DSperate is a free, public-source Nintendo DS and DSi emulator for Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf. It is built and measured on ARM handhelds, including the Anbernic RG DS with an RK3566 processor. Its CPU emulation includes ARM946E-S and ARM7TDMI interpreters, plus recompilers for ARM-to-AArch64 and ARM-to-ARMv7. Graphics include complete 2D engines, a software 3D rasteriser, and optional Vulkan rendering for 3D. Experimental DSi support covers DSiWare, NAND boot, an SD card folder, microphone, DSi Wi-Fi, PictoChat, and Download Play. The DSi DSP is not emulated, and DSi-enhanced cartridges run as DS games in DSi mode. Local multiplayer and Download Play work over a LAN using melonDS's protocol; internet access uses a user-mode TCP/IP stack. There are ten save-state slots and a hidden automatic slot, with DSi states also carrying NAND and SD card changes. Input options include keyboard and controller remapping, controller hotkeys, stylus input, and touch or mouse input on the bottom screen. It loads .nds files and .zip files containing an .nds. RetroAchievements work in Casual mode only; Hardcore mode is not enabled. The latest listed release is v2.1.1.
Who it is for
DSperate suits Linux users on AArch64 or ARMhf who want to emulate Nintendo DS games, with experimental DSi support. Its ARM handheld focus, configurable controls, local multiplayer, and screen layout options may appeal to handheld users in particular.
What is good
- Free and public source code under GPLv3.
- Supports Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf.
- Runs games with built-in FreeBIOS and generated firmware.
- Offers ten save-state slots plus a hidden automatic slot.
- Supports LAN local multiplayer and Download Play.
- Provides several screen layouts and remappable controls.
What to know first
- Experimental DSi mode does not emulate the DSi DSP.
- RetroAchievements support is limited to Casual mode.
- Only .nds files and .zip files containing .nds are supported.
- Building the playable frontend requires CMake, Ninja, a C++17 compiler, and SDL2.
Verdict
Choose DSperate if you use supported Linux ARM hardware and want DS emulation with save states, configurable layouts, and LAN play. Look elsewhere if you need DSi DSP emulation, Hardcore RetroAchievements, or ROM archives in formats such as 7z or rar.
Get started with DSperate
- Open the DSperate GitHub repository.
- Choose the linux-aarch64 or linux-armhf release tarball, including a static variant if desired.
- Use built-in FreeBIOS and generated firmware, or provide your own dumps for firmware boot and exact timing.
- Load an .nds file or a .zip file containing an .nds.
- Remap keyboard or controller input and choose a screen layout.
Limits to know first
There is no paid plan listed; the product is free. DSi support is experimental: DSi DSP is not emulated, and DSi-enhanced cartridges run as DS games in DSi mode. RetroAchievements are available in Casual mode only, and .zip64, 7z, and rar files are unsupported.
Questions about DSperate
How much does DSperate cost?
It is free, and the listed pricing model includes a free plan.
Which platforms does it support?
The release page lists Linux tarballs for AArch64 and ARMhf, including static variants.
Is DSperate open source?
Yes. It is public source code licensed under GPLv3 and is described as a clean-room reimplementation with no DraStic code in the repository.
Does it require BIOS or firmware files?
Games can run with built-in FreeBIOS and generated firmware, without BIOS or firmware dumps. User dumps enable firmware boot and exact timing; none are included.
Does it support DSi games and features?
Experimental DSi support includes DSiWare, NAND boot, an SD card folder, microphone, DSi Wi-Fi, PictoChat, and Download Play. The DSi DSP is not emulated.
Which ROM formats can it load?
It loads .nds files and .zip files containing an .nds. Zip64, 7z, and rar are unsupported.
Compared on Nintendo DS emulators
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf
- Save states
- Yes
- Local multiplayer
- Yes
- Nintendo DSi support
- Yes
- Cheat support
- Yes
- Screen layout options
- vertical, horizontal, single, picture-in-picture, dominant vertical, dominant horizontal
