ANDSemu
github.com
What it is
ANDSemu is a free, open-source Nintendo DS emulator for Android phones and tablets. It provides a streamlined graphical interface for running Nintendo DS games, with portrait stacked, landscape side-by-side and landscape stacked screen layouts, plus LCD swapping. Save states and cheat support are included. The project describes its code as based on nds4droid and DeSmuME, and also names DSdroid in the repository. ANDSemu is licensed under GPLv3; redistribution, forks and selling a fork require compliance with that licence, including source files and build scripts. The README recommends Google Play installation and gives source compilation as an alternative. However, AppBrain reports that the app was removed from Google Play on January 14, 2013. Its historical listing describes a free download requiring Android 2.3.3 or later. Source builds require ActionBarSherlock, Android Support Libraries and ndk-build for DeSmuME and other native libraries.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- ANDSemu is a Nintendo DS emulator for Android that lets users play Nintendo DS games on a phone or tablet with a streamlined GUI.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- ANDSemu is licensed under GPLv3.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Availability
- AppBrain reports that the app was removed from Google Play on January 14, 2013 and is no longer available there.Read 7 Oct 2026 · appbrain.com
- Based on
- The repository describes ANDSemu as based on nds4droid, DSdroid, and DeSmuME.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Build dependencies
- Building from source depends on ActionBarSherlock and the Android Support Libraries, and requires ndk-build to compile DeSmuME and other native libraries.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Build support
- The maker says it cannot provide help with compiling or setting up a development environment.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Emulation base
- The project describes itself as based on nds4droid and DeSmuME.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Games
- The maker says it does not provide information on obtaining Nintendo DS games or ROMs and asks users not to ask for it.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Historical Android requirement
- AppBrain lists Android 2.3.3 or higher as the app's technical requirement.Read 7 Oct 2026 · appbrain.com
- Historical price
- AppBrain describes the Android app as free to download.Read 7 Oct 2026 · appbrain.com
- Installation
- The repository recommends installing ANDSemu from the Google Play App Store and says building from source is an alternative.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Redistribution
- The README says users may redistribute, fork, merge, or sell a fork if they comply with the GPL and provide the source files and build scripts.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- ROMs
- The maintainers say they do not know how to obtain Nintendo DS games or ROMs and ask users not to ask them.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and licensed under GPLv3
- Save states supported
- Cheat support included
- Several screen layout options
- Android platform support
Limits
- Removed from Google Play in 2013
- Source builds require native build dependencies
- Maintainers offer no compilation help
- Games and ROM guidance is not provided
Who it suits
It suits Android users seeking an open-source Nintendo DS emulator, especially those comfortable with older software or source builds. It does not provide guidance on obtaining games or ROMs.
Verdict
ANDSemu offers documented emulation features and GPLv3 licensing, but its distribution status and build requirements create practical hurdles. Android users should account for the reported store removal and limited project support.
Where Specifiction places it
- Nintendo DS Emulators#15 of 186.9
