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Best Nintendo DS Emulators in 2026
Playing Nintendo DS games through emulation can make screen presentation and device support important considerations. Compare screen layout options, Nintendo DSi support, local multiplayer, save states, and cheat support. Supported platforms, free plans, and paid-from pricing are also listed. SkyEmu, 3Beans, and DeSmuME are among the entries shown, along with GB Enhanced+ and melonDS. Check the listed features against your setup and the way you want to play, particularly if you need a certain screen arrangement, multiplayer, or DSi support.
- 18 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
dust
Free plan Open source LinuxMacWindowsChoose dust if you want a free command-line view of disk usage with filtering, file-type grouping, and support for three desktop operating systems.
- 2
SkyEmu
Free plan Open source AndroidiPhoneLinux+3SkyEmu offers multiple platform builds, save states, configurable controls, and local web operation.
- 3
DeSmuME
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsDeSmuME covers core DS controls, graphics and audio options, plus recording and cheat tools. Its unsupported Wi-Fi and lack of DSi emulation are important limits to consider.
- 4
Delta
Free plan iPhoneMacDelta combines support for several game systems with library management, controller options, syncing, and online play for compatible Nintendo DS games.
- 5
dasShiny
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsdasShiny has documented support for some DS games, but setup requirements and experimental status are central considerations. Software requiring FAT access is not expected to work.
- 6
GB Enhanced+
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsGB Enhanced+ supports several Game Boy-era systems and a range of peripherals, with manuals and configuration options for netplay and motion controls.
- 7
MindSpark
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Choose MindSpark if you want a free mind-mapping app with research tools, Markdown synchronization, and repository-backed or self-hosted storage.
- 8
melonDS
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsmelonDS offers a substantial Nintendo DS feature set at no charge, but some capabilities remain unfinished. Review the required files and networking conditions before setting it up.
- 9
DSVita
Free plan AndroidLinuxChoose DSVita if you want a free Nintendo DS emulator for PlayStation Vita with cheats, savestates, and touchscreen controls.
- 10
iDroidDS
Free plan AndroidiDroidDS offers core Nintendo DS emulation features at no cost on supported Android devices. Its repository warning and device-dependent performance are worth considering.
- 11
DSperate
Free plan LinuxChoose DSperate if you use supported Linux ARM hardware and want DS emulation with save states, configurable layouts, and LAN play.
- 12
nds4droid
Free plan Androidnds4droid provides Android users with a free, ad-free Nintendo DS emulator and several display and performance settings. Its listed limits include no local multiplayer or Nintendo DSi support.
- 13
NO$GBA
Free plan WindowsChoose NO$GBA for free Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, or DSi emulation, or for its developer debugging tools.
- 14
Pilas-melonDS
Free plan WebPilas-melonDS provides a browser frontend with multiple controls, rendering options and save-state slots. Its DSi and networking requirements are important limits to consider before choosing it.
- 15
WatermelonDS
Free plan AndroidWatermelonDS offers a range of renderers, library tools, and RetroAchievements support for Android devices.
- 16
ANDSemu
Paid AndroidConsider ANDSemu if you want its Android emulator features and can access a suitable installation or build route.
- 17
DS Anywhere
Paid WebChoose DS Anywhere if you want a free browser-based Nintendo DS emulator and can work within its unfinished features.
- 18
NooDS
Paid AndroidiPhoneLinux+2
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price