Side by side
DSperate vs WatermelonDS
Both stand on nintendo ds emulators. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Linux
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.
Visit DSperate Free plan Android
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.
Visit WatermelonDSThe facts
| DSperate | WatermelonDS | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux | Android |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Not published |
| Plans published | None | None |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | github.com |
| On nintendo ds emulators | #11 of 18 | #15 of 18 |
DSperate: 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.
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.
WatermelonDS: 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.
Alternatives to DSperate Alternatives to WatermelonDS The whole list