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NeoDS
What it is
NeoDS is a free emulator for NeoGeo AES and MVS games on Nintendo DS Lite. It emulates the M68000 and Z80 CPUs, graphics, ADPCM and PSG audio, and NeoGeo protection and encryption. The documented setup requires a DS Lite and a DLDI-compatible flash card. NeoDSConvert turns NeoGeo ROM sets into .neo files, and the emulator uses the same ROM sets as MAME. Players can remap buttons, choose normal or scaled video, underclock the CPU, and save configuration and SRAM to the flash card. Its interface is operated with a stylus. A Slot-2 flash card with RAM is optional and can improve the speed of some games. The repository describes the project as a fork of NeoDS from 2008 being updated to 2026 MAME sets. It does not emulate FM audio, raster effects, or multiplayer, and some timings are not very accurate. Save states are listed as a TODO rather than a supported feature. The emulator code is free to use for non-commercial purposes.
For and against
For
- Emulates AES and MVS systems
- Supports button remapping
- Can save configuration and SRAM
- Optional Slot-2 RAM can improve some games' speed
Against
- Requires a Nintendo DS Lite and DLDI-compatible flash card
- FM audio is not emulated
- Raster effects and multiplayer are not emulated
- Some timings are not very accurate
The verdict
NeoDS offers NeoGeo AES and MVS emulation with remappable controls and configuration and SRAM saving. Its hardware requirements and omitted features are important to consider before using it.
Who it suits
NeoDS suits Nintendo DS Lite owners with a DLDI-compatible flash card who want to emulate NeoGeo AES or MVS games. It may also suit users who can work within its stated audio and multiplayer omissions.
Plans and prices
NeoDS
Emulator code is free to use for non-commercial purposes
Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Audio limitation
- FM audio is not emulated, and the readme says disabling audio can improve frame rate but may cause some games to freeze.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- The emulator supports normal or scaled video, CPU underclocking, saving configuration and SRAM, and input remapping.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Controls
- The emulator supports button remapping, and its graphical interface is controlled with the stylus.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- CPU emulation
- It emulates the M68000 and Z80 CPUs.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Current project
- The repository describes this as a 2008 NeoDS fork being updated to 2026 MAME sets.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Emulated systems
- It emulates M68000 and Z80 CPUs, NeoGeo protection and encryption, graphics, ADPCM audio, and PSG audio.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Fork status
- The repository describes this project as a fork of NeoDS from 2008 being updated to 2026 MAME sets.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Graphics and audio
- It emulates graphics, ADPCM audio, and PSG audio.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Hardware requirements
- The readme requires a Nintendo DS Lite and a DLDI-compatible flash card; a Slot-2 flash card with RAM is optional.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The readme says the emulator code is free to use for non-commercial purposes; GUI code and converter code are public domain subject to MAME and zlib licenses for the latter.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Limitations
- FM audio, raster effects, and multiplayer are not emulated, and some timings are not very accurate.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Maker/project origin
- The repository credits NeoDS v0.2.0 to Ben Ingram and describes the repository owner's project as a fork.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Optional hardware
- A Slot-2 flash card with RAM is optional and can improve the speed of some games.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Optional RAM
- Supported Slot-2 RAM can cache more data and improve some games' speed, but is not required.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Other limitations
- Raster effects and multiplayer are not emulated, and some timings are not very accurate.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Protection
- It emulates NeoGeo protection and encryption.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- NeoDS is a NeoGeo AES/MVS emulator for Nintendo DS that runs ROMs with some limitations.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- ROM conversion
- NeoDSConvert converts NeoGeo ROMs using MAME ROM sets into .neo files, and requires a BIOS ROM.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026