LunaDS

LunaDS emulates Nintendo DS, DSi, and 3DS systems on iOS, with support for their native menu systems. The maker says it is optimized for Apple hardware. It can automatically reopen a game where you left off, and the maker says 3DS games can be saved and loaded instantly. The App Store listing also describes local multiplayer for DS and DSi and says the app works fully offline. Custom skins made for Delta and Manic are supported.

LunaDS has a free plan with no paywall. Optional in-app purchases are a LunaDS Supporter Unlock for $2 once and a Donation for $2 once. It does not provide games or system files; users must supply their own legally obtained backups and BIOS files. The App Store listing requires iOS 17.6 or later on iPhone and iPadOS 17.6 or later on iPad. The maker links to an App Store download; its website says a JIT IPA will be available soon.

LunaDS offers a free way to emulate DS, DSi, and 3DS systems on iOS, with offline play and automatic resume. Check the device requirements and make sure you can provide the required files before choosing it.

LunaDS may suit iOS users who want to emulate DS, DSi, or 3DS systems and can provide their own legally obtained backups and BIOS files. Its offline use, DS and DSi local multiplayer, and custom skins may also appeal to those users.

LunaDS is a Nintendo DS, DSi, and 3DS emulator for Apple devices. It suits players who want those systems in one offline app and can provide their own game backups and BIOS files. Its automatic resume and native system menus make a focused feature set, though the recent iOS requirements narrow its reach.

Overview

LunaDS combines emulation for three Nintendo handhelds and supports each system’s native menus. The maker says it is optimized for Apple hardware, but that claim does not remove the need to check device compatibility: iPhone and iPad require iOS 17.6 or later, while iPad requires iPadOS 17.6 or later. The app does not include games or system files, so it is not a ready-to-play library; users must supply their own legally obtained backups and BIOS files.

Key features

• DS, DSi, and 3DS menus: Support for all three native menu systems gives players a way to use one app across the handheld range.
• Automatic resume: LunaDS reloads a game from where the player left off, which is useful for short sessions and frequent interruptions.
• 3DS save states: The maker says users can save and load 3DS games instantly. That offers a quick way to preserve or revisit a point in a game.
• DS and DSi local multiplayer: The App Store listing describes local multiplayer for these two systems, making LunaDS relevant to nearby shared play. This support is stated for DS and DSi, not 3DS.
• Offline play: The App Store listing describes the app as fully offline, so play does not depend on an internet connection.
• Custom skins: Support for skins made for Delta and Manic gives users a way to change the interface’s appearance.
• Privacy: The developer reports that LunaDS collects no data. Apple says that developer-provided privacy information has not been verified by Apple.

Pricing

LunaDS uses a freemium model. The Free plan costs nothing and has no paywall. Two one-time in-app purchases are available: LunaDS Supporter Unlock for $2, paid once and Donation for $2, paid once. The plan names identify the purchases, but do not establish additional features or benefits, so the Free plan is the clear starting point for anyone who wants to use the app without paying. There is no free trial.

Platforms

LunaDS supports iOS and macOS. The maker links to an App Store download, while its website says a JIT IPA will be available soon. The App Store requirements are iOS 17.6 or later for iPhone and iPadOS 17.6 or later for iPad. The maker says its GitHub code is being prepared, with news to follow.

Who it's for

LunaDS is best suited to Apple-device owners who want DS, DSi, and 3DS emulation, value offline use or automatic resume, and already have the required legally obtained backups and BIOS files. It is a poor fit for anyone expecting bundled games or system files, or whose device does not meet the operating-system requirements.

Pros and cons

• Pro: One app supports DS, DSi, and 3DS menus, covering three systems in the same handheld family.
• Pro: Automatic resume, instant 3DS save states, and DS and DSi local multiplayer address distinct play needs.
• Pro: The free plan has no paywall, and the app is described as fully offline.
• Con: Players must provide game backups and BIOS files themselves, so installation alone does not make the app ready to play.
• Con: The iOS and iPadOS 17.6 minimum excludes devices that cannot run those versions.
• Con: The developer’s no-data-collection report has not been verified by Apple.

Alternatives

For a wider selection of Nintendo 3DS emulators, compare the options in our directory list. Choose Azahar if open-source licensing or support across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows matters more; it is free. Manic EMU is another free iOS and macOS option, with a free plan that caps fast forward at 2×, save states at three, and cheat codes at three, while iCloud save sync is unavailable on its Sideload plan. Panda3DS is a free, open-source option for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. 3Beans is another free option with support for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. AzaharPlus is a free GPL-2.0 licensed 3DS emulator fork for Android, Linux, and Windows. CitraVR is a free GPL-licensed beta for Meta Quest headsets running Android. Virtual Jaguar is a free open-source emulator core for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, and requires a libretro frontend such as RetroArch. Borked3DS is a free option for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Verdict

Choose LunaDS if you use a compatible Apple device, can supply the required files, and want DS, DSi, and 3DS support with offline play and automatic resume. Look elsewhere if you need a broader platform range, open-source software, or games and system files included with the app.