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melonDS
What it is
melonDS is a free, open-source emulator focused on Nintendo DS emulation, with builds listed for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its listed components include a nearly complete CPU, video, and audio core, a JIT recompiler, and an OpenGL renderer with 3D upscaling. It also supports joystick input, savestates, microphone and lid controls, RTC, and DLDI. Wi-Fi features cover local multiplayer and online connectivity, but remain a work in progress and may not work with every game. DSi emulation and GBA slot add-ons are also in progress. DS emulation requires configured BIOS and firmware files; DSi emulation additionally requires a DSi NAND image. melonDS uses raw save files and offers an import function for saves from DeSmuME, DraStic, or a flashcard, but does not yet support the special save memory type used by WarioWare DIY and Jam with the Band. Direct online connectivity requires libpcap or WinPcap, an Ethernet connection, and administrator or superuser privileges. Indirect mode does not require Ethernet or those privileges.
For and against
For
- Free and open-source
- Builds for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- OpenGL renderer includes 3D upscaling
- Savestates and joystick support
- Save import for several external save formats
Against
- DS emulation requires BIOS and firmware files
- DSi emulation remains in progress
- Wi-Fi may not work with all games
- Two games' special save type is unsupported
The verdict
melonDS provides desktop Nintendo DS emulation with graphics, controls, and save features, but users need BIOS and firmware files. DSi emulation and Wi-Fi remain works in progress, and direct online connectivity has extra network and permission requirements.
Who it suits
melonDS suits desktop users looking for Nintendo DS emulation on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Users interested in DSi emulation or online play should note that those features have limitations or additional requirements.
Plans and prices
melonDS
Nintendo DS emulator · Requires console BIOS and firmware dumps for some emulation
Read 30 Sep 2026 · melonds.kuribo64.net
On the record
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi features for local multiplayer and online connectivity are marked as work in progress.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Controls and saves
- Listed features include joystick support, savestates, and display position, sizing, and rotation modes.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Downloads
- The downloads page lists builds for Windows, macOS, and Linux, including ARM64 builds for some operating systems.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- DSi and GBA
- The feature list marks DSi emulation and GBA slot add-ons as works in progress; it also lists DLDI support.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- DSi support
- DSi emulation is listed as work in progress.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Emulation
- The feature list describes a nearly complete CPU, video, and audio core, plus a JIT recompiler.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Emulation features
- The project lists a nearly complete CPU, video, and audio core, a JIT recompiler, an OpenGL renderer with 3D upscaling, RTC, microphone and lid controls, joystick support, and savestates.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Graphics
- It includes an OpenGL renderer and 3D upscaling.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Known save limitation
- The FAQ says WarioWare DIY and Jam with the Band use a special save memory type that melonDS does not yet support.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Multiplayer limits
- The FAQ says local multiplayer is unstable due to timing requirements and may not function correctly with more than two instances.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Networking requirements
- Direct online connectivity requires libpcap or WinPcap, an Ethernet connection, and administrator or superuser privileges; the FAQ says indirect mode does not require Ethernet or administrator permissions.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Official website
- The project identifies melonds.kuribo64.net as its official website and says melonds.org is a fake site.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- melonDS aims to provide fast and accurate Nintendo DS emulation.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Release checksums
- The downloads page displays SHA256 checksums alongside release download sizes.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Renderer limits
- The FAQ says the software renderer is more accurate but more CPU intensive, while OpenGL may be faster but less accurate.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Required files
- For DS emulation, the FAQ describes BIOS and firmware files to configure; for DSi emulation, it also requires a DSi NAND image.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Save compatibility
- melonDS uses raw save files and provides an Import savefile function for saves from DeSmuME, DraStic, or a flashcard.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The FAQ directs users to the GitHub issue tracker or the forums for feature requests and bug fixes.melonds.kuribo64.net · read 30 Sep 2026