9d54c77f291304a38352ee1e5a63 August 8, 2015 git commitList_of_Nintendo_DS_games_with_GBA_connectivity several DS games]. It requires a very high-end CPU to run at reasonable framerate.*DraStic has released a beta version supporting double the original resolution.*The Wii U's DS Virtual Console have a configuration file with support for x2 internal resolution without any significant performance hit (as well as a brightness setting). However, there's no legit way to enable it without a homebrew-enabled console.

==Connectivity=====Wi-Fi: MultiplayerIt's unknown if No$GBA supports this, WFC but it can be done in DeSmuME by going to Config > Slot 2 (GBA Slot) and Wii/DS===* Local Multiplayer and Download Play are not supported by any emulatorselecting GBA Cartridge. No$Select the GBA can emulate ROM file, make sure it but 's <code>.sav</code> file is in the connection fails somewhere during establishing same folder. You may need to reset the actual connection (despite the names from the other DS showing just fine)game for it to take effect.* Nintendo WFC was successfully emulated with DeSmuME, but has quite a bit As of requirements (Ethernet cable, though this can be circumvented with external software)version 0. After service shutdown9, there was a version compatible with melonDS supports GBA connectivity and even added support for the fan servers solar sensor on GBA Boktai cartridges used in Boktai DS (restoring all DLC data but sadly most multiplayer games had their content lost foreverLunar Knight), something DeSmuME has yet to support.* DS/Wii connection isn't emulated in any capacity Either drag and drop the GBA ROM onto the program before starting or open the file before loading the NDS file.

===GBA/DS Connectivity=Nintendo DSi==Inserting a GBA card in Slot-2 in a {{Main|Nintendo DS unit (that's not a DSi) while a DS game is running could unlock various gameplay features in some DS games. DeSmuME can emulate this: while playing the DS ROM, go to "Config, Slot 2 (GBA Slot)" and select "GBA Cartridge". Now select the GBA ROM file, and make sure its sav file is in the same folder. You may need to reset the game sometimes to see the effect in-game.emulators}}

==DSiSpecial hardware==;Guitar Hero pad: Used in the "Guitar Hero: On Tour" series (required) and Band Hero DS. Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2).;Piano for Easy Piano: Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2).;Taito paddle controller: Compatible with Arkanoid, Space Invaders Extreme, Space Invaders Extreme 2, and Space Bust-a-Move. Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2).;Tilt sensor: Used in "Tony Hawk's Motion/Hue's Pixel Painter." No$GBA added emulators support this add-on yet. (Slot 2);Rumble pack: Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2). Requires compatible Joystick.;Slide controller: Required by "Slide Adventure Mag Kid". Yasu made a shoddy [http://home.usay.jp/pc/etc/nds/iDeaS_slide.zip plug-in] for DSi games starting with iDeaS (the recommended version was 1.0.2.89.) to try to emulate it. No emulators support this add-on at the moment.;Pokémon keyboard: Bundled with the Pokémon Typing game (JP/UK/FR). The game refuses to boot without a keyboard, but it can be run on emulators with an anti-piracy fix and another DeSmuME-specific save bug fix. There is also [http://pokemonlog.com/pokemon-fuligin-download-rom/ a pre-patched ROM.] While it's playable using the on-screen keyboard on the lower screen, the keyboard isn't actually emulated. There is [https://github.com/AnimeCommander/Learn.With.Pokemon-Typing-Adventure.lua/blob/master/Pok%C3%A9mon%20Typing%20DS%20Keyboard%20Script.lua a Lua script] that permits using the actual keyboard by mapping presses of the actual keyboard to taps of the virtual Touch Screen. However, although you are going to need to blank out all the control/hotkey bindings of DeSmuME if you are going to play this game because some of the keyboard keys also activate some controls; otherwise, pressing the Q key would also pause the game, given one example. A recommendation would be to have a separate copy of 32-bit DeSMuMe which purpose is playing *only* the Pokémon typing games wont boot . In that copy, place the patched ROM, the Lua script, and a 32-bit version of [https://sourceforge.net/projects/luabinaries/files/5.1.5/Windows%20Libraries/Dynamic/ lua51.dll.] (The platform used in building the <code>.dll</code> should not matter.) Even then, not only is the emulated workaround a little slow but saving is still broken. Use savestates, instead.;DS camera: Accessory bundled with the Japan-only Face Training (a European localization for Christmas 2007 was canceled, and others have graphical glitchesit was released as a retail DSi game in 2010 using the internal camera rather than the original accessory). Not to be confused with the built-in DSi camera. No emulators exist for it at all.;Bayer DIDGIT: A glucose meter for diabetic children with a game called ''Knock 'Em Downs: World's Fair'' that rewards them for checking their blood sugar levels regularly. The game has been dumped but no support for the glucose meter peripheral exists as of the time of this writing; it may, however, be possible to add reward points through Action Replay codes, not to mention that the game will still function without the glucose meter attachment anyway (albeit with reduced functionality, of course).

