Casual and hardcore gamers alike should always consider playing NDS rom games on the original DS hand-held console with R4 DS Card. But if one only wants the unique DS gaming experience without any cost, why not bring the Nintendo DS to the computer instead? For such, there's the Nintendo DS emulators.

Nintendo DS emulators, basically, emulates the DS in a platform such as PC. The idea of emulating gaming platforms is not new however; there are emulators for Nintendo's Game Boy and Game Boy Advance and Sony's PlayStation and Playstation 2. As for Nintendo DS emulators, there are quite a number of them available in the Internet. An example is the DeSmuME.

DeSmuME is derived from 'DS Emu' and 'ME' (which is popular for naming developer softwares, such as 'LoadME' and 'PassME'). Formerly known as YopYop DS, it is created by YopYop156 and is originally in French. DeSmuME is an open source Nintendo DS emulator playable in Linux, MAC OS and Windows; it is written in C++. YopYop156 however stopped development on the Nintendo DS emulator at version 0.0.3 because of amended French laws regarding emulation. The source code meanwhile is released. Several developers later released newer versions of the DeSmuME using YopYop156's source code.

The DeSmuME supports save states and filters to improve image quality. It is also has t he ability to increase screen size. It also emulates, almost perfectly, all known 2D graphics; it has some small issues such as the color bit depths. All 3D features are also emulated using the software rasterizer, except wireframes and antialiasing. The sound features, including the microphone use, are supported. The DeSmuME also emulates direct video and audio recording; it has a built-in movie recorder. As for the WiFi, it is reported that the emulator can support Internet connection; but this is still experimental and in development. It is confirmed, albeit limited, that Mario Kart DS and Worms: Open Warfare 2 can be linked.

The DeSmuMe, and also other Nintendo DS emulators, can be ported to the PlayStation Portable. However, it is useless as the PSP doesn't have a touchscreen and the processor to emulate Nintendo DS games at full speed. But it shows that running a Nintendo DS software on PSP is possible.

As for compatibility issues, the DeSmuME lags behind NO$GBA. A limited number of games is playable on it but still with video, audio and control errors; famous titles such as Super Mario and Pokemon are not yet supported. Overall the DeSmuME, and also other Nintendo DS emulators, are in need of development and experiment. The unique DS gaming experience is yet to be perfectly emulated.

About Nintendo DS

When choosing a gaming console to while away the time, the Nintendo DS is the best choice. Aside from being cute and pocket-sized, this small package can play R4 3DS games, take and view photos, browse the Internet, play music and many others. The library of Nintendo DS games has the coolest and best-selling titles. The Nintendo DS also revolutionized gaming concepts; it boasts of the innovative touchscreen games unique only to the DS.