Nintendo DS emulators

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Revision as of 06:50, 13 January 2014 by SonofUgly (talk | contribs) (Emulators)
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The Nintendo DS handheld console

The Nintendo DS is a handheld console produced by Nintendo in 2004/2005. The main selling point was the use of dual screens for gameplay, with one being a touchscreen. It is the only console to have overtaken the PS2 in lifetime sales, as a result of attracting a large amount of casual players into the gaming community.

Emulators

PC
Name Operating System(s) Latest Version GBA NDS Recommended
DeSmuME Windows, Linux, OS X SVN
No$GBA Windows, MS-DOS 2.7a
iDeaS Windows, Linux

1.0.4.0

Ensata Windows 1.4d
dasShiny Windows, Linux Git
DuoS Windows 8/25/2012 Beta
Mobile
Name Operating System(s) Latest Version GBA NDS Recommended
nds4droid Android SVN
DraStic Android r2.1.6.2a
Dsoid Android SVN
nds4ios iOS SVN

Comparisons

Currently, the two best emulators are Desmume and no$gba but depending on just how good or bad your pc is you'll need to know more.

DeSmuME is very good, and very well developed but works best with higher end computers. This emulator aims for accuracy over speed but you can tinker with the vast amount of setting to get some extra FPS (see Common Problems and Solutions for tips). If you're still having a hard time running anything without the output playing like syrup try no$gba.

No$GBA focuses on speed, and has major compatibility issues and glitches. As this was first a GBA emulator, the 3D added by the DS is still very poorly handled. However, it might be an option for a very low end machine but don't expect a lot of games to run perfectly, or at all. A fan program, no$zoomer, was released for version 2.6 which increases compatibility and more setting, as well as the titular zooming option. the biggest boost is noise cancellation which will clear up the static no$gba makes with 3d rendering. Version 2.7a isn't compatible with no$zoomer yet but does add resizing windows options but any increase of emulating skills is not noticeable. By default, we recommend Desmume regardless of your pc power. It is very active, with wip versions released frequently, and is overall better. Only use no$gba as a last resort, if your pc just can't do ds, you'll want to just go buy a DS as a new PC would cost a lot more.

Just remember: like all post-16bit emulators, DeSmuMe isn't perfect. Expect nothing more than 60% at all times.