DSperate

Free plan Linux

What DSperate is

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 suits

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 it does well

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.

Limits

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.

Getting started

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.

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.

Questions

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.

Facts from DSperate's own pages

Achievements: RetroAchievements support is available in Casual mode; Hardcore mode is not supported. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Architecture: It reimplements DraStic techniques through clean-room work and includes no DraStic code. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
BIOS requirement: Games can run without BIOS or firmware dumps using built-in FreeBIOS and generated firmware; the project does not include real dumps. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Build requirements: The playable frontend requires CMake 3.16 or later, Ninja, a C++17 compiler, and SDL2. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
CPU emulation: It supports ARM946E-S and ARM7TDMI interpreters and ARM-to-AArch64 and ARM-to-ARMv7 recompilers. · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
DSi limitation: The DSi DSP is not emulated, and DSi-enhanced cartridges run as DS games in DSi mode. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
DSi support: Experimental DSi support includes DSiWare, NAND boot, SD card folder backing, microphone, DSi Wi-Fi, PictoChat, and Download Play. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Emulation: It supports interpreted and recompiled ARM CPUs, DS graphics and sound, save states, cheats, and configurable screen layouts. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Graphics: It includes complete 2D engines, a software 3D rasteriser, and optional Vulkan GPU 3D rendering. · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
Input: Keyboard and controller remapping, controller hotkeys, stylus input, and touch or mouse input on the bottom screen are supported. · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
License: DSperate is licensed under GPLv3. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
License and source: The project is public source code under GPLv3 and describes itself as a clean-room reimplementation with no DraStic code in the repository. · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
Platforms: The project documents Linux ARM64 and ARMHF release tarballs and cross-build targets for AArch64 and ARMv7. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Product: DSperate is a Nintendo DS and DSi emulator that aims to reimplement DraStic-level performance with modern features. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Purpose: DSperate is a Nintendo DS and DSi emulator designed to reimplement DraStic-level performance with modern features. · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
Release: The latest listed release is DSperate v2.1.1, described as including a Wayland display fix, enhanced 3D anti-aliasing, and a rasteriser correction. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Release platforms: The release page lists linux-aarch64 and linux-armhf tarballs, with static variants also available. · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
ROM formats: It loads NDS games and ZIP archives containing supported game files; ZIP64, 7z, and RAR archives are unsupported. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Save states: It provides ten save-state slots plus a hidden automatic slot, and DSi states also carry NAND and SD card changes. · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
Security: The README describes a crashed guest memory safeguard that prevents the recompiler from running the host out of memory. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026
Target hardware: The project is built and measured on ARM handhelds, including the Anbernic RG DS with an RK3566 processor. · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
Wireless: It supports local wireless play over a LAN using melonDS's protocol and internet access through an emulated access point. · github.com, 29 Sept 2026

Where DSperate stands on Freedom251

Nintendo DS Emulators#11 of 18