WatermelonDS

Free plan Android

What WatermelonDS is

WatermelonDS is a free Android emulator for Nintendo DS and DSi, built on melonDS and its Android port. It offers software, OpenGL, Vulkan, and compute renderers, internal resolution scaling, and RetroArch shader presets. RetroAchievements support includes achievements, leaderboards, Hardcore mode, and offline unlocking with later submission. The library can list DSiWare, show box art, and use custom ROM names; users can set display layouts per ROM. A second-screen setup allows play on an external display while the handheld remains available for touch input. Other tools include a layout editor, settings backup and restore, alternate input bindings, and a hold-to-fast-forward button. Builds are published on GitHub Releases; version 0.8.0.rc2 is the latest listed release and is marked as a release candidate. The project warns that release candidates can contain more bugs than usual. It says performance is solid on 64-bit devices with thread rendering and JIT enabled, while older devices, especially 32-bit devices, perform very poorly.

Who it suits

WatermelonDS suits Android users looking to emulate Nintendo DS and DSi games, particularly on 64-bit devices with thread rendering and JIT enabled. It may also appeal to users who want RetroAchievements or external-display layouts.

What it does well

Supports Nintendo DS and DSi emulation on Android.
Includes software, OpenGL, Vulkan, and compute renderers.
Supports RetroAchievements, including offline unlocking.
Per-ROM display layouts and second-screen play are available.
Settings can be backed up and restored.

What to know first

Local multiplayer is listed as missing.
DSi SD card support is listed as missing.
Customizable button skins are listed as missing.
Release candidates may contain more bugs than usual.

Limits

The app is free, with no paid plan listed. The listed 0.8.0.rc2 release is a release candidate that may have more bugs than usual and may require clearing app data after an update; local multiplayer, DSi SD card support, and customizable button skins are missing.

Getting started

Open the WatermelonDS project website on GitHub.
Get a build from GitHub Releases.
Scan ROMs in WatermelonDS before launching them through a third-party Android frontend.
Choose a renderer and configure a screen layout for a ROM if needed.
For offline RetroAchievements, use the built-in provider or RAOfflineProxy; the latter does not support Hardcore mode.

Verdict

WatermelonDS offers a range of renderers, library tools, and RetroAchievements support for Android devices. Check the listed device performance limits and missing features, and note that the latest listed build is a release candidate.

Questions

How much does WatermelonDS cost?

It is free, and the project lists a free plan.

Which platforms does it support?

Android is the listed platform.

Does it support Nintendo DSi games?

Yes. It is a Nintendo DS and DSi emulator and can list DSiWare titles.

Does WatermelonDS support RetroAchievements offline?

Yes. Offline unlocks can be submitted later. RAOfflineProxy is an option, but it does not support Hardcore mode.

Where can I get it, and what is the latest listed release?

Builds are published on GitHub Releases. The latest listed version is 0.8.0.rc2, marked as a release candidate.

What license does the project use?

The repository lists a GPL-3.0 license.

Facts from WatermelonDS's own pages

Achievements: It supports RetroAchievements, including achievements, leaderboards, Hardcore mode, and offline play. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Device performance: The project says performance is solid on 64-bit devices with thread rendering and JIT enabled, while older devices, especially 32-bit devices, perform very poorly due to lack of JIT support. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Download and release status: Builds are published on GitHub Releases; the latest listed release is version 0.8.0.rc2, marked as a release candidate. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
External displays: It supports playing on a second screen with the touch screen remaining usable on the handheld, plus per-ROM display layout settings. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Frontend integration: Third-party Android frontends can launch the app using its package and activity names, provided the ROM has already been scanned by WatermelonDS. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Graphics: It offers software, OpenGL, Vulkan, and compute renderers, internal resolution scaling, and RetroArch shader presets across renderers. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Library: The ROM library supports DSiWare titles, box art on the continue shelf, custom ROM names, and separate internal and external layout backups. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Library tools: The app includes DSiWare listing, box art, custom ROM names, a layout editor, settings backup and restore, alternate input bindings, and a hold-to-fast-forward button. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
License: The repository lists the project under the GPL-3.0 license. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Missing features: The project lists local multiplayer, DSi SD card support, and customizable button skins as missing features. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Offline achievements: Offline unlocks are stored and submitted later; users can choose WatermelonDS’s built-in provider or run RAOfflineProxy, which does not support Hardcore mode. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Organization and pricing: The project page identifies SapphireRhodonite as the repository owner and describes the app as an Android port; it states no price or paid plan. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Performance limits: The project says performance is solid on 64-bit devices with thread rendering and JIT enabled, while older devices—especially 32-bit devices—perform very poorly due to lack of JIT support. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Purpose: WatermelonDS is a Nintendo DS and DSi emulator for Android, built on melonDS and its Android port. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Release caveat: The project says release candidates can contain more bugs than usual and may require clearing app data after an update. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Release channel: Builds are published on GitHub Releases, and release candidates are marked as pre-releases that may contain more bugs than usual. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Renderers: Available renderers include software, OpenGL, Vulkan, and compute, with internal resolution scaling. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
RetroAchievements: It supports achievements, leaderboards, Hardcore mode, and offline achievement unlocking with later submission. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
ROM formats: Frontend launch parameters support NDS ROMs in ZIP and 7z files, and release notes also state that compatible NDZ files can open from the library. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Security and license: The repository lists a GPL-3.0 license; the opened project pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
Shaders: RetroArch shader presets are supported across renderers through librashader. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026
What it does: WatermelonDS is a Nintendo DS and DSi emulator for Android, built on melonDS and the melonDS Android port. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026

Where WatermelonDS stands on Freedom251

Nintendo DS Emulators#15 of 18