Changes

|type = [[:Category:ConsolesHandheld consoles|Handheld game console]]

|release = 2004(DS)<br/>2008 (DSi)

|successor = [[Nintendo 3DS emulators|Nintendo (new) 3DS]]

}} {{for|other emulators that run on NDS hardware|Emulators on DS}}  The '''[[gametechwikipedia:Nintendo DS|Nintendo DS]]''' (NDS) is a handheld console produced by Nintendo and released on November 21, 2004 , and had 2 ARM CPUs (ARM9 and ARM7) with 4MB 4 MBs of RAMand was priced at {{Inflation|USD|149.99|2004}}. 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. ;Remember, certain titles such as [[Wikipedia:Category:Nintendo_DSi_games|DSi retail]] and [[Wikipedia:List_of_DSiWare_games_and_applications|DSiWare]] games are exclusive to the DSi. Make sure your chosen emulator [[#Hardware_features_and_accessories|supports these variations (see "DSi exclusive features" section)]] if you want to play them.

<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width:100%"|-

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

! scope="col"|GBA'''[[#Nintendo DSi|DSi]]'''! scope="col"|NDS[[#Enhancements|Enhancements]]! scope="col"|DSi[[#Hardware_features_and_accessories|Hardware features<br/>and accessories]]! scope="col"|[[libretro<small>Compatibility</small>! scope="col"|Libretro Core]]<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>

! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulatorsemulators|Recommended]]

!colspan="911"|PC/ x86|-|[[melonDS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}|Dev Builds<ref group=N>[https://nightly.link/melonDS-emu/melonDS/workflows/build-windows/master/melonDS-windows-x86_64.zip Windows], [https://nightly.link/melonDS-emu/melonDS/workflows/build-ubuntu/master/melonDS-ubuntu-x86_64.zip Ubuntu], [https://nightly.link/melonDS-emu/melonDS/workflows/build-macos-universal/master/macOS-universal.zip macOS-universal]</ref><br/>[http://melonds.kuribo64.net/downloads.php {{MelonDSVer}}]<br/>[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ ''libretro core'']<ref group=N name=melonDSRA>Similar to Dolphin, PPSSPP and Citra libretro cores, the standalone version of melonDS is highly recommended over the libretro core as the libretro core version is outdated specifically two versions out of date (still on 0.9.3), and the generation 5 Pokemons are broken. If you turn on C-Gear, after a few minutes you'll be unable to save. [https://github.com/libretro/melonDS/issues/179#issuecomment-1407488464 '''You also can't use any wifi features'''] or do in game trades either or the game will freeze.</ref>|{{✓}} ||{{~}} ||{{~}} ||[https://melonds.kuribo64.net/board/forum.php?id=3 ?] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}

|Multi-platformalign=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|Web}}|[https://cidesmume.appveyor.com/projectorg/zeromusdownload/desmume {{DeSmuMEVer}}/Nightly]<br/>[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]|{{✗}} ||{{✓~}} ||{{✗~}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓~}} <ref group=N name=active>[https://github.com/libretro/desmume/tree/master Libretro core] is still active.</ref> ||{{✓}}

|[[melonDSBizHawk]]<br/><small>(melonDS)</small>|align=left|{{Icon|Windows, |Linux}}|[https://gitlab.com/TASVideos/BizHawk/-/pipelines Dev builds]<br/>[http://melondstasvideos.kuribo64.netorg/BizHawk/downloadsReleaseHistory.php html {{MelonDSVerBizHawkVer}}]|{{✗✓}} ||{{✓~}} ||{{~}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} <small>(WIP)</small>

|[[DeSmuME#Graphical_EnhancementNo$|DeSmuME X432RNo$GBA]]|Multi-platformalign=left|{{Icon|Windows|DOS}}|[http://shikaver01problemkaputt.webcrow.jpde/desmume_x432r/indexgba.html 2015-04-19htm {{No$GBAVer}}]|{{✗✓}} ||{{✓N}} ||{{✗~}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗✓}} ||{{~}}

|align=left|{{Icon|Windows, |Linux, |macOS (untested)}}

|{{✗}} ||{{?}} ||{{~}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>|-|[[NooDS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/Hydr8gon/NooDS/releases git]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>|-|[[mGBA#medusa|mGBA/medusa]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://mgba.io/downloads.html#medusa alpha 2]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✓}} || {{~}}<ref name="medusa suspended"/>||{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>

|[[mGBA#medusa|medusaSkyEmu]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows, |Linux|macOS}}|[https://mgbagithub.iocom/skylersaleh/SkyEmu/pull/321 Dev Builds]<br/downloads>[https://github.html alpha 2com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu/releases {{SkyEmuVer}}]|{{✓✗}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗✓}} || {{✗✓}}<ref name="medusa suspended"/>||{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>

|align=left|{{Icon|Windows, |Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/PSI-Rockin/CorgiDS/releases 0.1git]<br />[http://www.emucr.com/search/label/CorgiDS SVN]|{{✗}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗✓}} ||{{✗}}<ref>https://corgids.wordpress.com/2018/02/12/extended-break/</ref> ||{{✗}}

|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}|[https://github.com/rasky/ndsemu Gitgit]|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|-|[[No$|No$GBA]]|Windows, DOS|[http://problemkaputt.de/gba.htm {{No$GBAVer}}]|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ? ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}

|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}

|{{✗}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}

|align=left|{{Icon|Windows, |Linux}}|[https://github.com/Cydrak/dasShiny Gitgit]|{{✗}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}

|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}

|{{✗}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}

|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}

|{{✗}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}

|align=left|{{Icon|Windows, |Linux}}

|{{✓✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} |-|dust|align=left|{{✓Icon|Windows|Linux|Mac|Web}} |[https://github.com/kelpsyberry/dust git]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}

!colspan="10"|[https:Mobile //github.com/Hydr8gon/NooDS NooDS]|Windows, Linux|[https://github.com/Hydr8gon/NooDS Git]|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}ARM

!colspan|<small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/desmume/ DeSmuME_libretro]</small>|align="9"left|{{Icon|Android|iOS}}|[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]|{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{~}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||Console{{✓}}

|[[Virtual ConsoleDraStic]]|Wii Ualign=left|{{Icon|Android|Pandora|Pyra}}|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dsemu.drastic&hl=en_US&gl=US {{DraSticVer}}]<br>[https://pyra-handheld.com/repo/apps/32 0.1 Pyra]|{{✗}} ||{{✓?}} ||{{✗?}} ||[https://pandorawiki.org/DraStic_Compatibility_List 68%<br/><small> 49 out of 73 reported titles (Pandora) </small>]<br />[https://xdaforums.com/t/drastic-ds-updated-to-v2-1-5-1a-xplay-compatibility-list-over-100-games-playable.2396919/ 88%<br/><small> 127 out of 145 reported titles (Android) </small>] ||{{✗~}} ||{{✗✓}} ||{{✓}}

|[[melonDS]]<small> (unofficial)</small><br/><small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/melonds/ melonds_libretro]</small>|Switchalign=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS}}|[https://gbatempgithub.netcom/rafaelvcaetano/downloadmelonDS-android git]<br/>[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.magnum.melonds-for-switch1.9.352013]<br/ 0>[https://buildbot.7libretro.4-2com/nightly/ libretro core]<ref group=N name=melonDSRA></ref>|{{✗✓}} ||{{✓~}} ||{{✗~}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗~}}<small>(WIP)</small>

|[[Delta]]|align=left|{{Icon|iOS}}|[https://githubapps.apple.com/Hydr8gonus/app/delta-game-emulator/NooDS NooDSid1048524688 AppStore]|Switch|<br/>[https://github.com/Hydr8gonrileytestut/NooDS GitDelta git]|{{✗}} ||{{✓?}} ||{{✗?}} ||? ||{{✗✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗~}}

