Changes

{{Infobox console|title = Nintendo DS|logo = DSlitewhite.png|developer = [[File:Nintendo_ds.jpgNintendo]]|type = [[:Category:Handheld consoles|Handheld game console]]|generation = [[:Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles|Seventh generation]]|release = 2004|discontinued = 2013|predecessor = [[Game Boy Advance emulators|thumbGame Boy Advance]]|successor = [[Nintendo DSi emulators|The Nintendo DS handheld consoleDSi]]|emulated = {{✓}}}} The '''[[gametechwikipedia:Nintendo DS|Nintendo DS]]''' (NDS) is a handheld console produced by Nintendo in on November 21, 2004/2005, and had 2 ARM CPUs (ARM9 and ARM7) with 4MB of RAM. 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 [[PlayStation 2 emulators|PlayStation 2]] in lifetime sales(154.02 million units), as a result of attracting a large amount number of casual players, and even non-gamers, into the gaming community.

{| class="wikitable"|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 emulatorsEmulators|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]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}

!colspan|[[No$|No$GBA]]|align="8"left|{{Icon|Windows|DOS}}|[http://problemkaputt.de/gba.htm {{No$GBAVer}}]|{{✓}} ||{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||PC{{✗}}

|style="text-align[https://web.archive.org/web/20110225190819/http:center;"|[[DeSmuME]//neonds.com/ NeonDS]|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Multi-platformWindows}}|style="text-align[https:center;"|[//web.archive.org/web/20100925152735/http://desmumeneonds.orgcom/system/downloadfiles/ SVNNeonDS_0.2.1.zip 0.2.1]|style="text-align:center;"{{✗}} ||{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}}

|styledasShiny|align="text-align:center;"left|DeSmuME X432R{{Icon|style="text-align:center;"Windows|Multi-platformLinux}}|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://shikaver01github.webcrow.jpcom/Cydrak/ BuilddasShiny git]|style="text-align:center;"{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗|style="text-align:center;"|✓}}

|style="text[http://ds-align:center;"|[[GBE+]duos.blogspot.com/ DuoS]|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Windows/Linux}}|style="text-align:center;"|[httpshttp://githubwww.emulator-zone.com/shonumidownload.php/emulators/nds/duos/gbe-plusDuoS.zip 8/tree25/nds-support NDS support2012 Beta]|style="text-align:center;"{{✗}} ||✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗ (WIP)}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[https://github.com/StapleButter/melonDS MelonDS[Ensata]]|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Windows/Linux}}|style="text-align:center;"|[http://melondswww.kuribo64mediafire.netcom/boardfile/threadx0odmalrndt9m7a/Ensata+v1.php?id=19 04d.rar 1.24d]|style="text-align:center;"{{✗}} ||{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗ (WIP)}}

|style="text-align[https://web.archive.org/web/20111130005614/http:center;"|[[mGBA|Medusa]//ideasemu.biz/ iDeaS]|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Windows/|Linux}}|style="text-align:center;"|[httpshttp://mgbawww.emulator-zone.iocom/files/downloadsemulators/nds/ideas/ideas1040.7z 1.0.html alpha 24.0]|style="text-align:center;"{{✓}} ||✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗ (WIP)}}

|style="text-align:center;"|ndsemu[[NooDS]]|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|style="text-align:center;"|[https://github.com/raskyHydr8gon/ndsemu GitHubNooDS/releases 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;"|[[No$GBA]]|style!colspan="text-align:center;9"|Windows, DOS|style="text-align:center;"|[http:Mobile //problemkaputt.de/gba.htm 2.8e]|style="text-align:center;"|✓|style="text-align:center;"|✓|style="text-align:center;"|✓|style="text-align:center;"|✗|style="text-align:center;"|✗ARM

