- Home
- Nintendo DS Emulators
- DSperate
DSperate
What it is
DSperate is a free, public-source Nintendo DS and DSi emulator for Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf. It is designed around ARM handhelds, including the Anbernic RG DS with an RK3566 processor, and aims to reimplement DraStic-level performance through clean-room work. The emulator supports ARM946E-S and ARM7TDMI interpreters plus ARM-to-AArch64 and ARM-to-ARMv7 recompilers. Graphics include complete 2D engines, a software 3D rasteriser, and optional Vulkan 3D rendering. Experimental DSi features include DSiWare, NAND boot, an SD card folder, microphone, Wi-Fi, PictoChat, and Download Play. Local wireless multiplayer works over a LAN using melonDS’s protocol, while internet access uses a user-mode TCP/IP stack. Ten save-state slots and a hidden automatic slot are provided. Keyboard and controller remapping, stylus input, cheats, and multiple screen layouts are supported. Games can run with built-in FreeBIOS and generated firmware; user dumps enable firmware boot and exact timing. It loads .nds files and .zip files containing an .nds. The latest listed release is DSperate v2.1.1.
For and against
For
- Supports DS and experimental DSi features
- Offers interpreted and recompiled ARM CPU paths
- Includes software and optional Vulkan 3D rendering
- Provides local wireless multiplayer over LAN
- Includes ten save-state slots and cheats
Against
- Linux AArch64 and ARMhf releases are listed
- DSi DSP is not emulated
- DSi-enhanced cartridges run as DS games in DSi mode
- zip64, 7z, and rar files are unsupported
The verdict
DSperate provides a broad DS feature set with experimental DSi support, ARM-focused performance work, save states, controls, and networking. Its Linux-only release targets and specific DSi and archive limitations should guide setup decisions.
Who it suits
DSperate suits Linux users on AArch64 or ARMhf devices who want Nintendo DS or experimental DSi emulation. It is especially relevant to ARM handheld owners and users needing configurable controls or screen layouts.
On the record
- Achievements
- RetroAchievements support is available in Casual mode; Hardcore mode is not supported.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Architecture
- It reimplements DraStic techniques through clean-room work and includes no DraStic code.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- BIOS requirement
- Games can run without BIOS or firmware dumps using built-in FreeBIOS and generated firmware; the project does not include real dumps.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Build requirements
- The playable frontend requires CMake 3.16 or later, Ninja, a C++17 compiler, and SDL2.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- CPU emulation
- It supports ARM946E-S and ARM7TDMI interpreters and ARM-to-AArch64 and ARM-to-ARMv7 recompilers.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- DSi limitation
- The DSi DSP is not emulated, and DSi-enhanced cartridges run as DS games in DSi mode.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- DSi support
- Experimental DSi support includes DSiWare, NAND boot, SD card folder backing, microphone, DSi Wi-Fi, PictoChat, and Download Play.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Emulation
- It supports interpreted and recompiled ARM CPUs, DS graphics and sound, save states, cheats, and configurable screen layouts.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Graphics
- It includes complete 2D engines, a software 3D rasteriser, and optional Vulkan GPU 3D rendering.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Input
- Keyboard and controller remapping, controller hotkeys, stylus input, and touch or mouse input on the bottom screen are supported.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- License
- DSperate is licensed under GPLv3.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- License and source
- The project is public source code under GPLv3 and describes itself as a clean-room reimplementation with no DraStic code in the repository.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Product
- DSperate is a Nintendo DS and DSi emulator that aims to reimplement DraStic-level performance with modern features.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- DSperate is a Nintendo DS and DSi emulator designed to reimplement DraStic-level performance with modern features.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Release
- The latest listed release is DSperate v2.1.1, described as including a Wayland display fix, enhanced 3D anti-aliasing, and a rasteriser correction.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Release platforms
- The release page lists linux-aarch64 and linux-armhf tarballs, with static variants also available.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- ROM formats
- It loads NDS games and ZIP archives containing supported game files; ZIP64, 7z, and RAR archives are unsupported.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Save states
- It provides ten save-state slots plus a hidden automatic slot, and DSi states also carry NAND and SD card changes.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