!colspan|[[SkyEmu]]|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS}}|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id="9"com.sky.SkyEmu v3.2] (Play)[https://www.amazon.com/SkyEmu-GBC-GBA-NDS-Emulator/dp/B0CGHK8QP5 v3.2] (Amazon)[https://github.com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu git]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||Mobile{{✗}} <small>(WIP)</small>

|[[DraSticNooDS]]|[[Android emulatorsalign=left|{{Icon|Android]], Pandora,<br />Linux <small>(Raspberry Pi)</small>}}|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dsemuhydra.noods 0.1]<br/>[https://github.drastic {{DraSticVer}}com/Hydr8gon/NooDS/releases git]|{{✗}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓✗}}<small>(WIP)</small>

|[https://inds.nerd.net/ iNDS]<br/><small>(nds4ios -derived)</small><br/><small>(DeSmuME -based)</small>|[[iOS emulatorsalign=left|{{Icon|iOS]]}}|[https://github.com/iNDS-Team/iNDS/releases Gitgit]|{{✗}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✓✗}}

|[[iOS emulatorsalign=left|{{Icon|iOS]]}}

|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|-|[http://jeffq.com/blog/nds4droid/ nds4droid]<br/><small>(DeSmuME-based)</small>|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}|[https://github.com/jquesnelle/nds4droid git]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|-!colspan="10"|Console|-|[[Virtual Console]]|align=left|{{Icon|WiiU}}||{{?}} ||{{?}} ||{{?}} ||<small>[[Wikipedia:Virtual_Console#Titles_3|Only for selected titles]]</small> ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}|-|TWL_FIRM|align=left|{{Icon|3DS}}|N/A|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}|-|<small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/desmume/ DeSmuME_libretro]</small>|align=left|{{Icon|Switch|PS4}}<br/>{{Icon|Vita}}|[https://www.retroarch.com/ 0.9.13]|{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{~}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}|-|[[melonDS]]<br/><small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/melonds/ melonds_libretro]</small>|align=left|{{Icon|Switch|Vita}}<br/>{{Icon|PS2}}|[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]<ref group=N name=melonDSRA></ref><br/>[https://github.com/rsduck/melonDS/releases git]<small> (Switch)</small><br/>[https://github.com/Rinnegatamante/melonDS-Vita git]<small>(Vita Port)</small><br/>[https://github.com/DanielSant0s/melonDS-PS2 git]<small> (PS2 Port)</small><br/>|{{✓}} ||{{~}} ||{{~}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} <small>(WIP)</small>|-|[[NooDS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Switch|Vita|WiiU}}<br/>{{Icon|PSP}}|[https://github.com/Hydr8gon/NooDS git]<small> (Switch/Vita/WiiU)</small><br/>[https://github.com/Xiro28/NooDS_PSP git] <small>(PSP port)</small>|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}} <small>(WIP)</small>|-|[[DeSmuME PSP]]|align=left|{{Icon|PSP}}|[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/590011753849421846/870274164748079104/desmume_psp_4.zip V4][https://github.com/Xiro28/DesmumePSPExperimental Experimental]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||[[DeSmuME PSP|26%<br/><small>16 out of 63 reported titles </small>]] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}

|DsoidDesmumeX|[[Android emulatorsalign=left|{{Icon|Android]]Xbox}}|[httphttps://www.emucr1emulation.com/searchforums/labeltopic/Dsoid?&max35774-desmumex-v087-new-results=12 SVNupdate 0.87]|{{✗}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗~}}

|[http://jeffq.com/blog/nds4droid/ nds4droid[DeSmuME PSP|DSonPSP]]<br/><small>(DeSmuME based)</small>|[[Android emulatorsalign=left|{{Icon|Android]]PSP}}|[https://githubwololo.net/downloads/index.comphp/jquesnelledownload/nds4droid Git1235 0.7]|{{✗}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ? ||? ||{{✗}} <small>(POC)</small> ||{{✗}}

;[[DeSmuMEmelonDS]]: One of the most developed emulators for regular DS games. Unlike DeSmuME , melonDS has had significant improvements since 2018some DSi support. In terms of being user-friendly, though new features are still options in development and melonDS are only available through either nightly/dev builds. It now uses less CPU/GPU resources, and Wi-Fi is also underway. If you're worried about stability, then stick to the latest stable release. Otherwise, the latest dev builds will have more to offersimplified. (See [[Common Problems and Solutions]] for tipsHas similar DS game compatibility as DeSmuME.);[[DraStic]]: A payware, closed-source emulator for [[Android emulators|Android]] devices that Both can run games at a decent speed even on potato phones. It's on par with higher internal resolution (or in some cases better thansharper 3D objects) DeSmuME, and emulating it through BlueStacks on PC may actually be can open ROMs inside a viable and fast alternative aside from a slight input delaycompressed archive (ZIP, RAR, 7Z etc.). Some rumors have spread around that Both can display the developers deliberately put two screens in issues to mess with pirated copiesa variety of ways, though this is considered unsubstantiated. At the very least, you shouldn't expect any support from Exophase and company if you use but melonDS has a pirated copy, though it is available for free on the Raspberry Pi and Odroid via RetroPiehybrid mode.;[[melonDS]]https: Arisotura's goal is to make an emulator that's better optimized and includes features that others lack, either intentionally or not//i.imgur.com/S73Eb4m. jpg (Example)] While the developers of No$GBA had documented the Wi-Fi capabilities first, melonDS is the first and only emulator that's gotten as far as it has , and it has 's been found to work reasonably well with a handful of games. There's also hope that melonDS will implement DSi emulation Switching to OpenGL in the futurecore options may give a performance boost. In May 2023,<ref name="next direction it was confirmed that there are plans for melonDS">http://melondshigh-level emulation of Arm7 on MelonDS.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=47&b=15</ref> and has recently began attempts at booting the DSi's firmware.<ref name="melonDSi">http://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=94</ref> It could surpass DeSmuME when it covers more featuresThe project is codenamed MelonHLE. ;[[No$|No$GBADeSmuME]]: Focuses on speed, and DeSmuME has major compatibility issues had significant improvements since 2018; new features include less CPU/GPU resource usage and glitches as a result. But because it was originally a GBA emulator, the DS's high-resolution 3D features are still very poorly handled. Howeverrendering, it might be an option for a very lowand Wi-end machine but don't expect a lot of games to run perfectly, or at all. A fan program, No$Zoomer, was released for version 2.6 which increases compatibility and options, as well as Fi emulation has been reintroduced in the titular zooming abilitieslatest builds. The biggest addition is noise cancellation which clears up static that No$GBA makes with its 3D renderingv0. No$Zoomer hasn't rebased yet but does add options for window resizing9. There haven't been any noticeable changes with regards to accuracy, however. As of v2.8, No$GBA supports DSi games and 13 from May 2022 is currently the first "Stable" build in over 7 years and only emulator that does. Only use No$GBA in the cases of DSi games, debugging is highly recommended over all previous builds (if you've taken up romhacking for DS gamesthough dev builds are also generally very usable), if you value speed above everything, or just as a last resort.;[[mGBA#medusa|medusaOpenEmu]]: [[mGBA]] developer endrift is also creating uses a DS emulator, but it's very much a work-in-progress and isn't nearly as far as melonDS in terms shallow fork of the capabilities it's coveredv0. As of March 2018, medusa's development is "suspended until further notice"9.<ref name="medusa suspended">https://mgba.io/2018/03/09/holy-grail-bugs-revisited/#postscript-a-several-month-late-explanation</ref>;iDeaS: An abandoned 11 build 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 gamesshould be avoided as well.