!colspan|[[DraStic]]|align=left|{{Icon|Android|Pandora|Pyra}}|[https://forum.mobilism.org/viewtopic.php?f="8"422&t=3629008 {{DraSticVer}}]<br>[https://pyra-handheld.com/repo/apps/32 0.1 Pyra]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||PC ~ Dead projects{{✓}}

|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="text-align[http:center;"|iDeaS//jeffq.com/blog/nds4droid/ nds4droid]<br/><small>(DeSmuME based)</small>|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Windows, LinuxAndroid}}|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://ciacin.site90github.com/ideas.php 1.0.4.0jquesnelle/nds4droid git]|style="text-align:center;"{{✗}} ||✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}

!colspan|[[NooDS]]|align="8"left|{{Icon|Android}}|[https://github.com/Hydr8gon/NooDS git]|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||Mobile{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[DraStic]]|style="text-align:center;"|Android|style="text-align:center;"|[https://www.google.com/search?q=drastic+emulator+site:forum.mobilism.org&tbs=qdr:0,sbd:1 r2.5.0.3a]|style="text-align:center;"|✗|style="text-align:center;"|✓|style="text-align:center;"|✗|style="text-align:center;"|✗|style!colspan="text-align:center;9"|✓Console

|style="text-align:center;"|Dsoid[[Virtual Console]]|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|AndroidWiiU}}|style="text-align:center;"|[http://www.emucr.com/search/label/Dsoid?&max-results=12 SVN]{{✓}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}

|style="text-align:center;"|nds4droid[[DeSmuME PSP]]|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|AndroidPSP}}|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://wwwcdn.emucrdiscordapp.com/searchattachments/label590011753849421846/nds4droid?&max870274164748079104/desmume_psp_4.zip V4][https://github.com/Xiro28/DeSmuME-results=12 SVNPSP git][https://github.com/Xiro28/desmume_psp_experimental Exp.]|style="text-align:center;"{{✗}} ||{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}} |style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}} |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}

|styleDesmumeX|align="textleft|{{Icon|Xbox}}|[https://www.1emulation.com/forums/topic/35774-align:center;"desmumex-v087-new-update 0.87]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||nds4ios{{~}}|style="text-align:center;"|iOS[[melonDS]]|stylealign="text-align:center;"left|{{Icon|Switch}}|[httphttps://nds4ios.angelxwindgithub.netcom/irsduck/?pagemelonDS/downloads SVNreleases git]|style="text-align:center;"{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}|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]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? |style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}} <small>(POC)</small> |style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}}

