DeSmuME

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Score7.1

Rank#10 of 35

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Windows

Summary

DeSmuME is a free emulator that attempts to reproduce the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite handheld consoles. It runs on Windows, Linux and macOS, with controls for the D-pad, buttons and touch screen; a Lid control switches the emulated system between folded and unfolded states. Graphics options include a software SoftRasterizer and an OpenGL-based renderer. Audio can use linear or cosine interpolation, or have interpolation disabled. Microphone input can come from hardware audio or software-generated samples. The Windows port can capture screenshots, AVI video and WAV audio, and record TAS gameplay movies. It also has save-state functions, though the Windows manual warns that states may break between emulator versions. Cheat search and editing are available; Action Replay codes are supported in post-0.9.2 development builds. Wi-Fi support is experimental and unsupported, and the project discourages end users from using it. DeSmuME is distributed under the GNU General Public License. The project also documents a developer interface and a Python library. DSi emulation is not supported.

Who it is for

DeSmuME suits people looking to emulate Nintendo DS or DS Lite games on Windows, Linux or macOS. It may also suit developers interested in its documented interface and Python library.

What is good

Free and open-source under the GPL.
Runs on Windows, Linux and macOS.
Includes SoftRasterizer and OpenGL renderers.
Windows port records screenshots, video and audio.
Emulates microphone input from hardware or software samples.

What to know first

Does not support DSi emulation.
Wi-Fi is experimental and unsupported.
Save states may break between emulator versions.
Action Replay codes require post-0.9.2 development builds.

Verdict

DeSmuME provides DS and DS Lite emulation with several graphics, audio and recording options. Its Wi-Fi support is not intended for end users, and save states may not carry across emulator versions.

DeSmuME plans and pricing

All plans

DeSmuME Free Nintendo DS and DS Lite emulation · DSi not supported · Windows, Linux and Mac OS X wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on game console emulators

Free plan: Yesdesmume.org
Supported console systems: Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Litedesmume.org
Desktop operating systems: cross-platformdesmume.org
Netplay: Nodesmume.org
Graphics upscaling: Yesdesmume.org
Open source: Yesdesmume.org
License type: open-sourcedesmume.org

Facts

Purpose: DeSmuME is a Nintendo DS emulator.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Supported consoles: It attempts to emulate the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite handheld consoles.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026
Controls: The D-pad, buttons and touch screen are fully emulated, and the NDS folded or unfolded state can be toggled through a Lid control.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026
Graphics: DeSmuME includes a software SoftRasterizer renderer and an OpenGL-based renderer.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026
Audio: Audio samples can be post-processed with linear or cosine interpolation, or interpolation can be disabled.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026
Microphone: Microphone features are emulated using hardware audio input or software-generated samples.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026
Save states: The Windows manual says users can save and load the current game state, while warning that save states may break between emulator versions.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026
Recording: The Windows port can record screenshots, AVI video, WAV audio and TAS gameplay movies.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026
Cheats: The emulator provides cheat search and editing facilities and supports Action Replay codes in post-0.9.2 development builds.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026
Wi-Fi limitation: Wi-Fi support is experimental and unsupported, and the project discourages end users from using it.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026
License: DeSmuME is distributed under the GNU General Public License and may be freely copied if the GPL requirements are followed.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026
Developer interface: The project exposes a DLL/SO interface and documents a Python library that uses it.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Support: Users can report bugs and request features through the project's official GitHub or SourceForge trackers.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026
macOS security note: The FAQ says the macOS application is not code signed because it is a free open-source app and advises downloading it from the official Downloads page.wiki.desmume.org · 30 Sept 2026