;[[DraStic]]:A (currently) 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 unofficial copies, though this is considered unsubstantiated. At the very least, you shouldn't expect any support from Exophase and company if you use a unofficial copy. It is available on the Raspberry Pi and Odroid via RetroPie, and runs relatively well[https://youtu.be/715kg1-hmxA]. As of March 5, 2024, due to yuzu lawsuits mainly focused on the Zelda franchise, the creator made it free and plans on open sourcing the code. ;[[No$|No$GBA]]:Focuses on speed, and has major compatibility issues and glitches as a result. Because it was initially a GBA emulator, the DS' 3D features are still very poorly handled. '''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 it looks like it was abandoned, so it likely never will. In v2.8, No$GBA became the first emulator to support DSi games, which has been their most notable feature. Only use No$GBA for DSi games that don't work on other emulators, debugging (if you've taken up ROM-hacking 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. ;[[BizHawk]]:Uses melonDS 0.9.5 core for nintendo DS and DSi emulation, mGBA or VBA-Next cores for Game Boy Advance emulation ;[[Delta]]:An open-source [[Multi-system_emulators|multi-system emulator]] for iOS with the ability to emulate many consoles and handhelds, including the DS. Since version 1.3, Delta Emulator allows you to emulate Nintendo DS with a DeSmuME or melonDS (0.9.1)[https://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=199] core. You will need to have DS BIOS or DSi BIOS to play DS/DSi games in Delta using the melonDS core. It also allows you to boot into DS/DSi home screen and functions similarly to melonDS. ;[[mGBA#medusa|mGBA/medusa]]:[[mGBA]] developer endrift is also creating a DS emulator, but it's very much a [https://mgba.io/timeline.html#IN+THE+FUTURE 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 Resolutionresolution===;[[melonDS]]: Has added support for an OpenGL renderer and 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 8x 16x native resolution. More features , such as texture filtering , are planned. ;DeSmuME X432R:A fork of DeSmuME, that has many more graphical enhancement enhancements, such as an option to increase internal resolution and use MSAA, the . The devs of DeSmuME have now included an option for increased internal resolution and (see below), making X432R is outdated. See the [[DeSmuME]] page for more details. ;[[DeSmuME ]] <small>([[libretro]])</small>:Also has an the option to increase internal resolution since the [https://github.com/libretro/desmume/commit/5e430dfbc22f9d54c77f291304a38352ee1e5a63 August 8, 2015 /8/15 git commit]. It requires a very high-end CPU to run at a reasonable framerate.

