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SPECIFICTION
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NeoDS

github.com

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Spec score 7.7 #5 of 18 in Neo Geo Emulators

What it is

NeoDS is a Nintendo DS emulator for NeoGeo AES and MVS games. It emulates the M68000 and Z80 CPUs, graphics, ADPCM and PSG audio, as well as NeoGeo protection and encryption. NeoDSConvert converts NeoGeo ROM sets into .neo files, and the emulator uses the same ROM sets as MAME. The documented setup requires a Nintendo DS Lite and a DLDI-compatible flash card. A Slot-2 flash card with RAM is optional and can improve the speed of some games. The emulator supports button remapping, normal or scaled video, CPU underclocking, and saving configuration and SRAM to the flash card; its graphical interface is operated with a stylus. It does not emulate FM audio, raster effects or multiplayer, and some timings are not very accurate. The repository describes the project as a fork of a 2008 NeoDS release being updated to 2026 MAME sets. The emulator is free to use for non-commercial purposes; save states appear in the README’s TODO list rather than as a supported feature.

Spec sheet

Purpose
NeoDS is a NeoGeo AES/MVS emulator for Nintendo DS that runs ROMs with some limitations.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The readme asks users to report crashes with as much detail as possible and directs questions to the listed community forums or original author's email.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The readme says the emulator code is free to use for non-commercial purposes; GUI code and converter code are public domain subject to MAME and zlib licenses for the latter.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Founded
2007Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Audio limitation
FM audio is not emulated, and the readme says disabling audio can improve frame rate but may cause some games to freeze.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Configuration
The emulator supports normal or scaled video, CPU underclocking, saving configuration and SRAM, and input remapping.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Controls
The emulator supports button remapping, and its graphical interface is controlled with the stylus.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
CPU emulation
It emulates the M68000 and Z80 CPUs.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Current project
The repository describes this as a 2008 NeoDS fork being updated to 2026 MAME sets.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Emulated systems
It emulates M68000 and Z80 CPUs, NeoGeo protection and encryption, graphics, ADPCM audio, and PSG audio.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Fork status
The repository describes this project as a fork of NeoDS from 2008 being updated to 2026 MAME sets.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Graphics and audio
It emulates graphics, ADPCM audio, and PSG audio.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Hardware requirements
The readme requires a Nintendo DS Lite and a DLDI-compatible flash card; a Slot-2 flash card with RAM is optional.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limitations
FM audio, raster effects, and multiplayer are not emulated, and some timings are not very accurate.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker/project origin
The repository credits NeoDS v0.2.0 to Ben Ingram and describes the repository owner's project as a fork.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Optional hardware
A Slot-2 flash card with RAM is optional and can improve the speed of some games.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Optional RAM
Supported Slot-2 RAM can cache more data and improve some games' speed, but is not required.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Other limitations
Raster effects and multiplayer are not emulated, and some timings are not very accurate.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Protection
It emulates NeoGeo protection and encryption.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
ROM conversion
NeoDSConvert converts NeoGeo ROMs using MAME ROM sets into .neo files, and requires a BIOS ROM.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Save states
Save states are listed in the readme's TODO section.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Save support
NeoDS can save its current configuration and SRAM to the flash card.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

NeoDS Free Emulator code is free to use for non-commercial purposes Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every NeoDS plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Emulates NeoGeo AES and MVS
  • Supports button remapping and scaled video
  • Can save configuration and SRAM
  • Optional Slot-2 RAM may improve some games' speed

Limits

  • Requires a Nintendo DS Lite and DLDI flash card
  • FM audio and raster effects are not emulated
  • Multiplayer is not emulated
  • Save states are listed as a TODO

Who it suits

It suits Nintendo DS Lite owners with a DLDI-compatible flash card who want to run NeoGeo AES or MVS games. The documented setup and emulation omissions are important to check first.

Verdict

NeoDS offers NeoGeo emulation on a specific Nintendo DS setup, with configurable controls and video. Its audio, effects, multiplayer and timing limitations make compatibility expectations important.

Where Specifiction places it

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