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6 Recommended DS Emulators for PC/Android/iOS

Elsa Updated on Jun 5, 2025 Filed to: Screen Mirroring

To play Nintendo DS games on a PC or smartphone, a DS emulator is required. However, with so many types of emulators available, choosing the right one can be confusing. Some people may have tried and given up because they found the settings were too complicated.

So, we have carefully selected and introduced six recommended emulators for playing DS games. Use this guide as a reference when choosing an Nintendo DS emulator. Additionally, we will also introduce a method for mirroring the game onto a large screen for a better experience, so please refer to that as well.

  • 1: Recommended 6 DS Emulators
  • 2: How to Play DS Games on a Large Screen?hot-tip
  • 3: Conclusion

Part 1: Recommended 6 DS Emulators for PC/Android/iOS

To run NINTENDO DS games on a PC, Android, or iPhone, a DS emulator is necessary. There are many types of emulators with varying performance levels. You won't be able to enjoy your game unless you choose an emulator that suits your ease of use.

Here, we introduce 6 recommended DS emulators for Windows, Android, and iOS. The following table compares each emulator, and detailed explanations are provided for reference. There is no need to overthink it, just choose the right emulator and enjoy playing DS games.

EmulatorSupported OSMain FeaturesBIOS Needed
RetroArchWindows
Linux
MacOS
iOS
Android
Game speed adjustment
Screenshot
Online play
Rewind
Depends on the core
DeSmuMEWindows
MacOS
Game speed adjustment
Screenshot
Recording
Mic functionality
No
MelonDSWindows
Linux
MacOS
Game speed adjustment
Online play
Screen layout adjustment
Joystick support
No
NO$GBAWindowsScreenshot
Mic functionality
Joystick
Filter
No
iDEAS EmulatorWindows
Linux
Game speed adjustment
Screenshot
Mic functionality
Joystick support
Required
Project64 EmulatorWindowsCheat codes
4K support
Online play
Joystick support
No

Hint: "Screenshot" is short for "Screen Capture".

1RetroArch

Price: Free

Supported OS: Windows/Linux/MacOS/iOS/Android

Basic Information:

It has many features, and its compatibility is so high that it can run almost all games. However, it requires a high-spec device.

Recommended Point:

It has compatibility with many games and sufficient features for playing DS games. It is also recommended due to its support for many operating systems.

RetroArch

Advantages

  • Supports many OS with high game compatibility
  • Fully supports Japanese

Disadvantages

  • Requires high-spec device

2DeSmuME

Price: Free

Supported OS: Windows/MacOS

Basic Information:

It has compatibility with many DS games, and you can customize various settings. It does not support online play, but all basic features are available.

Recommended Point:

This emulator can comfortably run most DS games, making it a reliable choice.

DeSmuME

Advantages

  • Has all basic features except online play, making it suitable for game playing

Disadvantages

  • You need to manually apply a patch to enable other language like Japanese

3melonDS

Price: Free

Supported OS: Windows/Linux/MacOS

Basic Information:

It doesn't have as many features as RetroArch but still has high compatibility and works well for most games. It also supports save/load and joystick features.

Recommended Point:

It has good usability and compatibility with many games. Though it has fewer features than other emulators, it stands out with its support for online play and the fact that it doesn't require BIOS.

melonDS

Advantages

  • Does not require BIOS and supports online play

Disadvantages

  • Lacks features like recording

4NO$GBA

Price: Free

Supported OS: Windows

Basic Information:

It has basic features like joystick, filters, screenshot, and mic functionality, but it does not support save anywhere functionality.

Recommended Point:

It does not require BIOS, and although the basic features are limited, the number of compatible games is steadily increasing.

nogba

Advantages

  • High game compatibility despite limited features

Disadvantages

  • No save anywhere functionality

5iDEAS Emulator

Price: Free

Supported OS: Windows/Linux

Basic Information:

Has all the necessary basic features, but requires BIOS to run.

Recommended Point:

It's a plugin-based emulator, which helps replicate the real hardware's behavior, including features like Wi-Fi support.

iDEAS Emulator

Advantages

  • Easy to use in plugin format

Disadvantages

  • Requires BIOS

6Project64 Emulator

Price: Free

Supported OS: Windows

Basic Information:

Project64 was developed as a Nintendo 64 emulator but also supports DS games, so you can play both DS and N64 games.

Recommended Point:

It has high DS game compatibility, and can also play N64 games, making it a great option.

Project64 Emulator

Advantages

  • Supports both DS and N64

Disadvantages

  • Complex settings, not ideal for beginners
Summary: The best emulator for running DS games is RetroArch. It is easy to use, has great basic features, and is compatible with many games. Not only does it reproduce the actual hardware well, but it also allows for better performance than the actual device.

Part 2: How to Play PS Games on a Large TV Screen

We introduced 6 DS emulators, but have you ever felt that playing on a small smartphone screen lacks immersion? While playing DS games on a smartphone or PC is fun, wouldn't it be more enjoyable to play on a larger screen?

Although you can't physically enlarge your smartphone screen, with the free app "AirDroid Cast", you can easily project the screen of your smartphone to a large screen like a TV.

Free Download


If you project your smartphone screen to a computer, you can use the computer's keyboard and mouse to play games, or if you project it to a TV, you can use an external joypad. This way, you can play DS games dynamically. "AirDroid Cast" is free and easy to use, so you can start easily without confusion.

3 steps to cast

If you don't want to install the app, we recommend the AirDroid Cast Web Version. It has a powerful feature for seamless browser casting, making it perfect for training, presentations, daily communication, and entertainment experiences.

Part 3: Conclusion

We introduced the best 6 DS emulators, and by now, you should have a good understanding of the recommended points, basic features, advantages, and disadvantages of each. Choose the most suitable emulator based on your situation.

Also, playing DS games on your smartphone or PC is fun, but how about projecting the gameplay onto a larger screen? Using "AirDroid Cast," as mentioned in the article, will enhance the gaming experience with a big-screen impact, bringing a whole new level of enjoyment!

pic cast pop 01

AirDroid Cast

  • Local and remote screen casting
  • Android/iOS/Windows/TV screen mirroring
  • Wireless and USB connection
  • Complete control of Android and iOS with your fingertips
  • Mirror multiple screens
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Elsa
Elsa
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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