Simple and dependable Nintendo DS emulator for Mac

DeSmuME for Mac

DeSmuME for Mac

  -  14.34 MB  -  Open Source
  • Latest Version

    DeSmuME 0.9.13 LATEST

  • Review by

    Jack Taylor

  • Operating System

    Mac OS X 10.6 or later

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    DeSmuME Team / External Link

  • Filename

    desmume-0.9.13-macOS.dmg

  • MD5 Checksum

    4991da5df9169b1c132fa9ea73d3efb7

DeSmuME for Mac is a reliable and stable open-source Nintendo DS emulator designed specifically for Mac computers, allowing users of all technical knowledge levels to easily load and play Nintendo DS games on their home computers using DS ROM files.

Due to its almost 100% compatibility with console software and extensive set of advanced features, this emulator represents an excellent choice for anyone looking to relive their childhood memories or experience the thrill of playing classic Nintendo DS games on their modern Mac devices.

This emulator’s versatility and ease of use make it an ideal solution for a variety of use cases, including not only playing Nintendo DS games for nostalgic purposes, but also testing and developing homebrew game projects, researching various game systems functions for game development purposes, or create playable libraries for preservation purposes.

All in all, this lightweight but highly capable emulator represents the best choice for gamers, developers, and researchers who want to access popular retro handheld gaming software on the Mac platform.

Main Features
  • Reliable Nintendo DS Emulation – Play Nintendo DS games on their Macs using DS ROM files.
  • Dual Screen Rendering – Experience all NDS games the way they are meant to be played.
  • Near 100% Compatibility – Replay any NDS title with accurate emulation or with enhanced framerate and visuals.
  • Customizable Controls – Fully customize the controls on both keyboards and gamepads.
  • Save States – Save game progress at any point, making it easy to pick up at any point on any supported platform (Windows, Mac, Linux).
  • Open-Source – Developed with the expertise of a worldwide group of emulation experts.
  • Also Accessible on the Web – Access reliable Nintendo DS emulation directly in a browser tab!
Installation and Setup

Installing this emulator on any modern Mac is an easy process, requiring users to simply download the latest installer either from the official website or secure FileHorse servers, and follow the installation prompts.

Once fully installed, users can start using the emulator immediately. The only configuration that is needed is if users want to control games with the gamepad. In that case, they need to use the Control Config tool to properly map all Nintendo DS buttons.

How to Use

After starting the app, users need to provide access to ROM files and customize the controls to their liking. The emulator also includes a range of settings that users can adjust to optimize their gaming experience, including 3D rendering settings, audio configuration, and more.

Imported ROMs can be started with a single “Play” button on top of the dashboard, with that same button becoming a “Pause” tool that can enable all users to take a breather whenever they wish.

Both screens of the Nintendo DS system are rendered together in a vertical arrangement, with built-in support for increased window size and high-resolution rendering, making the experience of replaying old handheld software much more engaging and visually striking.

User Interface

The main dashboard of this emulator promotes easy ROM imports and streamlined access to all the most important game emulation controls.

FAQ

What is DeSmuME?
It is a popular and easy-to-use Nintendo DS emulator designed to run on all modern home computer platforms and the web.

Is it safe?
Yes, if it is downloaded from a reliable source.

Alternatives

OpenEmu – A free and open-source emulator that supports a wide range of consoles, including the Nintendo DS.

RetroArch – A popular suite of emulators with support for many handheld console platforms from Nintendo.

Citra – A discontinued Nintendo 3DS emulator with support for network play, save states, and excellent compatibility.

Pricing

This emulator is 100% free.

System Requirements

OS: macOS 10.6 or later

This intel-based app can run on M-series Macs with the help of Apple's Rosetta 2 translation technology.

PROS
  • Highly compatible with Nintendo DS software.
  • Customizable controls and rendering features.
  • Multi-platform support.
  • 100% free.
CONS
  • Does not support networked play via WiFi (a basic feature supported on real Nintendo DS handheld consoles).
Conclusion

DeSmuME for Mac is an excellent open-source emulator with almost complete 100% compatibility with popular software of handheld console Nintendo DS.

Its versatility, ease of use, high compatibility, and customizable controls make it an ideal solution for gamers of all ages, developers, and historians seeking to experience retro gaming on any computer they own.

Also Available: Download DeSmuME for Windows

  • DeSmuME 0.9.13 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    DeSmuME 0.9.13 Screenshot 1
  • DeSmuME 0.9.13 Screenshot 2
  • DeSmuME 0.9.13 Screenshot 3

What's new in this version:

- In this version we have added support for high-resolution 3D rendering. Try the new "GPU Scaling Factor" feature to increase the 3D resolution beyond the native resolution of 256x192 pixels. Also, the Cocoa frontend sees continued
- radical enhancements and while the Windows frontend sees some new incremental enhancements