The Nintendo DS was a great handheld console. It is gone now. However, NDS games are still quite popular. But these days, people play them on computers using emulators. It is the easiest way to relive your childhood, especially if you don’t have a Nintendo DS console. Of all the NDS emulators on the internet, DeSmuME enjoys the most attention.
What is DeSmuME?
DeSmuME is an NDS emulator. To be more specific, it is the most accurate NDS emulator around. It was created by TopYop16 who wrote it in C++. The developer stopped working on the program in 2006. But before you panic, DeSmuME is still alive and well.

The author left the project in the hands of a new team that has continued to develop the emulator diligently. DeSmuME is in French. Though, you can find the emulator in other languages, including English. Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and Mac OS X, people use the software to test Nintendo DS features.
It attracts everyone from YouTube streamers to speedrunners and hackers. In case you’re wondering, DeSmuME is perfectly safe. It will only pose a threat to your computer if you download it from an untrustworthy source.
Many hackers will disguise malware as an emulator file. You should vet every website carefully before you download its emulator.
DeSmuME Features
- Runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac
- Supports USB Controllers
- It comes with a cheat code manager
- You can continue from where you left off using the saving feature
- It works on both 32 and 64-bit machines
How To Install DeSmuME?
Step 1. Determine whether your computer is 32 or 64-bit
Step 2. Find the DeSmuME website and look for a download that fits the specifications of your computer. If you have a 32-bit computer, get the 32-bit version. If you have a 64-bit computer, get a 64-bit version.
Step 3. Find the download and extract it using programs like WinRAR.
Step 4. Run the DeSmuME executable file. This is a standalone program. It doesn’t have an installer.
- Size: 38MB
- Type: Emulator
- License: Freeware
- Platform: Windows/Mac/Linux
Download DSemu
Best Nintendo DS Emulator
NO$GBA | Windows |
RetroArch | Multi-platform |
DuoS | Windows |
Dualis | Windows |
NeonDS | Windows |
iDeaS | Windows |
DSemu | Windows |
How To Use DeSmuME?
1). If you want to configure the keyboard, go to ‘Config’ and then ‘Control Config’. Map the buttons of the NDS pad to the keyboard.
2). To play games on the emulator, you must first download the ROMs. Go to ‘File’ and ‘Open ROM’ to access those ROMs. Select the game you want.
3). If you don’t like the second screen, you can change its layout. Go to ‘View’ and ‘LCDs Layout’. Experiment with the options. You can hide the second screen if you want.
4). Use the ‘Alt + Enter’ keys to activate Full Screen
5). You can adjust the 3D graphics by going to ‘Config’ and ‘3D Settings’.
6). Save states are found in ‘File’ and then ‘Save State’.
7). Holding ‘Tab’ will fast forward the game
8). ‘Ctrl + F12’ will capture a screenshot.
Conclusion
As you can see, DeSmuME has a litany of attractive features and functions. You can enhance the 3D graphics, save your progress, capture video and audio, and so much more. This is a fast, accurate NDS emulator that is easy to install and use.