* ;[[DeSmuMEmelonDS]] is one : Unlike DeSmuME, melonDS can use wifi, and has some DSi support. In terms of the most developed emulators for regular being user-friendly, options in melonDS are more simplified. Has similar DS game compatibility as DeSmuME. Both can run gamesat a higher internal resolution (sharper 3D objects) and can open roms inside an archive (zip, but works best with higher end computersrar, 7z). This emulator aims for accuracy over speed but you Both can tinker with display the vast amount two screens in a variety of setting to get some extra FPS ways, but melonDS has a hybrid mode. [https://i.imgur.com/S73Eb4m.jpg (see [[Common Problems and SolutionsExample)]] for tips). If you're still having a hard time running anything without While the output playing like syrup try developers of No$GBAhad documented the Wi-Fi capabilities first, or Drastic emulated through Bluestacks. DeSmuME melonDS is generally recommended regardless 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 your PC powergames. However it's melonDS does not perfect 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 still very unoptimizedare only available through either nightly/dev builds. DeSmuME won't cover 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 (outside of an online play . [[OpenEmu]] uses a shallow fork) or DSi emulation either because of some aspects of its unique development philosophythe stable build and should be avoided as well. If you do run into issues on the dev builds, so you'll have then try switching back to look the last stable build (see [[Common Problems and Solutions]] for other alternatives for thosetips).* ;[[DraStic]] is a : A payware, closed -source payware emulator for [[Android emulators|Android]] devices that can run games at a decent speed even on potato phones, there's unsubstantiated rumors that the devs deliberately put in issues to mess with the pirated version though. It's on par with (or in some cases better than DeSmuMe) DeSmuME, and emulating it through Bluestacks BlueStacks on PC is 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$GBA]] focuses : Focuses on speed, and has major compatibility issues and glitchesas a result. As this Because it was first originally a GBA emulator, the DS's 3D added by the DS is features are still very poorly handled. However, it might be an 's a good option for a very low -end machine machines but don't expect a lot of games to run perfectly, or at all. A fan program, No$Zoomer, was released for version 2.6 which increases compatibility and more settingoptions, as well as the titular zooming optionand resizing abilities. The biggest boost addition is noise cancellation which will clear clears up the static that No$GBA makes with 3d its 3D rendering. Version 2.7a isnIt doesn't compatible with change accuracy though. No$Zoomer yet but does add resizing windows options but any increase of emulating skills is not noticeablenever rebased to newer no$gba versions, and looks like it's abandoned so likely never will. As of In v2.8 it , No$GBA became the first emulator to supports DSi games, and is currently the only emulator that doeswhich has been their most notable feature. Only use No$GBA for DSi gamesthat don't work on other emulators, its debugging features (if you do translate/romhack 've taken up romhacking for DS/GBA gamesor homebrew development), if you value emulation speed above everything, if you're using a potato PC, or just as a last resort.* ;[[mGBA#medusa|medusa]]: [[melonDSmGBA]] developer endrift is also creating a recent DS emulator by ex, but it's very much a work-DeSmuMe devs who want to make a better optimized emulator eventually including features in-progress and isn't nearly as far as melonDS in terms of the existing emulators either doncapabilities it's covered. As of March 2018, medusa't have or have but are marred with other problemss development is "suspended until further notice".<ref name="medusa suspended">https://mgba. Itio/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 still very early in the works slow and buggy but can boot has partially gotten some games. A couple other new emulators are also under developmentfeatures working like the camera and slide accessories.* ;[[ensataEnsata]] is a leaked : Nintendo's official DS emulator by Nintendothat was leaked to the public. It's not very usable or compatible, but does 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 [iDeaS[Dolphin]] is a dead experimental DS emulator with a plugtester, [https://dolphin-in systememu.org/blog/authors/JMC47/ JMC47], AKA Justin M. Chadwick. 5 June 2017. Tested emulators: melonDS (0. It's very slow 2 and buggy0.3), but some features like medusa (Alpha 2) & GBE+ (1.1) compared to the camera and the slide accessory were only emulated partially by iDeaS. Not recommendedmature DeSmuME.)

===High Resolutionresolution===* ;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 is a :A fork of DeSmuME, that has many more 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. Check out ;DeSmuME <small>([http[libretro]])</small>://www.geocities.jp/gponys/desmume_aa.html this site] to see what you're missing out on.*libretro port of DeSmuME also 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 :Has released a beta version supporting double the original resolution.*The ;Virtual Console <small>(Wii U's DS Virtual Console have )</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.

===Local Multiplayer, Wi-Fi Connection, and Wii/The DS Connection===offers five types of connections:* '''Local Multiplayer is not supported by any emulator. No$GBA can emulate it but the connection fails somewhere during establishing the actual connection wireless communications''' - ''(despite the names from the other DS showing just fineMultiple cartridges).''* '''DS Download Play isn't supported by any emulator so far, though NDS'' -bootstrap homebrew on the Nintendo 3DS can boot some of them.''(Single cartridge)''* Nintendo WFC '''Wi-Fi Connection''' - ''(Online Multiplayer) was successfully emulated with third-party DeSmuME forks, but has quite a bit of requirements (Ethernet cable, though this can be circumvented with external software). After service shutdown, there was a version compatible with the fan servers (restoring all DLC data but sadly most multiplayer games had their content lost forever).''* '''DS/Wii connection isnconnectivity't emulated in any capacity. ''Pokémon Battle Revolution* '''GBA/DS connectivity''' playability is very limited this way.

