Pilas-melonDS

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Score6.8

Rank#6 of 18

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onWeb

Summary

Pilas-melonDS is a free HTML5 and WebAssembly browser frontend for the melonDS Nintendo DS emulator. It opens .nds, .dsi and .srl files, targets DS mode by default and also offers experimental DSi mode. Controls include keyboard, Gamepad API, touch and DS touchscreen input, with Canvas 2D, WebGL 2 or WebGPU rendering and WebAudio output. Cartridge saves and browser save states use IndexedDB, with as many as six save-state slots for each ROM. The frontend can install DSiWare .cia files into DSi NAND or virtual SD storage. DSi camera and microphone input require browser media permission and a localhost or HTTPS origin. Browser internet mode provides a limited compatibility shim, but cannot supply arbitrary raw UDP/TCP internet or decrypt HTTPS traffic inside the browser sandbox. DSi menu boot requires legally dumped DSi BIOS files and a writable NAND dump; normal DS direct boot can use the built-in FreeBIOS fallback. It is identified as MPL-2.0 licensed.

Who it is for

Pilas-melonDS suits people who want to play Nintendo DS titles in a desktop or mobile web browser using keyboard, gamepad or touch controls. Users seeking DSi features should be prepared to provide the required BIOS and NAND files for menu boot.

What is good

Free browser-based frontend
Supports keyboard, gamepad and touch controls
Offers three rendering choices
Stores up to six save-state slots per ROM
Supports DS and experimental DSi modes

What to know first

DSi mode is experimental
DSi menu boot needs BIOS files and NAND dump
Browser networking cannot provide arbitrary raw internet traffic
Camera and microphone need localhost or HTTPS

Verdict

Pilas-melonDS brings DS emulation to desktop and mobile browsers with multiple controls, rendering options and browser save states. Its DSi and networking capabilities have specific requirements and limits to consider.

Pilas-melonDS plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free No paid plans or usage limits are stated on the project page github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Compared on Nintendo DS emulators

Free plan: Yesgithub.com
Supported platforms: Web browsers on desktop and mobile devicesgithub.com
Save states: Yesgithub.com
Local multiplayer: Yesgithub.com
Nintendo DSi support: Yesgithub.com

Facts

Purpose: Pilas-melonDS is an HTML5/WebAssembly browser frontend for the melonDS Nintendo DS emulator.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
DS and DSi: It targets Nintendo DS mode by default and offers experimental Nintendo DSi mode.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Controls: It supports keyboard, Gamepad API, touch controls, and DS touchscreen input.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Rendering and audio: The browser frontend offers Canvas 2D, WebGL 2, and WebGPU rendering choices, plus WebAudio output.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Camera and microphone: DSi camera and microphone input use browser media permissions and work on localhost or HTTPS origins.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Storage: Cartridge saves and browser save states are stored in IndexedDB, with up to six save-state slots per ROM.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
ROM and DSiWare: The ROM picker accepts .nds, .dsi, and .srl files, and the frontend can install DSiWare .cia files into DSi NAND or virtual SD storage.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Networking: Its Browser internet mode provides a compatibility shim for DHCP, DNS, ARP, and basic TCP/HTTP, while local tabs and a WebSocket bridge are optional alternatives.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Network limitation: The browser networking shim cannot provide arbitrary raw UDP/TCP internet or decrypt HTTPS traffic from inside the browser sandbox.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
System requirements: DSi menu boot requires legally dumped DSi BIOS files and a writable NAND dump; normal DS direct boot can use the built-in FreeBIOS fallback.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Security and keys: The project says it does not embed Nintendo keys; encrypted CIA installation requires the user's legally obtained common key.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Build and hosting: The README describes building with Emscripten and serving the generated app locally over HTTP.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
License: The repository identifies its license as MPL-2.0.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Maker: The GitHub profile identifies the maker as José Pilas and describes him as a video game developer and influencer.github.com · 2 Oct 2026