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Pilas-melonDS
What it is
Pilas-melonDS is a free browser frontend for the melonDS Nintendo DS emulator, built for desktop and mobile web browsers. It runs Nintendo DS mode by default and offers experimental DSi mode. The ROM picker accepts .nds, .dsi, and .srl files, and the frontend can install DSiWare .cia files to DSi NAND or virtual SD storage. Controls include keyboard, gamepad, touch, and DS touchscreen input; rendering options are Canvas 2D, WebGL 2, and WebGPU, with WebAudio output. Cartridge saves and browser save states use IndexedDB, with up to six state slots per ROM. Local multiplayer is supported. Camera and microphone input for DSi mode relies on browser media permissions and a localhost or HTTPS origin. Browser internet mode offers a compatibility shim for basic networking, but not arbitrary raw UDP/TCP internet or HTTPS decryption. DSi menu boot needs legally dumped BIOS files and writable NAND; direct DS boot can use the built-in FreeBIOS fallback. The project identifies its license as MPL-2.0.
For and against
For
- Free to use in web browsers.
- Supports DS mode and experimental DSi mode.
- Offers keyboard, gamepad, and touch controls.
- Up to six save-state slots per ROM.
- Can install DSiWare .cia files.
Against
- DSi mode is experimental.
- DSi menu boot requires BIOS files and writable NAND.
- Browser networking cannot provide arbitrary raw UDP/TCP internet.
- DSi camera and microphone require localhost or HTTPS.
The verdict
Pilas-melonDS brings DS emulation and several control and rendering choices to the browser. Its advanced DSi and networking features have specific requirements and limitations.
Who it suits
It suits people who want to run DS games in a browser on desktop or mobile, with keyboard, gamepad, or touch controls. DSi menu use requires legally dumped BIOS files and writable NAND.
Plans and prices
Free
No paid plans or usage limits are stated on the project page
Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Build and hosting
- The README describes building with Emscripten and serving the generated app locally over HTTP.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Camera and microphone
- DSi camera and microphone input use browser media permissions and work on localhost or HTTPS origins.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Controls
- It supports keyboard, Gamepad API, touch controls, and DS touchscreen input.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- DS and DSi
- It targets Nintendo DS mode by default and offers experimental Nintendo DSi mode.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as MPL-2.0.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The GitHub profile identifies the maker as José Pilas and describes him as a video game developer and influencer.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Networking
- Its Browser internet mode provides a compatibility shim for DHCP, DNS, ARP, and basic TCP/HTTP, while local tabs and a WebSocket bridge are optional alternatives.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Network limitation
- The browser networking shim cannot provide arbitrary raw UDP/TCP internet or decrypt HTTPS traffic from inside the browser sandbox.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Pilas-melonDS is an HTML5/WebAssembly browser frontend for the melonDS Nintendo DS emulator.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Rendering and audio
- The browser frontend offers Canvas 2D, WebGL 2, and WebGPU rendering choices, plus WebAudio output.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- ROM and DSiWare
- The ROM picker accepts .nds, .dsi, and .srl files, and the frontend can install DSiWare .cia files into DSi NAND or virtual SD storage.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Security and keys
- The project says it does not embed Nintendo keys; encrypted CIA installation requires the user's legally obtained common key.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Cartridge saves and browser save states are stored in IndexedDB, with up to six save-state slots per ROM.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- DSi menu boot requires legally dumped DSi BIOS files and a writable NAND dump; normal DS direct boot can use the built-in FreeBIOS fallback.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
