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dasShiny
What it is
dasShiny is a free Nintendo DS emulator for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its maker describes the project as highly experimental and targets users familiar with cartridge folders and recent BSNES versions. The interface looks for a gamefolder.nds/manifest.xml file; with a blank manifest, it searches for a ROM at gamefolder.nds/rom, up to 1 GB. Setup requires ARM7 and ARM9 BIOS files plus firmware, and the maker advises backing up rewritable firmware. Listed software known to run includes Super Mario 64, Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing: Wild World, and several DS demos. Pokémon Diamond/Pearl reportedly saves but crashes at the load menu. Homebrew ROMs are supported, but DLDI support for FAT access is absent. For Windows, XAudio2 is recommended over DirectSound. The code uses GNU GPL version 3 or a later version.
For and against
For
- Free on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Loads listed commercial games and DS demos
- Supports homebrew ROMs up to 1 GB
- Windows XAudio2 option is recommended
- GNU GPL version 3 or later
Against
- Highly experimental project
- Requires ARM7 and ARM9 BIOS files
- DLDI FAT access is not implemented
- Pokémon Diamond/Pearl crashes at load menu
The verdict
dasShiny provides a free, experimental way to run selected Nintendo DS software across three desktop platforms. Its unusual folder setup, required firmware, missing DLDI support, and known game crash make it better suited to technically comfortable users.
Who it suits
It suits experienced emulator users who understand cartridge-folder layouts, BIOS files, firmware, and BSNES. It is also aimed at people willing to work with experimental software.
On the record
- Cartridge files
- A blank manifest makes the emulator look for gamefolder.nds/rom, which can be up to 1 GB.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The maker lists Mario Kart DS and Animal Crossing: Wild World among games known to run.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility examples
- The maker lists Super Mario 64, Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing: Wild World, and several DS demos among software known to run.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Game setup
- The GUI looks for a gamefolder.nds/manifest.xml file.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Homebrew limitation
- The maker says DLDI is not implemented, so software requiring FAT access should not be expected to work.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Homebrew support
- The emulator can load a ROM from a gamefolder.nds/rom path, up to 1 GB, but has no DLDI support for FAT access.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The release is aimed at people familiar with cartridge folders and recent versions of BSNES.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Interface
- The GUI is described as little more than a standard ethos build and looks for gamefolder.nds/manifest.xml.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Known game issue
- The maker warns that Pokémon Diamond/Pearl saves but crashes at the load menu.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Known issue
- The maker warns that Pokémon Diamond/Pearl saves but crashes at the load menu.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository includes GPLv3 and license files.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Performance
- The maker says a high-end Core 2, i5, or i7 is pretty much mandatory for 3D at the time described.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- dasShiny is a Nintendo DS emulator.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Project status
- The maker describes the emulator as highly experimental.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Required files
- Getting started requires ARM7 and ARM9 BIOS files and firmware.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Setup
- Setup requires ARM7 BIOS, ARM9 BIOS, and firmware files, with the maker advising users to back up the rewritable firmware.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Windows audio
- For Windows, the maker recommends XAudio2 over DirectSound and reports higher frame rates under load with XAudio2.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
