dasShiny
github.com
What it is
dasShiny is a free Nintendo DS emulator for Linux, macOS, and Windows. The maker describes it as highly experimental and aims it at people familiar with cartridge folders and recent BSNES versions. Its interface looks for a gamefolder.nds/manifest.xml file; a blank manifest directs it to a ROM in gamefolder.nds/rom, which can be up to 1 GB. Setup requires ARM7 and ARM9 BIOS files and firmware, and the maker advises backing up rewritable firmware. The emulator can load homebrew ROMs, but it does not implement DLDI support for FAT access, so software that depends on that access may not work. Games listed as known to run include Super Mario 64, Mario Kart DS, and Animal Crossing: Wild World, along with several demos. Pokémon Diamond/Pearl is reported to save but crash at the load menu. For 3D, the maker says a high-end Core 2, i5, or i7 is pretty much mandatory in the described context. Windows users are advised to choose XAudio2 over DirectSound.
Spec sheet
- Product
- dasShiny is a Nintendo DS emulator.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Intended users
- The release is aimed at people familiar with cartridge folders and recent versions of BSNES.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The repository includes GPLv3 and license files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Cartridge files
- A blank manifest makes the emulator look for gamefolder.nds/rom, which can be up to 1 GB.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Compatibility
- The maker lists Mario Kart DS and Animal Crossing: Wild World among games known to run.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Compatibility examples
- The maker lists Super Mario 64, Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing: Wild World, and several DS demos among software known to run.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Game setup
- The GUI looks for a gamefolder.nds/manifest.xml file.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Homebrew limitation
- The maker says DLDI is not implemented, so software requiring FAT access should not be expected to work.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Homebrew support
- The emulator can load a ROM from a gamefolder.nds/rom path, up to 1 GB, but has no DLDI support for FAT access.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Interface
- The GUI is described as little more than a standard ethos build and looks for gamefolder.nds/manifest.xml.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Known game issue
- The maker warns that Pokémon Diamond/Pearl saves but crashes at the load menu.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Known issue
- The maker warns that Pokémon Diamond/Pearl saves but crashes at the load menu.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Performance
- The maker says a high-end Core 2, i5, or i7 is pretty much mandatory for 3D at the time described.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Project status
- The maker describes the emulator as highly experimental.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Required files
- Getting started requires ARM7 and ARM9 BIOS files and firmware.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Setup
- Setup requires ARM7 BIOS, ARM9 BIOS, and firmware files, with the maker advising users to back up the rewritable firmware.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Windows audio
- For Windows, the maker recommends XAudio2 over DirectSound and reports higher frame rates under load with XAudio2.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free to use on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Loads ROMs from the specified folder structure.
- Several games and demos are listed as running.
- Windows XAudio2 is recommended for higher frame rates under load.
Limits
- The maker calls the emulator highly experimental.
- ARM7 and ARM9 BIOS files and firmware are required.
- DLDI FAT access is not implemented.
- Pokémon Diamond/Pearl crashes at the load menu.
Who it suits
dasShiny is aimed at users familiar with cartridge folders and recent BSNES versions who want to experiment with Nintendo DS emulation. It may suit people trying the listed games and demos, provided they can supply the required BIOS and firmware files.
Verdict
dasShiny has a narrow, experimental setup and a documented set of compatibility limits. The required firmware and missing DLDI support are important considerations before trying it.
Where Specifiction places it
- Nintendo DS Emulators#9 of 187.4
