Our verdict: melonDS is the most accurate actively developed Nintendo DS emulator and handles even local wireless multiplayer between instances. The OpenGL renderer makes 3D games look much sharper. Wi-Fi and DSi emulation are still work in progress, and the official guide asks for BIOS and firmware dumped from your own DS.
About melonDS
melonDS aims to provide fast and accurate Nintendo DS emulation. It has a nearly complete core covering the CPU, video and audio, a JIT recompiler for speed, and an OpenGL renderer that can render 3D graphics at higher internal resolutions. It is open source under the GNU GPL v3 and developed mainly by Arisotura with contributors.
The official guide asks for BIOS and firmware files dumped from a DS, DSi or 3DS; emulating the DSi additionally needs the DSi BIOS, firmware and NAND image. Games should be dumped from your own cartridges. Local multiplayer between melonDS instances and online play through an emulated access point are available but marked as work in progress.
What it does well
- JIT recompiler. Speeds up emulation on modest hardware.
- OpenGL renderer and upscaling. Renders 3D graphics at higher internal resolutions.
- Save states. Eight quick slots plus files, with an undo for accidental loads.
- Screen layouts. Rotate screens, change gaps and sizes, or place them side by side.
- Local multiplayer and Wi-Fi. Connect several instances and go online via an emulated access point (work in progress).
Who it is for
Good fit
DS owners who want to replay their own games on a PC with sharper 3D and flexible screen layouts.
Look elsewhere
Players who want plug-and-play online multiplayer, or anyone without their own game and firmware dumps.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Accurate Nintendo DS emulation
- 3D upscaling with the OpenGL renderer
- Local multiplayer between instances
- Free and open source
Cons
- Official guide asks for BIOS and firmware dumps
- Wi-Fi and DSi emulation are still work in progress
- Windows release is a ZIP, not an installer
How to install melonDS
The button downloads the 64-bit Windows ZIP from the official melonDS site. Extract it to a folder and run melonDS.exe. Set the paths to your BIOS and firmware dumps under Config → Emu settings, map your controls in Input and hotkeys, and enable the OpenGL renderer in Video settings for higher resolutions.
Questions about melonDS
Is melonDS free?
Yes. melonDS is open source under the GNU GPL v3 with no paid version.
Does melonDS need BIOS files?
The official guide asks for the ARM9 and ARM7 BIOS and the firmware dumped from your own DS. DSi mode also needs the DSi BIOS, firmware and NAND image.
Can melonDS play DSi games?
Yes, DSi emulation is available since version 0.9, but it is still marked as work in progress.
