If you’re seeking for the best Nintendo DS emulator for Windows and Mac, keep reading because we’ve highlighted some of the best just for you.
A gaming console enhances the gaming experience, something you will not discover when using a keyboard or mouse. We’ve compiled a list of the finest Nintendo DS emulators from among the many gaming consoles available. We’re sharing this model because it was purchased by more than 150 million people before being discontinued in 2013.
So, if you are one of the 150 million people who are still looking for the best emulator solutions, keep reading to learn about the software in detail.
The Best Nintendo DS Emulators for 2021
Here are some emulators that will allow you to simply use your Nintendo DS Emulator for any game.
1. NO$GBA: Best Nintendo DS Emulator Under Active Development
The name is difficult to speak or read, but it is spoken or read as No Cash GBA. This is one of the most effective Nintendo DS emulators. Before adding support for the Nintendo DS and DSi, the emulator was known as Gameboy Advance Emulator. It was eventually renamed NO$GBA. The ordinary version for Windows includes all of the functionality required to run Mario, Pokemon, and other conventional titles; however, the NO$GBA debug version for Windows is intended for programmers.
The best thing about these DS emulators for PC is that both versions are free to use. NO$GBA’s most recent version is v3.02, which was released in May 2020. The latest version adds the multiplayer capability to the majority of GBA and DS ROMs.
The basis for this emulator’s high ranking is its excellent compatibility with commercial DS ROMs. It also supports homebrew for the Nintendo DS. Using this emulator, you may play full-screen games like Pokemon Diamond without interruption. It utilizes very low resources, which makes it an excellent choice.
2. DeSmuME: Best Open Source Nintendo DS Emulator
DeSmuME is yet another best Nintendo DS emulator that is open-source and completely free to use. This emulator is available for all major operating systems, including Mac, Linux, and Windows. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, and it also allows for graphics customization based on the system you’re using and its capabilities.
The emulator has a cheat code manager, a save slot, and compatibility for USB controllers. The save slot feature allows you to pick up where you left off. The emulator for Windows devices is dependent on the Microsoft UCRT DLLs that are installed on your system. If you are unsure whether you have the DLL, simply download it from the internet; there are numerous sources where you can find Microsoft UCRT DLLs. Windows users should even patch to the most recent version available for more stability and speed.
3. MelonDS
MelonDS is the next software in our list of the top Nintendo DS emulators. It is also a free and open-source emulator that runs on any Windows PC. The emulator is quick and provides authentic Nintendo DS emulation.
You can use the emulator to play your favorite Pokemon and Mario games.
This emulator’s feature set may pique your attention. JIT recompiler, 3D upscaling, Joystick support, and OpenGL renderers are among the many technologies that aid in quick emulation and a better user experience.
Unlike others that provide multiplayer, this game solely supports single-player gameplay. It should be noted that the emulator requires Nintendo DS firmware and BIOS dumps because the creators do not sell Nintendo DSi titles. The same is true for Nintendo DSi titles, which require the BIOS, NAND, and firmware. It also provides an ad-free experience, making the emulator one of the top Nintendo DS emulators for Mac and Windows.
4. RetroArch
RetroArch is a fantastic emulator that allows you to run games, media players, and other apps. This is an open-source, free-to-use emulator that anyone can use. You may use this to play old games on any computer without any problems. The interface, as seen in the photographs, is quite straightforward and easy to use.
Aside from the standard functions, it also includes some unique features that you might enjoy. Netplay, 4K upscaling, rewinding, shaders, next frame reaction time, machine translation, and many other features are included.
This Nintendo DS emulator for PC is also available on mobile devices. It is compatible with the most recent versions of Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, Raspberry Pi, and iOS devices. Aside from that, if you have an older version, you can still use this emulator because it supports prior versions as well. It is compatible with gaming consoles such as the 2DS, 3DS, U, Switch, PSP, PS2, PS3, Wii, and others.
5. OpenEmu: Best Nintendo Ds Emulator for Mac
Another free and open-source emulator that works on the majority of systems. It is compatible with a wide range of gaming systems, including the Game Boy, Genesis, Nintendo GS, and many others. If you’ve used Apple Music before, you might find it familiar. It is quite simple to browse, add, and organize using the emulator.
The layout has many screens that enable cheat codes, display saved states, and provide a variety of other options.
All of the games you’ll play will be stored in a library for quick access. You may also make your own collection by combining titles from several consoles. The software intelligently maps the controls of multiple devices such as DualShock (3 and 4), PlayStation, Wiimote, and many more.