==Special Hardware=iQue DS region lock===* iQue is Nintendo'''Guitar Hero Pad:''' Used in the "Guitar Hero: On Tour" series s Chinese subsidiary (requiredpreviously a partnership between them and Wei Yen until 2013) and Band Hero , so when they released the DS. Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2).* '''Piano for Easy Piano:''' Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2).* '''Taito Paddle Controller:''' Compatible with Arkanoida few localized games, Space Invaders Extreme, Space Invaders Extreme 2 and Space Bust-a-Move. Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2).* '''Tilt Sensor:''' Used their ROMs had special flags set in "Tony Hawkthem to check if the hardware that ran the cartridge was iQue's Motion/Hueor Nintendo's Pixel Painteras a sort of region lock." No emulators support Nintendo's own hardware would fail this add-on yet.* '''Rumble Pack:''' Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2). Requires compatible Joystick.* '''Slide Controller:''' Required by check, throwing an "Slide Adventure Mag KidOnly for iQue DS". Yasu made error in white text on a shoddy [http://home.usay.jp/pc/etc/nds/iDeaS_slide.zip plug-in] for iDeaS (recommended version was 1.0.2.9.) to try to emulate itblack background. No emulators support other DS games have this add-on at the moment.* '''Pokémon Keyboard:''' Bundled with the Pokémon Typing game (JP/UK/FR). The game refuses to boot without a keyboard, but it can be run on emulators with an anti-piracy fix and another DeSmuME-specific save bug fixmechanism; not even for Korean releases. While it's playable using the on-screen keyboard on the lower screen, the keyboard wasn't actually emulated. There This region lock is a [http://pokemon-project.com/noticias/778-1/%C2%A1Juega-a-Pok%C3%A9mon-Typing-DS-con-tu-teclado patched version of DesMuMe with a Lua script] (Download bypassed by clicking on "Descargar".) that permits using the actual keyboard by mapping presses of the actual keyboard to taps of the virtual Touch Screen. However3DS for these DS games, the way the Lua script was coded mapped the virtual numbers to the actual number pad, presumably because the actual number keys are mapped to hotkeyseven though 3DS games have their own region lock. However, you can blank the hotkeys and modify the Lua script. Even then, not only is the emulated workaround a little slow, but saving is still broken. Use savestates, instead.* It'''DS Camera:''' Accessory bundled with the Japan-only Face Training. Not to be confused with the built-in DSi camera. No emulators exist for it at alls weird.

===iQue DS Region Lock===Nintendo released Emulators differ in their Nintendo DS in China under the name iQue DS, along with a few localized gamesbehavior to this region lock. Much like they did with the No$GBA toocrashes. Except for one thingDeSmuME can load them. While the Chinese DS ROMs are perfectly normal DS ROMsHowever, besides the tiny fact they have region locking implementedfor melonDS, preventing them you need a [[Emulator Files|Firmware Dump]] from running on any DS system that's not the Chinese an iQue DS model (but any 3DS from any region , otherwise, it will run these Chinese DS games, despite replicate the 3DSs games being region-locked. Go figure.) No other DS games - not even Korean releases - do thislock.

If you try to emulate those ROMs with No$GBA, it just crashes. DeSmuME The only way the ROM will at least boot, but always show the message that shows on real accept other hardware (non-iQueand thus emulators) DS hardware - is with a glowing message on hack, involving a black background saying "Only for iQue DS" (in English) and just loop endlessly on that same screensimple byte change. In the event you're desperate to emulate those releases, you'll want to change the ROM (with Use a hex editor) - specifically to change the byte located at <code>0x1D must be changed </code> from value <code>80 </code> to <code>00</code>.

Certain games, such as American Girl titles (e.g. ''Julie Finds a Way'' and ''Kit Mystery Challenge'') suffer from severe flickering issues which keep those games from being playable on most emulators; so far . [[DraStic]] is was the only first emulator able to run the two games properly, and while it has been patched in Desmume DeSmuME r5043had an initial fix that worked around the glitch, the fix it was eventually removed in later revisions as it broke compatibility for with ''Pokemon SoulSilver '' among others; this has since been patched on r5531 once the true nature of the [https://sourceforge.net/p/desmume/bugs/1134/ bug] was better understood. The fix would be later incorporated in other emulators. ''Ultimate Mortal Kombat'' suffers from flickering and slowdown due to the way it loads sprites, though it isn't as serious in DraStic. ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Jedi Alliance'' is an even more egregious example, crashing due to timing differences between actual hardware and an emulated system. ==References==<references /> {{Nintendo}}