These features are not supported by the mainline DeSmuME project in particular due to timing inaccuracies and ''creative differences'', and it'{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"|-! scope="col"|Name! scope="col"|Platform(s highly unlikely they will ever be included in the future. If you're interested in these features, follow other projects and refrain from contacting the developers about them as per their wishes in their )! scope="col"|Latest Version! scope="col"|Local! scope="col"|Download Play! scope="official stancecol" on |Wi-Fi features in general! scope="col"|GBA/DS|-|[[melonDS|melonDS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}|[http://melonds.kuribo64.net/downloads.php {{MelonDSVer}}] <br> [https://github.com/Arisotura/melonDS/actions Dev Bulids]|{{~}} ||{{~}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}|-|[[DeSmuME]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}|[https://desmume.org/download/ {{DeSmuMEVer}}]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{✓}}|-|[[No$|No$GBA]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|DOS}}|[http://problemkaputt.de/gba.htm {{No$GBAVer}}]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|}

===GBA/DS Connectivity===Inserting a GBA card in Slot-2 in a Nintendo DS unit (that's not a DSi) while a DS game The major challenge with emulating multiplayer functionalities is running could unlock various gameplay features in some DS games. timing inaccuracies, which have made many projects, such as DeSmuME can emulate this: while playing the DS ROM, go not want to "Configimplement them. So far, Slot 2 (GBA Slot)" and select "GBA Cartridge". Now select the GBA ROM fileonly emulator to actually make any progress is melonDS, and make sure its sav file but even that is in the same folder. You may need to reset the game sometimes to see the effect in-gamestill under development.

Features like ===Local wireless communication===Players who have a copy of the same game can link together using the solar sensor in Boktai DS ' wireless signals (Lunar Knightgiven that the game offers this feature) using the GBA Boktai cartridges in Slot-2 are not emulated yet on the other hand.

==DSi==Nintendo released the DSi in 2009melonDS supports wireless communication with several games, doing away with Slot-2 (used by GBA cartridges including ''New Super Mario Bros.'' and Guitar Hero games) ''Pokemon'', but also adding new lighting effectsyou need to have either multiple instances opened, a camerawhich can slow down overall performance, more RAM, and downloadable titles called DSiWare though those were capped to 16MB because they were installed to the very small internal NAND memoryor connect multiple computers via LAN. DSiWare releases were also region locked, and No$GBA can connect but fails before the system language couldn't be changed. The Nintendo 3DS actual connection is also compatible with those games and offers a way to back them up to an SD cardfinished.

===Game FormatsDS Download Play===ThereThis feature allows players with a DS device, and only one copy of a game, to play together. This way, everyone doesn'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 "downloaded" version received from the host. Normally they are either simple mini-games, stripped-down demos of the main game, or a limited version of multiplayer. In most cases it's three types of better to use multi-cart instead, however, there are some games using DSi hardware enhancements:, like ''Mario Party DS'', that require Download Play to use its multiplayer.

* '''DSi-enhanced retail cartridges:''' Regular DS retail cartridges compatible Download Play is supported by melonDS. Like with the older DS modelslocal multiplayer, it is very hit and miss but unlocking more RAM and features when used on the DSi, similar to some late GBC games on the GBAframerate helps. A couple of dozen games from Japan and US/EUR relied on this method. Those games melonDS will still boot on DS emulators but without often fail during the DSi enhancements.* '''DSi-exclusive retail cartridges:''' Retail cartridges relying heavily on the DSi hardware features. A boot-up error screen will show when attempting to load those on regular DS models (and by extensiondownload process, emulators for those). Only five but some games were released this way, either launch games or because they were too big to fit actually go as far as booting and sometimes in 16MB.* '''DSiWare:''' Downloadable titles downloaded only through the DSi eShop (discontinued), or the Nintendo 3DS eShop (though it uses a different file packaging format). They have a 16MB size limitation and there's lots of interesting exclusives for the system released that way-game as well.

