Nintendo - DS (melonDS)¶
Background¶
An up-and-coming Nintendo DS emulator by Arisotura, ported to libretro.
Author/License¶
The melonDS core has been authored by
- Arisotura
The melonDS core is licensed under
A summary of the licenses behind RetroArch and its cores can be found here.
Extensions¶
Content that can be loaded by the melonDS core have the following file extensions:
- .nds
Databases¶
RetroArch database(s) that are associated with the melonDS core:
BIOS¶
Required or optional firmware files go in the frontend's system directory.
| Filename | Description | md5sum |
|---|---|---|
| bios7.bin | NDS ARM7 BIOS - Optional | df692a80a5b1bc90728bc3dfc76cd948 |
| bios9.bin | NDS ARM9 BIOS - Optional | a392174eb3e572fed6447e956bde4b25 |
| firmware.bin | NDS Firmware - Optional | |
| dsi_bios7.bin | DSi ARM7 BIOS - Optional | |
| dsi_bios9.bin | DSi ARM9 BIOS - Optional | |
| dsi_firmware.bin | DSi Firmware - Optional | |
| dsi_nand.bin | DSi NAND - Optional | |
| dsi_sd_card.bin | DSi SD Card - Optional |
Features¶
Frontend-level settings or features that the melonDS core respects.
| Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
| Restart | ✔ |
| Screenshots | ✔ |
| Saves | ✔ |
| States | ✔ |
| Rewind | ✔ |
| Netplay | ✕ |
| Core Options | ✔ |
| RetroAchievements | ✔ |
| RetroArch Cheats | ✔ |
| Native Cheats | ✕ |
| Controls | ✔ |
| Remapping | ✔ |
| Multi-Mouse | ✕ |
| Rumble | ✕ |
| Sensors | ✕ |
| Camera | ✕ |
| Location | ✕ |
| Subsystem | ✕ |
| Softpatching | ✕ |
| Disk Control | ✕ |
| Username | ✕ |
| Language | ✕ |
| Crop Overscan | ✕ |
| LEDs | ✕ |
Directories¶
The melonDS core's library name is 'melonDS'
The melonDS core saves/loads to/from these directories.
Frontend's Cache directory
| File | Description |
|---|---|
| *.sav | Cartridge battery save |
Geometry and timing¶
- The melonDS core's core provided FPS is 59.8983059319
- The melonDS core's core provided sample rate is 32768 Hz
- The melonDS core's base width is 256
- The melonDS core's base height is 384
- The melonDS core's max width is 256
- The melonDS core's max height is 384
- The melonDS core's core provided aspect ratio is ⅔
Controllers¶
The melonDS core supports the following device type(s) in the controls menu, bolded device types are the default for the specified user(s):
User 1 device types¶
- None - Doesn't disable input. There's no reason to switch to this.
- Nintendo DS - Joypad - Stay on this.
Device tables¶
Joypad¶

| User 1 input descriptors | RetroPad Inputs |
|---|---|
| B | ![]() |
| Y | ![]() |
| Select | ![]() |
| Start | ![]() |
| Up | ![]() |
| Down | ![]() |
| Left | ![]() |
| Right | ![]() |
| A | ![]() |
| X | ![]() |
| L | ![]() |
| R | ![]() |
| Swap Screens | ![]() |
| Close Lid | ![]() |
Compatibility¶
External Links¶
- Official melonDS Website
- Official melonDS Github Repository
- Libretro melonDS Core info file
- Libretro melonDS Github Repository
- Report Libretro melonDS Core Issues Here
- Gameplay Videos