==ConnectivityEnhancements==<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;width:100%"|- style="font-weight:bold;"! colspan=2 | Name! melonDS! DESmuME! Bizhawk! No$GBA! GBE+! SkyEmu! mGBA/medusa|-| rowspan=5 | Graphics| [[Resolution|Resizable Internal Resolution]]| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{N}}| {{?}}||||-| [[Widescreen_hacks#Nintendo_DS|Widescreen hack]]<br/><small>Widescreen is possible thanks to specific codes made by the community for a lot of DS games.</small>| {{Y}}[https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/issues/395 *]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}||||-| [[Texture_packs#Texture_Replacement_.283D.29|Texture packs]]| {{✗}}([https://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments.php?id=182 WIP]) | {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-| Pre-rendering AA<br/><small>(MSAA, SSAA)</small>| {{✗}}| {{Y}} (MSAA)| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| Super-resolution techniques<br/><small>([https://github.com/NVIDIAGameWorks/Streamline/blob/main/docs/ProgrammingGuideDLSS.md DLSS], [https://github.com/intel/xess/?tab=readme-ov-file XeSS] and [[Wikipedia:GPUOpen#FidelityFX_Super_Resolution|FSR 2+]])</small>| colspan=7 | <small>Requires access to the depth buffer and temporal data like motion-vectors so it's quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future.<br/>Besides any GPU that can use DLSS can run these emulator at 4k native with ease anyway.</small>|-| rowspan=3 | Performance| [[Overclocking|Overclock]]| {{~}}[https://melonds.kuribo64.net/board/thread.php?pid=2574#2574 *]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[30/60_FPS_cheat_codes|Internal Framerate Hack]]| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}|-| [https://blurbusters.com/frame-generation-essentials-interpolation-extrapolation-and-reprojection/ Frame generation technologies]<br/><small>([https://store.steampowered.com/app/993090/Lossless_Scaling/ LSFG], [https://github.com/NVIDIAGameWorks/Streamline/blob/main/docs/ProgrammingGuideDLSS_G.md DLSS-G], [https://www.techpowerup.com/316835/extrass-framework-paper-details-intels-take-on-frame-generation ExtraSS] and [https://community.amd.com/t5/gaming/amd-fluid-motion-frames-is-out-now-on-amd-radeon-rx-7000-series/ba-p/634372 AFMF])</small>| colspan=7 | <small>Implementing frame generation technology in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future, however post-processing techniques such as [[Wikipedia:Motion_interpolation|motion interpolation]] is quite possible. [[Input_lag|Input latency]] will be a crucial factor, but its impact likely varies depending on the specific technique employed, it's recommended to use '''after applying the "Internal Framerate Hack"'''.<br/>While '''AFMF''' or '''LSFG''' could be used with melonDS or DESmuME?, please be aware that some visual glitches and artifacts may occur at this time.|-| rowspan=6 | Post-Processing| [[Wikipedia:Category:Anti-aliasing_algorithms|Post-rendering AA]]<br/><small>(FXAA, TXAA and MLAA/SMAA)</small>| {{~}}<ref group=N3>Only possible with software renderer.</ref>| {{N}}<abbr title="Supports MSAA but there is no post-rendering AA technique supported.">*</abbr>| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Wikipedia:Comparison_gallery_of_image_scaling_algorithms|Post-rendering scaling]]<br/><small>(Sharp bilinear, Lanczos and [[Wikipedia:GPUOpen#FidelityFX_Super_Resolution|FSR 1]])</small>| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{?}}|||||-| [[Shaders_and_filters|Filters]]| {{N}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}||||-|[[Shaders_and_filters#AI-powered filters|AI-powered filter compatible]]<br/><small>([https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/gfecnt/nvidia-freestyle-ansel-enhancements-geforce-experience-article/ Freestyle])</small>| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Shader_Presets|Shader Chain]]| {{~}}<ref group=N3 name=lrRA></ref>| {{~}}<ref group=N3 name=lrRA></ref>| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}|-|[[High_dynamic_range#Inverse_tone_mapping|Inverse tone mapping compatible]]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| rowspan=5 | [https://tasvideos.org/Emulatorresources/Features TAS features]| [[Wikipedia:Macro_(computer_science)|Macros/Scripts]]/[https://tasvideos.org/LuaScripting Lua]| [https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/pull/1671 WIP]| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{Y}}||||-| Rewind| {{N}}[https://melonds.kuribo64.net/board/thread.php?pid=5060 *]| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}|-| Fast-Forward/Turbo Speed| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{?}}||||-| Savestates| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{?}}||||-| [https://tasvideos.org/Movies Movie recording/playback]| {{N}}[https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/issues/463 *]| {{Y}}| {{Y}}|||||-| rowspan=2 | Controls| [[Controllers#Mouse_Injectors_for_Emulators|Mouse Injector Compatible]]| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}|-| [[Input_lag|Input lag-mitigating technique]]| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}|-| rowspan=6 | Quality of life| [[Save_disk_space_for_ISOs|Streamable compression format]]| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}||||-| Built-in [[Mods,_hacks_and_fan-translations#Built-in_graphics_mod_editor.2Fmanager_for_emulators|Graphics mod editor/manager]]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-| Built-in [[Cheats_and_patches|Cheat Manager]]| {{Y}}| {{Y}}||||||-| Per-Game Profiles||||||||-| Command Line Options||||||||-| [[Frontends#Graphical_User_Interfaces_.28GUIs.29|Big Picture Mode]]||||||||-| rowspan=5 | Misc| [[Netplay#Other|Netplay]]| {{N}}| {{~}}<ref group=N3 name=lrRA>Only possible with libretro core. [https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/issues/1146 Github Issue page for adding RetroAchievements to the melonDS standalone version]. But DSi RetroAchievement are [https://docs.libretro.com/guides/retroachievements/#nintendo not supported].</ref>| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}|-| [[Virtual_reality#VR_game_room_simulations|EmuVR support]]| colspan=7 | Exclusive to [https://www.emuvr.net/wiki/Installation_Guide#Downloads libretro cores] at the moment.|-| RetroAchievements<br/>[https://retroachievements.org/gameList.php?c=18 DS], [https://retroachievements.org/gameList.php?c=78 DSi]| {{~}}<ref group=N3 name=lrRA></ref>| {{~}}<ref group=N3 name=lrRA></ref>| {{Y}}<ref group=N3 name=RABizHawk>[https://twitter.com/RetroCheevos/status/1647525064667955201?cxt=HHwWgoCw4afUl90tAAAA DSi RetroAchievements exclusive to BizHawk] at the moment.</ref>| {{N}}||||-| Free Look<br/><small>Free Look is a enhancement feature that allows manipulation of the in-game camera.</small>| {{N}}| [https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/9lwy0r/desmume_begins_to_implement_a_freelook_feature/ WIP]| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}|-| [[Wikipedia:Category:Debugging|Debug Features]]| {{N}}[https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/issues/249 *]| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{Y}}||||}</div><references group=N3/>

The ==Hardware features and accessories==<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;width:100%"|- style="font-weight:bold;"| colspan=2 | Name! DeSmuME! melonDS! No$GBA! GBE+! SkyEmu! mGBA/medusa!Bizhawk!TWL-FIRM|-| rowspan=5 | [[#Connectivity|Connectivity]]| [[#GBA/DS connectivity|GBA/DS offers five types of connectivity:]]| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{~}}||||||-| [[#Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection|Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]]| {{~}}| {{✓}}| {{✗}}||||||-* '''| [[#Local wireless communication|Local Wireless Communications''' wireless communication]]| {{✗}}| {{~}}| {{✗}}||||||- ''(Multiple Cartridges)''* '''| [[#DS Download Play|DS Download Play''' ]]| {{✗}}| {{~}}| {{✗}}||||||- ''(Single Cartridge)''| [[#DS/Wii connectivity|DS/Wii connectivity]]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}[https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/issues/1000 * '''Wi]| {{✗}}||||||-| rowspan=4 | Controllers| Guitar Hero pad| {{✓}}| {{✗}}<ref group=N2 name=Slot2MelonDS>If this [https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/pull/719 Pull request] gets merged, we could see Slot 2 peripherals supported on MelonDS.</ref>| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| Piano for Easy Piano| {{✓}}| {{✗}}<ref group=N2 name=Slot2MelonDS></ref>| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| Taito paddle controller| {{✓}}| {{✗}}<ref group=N2 name=Slot2MelonDS></ref>| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| Nintendo Wireless Keyboard| {{~}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| rowspan=5 | Inputs| Rumble pack| {{✓}}| {{✗}}<ref group=N2 name=Slot2MelonDS></ref>| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| Tilt sensor| {{✗}}| {{✗}}<ref group=N2 name=Slot2MelonDS></ref>| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| Pressure-sensitive touchscreen| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| Slide controller| {{✗}}<ref group=N2 name=SlideControllerDeSmuME> There is an open [https://github.com/TASEmulators/desmume/pull/737 pull request] that implements support for this add-Fi Connection''' on.</ref>| {{✗}}<ref group=N2 name=Slot2MelonDS></ref>| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||- ''(Online Multiplayer)''* '''| DScamera| {{✗}}| {{✓}}<ref group=N2>melonDS supports outer and inner cameras in Physical Camera mode and as Image File.</Wii Connectivity'''ref>| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name="nocash-whitenoise">no$gba supports whitenoise for the camera and microphone.</ref>| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✓}}|-| rowspan=2 | Bayer DIDGIT| Communication| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| Emulation| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| rowspan=2 | [https://dmitry.gr/?r=05.Projects&proj=28.%20pokewalker PokéWalker]| Communication| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| Emulation[https://github.com/UnrealPowerz/powar * ''']| {{✗}}| {{✗}}[https://github.com/UnrealPowerz/powar/issues/2 *]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| colspan=2 | [[#Backwards_compatibility_for_Game_Boy_Advance.2FGBA_Mode|Backwards compatibility for Game Boy Advance/GBAMode]]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}[https://melonds.kuribo64.net/board/thread.php?id=1229 *]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| colspan=2 | iQue DS Connectivity'''region lock| {{✓}}| {{~}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| colspan=2 | Ubisoft Thrustmaster| {{TBD}}| {{TBD}}| {{TBD}}| {{Y}}[https://shonumi.github.io/articles/art26.html *]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| colspan=2 | Inrou-Kun pedometer| {{TBD}}| {{TBD}}| {{TBD}}| {{Y}}[https://shonumi.github.io/articles/art26.html *]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| colspan=2 | Sega Card Reader| {{Y}}<ref group=N2 name=CardReaderDeSmuME>Supported in the latest nightly builds, on Windows only.</ref>| {{TBD}}| {{TBD}}| {{Y}}[https://shonumi.github.io/articles/art21.html *]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-| colspan=2 | Magic Reader| {{TBD}}| {{TBD}}| {{TBD}}| {{Y}}[https://shonumi.github.io/articles/art23.html *]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|||-! colspan=10 | DSi exclusive features|-| rowspan=2 | DSi Inputs| Solar Sensor| {{✗}}| {{~}}<ref name=manual group=N2>Only manual configuration. No automatic detection.</ref>| {{~}}<ref name=manual group=N2 />| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{~}}<ref name=manual group=N2 />| {{✗}}|-| Microphone| {{✗}}| class{{✓}}<ref group=N2>melonDS supports microphone in External microphone, Blow noise and WAV file.</ref>| {{~}}<ref group="wikitable" styleN2 name="textnocash-align:center;whitenoise"></ref>| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✓}}