All three formats can be converted ===Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection=== Nintendo's online service that was available for the Wii and DS and was free to *use.nds format. Compared It was shut down on May 20, 2014, due to regular DS games, DSi games had some additional header information that wasn't even correctly dumped in the earlier broken dumps. The 2017 set has updated many of those, though it's still severely lacking in DSiWare exclusives. DSiWare dumps exist in both NDS formatcompany GameSpy, or CIA format (for the ones who want to boot it on their 3DS)were managing these servers, shutting down its multiplayer services after being bought out. A popular game that used this feature was ''Mario Kart DS''.

On There was a third-party DeSmuME fork that successfully emulated WFC but has quite a bit of requirement (Ethernet cable, though this can be circumvented with external software). After the old DS or DS Lite modelsservice shutdown, as well as there was a version compatible with the fan servers (restoring all DLC data but sadly most Nintendo DS multiplayer games had their content lost forever). melonDS is one of the only emulators, the first type will load to offer Wi-Fi capabilities. It's still a work-in regular DS mode without any DSi enhancements-progress, the second will show an error message, and the third will crash on boot-up due to missing encryption abilities and DSi hardware supportbut it works relatively well.

On ===DS/Wii connectivity===Uses wireless communication on the DSi/3DS family of handheldsDS to connect to the Wii. The idea is parallel to the GBA Link Cable for the GameCube, the first two formats can be played on some select DSi-compatible flashcarts and just like the (discontinued and now expensive) CycloDS iEvolution flashcard (Link Cable, only a handful of games actually have this feature. Some notable examples are ''Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time'' which wonis essentially the same as the DS port but can connect with other DS't work on a stock 3DS not with custom firmware to whitelist it). As for the third typegame, it's available for digital purchase at 'Pokemon Battle Revolution'' in which players could transfer their respective stores (DSi Shop for DSi, eShop for Pokemon to the 3DS) game and installed as apps to use the limited TWL NAND. In the 3DS' case, they can also be installed DS as custom titles in .cia format (like all 3DS applicationsa controller, but here it's also a container for an .nds rom 'Animal Crossing: City Folk'' in this casewhich data could be transferred between the DS version ''Animal Crossing: Wild World'', and converting back and forth is possiblethe ''Nintendo Channel'' on the Wii where players could download demos of DS games to their console using Download Play (basically the same idea as the Download Station kiosk).

===Emulation==={| class="wikitable"|-! scope="col"|Name! scope="col"|Operating System(s)! scope="col"|Latest Version! scope="col"|DSi (enhanced)! scope="col"|DSi (exclusive)! scope="col"|DSi (digital)! scope="col"|[[Recommended emulators|Recommended]]|-!colspan="8"|PC|-|style="text-align:center;"|[[No$GBA]]|style="text-align:center;"|WindowsSo far, DOS|style="text-align:center;"|[http://problemkaputtno emulator has been able to emulate this feature, nor have attempted to.de/gba.htm 2 If this was ever going to be emulated, it would require work on both ends.8e]|style="text-align:center;"|✓|style="text-align:center;"|✓|style="text-align:center;"|✓|style="text-align:center;"|✗|}

No$===GBA added support /DS connectivity===Inserting a GBA cartridge in the Slot-2 of the Nintendo DS while a game is running can unlock various gameplay features for DSi games of all three formats starting with version 2[https://nintendo.8, although some games wont boot and others have graphical glitchesfandom. You'll need to enable "16MB DSicom/wiki/retail" under the settings. Emulation is very iffy due to a so-so List_of_Nintendo_DS_games_with_GBA_connectivity several DS emulation foundation in NO$GBA, and the camera is just spoofed as a static image but just causes an emulator crash whenever used, meaning games that use it may boot but it won't be very playable].

