Best Nintendo DS Emulators in 2026
Updated
In short: Delta is ranked #1 of 17 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of WatermelonDS and nds4droid. The best-ranked option with a free plan is nds4droid.
Nintendo DS emulators vary in the ways they display the system’s two screens and in the play features they offer. Compared on screen layout options and Nintendo DSi support, these entries also include details on local multiplayer, save states, and cheat support. Supported platforms, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing can help you weigh options for your device setup. Delta, WatermelonDS, and nds4droid are among the names shown. Think about which features matter for the games you want to play, including your preferred screen arrangement, whether you need multiplayer, and what platforms you use.
17 Nintendo DS emulators ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Delta iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.7Free
- 2 WatermelonDS Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.6 Supported platforms: AndroidSave states: YesLocal multiplayer: No
- 3 nds4droid Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.5Free Supported platforms: AndroidSave states: YesLocal multiplayer: No
- 4 DeSmuME No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.1Free
- 5 melonDS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.0Free
- 6 Pilas-melonDS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9Free Supported platforms: Web browsers on desktop and mobile devicesSave states: YesLocal multiplayer: Yes
- 7 SkyEmu iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free
- 8 iDroidDS Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7 Supported platforms: AndroidSave states: Yes
- 9 ANDSemu Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4 Supported platforms: AndroidSave states: Yes
- 10 DSperate No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3 Supported platforms: Linux on AArch64 and ARMhfSave states: YesLocal multiplayer: Yes
- 11 GB Enhanced+ No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, macOSSave states: Yes
- 12 NO$GBA No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1
- 13 DS Anywhere No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1 Supported platforms: webLocal multiplayer: No
- 14 dasShiny No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.0 Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
- 15 DSVita No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5 Supported platforms: PlayStation VitaSave states: Yes
- 16 MindSpark No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2
- 17 dust No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which Nintendo DS emulator is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Delta is ranked #1 of 17 with a score of 8.7. WatermelonDS is second and nds4droid third.
How many of these have a free plan?
7 of the 17 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.