! scope| rowspan="col"3 | [[#DSi Game formats|NameDSi Game formats]]! scope="col"|Operating SystemDSi (senhanced)! scope="col"|Latest Version{{✗}}| {{✓}}| {{~}}| {{✗}}! scope="col"|Local{{✗}}! scope="col"|Download Play{{✗}}! scope="col"|Wi-Fi{{✓}}! scope="col"|GBA/DS{{✓}}

|[[melonDSDSi (exclusive)|melonDS]]{{✗}}|Windows, Linux{{✓}}|{{MelonDSVer✓}}|{{~✗}} |{{✗}}|{{~✗}} ||{{~✓}} ||{{✗✓}}

|[[DeSmuME]]DSi (digital) & DSiWare|Mult-Platform{{✗}}| {{✓}}|{{DeSmuMEVer✓}}|{{✗}} |{{✗}}|{{✗}} ||{{~✓}} ||{{✓}}

|[[No$colspan=2 |No$GBA]]DSi SD Card|Windows, [[Intel CPUs{{✗}}|DOS]]{{✓}}|[http://problemkaputt.de/gba.htm {{No$GBAVer✓}}]|{{✗}} |{{✗}}|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗✓}}

The major challenge with emulating multiplayer functionalities is timing inaccuraciesSo far, no emulator has been able to emulate this feature, which nor have made many projects, such as DeSmuME, not want attempted to implement them. So far, the only emulator If this were ever going to actually made any progress is melonDSbe emulated, but even that is still under developmentit would require work on both ends.

===Local Wireless Communication=GBA/DS connectivity====Players who have Inserting a copy GBA cartridge in the Slot-2 of the same Nintendo DS while a game is running can link together using the unlock various gameplay features for [https://nintendo.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_DS_games_with_GBA_connectivity several DS's wireless signals, given that the game offers this featuregames].

melonDS It's unknown if No$GBA supports wireless communication with several gamesthis, including ''New Super Mario Brosbut it can be done in DeSmuME by going to Config > Slot 2 (GBA Slot) and selecting GBA Cartridge.'' Select the GBA ROM file, and ''Pokemon'', but you make sure its <code>.sav</code> file is in the same folder. You may need to have multiple instances opened which can slow down performancereset the game for it to take effect. As of version 0.9, [https://melonds.kuribo64.net/comments. No$php?id=110 melonDS supports GBA connectivity] and even added support for the solar sensor on GBA can emulate it but Boktai cartridges used in Boktai DS (Lunar Knight), something DeSmuME has yet to support. Either drag and drop the connection fails somewhere during establishing GBA ROM onto the actual connection (despite program before starting or open the names from file before loading the other DS showing just fine)NDS file.

===DS Download PlayBackwards compatibility for Game Boy Advance/GBA Mode===Players who both have a The Nintendo DS but only one copy of a game can use the "Download Play" button on the start menu to play together is backward compatible with one player using the actually game, while the other plays using a "downloaded" version of itGame Boy Advance (GBA) cartridges. Normally they are simple mini-games Should not be confused with [[Game_Boy_Advance_emulators|Game Boy Advance emulation]] or stripped down versions [[#Connectivity|GBA/DS connectivity]]. None of the main game, but some games like ''Mario Party DS'' requires Download Play in order to use its multiplayer. This was also used by some retailers in which a kiosk would contained several DS systems containing a special cartridges that would offer demos via Download Playemulators supports this feature currently.

Download Play isn===Accessories===:''[[Wikipedia:List_of_Nintendo_DS_accessories|Wikipedia - List of Nintendo DS accessories]]''t supported ;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 any emulator so farDeSmuME (Slot 2).;Taito paddle controller: Compatible with Arkanoid, Space Invaders Extreme, Space Invaders Extreme 2, though NDSand Space Bust-a-Move. Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2).;Tilt sensor: Used in "Tony Hawk's Motion/Hue's Pixel Painter." No emulators support this add-on yet. (Slot 2);Pressure-sensitive touchscreen: Used in "Harvest Moon DS", "Colors!", "Metroid Prime: Hunters", "Okamiden" and "Rhythm Heaven". No emulators support this feature yet (can work with analog triggers or DualShock 2/3 pressure-sensitive face buttons).;Rumble pack: Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2). Requires compatible Joystick.;Slide controller: Required by "Slide Adventure Mag Kid". No emulators support this add-bootstrap homebrew on at the moment. There is an [https://github.com/TASEmulators/desmume/pull/737 open PR] for DeSmuME that implements this add-on.;Nintendo 3DS Wireless Keyboard: Bundled with "Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure" (JP/EU/AU). The game refuses to boot without a keyboard, but it can boot 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, you'll 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* this game. 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 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 all.;Bayer DIDGIT: A glucose meter for diabetic children with a game called ''Knock 'Em Downs: World's Fair'' that rewards themfor checking their blood sugar levels regularly. MelonDS fails during The game has been dumped, but no support for the download process though some actually go glucose meter peripheral exists as far as bootingof the time of this writing; it may, however, be possible to add reward points through Action Replay codes, but never not to mention that the actual "game"will still function without the glucose meter attachment anyway (albeit with reduced functionality, of course).

