Pilas-melonDS
Pilas-melonDS is a free HTML5 and WebAssembly browser frontend for the melonDS Nintendo DS emulator.
What Pilas-melonDS is
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.
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
Watch out
- 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
Who it suits
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.
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.
Plans and prices
From Pilas-melonDS's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | No paid plans or usage limits are stated on the project page |
The facts
Each one read from Pilas-melonDS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Build and hosting
- The README describes building with Emscripten and serving the generated app locally over HTTP.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Camera and microphone
- DSi camera and microphone input use browser media permissions and work on localhost or HTTPS origins.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Controls
- It supports keyboard, Gamepad API, touch controls, and DS touchscreen input.checked 2 Oct 2026
- DS and DSi
- It targets Nintendo DS mode by default and offers experimental Nintendo DSi mode.checked 2 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as MPL-2.0.checked 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.checked 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.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Pilas-melonDS is an HTML5/WebAssembly browser frontend for the melonDS Nintendo DS emulator.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Rendering and audio
- The browser frontend offers Canvas 2D, WebGL 2, and WebGPU rendering choices, plus WebAudio output.checked 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.checked 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.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Cartridge saves and browser save states are stored in IndexedDB, with up to six save-state slots per ROM.checked 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.checked 2 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- The GitHub profile identifies the maker as José Pilas and describes him as a video game developer and influencer.checked 2 Oct 2026
