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SPECIFICTION
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DSperate

github.com

Linux
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Spec score 7.3 #11 of 18 in Nintendo DS Emulators

What it is

DSperate is a free, public-source Nintendo DS and DSi emulator for Linux on AArch64 and ARMhf. Its CPU emulation includes ARM946E-S and ARM7TDMI interpreters, plus ARM-to-AArch64 and ARM-to-ARMv7 recompilers. Graphics include complete 2D engines, a software 3D rasteriser and optional Vulkan GPU rendering. Experimental DSi support covers DSiWare, NAND boot, an SD card folder, microphone, Wi-Fi, PictoChat and Download Play, but the DSi DSP is not emulated and DSi-enhanced cartridges run as DS games in DSi mode. Local multiplayer and Download Play work over a LAN; internet access uses a user-mode TCP/IP stack. It has ten save-state slots and a hidden automatic slot, configurable screen layouts, cheats, and remappable keyboard and controller input with stylus support. Games can run with built-in FreeBIOS and generated firmware; user dumps allow firmware boot and exact timing. It loads .nds files and .zip files containing an .nds, but not zip64, 7z or rar. The project is licensed under GPLv3 and describes its implementation as clean-room work.

Spec sheet

Purpose
DSperate is a Nintendo DS and DSi emulator designed to reimplement DraStic-level performance with modern features.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Product
DSperate is a Nintendo DS and DSi emulator that aims to reimplement DraStic-level performance with modern features.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Platforms
The project documents Linux ARM64 and ARMHF release tarballs and cross-build targets for AArch64 and ARMv7.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Security
The README describes a crashed guest memory safeguard that prevents the recompiler from running the host out of memory.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
License
DSperate is licensed under GPLv3.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Achievements
RetroAchievements support is available in Casual mode; Hardcore mode is not supported.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Architecture
It reimplements DraStic techniques through clean-room work and includes no DraStic code.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
BIOS requirement
Games can run without BIOS or firmware dumps using built-in FreeBIOS and generated firmware; the project does not include real dumps.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Build requirements
The playable frontend requires CMake 3.16 or later, Ninja, a C++17 compiler, and SDL2.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
CPU emulation
It supports ARM946E-S and ARM7TDMI interpreters and ARM-to-AArch64 and ARM-to-ARMv7 recompilers.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
DSi limitation
The DSi DSP is not emulated, and DSi-enhanced cartridges run as DS games in DSi mode.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
DSi support
Experimental DSi support includes DSiWare, NAND boot, SD card folder backing, microphone, DSi Wi-Fi, PictoChat, and Download Play.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Emulation
It supports interpreted and recompiled ARM CPUs, DS graphics and sound, save states, cheats, and configurable screen layouts.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Graphics
It includes complete 2D engines, a software 3D rasteriser, and optional Vulkan GPU 3D rendering.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Input
Keyboard and controller remapping, controller hotkeys, stylus input, and touch or mouse input on the bottom screen are supported.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
License and source
The project is public source code under GPLv3 and describes itself as a clean-room reimplementation with no DraStic code in the repository.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Release
The latest listed release is DSperate v2.1.1, described as including a Wayland display fix, enhanced 3D anti-aliasing, and a rasteriser correction.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Release platforms
The release page lists linux-aarch64 and linux-armhf tarballs, with static variants also available.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
ROM formats
It loads NDS games and ZIP archives containing supported game files; ZIP64, 7z, and RAR archives are unsupported.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Save states
It provides ten save-state slots plus a hidden automatic slot, and DSi states also carry NAND and SD card changes.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Target hardware
The project is built and measured on ARM handhelds, including the Anbernic RG DS with an RK3566 processor.Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Wireless
It supports local wireless play over a LAN using melonDS's protocol and internet access through an emulated access point.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and licensed under GPLv3.
  • Supports ARM interpreters and recompilers.
  • Optional Vulkan rendering for 3D.
  • Ten save-state slots plus an automatic slot.
  • Supports local multiplayer over a LAN.

Limits

  • DSi support is experimental.
  • DSi DSP is not emulated.
  • Hardcore RetroAchievements mode is not enabled.
  • Does not load zip64, 7z or rar.

Who it suits

DSperate suits Linux users on AArch64 or ARMhf, particularly those using ARM handhelds. It may appeal to players who want DS emulation, LAN multiplayer and experimental DSi features.

Verdict

DSperate offers broad DS emulation features for Linux ARM systems, including optional Vulkan rendering and LAN multiplayer. Its DSi support has explicit gaps, and supported release platforms are limited to Linux AArch64 and ARMhf.

Where Specifiction places it

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