===Nintendo Wi-Fi ConnectioniQue DS region lock=== iQue is Nintendo's online service Chinese subsidiary (previously a partnership between them and Wei Yen until 2013), so when they released the DS with a few localized games, their ROMs had special flags set in them to check if the hardware that ran the cartridge was available iQue's or Nintendo's as a sort of region lock. Nintendo's own hardware would fail this check, throwing an "Only for the Wii and iQue DS and was free to use" error in white text on a black background. It was shutdown on May 20No other DS games have this mechanism, 2014 due to not even for Korean releases. This region lock is bypassed by the company GameSpy, who were the ones managing 3DS for these serversDS games, shutdown its multiplayer services after being bought outeven though 3DS games have their own region lock. A popular game that used this feature was ''Mario Kart DS'It's weird.

There was a third-party Emulators differ in their behavior to this region lock. No$GBA crashes, while DeSmuME forks that successfully emulated WFC but has quite a bit of requirement (Ethernet cable, though this can be circumvented with external software)load them. After service shutdownHowever, there was a version compatible with the fan servers (restoring all DLC data but sadly most multiplayer games had their content lost forever). for melonDS is one of the only emulators to offer wi-fi capabilities. <!--can melonDS connect to any fan servers?--> It's still , you need a work-in-progress[[Emulator Files|Firmware Dump]] from an iQue DS, otherwise, but it works relatively wellwill replicate the region lock.

===DS/Wii Connectivity===Uses the wireless communication on the DS to connect to the Wii. The idea is parallel to the GBA Link Cable for only way the GameCube, ROM will accept other hardware (and just like the Link Cable, only thus emulators) is with a hack involving a handful of games actually have this featuresimple byte change. Some notable examples are ''Pokemon Battle Revolution'' in which players could transfer their Pokemon Use a hex editor to change the game and use the DS as a controller, ''Animal Crossing: City Folk'' in which data could be transferred between the DS version ''Animal Crossing: Wild World'', and the ''Nintendo Channel'' on the Wii where players could download demos of DS games byte located at <code>0x1D</code> from value <code>80</code> to their console using Download Play<code>00</code>.

So far===Other issues===Certain games, no 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. [[DraStic]] was the first emulator has been able to emulate this feature, nor have attempted torun the two games properly, and considering while DeSmuME r5043 had an initial fix that worked around the glitch, it was removed in later revisions as it broke compatibility with ''Pokémon SoulSilver'', among others; this has since been patched on r5531 once the GBAtrue nature of the [https:/GCN connectivity on Dolphin has yet /sourceforge.net/p/desmume/bugs/1134/ bug] was better understood. The fix would be later incorporated into other emulators. ''Ultimate Mortal Kombat'' suffers from flickering and slowdown due to fully functionsthe way it loads sprites, hints that this feature wonthough it isn't be emulated for a whileas serious in DraStic. If this was ever going ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Jedi Alliance'' is an even more egregious example, crashing due to be timing differences between actual hardware and an emulated, it would require work on both partiessystem.

=Nintendo DSi={{Infobox console|title =GBA/DS ConnectivityNintendo DSi|logo =DSiBlack.png|developer =[[:Nintendo]]|type =[[:Category:Handheld consoles|Handheld game console]]Inserting GBA cartridges in Slot|generation = [[:Category:Seventh-2 of the Nintendo DS while a generation video game is running can unlock various gameplay features in consoles|Seventh generation]]|release = 2009|discontinued = 2014|predecessor=[https://nintendo.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_DS_games_with_GBA_connectivity some DS games[Game Boy Advance emulators|Game Boy Advance]]. It's unknown if NO$GBA supports this, but it can be done in DeSmuME by going to Config > Slot 2 (GBA Slot) and selecting GBA Cartridge. Select the GBA ROM file, and make sure its <code>.sav</code> file is in the same folder. You may need to reset the game for it to take effect. However, DeSmuME does not support features like the solar sensor from GBA Boktai cartridges used in Boktai [[Nintendo DS emulators|DS (Lunar Knight).]]|successor=[[Nintendo 3DS emulators|3DS family]]|emulated = {{✓}}}}

==DSi==Nintendo released the DSi Released on April 5, 2009, doing away with Slot-2 (used by GBA cartridges and Guitar Hero games) but also adding the '''[[wikipedia:Nintendo DSi|Nintendo DSi]]''' added new lighting effects, a cameraan inner and outer 0.3 megapixel digital cameras, more 16MB of RAM (compared to the previous 4MB of RAM), a faster ARM9 CPU clocked at 133 MHz, and offered downloadable titles called "DSiWare though those were capped ". It cost {{Inflation|USD|169.99|2009}} at launch and later dropped to 16MB because they were installed to the very small internal NAND memory{{Inflation|USD|149.99|2010}}. DSiWare releases were also The system, however, was region -locked, and the system language meaning that DSi exclusives from different regions couldn't be changedused. The Nintendo 3DS is It also compatible did away with those games backwards-compatiblity by removing Slot-2 which was used to load GBA cartridges and offers a way to back them up to an SD cardcertain accessories (such as the Rumble Pak).

===Game Formats===There are three types DSi emulation has been pretty neglected due to its small library of exclusive games using and lack of DSi hardware enhancements:-enhanced titles that provide anything major besides camera support. The only thing really notable is DSiWare, which saw several exclusive releases.

;No$GBA added support for DSi-enhanced retail cartridges: Regular DS retail cartridges compatible games of all three formats starting with the older DS modelsversion 2.8, but unlocking more RAM and features when used on the DSi, similar to although some late GBC games on the GBA. A couple of dozen games from Japan won't boot and US/EUR relied on this methodothers have graphical glitches. Those games will still boot on DS emulators but without the You'll need to enable "16MB DSi enhancements.;DSi-exclusive /retail cartridges: Retail cartridges relying heavily on " under the DSi hardware featuressettings in order to use it. A boot-up error screen will show when attempting Compatibility is very iffy due to load those on regular No$GBA's already poor DS models (emulation, and by extension, emulators for those). Only five games were released this way, either launch games or because they were too big to fit in 16MB.;DSiWare: Downloadable titles downloaded only through the DSi eShop (discontinued), or the Nintendo 3DS eShop (though it uses camera is just spoofed as a different file packaging format). They have a 16MB size limitation static image and there are lots of interesting exclusives for will cause the system released emulator to crash whenever used, meaning games that wayuses it may boot, but won't be very playable.

All three formats can DSi used an encryption system for the game dumps that went on to be converted to *enhanced and used for the 3DS.nds format. Compared to regular DS gamesThis encryption is checked at start-up, DSi games had hence why some additional header information that wasnNintendo DS emulators don't even correctly dumped in the earlier broken manage to boot DSiWare dumps. The 2017 set has updated many of those, though itIt's still severely lacking very unlikely DSi-mode emulation is ever going to be implemented in DSiWare exclusives. DSiWare dumps exist DeSmuME in both NDS format or CIA format (for the ones who want particular due to various creative differences unique to boot it on their 3DS)that project.

