RetroArch’s new melonDS DS core adds wi-fi and better dual-screen controls

RetroArch now has a stronger option for Nintendo DS emulation. It’s called melonDS DS, and it brings a much wider set of features to the frontend than the older melonDS core. The biggest change sits under the hood. Instead of maintaining a heavily modified version of melonDS just for RetroArch, the new core uses the standalone emulator as a statically linked dependency. That sounds technical, but the practical benefit is simple: improvements made to melonDS should be easier to bring into RetroArch without developers having to untangle two increasingly different codebases. That matters because DS emulation isn’t just about loading a ROM anymore. You’ve got two screens, touch controls, a microphone, Wi-Fi, DSi software, Slot-2 accessories and several games that depend on hardware quirks. melonDS DS tries to cover far more of that in one place.

Wi-Fi and local multiplayer get proper attention

Networking is one of the headline additions. melonDS DS supports Wi-Fi emulation across the platforms covered by the core. You can use several preconfigured servers, or enter a custom DNS address through the emulated Nintendo DS Wi-Fi settings.

Local multiplayer works differently. RetroArch handles that through its netplay API, so nearby multiplayer sessions can run across a LAN without depending on an outside server. That gives users two separate networking options. One deals with games that used Nintendo’s online services. The other handles local wireless multiplayer. For anyone who found the networking support in older RetroArch DS cores too limited, this is probably one of the most useful changes.

DSiWare is easier to deal with

DSi support also gets a cleaner workflow. When you launch a DSiWare title, melonDS DS can temporarily install it to the emulated NAND. When you close the core, that installation can be removed again. Metadata stays cached locally, and the DSi menu can start with the selected title already prepared.

That cuts out some of the manual setup that usually comes with DSiWare. There are still requirements, though. DSi mode needs the correct BIOS files, firmware and a NAND image. Savestates also don’t work in DSi mode. That restriction affects other RetroArch features too. Rewind and runahead depend on savestates, so you can’t use them with DSi software.

Eight screen layouts make a real difference

Nintendo DS games don’t all use the two screens in the same way. Some keep most of the action on the top display. Others expect constant interaction with the touchscreen. A few use both displays almost like one tall screen. melonDS DS gives you up to eight screen layouts to work with. You can switch between them without constantly digging through the core options.

Rotation is supported too. You can turn the display left, right or completely upside down, which helps with games designed around unusual screen orientations. You can also scale and filter each display separately. That sounds like a small thing until you’re playing on a widescreen monitor, handheld PC or phone. Being able to make one screen larger than the other can make certain DS games much easier to use.

Touch controls work better without a touchscreen

Not every device running RetroArch has a touchscreen, so melonDS DS includes analogue-stick stylus controls. You can move the virtual stylus with a controller and adjust pointer speed, acceleration and response behaviour. There’s also a separate speed-up option for games that need faster stylus movement.

It’s a practical addition. Some DS games expect quick swipes or constant touchscreen input, and a slow pointer can make those games frustrating on a controller.

Microphone and Slot-2 features are included

The core also supports several pieces of DS hardware that games sometimes rely on. If your device and RetroArch frontend support it, microphone input can be passed directly into the emulated system. Battery level and charging status can also be reflected inside the DS environment.

Slot-2 support covers the Rumble Pak, Memory Expansion Pak and solar sensor. melonDS DS can also load Game Boy Advance ROM and save data when a DS game checks for a cartridge in Slot-2. It doesn’t turn the core into a GBA emulator, though. The feature is there for DS games that use GBA connectivity.

Installing melonDS DS is fairly simple

On supported RetroArch builds, you can install melonDS DS through the built-in core downloader. Manual installation is also possible. You just need the correct core library and information file in the proper RetroArch folders.

The core supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, although some features depend on the frontend and operating system. Standard Nintendo DS games can often run with built-in BIOS and firmware replacements. Some features still need original system files, especially when you start using DSi functions.

If you already have the older melonDS core installed, check which one RetroArch selects when opening a DS game. Both can exist on the same system, so it’s worth making sure melonDS DS is actually being used.

A much broader DS core for RetroArch

melonDS DS doesn’t rely on one big trick. Its appeal comes from the number of gaps it fills at once. Wi-Fi works. LAN multiplayer is supported. DSiWare setup is less awkward. Screen layouts are more flexible. Stylus controls are better suited to controllers. Hardware features such as the microphone and Slot-2 accessories get more attention too.

There are still limits. DSi savestates aren’t available, DSi camera support is missing and the newer OpenGL compute-shader renderer isn’t included. Even so, melonDS DS gives RetroArch users a noticeably more complete Nintendo DS setup. For people who want networking, DSi support and better control over the handheld’s unusual two-screen layout, it’s a significant step forward.