DSi used an encryption system for the game dumps that went on It's unknown if No$GBA supports this, but it can be done in DeSmuME by going to be enhanced Config > Slot 2 (GBA Slot) and used for selecting GBA Cartridge. Select the 3DS. This encryption is checked at start-upGBA ROM file, hence why DS emulators donmake sure it't even manage to boot DSiWare dumpss <code>. It's very unlikely DSi-mode emulation sav</code> file is ever going in the same folder. You may need to reset the game for it to be implemented take effect. As of version 0.9, melonDS supports GBA connectivity and even added support for the solar sensor on GBA Boktai cartridges used in Desmume in particular due Boktai DS (Lunar Knight), something DeSmuME has yet to various ''creative differences'' unique to that projectsupport. Either drag and drop the GBA ROM onto the program before starting or open the file before loading the NDS file.

===BIOS Files=Nintendo DSi=={{Main|Nintendo DSi emulation requires a copy of the lower 32K-halves of the ARM7/ARM9 BIOSes (BIOSDSI7.ROM and BIOSDSI9.ROM), which are different from the regular DS BIOS files and needed for the decryption. All the needed files are bios7i.bin, bios9i.bin, BIOSDSI7.ROM, BIOSDSI9.ROM, BIOSNDS7.ROM, and BIOSNDS9.ROM. These unicorns can be found [http://archive.org/details/DSiFirmwareFiles here].emulators}}

It's also advised ==Special hardware==;Guitar Hero pad: Used in the "Guitar Hero: On Tour" series (required) and Band Hero DS. Supported by DeSmuME (but still completely '''optional'''Slot 2) to use a NAND dump as well to increase compatibility .;Piano for Easy Piano: Supported by DeSmuME (though adding games is more complexSlot 2).;Taito paddle controller: Compatible with Arkanoid, Space Invaders Extreme, Space Invaders Extreme 2, and Space Bust-a soft-modding solution to dump it is still being worked onMove. Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2). Rename it to ;Tilt sensor: Used in "Tony Hawk's Motion/Hue's Pixel Painter."DSiNo emulators support this add-1on yet.mmc" (should be about 250MBSlot 2);Rumble pack: Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2). Change Requires compatible Joystick.;Slide controller: Required by "Slide Adventure Mag Kid"Reset. Yasu made a shoddy [http:/Startup Entrypoint /home.usay.jp/pc/etc/nds/iDeaS_slide.zip plug-in] for iDeaS (the recommended version was 1.0.2.9.) to try to "GBAemulate it. No emulators support this add-on at the moment.;Pokémon keyboard: Bundled with the Pokémon Typing game (JP/UK/NDS BIOS" FR). The game refuses to now 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 emulator and games in DSi modeactual keyboard to taps of the virtual Touch Screen. Hex editing required However, you are going to need to blank out all the control/hotkey bindings of DeSmuME if you are going to "install" new DSiWare titlesplay this game because some of the keyboard keys also activate some controls; otherwise, pressing the Q key would also pause the game, though loading retail 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 . 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 DSi mode from building the <code>.dll</code> should not matter.) Even then, not only is the menu emulated workaround a little slow but saving is still possible easilybroken. Use savestates, instead. This fixes lots of glitches ;DS camera: Accessory bundled with the Japan-only Face Training (a European localization for Christmas 2007 was canceled, and crashes related it was released as a retail DSi game in 2010 using the internal camera rather than the original accessory). Not to languages and use 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 internal DSi fontgame 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 Arkanoid, Space Invaders Extremea few localized games, 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 fix. While it's playable using the on-screen keyboard on the lower screen, the keyboard wasn't actually emulatedmechanism; not even for Korean releases. 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. However, the way the Lua script was coded mapped the virtual numbers to the actual number pad3DS for these DS games, 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 (an European localization for Christmas 2007 was cancelled, and it 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 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 Desmume DeSmuME r5043 had an initial fix that worked around the flickering issuesglitch, it was removed in later revisions as it broke compatibility 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}}