On As of version 0.9, melonDS has DSi emulation. It can connect to the old DS internet and can play games with WFC online using libslirp or DS Lite models, as well as libpcap. It could become the most Nintendo DS emulators, usable option for DSi emulation in the first type will load in regular DS mode without any DSi enhancements, near future. Most of it is being done using the second will show an error message, and documentation that the third will crash No$GBA dev has already compiled on boot-up due to missing encryption abilities and DSi hardware supportthe subject<ref>http://melonds.kuribo64.net/board/thread.php?id=13</ref> ([https://problemkaputt.de/gbatek.htm GBATEK]).

On the ==DSi/3DS family Game formats==There are three types of handhelds, the first two formats can be played on some select DSi-compatible flashcarts like the (discontinued and now expensive) CycloDS iEvolution flashcard (which won't work on a stock 3DS not with custom firmware to whitelist it). As for games that uses the third type, it's available for digital purchase at their respective stores (DSi Shop for DSi, eShop for the 3DS) and installed as apps to the limited TWL NAND. In the 3DS' case, they can also be installed as custom titles in .cia format (like all 3DS applications, but here it's also a container for a <code>.nds</code> rom in this case, and converting back and forth is possible).hardware enhancements:

===Emulation==={| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"|DSi-! scope="col"|Name! scope="col"|Operating System(s)! scope="col"|Latest Version! scope="col"|DSi (enhanced)! scope="col"|retail cartridges: A regular game cartridge that is compatible with the older NDS models, but unlocks more RAM and features when used on the DSi (exclusivecommonly it's just camera support, but may provide better performance with the extra RAM)! scope="col"|DSi (digital)! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]|-|[[No$|No$GBA]]|Windows, [[Intel CPUs|DOS]]|. Only a [http://problemkaputtwww.rfgeneration.decom/blogs/gbapdrydia/DSi-enhanced-titles-an-incomplete-list-1969.htm 2php couple of games] had this feature and is similar to how some late Game Boy Color games (mainly the ones made by Capcom or WayForward in the early 2000s) would offer additional feature if played on the Game Boy Advance. These games will still boot on any NDS emulators, but will be detected as if it was on the original DS and will not load any DSi enhancements. DSi-enhanced games will also have an animated icon when displayed in the boot menu of the DSi and the titleID on the cartridge will say '''TWL''' instead of '''NTR'''.9b]|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}|;DSi-|[[melonDS|melonDS]]|Windowsexclusive retail cartridges: Retail cartridges that relies on the DSi hardware features. An error screen will show when attempting to load one of these games on a regular DS console(and by extension, Linux|alpha|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{~}} <small>(emulators also). These cartridges where white instead of gray and only [httphttps://melondsen.kuribo64wikipedia.netorg/commentswiki/Nintendo_DSi#Software_library five games] were physically released this way, either as launch titles or because they were too big to be sold as DSiWare (see below).php?id=94 WIP] ;DSiWare: Downloadable titles only available through the DSi Shop (discontinued as of March 31, 2017)</. They have a 16MB size limitation due to the small>|}size of the internal NAND and a lot of interesting exclusives for the system were released as DSiWare. The Nintendo 3DS eShop also had some DSiWare for purchase (which used to be the only ''legal'' way of obtaining them), though it uses a different file packaging format than the DSi. The 3DS itself is also capable of running other DSiWare since the firmware used for backwards-compatibility is the same as the DSi.

No$GBA added support for DSi games of all All three formats starting with version 2can be converted to <code>.nds</code> format.8Compared to regular DS games, although DSi games have some games wonadditional header information that wasn't boot and others even correctly dumped in most early sets. Recent sets have graphical glitches. You'll need since updated to enable "16MB DSi/retail" under the settingscorrect format. Emulation is very iffy due to a so-so DS emulation foundation DSiWare dumps can exist in No$GBA, both <code>.nds</code> format and the camera is just spoofed as <code>.cia</code> format (for installation on a static image but just causes an emulator crash whenever used, meaning games that use it may boot but it won't be very playablehomebrewed 3DS).

Even though it's possible to convert these titles to <code>.nds</code>, when attempting to run these games on a normal emulator it will either show an error message (when attempting to run a DSi used an encryption system for the game dumps that went -exclusive title), or will crash on to be enhanced and used for the 3DS. This encryption is checked at startboot-up, hence why Nintendo DS emulators don't even manage (when attempting to boot run DSiWare dumps) due to missing encryption abilities and lack of DSi hardware support. It's very unlikely DSi-mode emulation is ever going to be implemented in DeSmuME in particular due to various ''creative differences'' unique to that projectenhanced games will run as if it was on a regular DS model.

melonDS recently started attempts On the DSi/3DS family of handhelds, the first two formats can be played on some select DSi-compatible flashcarts like the discontinued and expensive CycloDS iEvolution flashcart(which won't work on a stock 3DS unless you install custom firmware to whitelist it). As for the third type, some are only available for digital purchase at DSi emulation the 3DS eShop and has been able are installed as apps to boot its the limited TWL NAND. Users with custom firmwarecan also convert DSiWare to an installable <refcode>http://melonds.kuribo64.netcia</commentscode> and even dump already installed ones back to <code>.php?id=94nds</refcode>. It's being worked on off an experimental branch Since both the DSi Shop and requires a lot 3DS eShop have closed, the only way of files to be dumped from obtaining DSiWare on the original system is by [[Modding Consoles/Flashcarts#Nintendo_DSi|homebrewing]] your DSi in order to workand launching the <code>. Most of it is being done using the documentation that the No$GBA devs have already compiled on the subjectnds</code> ROM through Unlaunch or [[TWiLight Menu++]].

