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MelonDS – Nintendo DS Emulator

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MelonDS is an open-source Nintendo DS emulator that highly regarded. It supports essential features like 3D rendering, customizable resolutions, BIOS emulation, and external controller support and is available for Windows, MacOS & Linux systems.

MelonDS Download

Select which version you require below to be taken to either the official website or app store for your device where you can download:

Windows
apple [#173] Created with Sketch. macOS
Linux

MelonDS Setup Instructions

This guide will walk you through the process of setting up the MelonDS emulator to play Nintendo DS games.

1. Download and Installation

  1. Go to the MelonDS Website:
    Use the links above to access the downloads section on the official MelonDS site.
  2. Locate the Latest Version:
    Scroll down to find the latest version of MelonDS (as of the video, version 0.9, released on September 4, 2020).
  3. Download for Your System:
    • If you are using Windows, click the download link for the Windows 64-bit version.
    • For Linux users, select the appropriate link.
  4. Access the Downloaded File:
    Once the download completes, open your browser’s downloads list (accessible by clicking the three dots in the top-right of your screen, then selecting “Downloads”).
  5. Show in Folder:
    Find the MelonDS file in your downloads and select “Show in folder.”
    Drag the file to your desktop for easier access.
  6. Extract the Emulator:
    If the file is in a compressed format, you need to extract it:
    • 7-Zip: If you don’t already have an extraction tool, you can download 7-Zip.
    • Right-click on the MelonDS file, select 7-Zip > Extract Here.
      You now have the MelonDS emulator ready to use.

2. Initial Configuration

  1. Open MelonDS:
    Double-click the MelonDS executable to open the emulator.
  2. Configure Video Settings:
    • Go to Config > Video Settings.
    • By default, the 3D renderer is set to “Software.” This provides stable, smooth gameplay.
    • To increase the internal resolution, switch the renderer to OpenGL. This allows you to upscale the graphics, but keep in mind this may require more system resources.
    • You can experiment with higher resolutions (e.g., 8x) to see what your system can handle.
    • If you experience screen tearing during gameplay, go back to this menu and enable V-Sync.

3. Setting Up BIOS and Firmware

  1. BIOS and Firmware Files:
    MelonDS requires BIOS and firmware files from an actual Nintendo DS. You will need to source these files on your own through a search, as sharing them directly is prohibited.
  2. Load BIOS and Firmware:
    • Go to Config > Emu Settings.
    • Under DS Mode, browse for the following files:
      • ARM9 BIOS: Select the bios9.bin file.
      • ARM7 BIOS: Select the bios7.bin file.
      • DS Firmware: Select the firmware.bin file.

4. Controller and Keyboard Configuration

  1. Connect Your Controller:
    Ensure your controller (e.g., Xbox One, PS4, or any compatible controller) is connected to your PC before starting the emulator.
  2. Configure Input Settings:
    • Go to Config > Input and Hotkeys.
    • On the left, you’ll see keyboard mappings; on the right, joystick mappings.
    • To set up your controller:
      • Under Joystick, use the dropdown to select your connected controller.
      • For each button (A, B, X, Y, etc.), click on the mapping, then press the corresponding button on your controller.
  3. Button Layout Reference:
    If you’re unsure about the Nintendo DS button layout, you can easily find a diagram online or refer to a paused video for help.

5. Loading a Game (ROM)

  1. Locate Your ROM Files:
    ROMs are game files, and they are necessary to play any Nintendo DS game on MelonDS. Store your ROMs in a folder on your PC or an external drive.
  2. Open a ROM:
    • In the emulator, go to File > Open ROM.
    • Browse to the folder where your ROMs are stored, select the game file (e.g., Pokémon Black), and click Open.
  3. Start the Game:
    After a brief moment, the game should load and begin running in the emulator.

6. Screen Size and Layout Configuration

To switch to a horizontal layout, go to Config > Screen Layout and select “Horizontal.”

Adjust Screen Size:

Go to Config > Screen Size.

Select a resolution multiplier (e.g., 4x) to enlarge the game window.

Full Screen Mode:
To enter full-screen mode, simply drag the game window to the corner of your screen and expand it.

Change Screen Layout:

By default, the emulator uses a vertical screen layout.