Neither will I try to validate your sudden urge to perform Nintendo DS. At this time, I will get right to the stage because I know why you’re here.
You are here to play Pokemon DS: Nintendo DS exclusive Pokemon games that connect you to your past. Pokemon is why I like to have a Nintendo DS emulator for PC.
Regardless of the motive, without any further ado, let’s begin —
Best Nintendo DS Emulators For PC in 2019
1. DeSmuMe
The name might be a bit bizarre, and the pronunciation even worse. However, DeSmuMe isalso, in actuality, one of the very best DS emulators for PC. Before anything, the most important attribute is that the emulator is continually improving — thanks to becoming accessible.
DeSmuMe is available on both Windows and Mac. Nintendo DS games run quite easily on both platforms, however, I confronted frame drops in my MacBook Air (2017 edition) when on maximum graphics. Finally, the operation will depend upon the settings of your PC.
On the other hand, the silver lining here is a great deal of customization in images and emulation configurations.read about it download ds emulater from Our Articles There are several other additional useful features such as cheat code supervisor, plus a USB controller support.
2. MelonDS
When we talk about the finest Nintendo DS emulators for PC, MelonDS constantly manages to develop. This emulator has frequently been compared using the prominent NDS emulator DeSmuMe.
Contrary to DeSmuMe, this emulator for PC lacks a lot of the emulation and graphic choices, however, it excels in certain areas such as the highly precise rendering of DS games.
Thanks to its OpenGL exit, the Nintendo DS emulator lets you tap into extreme resolutions even with medium performing systems. Therefore, if you’re trying to play with Pokemon games on PC, then MelonDS is the perfect fit.
Another highlight feature of MelonDS is your neighborhood Wi-FI service for playing multiplayer matches. Even though the feature is still experimental and works with only a few games, it gives huge pleasure to see it working in any way. Aside from that, there’s save slot option, a few screen design choices, and joystick support — shared in additional NDS emulators such as PC.
Availability — Windows and Linux
Why utilize MelonDS?
- High-performance at increased resolutions
- High accuracy
3. NO$GBA
First thing first, a plus point with this DS emulator is that it supports GBA, Nintendo DS in addition to Nintendo DS Lite (DSi) games.
In terms of picture configurations, the DS emulator only has a handful. But with a few tweaks in settings, an individual can acquire decent game graphics comparable to DeSmuME. The compromise has a silver lining though — The Nintendo DS emulator works really quickly, even on underperforming PC’s. Second, it requires very few system resources compared to another greatest NDS emulators mentioned here.
On the other hand, the issue is the lack of display layout features. Additionally, the multiplayer option is experimental and didn’t work in my own case. And also the emulator is only available on Windows. Other than that, there’s the joystick support and the save state choice. NO$GBA also offers in-house cheat code service.
Access — Windows
Why use No$GBA?
- Low memory utilization and provides high speed
- Additionally supports GBA that a Nintendo DSi games
4. RetroArch
Unlike other Nintendo DS emulators here, RetroArch is a all-in-one emulator which enables users to play games of nearly all consoles. The idea is to have an amalgamation of several emulators (aka cores) in a single software.
In our situation, RetroArch offers DeSmume and MelonDS for emulating NDS titles. Since it is an all round emulator, it is possible to run games of all the Nintendo consoles (NES, SNES, DS, DSi, 3DS, 64), Atari, MAME, and more.
The user interface may be intimidating at first, but it becomes pretty easier once you use it for a little while. However, running games can be relatively difficult in comparison with another Nintendo DS emulators here.
Apart from that, it has all of the essential graphic and emulations options. You can increase the native resolution up to 4K and apply shaders that may radically alter the look of the games. There is joystick support, save slot option and different display design choice. An con of RetroArch can be that it takes up more PC resources than others. But overall, it is still among the best emulators for PC.
Why use RetroArch?
Access — All platforms
5. OpenEmu
OpenEmu is another front end applications for console emulators. This emulator for PC isn’t substantially different from RetroArch in terms of consoles and emulation options.
However, the streamlined UI of OpenEmu makes it distinct from all the other emulators. If you’re a Mac user, the port will remind you of iTunes. For instance, the emulator shows box artwork for games and sort them by the platform. To perform Nintendo DS games, OpenEmu includes DeSmuMe emulator.
The lack of several images settings might upset numerous consumers. Also, I didn’t see the option to boost inner resolution in my own testing. Everything else is pretty much there at the Nintendo emulator such as screen design options, save states, cheat code service, etc.. There’s a massive collection of control support which includes DualShock, Switch Guru, Wiimote, plus much more.
Availability — Mac
Why utilize OpenEmu?
- Streamlined UI
- All-in-one emulator
Bonus apps for DS Emulation
6. Citra (Nintendo 3DS Emulator)
Undoubtedly, Citra is your best Nintendo 3DS emulator to play Pokemon games on PC. Despite a fair system, you can run several 3DS titles at full graphics and high resolution.
The Nintendo 3DS emulator enables users to set up internal resolutions to 4k, which carries Pokemon matches, and The Legend of Zelda gaming experience to a whole new land. As for the names, Citra’s official site has a section where you can have a look at the compatibility of Nintendo 3DS games using the PC emulator.
Back into the program — there is joystick support, screen layout alternatives, and cheat code support. The Nintendo emulator offers an in-house display recorder. Citra also emulates 3DS neighborhood Wi-Fi. In other words, it is possible to play multiplayer with different individuals running games to the emulator.
Why use Citra? DraStic DS Emulator (Nintendo DS Emulator For Android)
Nitendo DS proved to be a handheld gaming console, therefore it’s only natural that people are happy to play with Nintendo DS games on Android. And up to now, there has been no better DS emulator on Android compared to DraStic.
The app is no longer than the DS emulators on PC when it comes to features. So, you have controls support, save countries, button mapping, etc.,. The program also allows you to raise the inner resolution. However, expect the very best possible just on high configuration smartphones.
Since the smartphone screen dynamics are rather different from Nintendo DS (dual-screen), the app compensates by providing six different layout options. Aside from the default view (both displays are both large), there is a piled view, one view and an option for keeping a single display shorter than another.
The only drawback with DrasTic is that it is a paid Android app, priced at $X. But, the price barely disturbs considering the number of features.
Why utilize DraStic?
- Online Google Drive area to save information
- Increase emulation rate
Are Emulators actually legal?
Emulators, yeah. ROMS, not too much. Emulators, of any kind, are only applications that instills a console. The problem is pretty similar to torrent customers which themselves are not illegal, but downloading torrents is.
In the same way, emulators for PC aren’t illegal, however downloading and playing games on the identical emulator is prohibited. Although, there have been different perspectives on the topic. But we will proceed from the Nintendo official site which believes that earning digitalized copies of retro NDS games is illegal, despite the fact that the firm doesn’t produce DS games anymore and makes no money out of it.