6. Ensata
Ensata is a Nintendo-created emulator that works flawlessly on the Nintendo DS. It was created as a debug target for DS app development. The software emulates the ARM7 and ARM9 dual screen CPUs, with the mouse pointer acting as a touch screen. The disclosed source codes have made it possible to include commercial games.
Accurate rendering is one of the features that distinguishes it as one of the top DS emulators for Windows. Its goal is to bridge the gap between the two screens of the original Nintendo DS console. The software doesn’t even necessitate anything from the PC in order to function. All you need to utilize Ensata is an Intel Pentium III or higher processor with at least 256Mb of RAM and a GPU that supports DirectX 9. It is simple to use on Windows 2000 and later versions.
7. iDeas
Following that is iDeas, a fantastic Nintendo DS emulator that is completely free to use. It can easily run a number of ROMs that support major NDS functions. It is based on the N64 emulator and employs a plugin system. You can play fantastic games like ZooKeeper and Mario 64 using this software. Though you may encounter some bugs while playing, there are a few that may be overlooked.
It, like Ensata, enables the dual-screen arrangement, which allows you to simply take screenshots of both screens.
Furthermore, it supports touchscreens, allowing you to remap keys to your preferences and convenience of use.
The sole disadvantage of this software is that iDeas development has ceased, therefore new games are not compatible with this Nintendo DS emulator for PC. However, for older games, it is one of the finest solutions.
8. NeonDS
If you believe that these Nintendo DS emulators cannot run commercial games, you may be mistaken because NeonDS is designed to do so. The software provides rapid rendering even on aging PCs, which other emulators do not. The rendering mechanism is tuned for OpenGL 2.0, allowing you to record screens as well.
Even though the emulator can not provide complete compatibility, it can run all key titles such as Scribblenauts. Aside from that, there is another disadvantage of this software: it has not received new upgrades in a long time, making it incompatible with new games. Only if you’re looking for a superior performance emulator should you attempt this DS emulator.
9. DuoS
This, like NeonDS, is an abandoned project that may not be suitable if you’re seeking for new games. This emulator has GPU acceleration as well as a dynamic recompiler with a software renderer. This is a hybrid of the two emulators mentioned above. It is an excellent piece of software with speedy processing and some of the best features.
The drawback of this software was its development; otherwise, it would have been the best Nintendo DS emulator to use. The developers even planned to make new iDuos for DSi and Ds emulators for mobile devices, but none of them were released. Above all, it is still a must-try app because it provides certain functions that may be useful to you.
10. Citra: Best Nintendo 3DS Emulator
Citra is one of the best DS emulators for PC for PC that you can try. It is a free and open-source emulator that anyone may easily use. Most titles, including commercial 3DS titles, may be run on Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android using the program. You can use the emulator to play games that require HLE and LLE audio, such as Pokemon X/Y.
However, unlike other software, this emulator may not work as effectively in older systems as it does in newer ones. A powerful and fast CPU is required for a smooth run. You may also encounter problems with some games or apps that will not launch and will simply display a black screen. While the other suitable games work smoothly and without hiccups. It supports WiFi but not Nintendo’s servers, thus if you want an emulator for the Nintendo server, ignore this one.
11. Drastic Ds Emulator
Drastic Ds emulator has some of the best features, which allow it keep its place on the list of Best Nintendo DS Emulators. The software allows you to save states, map buttons, use controllers, and many other capabilities.
If you like, you can also adjust the screen resolution. This one can be a terrific performer for high-end smartphones.
Although the screen of the Nintendo DS differs from that of a mobile device, the software compensates by offering up to six alternative layouts. Single view, stacked view, keeping one screen shorter than the other, and default view are the layout options. This is a paid software that costs $4.99, however based on the features list, the price is well worth it.
12. Lemuroid
Lemuroid is the last emulator on our list of the top Nintendo DS emulators. This is an excellent choice for Android users because it is both free and ad-free. It, like other emulators, supports the majority of systems, including the Atari 7800, Atari 2600, Atari Lynx, Super Nintendo, Nintendo, Game Boy, and others. It has useful features such as gamepad compatibility, quick save, and others. It can easily connect to a single gamepad.
Final Thoughts on the Best Nintendo DS Emulators
We hope you’ve chosen the finest Nintendo DS emulator for you now that you’ve gone through our list of the greatest Nintendo DS emulators. The applications we’ve described may be utilized on a variety of PCs, and the majority of them are also compatible with older models. If you have any suggestions for the list, please leave them in the comments area below.