DSi emulation requires a copy of the lower 32K-halves of the ARM7/ARM9 BIOSes BIOS files (<code>BIOSDSI7.ROM </code> and <code>BIOSDSI9.ROM</code>), which are different from the regular DS BIOS files and needed for the decryption. All melonDS also requires these files along with the needed files are bios7iregular DS BIOS and the DSi's firmware.bin. These unicorns can be found [[Emulator_Files#Nintendo_DS_.2F_DSi|here]]. It's also advised (but still completely '''optional''') to use a NAND dump for No$GBA to increase compatibility, bios9ihowever a NAND dump is required in order to use melonDS.bin ===No$GBA===For now, BIOSDSI7NO$GBA is the most mature DS emulation project that supports the Nintendo DSi. Using the latest debugger version of NO$GBA is recommended. ;Game Loading Methods:;Simple .nds Loading:Requirements: These [https://archive.org/details/DSiFirmwareFiles files] with the NO$GBA version overwritten with the latest version.ROM :DSiWare ROMs preserved online in romsets currently use the nds format, BIOSDSI9similar to regular Nintendo DS ROMs.If you change Emulation Settings > NDS Mode/Colors > DSi (retail/16MB), you can simply drag and drop all three types of DSi content on the emulator (or open the ROM), BIOSNDS7and it will run in DSi Mode.ROM :However, it's recommended for retail cartridges to be loaded that way with the option "Emulation Settings > Reset/Startup Entry Point" set to "GBA/NDS BIOS". This loading method isn't recommended for DSiWare games because of some bugs introduced and BIOSNDS9the lack of ability to save altogether.ROMHowever if you insist, do set that option "Reset/Startup Entry Point" to "Start Cartridge Directly" at your own risk for any unpleasant aspects of the experience. These unicorns can be found  :;NAND Loading:Requirements are the same as [httphttps://archive.org/details/DSiFirmwareFiles hereabove]. If you have a real DSi unit, you can dump its NAND and use it instead of the included DSi-1.mmc file, so that you play that different game selection. :This option is more authentic to how real hardware works. It has much less bugs and a higher compatibility than the Simple nds loading method. DSiWare games were limited to a 128MB internal NAND memory or 40 games in the DSi Home Menu, whichever limitation comes first. The NAND is represented by the file "DSi-1.mmc" and hosts installed games (that will appear in the DSi Home Menu) and properly working game saves. While the DSi supported SD cards, it did NOT allow for game software to be booted from there. :Make sure to use "Emulation Settings > Reset/Startup Entry Point" at all times. The DSiWare titles that can be booted through this method will appear in the DSi Home Menu as separate slots than the "inserted game cartridge" icon. :Using Unlauncher, a homebrew exploit, games can be added to the NAND. However, this is an advanced technique, and generally heavily discouraged. Users of this software on real hardware were compelled to use custom firmwares that allowed for using game software from the SD card (normally impossible). This means that to take advantage of this method as an emulation user, you will be stuck with the pre-installed games on the commonly shared BIOS files online.

It's also advised (but still completely '''optional''') to use a NAND dump :;SD Card Loading:The most recommended method, as well to increase compatibility (though adding games is more complex, and a softper [http://hg101.proboards.com/thread/14716/emulate-modding solution to dump it is still being worked on). Rename it to "DSidsi-1dsiware these] [https://www.mmc" (should be about 250MB)ngemu. Change "Resetcom/Startup Entrypoint to "GBAthreads/NDS BIOS" to now boot no-gba-3-0-dsiware-compatibility-list-using-the emulator and games in DSi mode-nand.206911/ tutorials]. Hex editing required to "install" new DSiWare titles, though loading retail games in DSi mode This method loads the game from the menu is still possible easily. This fixes lots SD card instead of glitches the NAND, and crashes related allows for an easier time adding new games to languages and use of the internal DSi fontemulator.

==Special Hardware==;Guitar Hero Pad: Used Requirements include these files to be placed in the "Guitar Hero: On Tour" series (required) and Band Hero DSsame directory as NO$GBA. 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 emulators support this add-on yet. (Slot 2);Rumble Pack: Supported by DeSmuME (Slot 2). Requires Not 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 iDeaS (recommended version was 1.0.2.9.) 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 keyboardprevious methods, 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 so to taps of the virtual Touch Screen. However, 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. 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 folder with the Japan-only Face Training (a European localization for Christmas 2007 was canceled, 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 all.;Bayer DIDGIT: A glucose meter for children with a game entitled ''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)fresh setup.

===iQue DS Region Lock===:* [https://mega.nz/#!aJAyUQIb!OIOOrA_PMeTizDxnmf-5y5fekLxxZkRZfWGKEvV_Tx0 BIOS Files]: Required for DSi emulation.iQue is Nintendo's Chinese subsidiary :* [https://mega.nz/#!qBY0DAJa!18nfxczgF-JxqyFxSogfej7G23vYSjJnQCIh_tdXUq0 Modified NAND]: Includes Unlauncher (previously a partnership between them Hold A to boot it, but not needed) and Wei Yen until 2013), so when they released the DS with [[TWiLight Menu++]]:* [https://mega.nz/#!vERGXCwY!GSmvL2PODesi0Vmu-atKPXxxz1UyucHZyH9bXghM0a0 2GB SD Card]: Filename is DSi-1.SD:* A tool to mount a few localized gamesvirtual SD drive, their ROMs had special flags set in them to check if the hardware that ran the cartridge was iQue's or Nintendo's such as a sort of region lock[https://www.osforensics.com/tools/mount-disk-images.html OSFMount]. To be used (Open DSi-1. Nintendo's own hardware would fail this check, throwing an SD > "Only for iQue DSMount" error in white text on a black background) with the 2GB SD Card to add new . No other DS games have this mechanism; not even for Korean releasesnds files to it. This region lock is bypassed by Remember to disable "Read-Only" and to Dismount before using the 3DS for these DS games, even though 3DS games have their own region lock. It's weirdemulator again.

Emulators differ in their behavior to :Some issues are still present with this region lockmethod. No$GBA crashes. DeSmuME is accurate Refer to non-iQue hardware and will replicate the failurenext section for tips on how to deal with some of them.

===melonDS===The only way latest dev builds of melonDS can also boot the ROM will accept other hardware (DSi Menu and thus emulators) is with a hackload most DSiWare.To boot up the DSi Menu, involving a simple byte changeyou need specific files which can all be found [[Emulator_Files#Nintendo_DS_. Use a hex editor to change 2F_DSi|here]].==Known Issues=====No$GBA===Aside from general emulation problems inherited from the byte located at <code>0x1D</code> from value <code>80</code> to <code>00</code>.older DS emulation project, there are the following issues:

===Other issues===* ''Microphone doesn't work.'' (DSiWare + any method) No known fix.Certain games, such as American Girl titles * ''Camera doesn't work.'' (eDSiWare + any method) Unimplemented.gNo known fix. * ''Wifi doesn'Julie Finds a Wayt work.'' and Unimplemented.* ''Kit Mystery ChallengeTouch Screen issues related to Screen Calibration'') suffer from severe flickering issues which keep those games from being playable on most emulators. (DSiWare + [[DraSticTWiLight Menu++]] was or simple nds loading) The fix is to load the original DSi Home Menu first (holding B when resetting the emulator able or loading it), then reset to run TWiLight Menu++ (not holding any buttons) before loading the two games properly, and while DeSmuME r5043 had an initial fix that worked around the glitch, it was removed in later revisions as it broke compatibility with desired game.* ''Can'Pokemon SoulSilvert Save'' among others; this has since been patched on r5531 once the true nature of the (DSiWare + simple nds loading) This method is hardware inaccurate to begin with. For best results, switch to [[https://sourceforgeTWiLight Menu++]] or Original NAND methods.net/p/desmume/bugs/1134/ bug] was better understood===melonDS===melonDS has poor DSP support. The fix would DSiWare has to be later incorporated in other emulators. ''Ultimate Mortal Kombat'' suffers launched from flickering and slowdown due to the way it loads sprites, though NAND as it isn't cannot boot them 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 systemnds.

==References==

[[Category:Consoles|!DS]][[Category:Handheld consoles|!DS]][[Category:Nintendo consoles|!DS]][[Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles|!DS]]