Pick melonDS if you want the best all-round Nintendo DS emulator on PC. Pick DeSmuME if you want old-school stability and easy save states. Pick RetroArch if you want one app for many systems. The Nintendo DS family sold 154.02 million units, so yes, there are a lot of games worth saving from dusty drawers [source: Nintendo].
TLDR: For most people, melonDS is the best mix of speed, accuracy, and game support. DeSmuME is simpler for quick save states, while RetroArch is great if you already use it for SNES, GBA, or PlayStation games. Example: if you play Pokémon HeartGold for 20 minutes a day, melonDS gives you clean saves, fast loading, and fewer weird glitches.
Quick ranking
- Best overall: melonDS
- Best for easy save states: DeSmuME
- Best all in one app: RetroArch
- Best for Android: DraStic
- Best for odd old games: NO$GBA
1. melonDS
melonDS feels like the modern choice. It runs many DS games well. It also supports local wireless in some cases, which is neat if you miss trading monsters with a friend across the couch.
Save states work well. Normal in-game saves work too. That matters. Some players trust save states too much, then cry when one breaks. Use both. Always.
Game compatibility: Very strong. Big games like Mario Kart DS, Pokémon Platinum, New Super Mario Bros., and Animal Crossing: Wild World usually run nicely.
Performance: Good on most modern laptops and desktops. You do not need a monster PC. Still, weak machines may struggle with higher screen scaling.
Best for: Players who want accuracy, clean graphics, and fewer surprises.
2. DeSmuME
DeSmuME is the old reliable friend. It has been around for ages. It is not the prettiest app. Honestly, it feels like opening a tool from 2009. But it works.
Save states are simple. Hotkeys are easy. You can pause, save, load, and keep going. That is perfect for hard games, long RPGs, or boss fights that keep ruining your evening.
Game compatibility: Very good. Some games may run better here than on other emulators. Some may run worse. DS emulation is annoying like that.
Performance: Usually solid. It can run on older PCs. If melonDS feels slow, DeSmuME is worth trying.
Best for: People who want quick setup and fast save states without fuss.
3. RetroArch
RetroArch is not just a DS emulator. It is a big front end for many emulator “cores.” For DS games, you can use cores like melonDS or DeSmuME inside RetroArch.
This is great if you want one menu for everything. NES, SNES, GBA, DS, arcade games, all in one place. The catch is that setup can feel like sorting cables in the dark.
It drives me crazy that changing basic settings can take 30 seconds longer than it should. You may need to set screen layout, controls, core options, save paths, and shaders. Then you forget which menu you were in. Great fun. Not really.
Game compatibility: Depends on the core. Use the melonDS core for newer accuracy. Try DeSmuME core if one game acts weird.
Performance: Good, but it depends on settings. Shaders and filters can slow things down.
Best for: Players who already use RetroArch and want their DS library in the same app.
4. DraStic
DraStic is the Android champ. It is fast. Very fast. On many phones, DS games run better than you would expect.
It has save states, screen layout options, controller support, and fast forward. Fast forward is a gift from the gaming gods. Old RPG battles feel much better when you can speed through them.
Game compatibility: Great for many popular DS games. Some niche titles may still have small bugs.
Performance: Excellent on Android. Even mid-range phones can often handle it well.
Best for: Phone players who want smooth DS games on the go.
5. NO$GBA
NO$GBA is old, strange, and still useful. It started as a Game Boy Advance emulator, then added DS support. The interface is not friendly. It can feel cranky. But it sometimes runs games in ways other emulators do not.
Save states are there, but the setup is less cozy than DeSmuME. You may need to tweak settings. Expect to waste time on odd menus if you are new.
Game compatibility: Hit or miss. Some games work well. Others need fixes or settings changes.
Performance: Light and fast. Good for weak PCs.
Best for: Curious users, old laptops, and edge cases.
Save states: who does it best?
- DeSmuME: Easiest for beginners.
- melonDS: Reliable and clean.
- RetroArch: Powerful, but menus can be messy.
- DraStic: Great on Android.
- NO$GBA: Works, but less friendly.
One tip. Do not rely only on save states. Use the game’s normal save system too. Save states can break after emulator updates. A normal save file is safer.
Game compatibility: the real winner
melonDS wins for most players. It handles many famous games well. It also aims for more accurate DS behavior. That helps with games that use touch, dual screens, or special timing.
DeSmuME is close behind. It still has a huge fan base. If a game fails in melonDS, try DeSmuME before giving up.
Performance: what should you use?
- New PC: Use melonDS.
- Old PC: Try DeSmuME or NO$GBA.
- Android phone: Use DraStic.
- All in one gaming setup: Use RetroArch.
Final pick
melonDS is the best first choice. It is fast, accurate, and friendly enough. DeSmuME is the backup you should keep installed. RetroArch is best if you like one giant game hub.
If you play on Android, grab DraStic. If you enjoy tinkering, try NO$GBA. DS emulation is not perfect, but it is much easier than hunting for a working hinge on an old handheld.
