# melonDS

> open source Nintendo DS/DSi emulator

**Wikidata**: [Q107749399](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107749399)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/melonds

## Summary
melonDS is an open-source emulator for the Nintendo DS and DSi consoles, allowing users to play games from these systems on compatible operating systems. Released in 2016, it is part of the broader open-source software ecosystem and supports multiple platforms, including Linux, Windows, and macOS.

## Key Facts
- **Open-source software**: melonDS is freely available under a permissive license, allowing users to modify and redistribute the source code.
- **Emulates Nintendo DS and DSi**: The emulator accurately replicates the hardware and software of these Nintendo consoles.
- **Cross-platform support**: Runs on Linux, Microsoft Windows, and macOS.
- **First release**: The source code repository was initiated on May 16, 2016.
- **Multiple versions**: Released versions include 0.1 through 0.7.2, with updates as of June 25, 2019.
- **Related emulator**: BizHawk is another multiplatform emulator with full rerecording support, released in 2011.
- **Package availability**: Available as packages for various Linux distributions, including Gentoo, openSUSE, Alpine Linux, and Arch User Repository (AUR).
- **Website**: Official site is [melonds.kuribo64.net](https://melonds.kuribo64.net/) in English.
- **License**: Uses the GPL-2.0-or-later license as of April 5, 2023.

## FAQs
### Q: What platforms does melonDS support?
A: melonDS supports Linux, Microsoft Windows, and macOS, allowing users to emulate Nintendo DS and DSi games on these operating systems.

### Q: Is melonDS free to use?
A: Yes, melonDS is open-source software available under a permissive license, making it free to use and modify.

### Q: How do I install melonDS?
A: melonDS can be installed via package managers for supported Linux distributions or by downloading the source code from its GitHub repository.

### Q: What versions of melonDS are available?
A: melonDS has released versions from 0.1 to 0.7.2, with updates as of June 25, 2019.

### Q: Can melonDS play all Nintendo DS games?
A: melonDS aims to emulate the Nintendo DS and DSi hardware accurately, but compatibility may vary depending on the game.

## Why It Matters
melonDS plays a crucial role in the gaming community by providing an open-source alternative for playing Nintendo DS and DSi games on modern systems. Its availability on multiple platforms ensures accessibility for a wide range of users. As an open-source project, it fosters community collaboration and customization, allowing users to contribute to its development and adapt it to their needs. This emulator fills a niche in the emulation space, offering a legal and community-driven solution for preserving and enjoying classic Nintendo games. Its existence highlights the ongoing importance of open-source software in gaming, providing flexibility and innovation beyond proprietary alternatives.

## Notable For
- **Open-source development**: melonDS is part of the open-source software movement, allowing users to freely access and modify its source code.
- **Cross-platform compatibility**: Supports Linux, Windows, and macOS, making it accessible to a broad audience.
- **Community-driven updates**: Regular releases and updates demonstrate active development and community engagement.
- **Legal emulation**: Provides a legal way to play Nintendo DS and DSi games on modern systems.
- **Package availability**: Available as packages for various Linux distributions, simplifying installation for users.

## Body
### Overview
melonDS is an open-source emulator designed to replicate the Nintendo DS and DSi hardware, enabling users to play games from these consoles on compatible operating systems. The project was initiated in 2016 and has since released multiple versions, with the latest updates as of June 25, 2019.

### Technical Details
- **Emulation Targets**: Accurately emulates the Nintendo DS and DSi systems.
- **Operating Systems**: Compatible with Linux, Microsoft Windows, and macOS.
- **License**: Uses the GPL-2.0-or-later license, ensuring open-source accessibility.
- **Package Availability**: Available as packages for Gentoo, openSUSE, Alpine Linux, and Arch User Repository (AUR).

### Development and Releases
- **First Release**: The source code repository was created on May 16, 2016.
- **Version History**: Released versions include 0.1 through 0.7.2, with updates as of June 25, 2019.
- **Website**: Official site is [melonds.kuribo64.net](https://melonds.kuribo64.net/) in English.

### Community and Support
- **Open-Source Contributions**: Users can modify and redistribute the source code under the permissive license.
- **Platform Support**: Runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS, ensuring broad compatibility.
- **Package Managers**: Available via package managers for various Linux distributions, simplifying installation.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "melonDS",
  "description": "Open-source Nintendo DS/DSi emulator",
  "url": "https://melonds.kuribo64.net/",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122790847", "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:MelonDS"],
  "additionalType": "SoftwareApplication"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS#licenses)
2. [Release 0.1. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.1)
3. [Release 0.2. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.2)
4. [Release 0.3. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.3)
5. [Release 0.4. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.4)
6. [Release 0.5. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.5)
7. [Release 0.6. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.6)
8. [Release 0.6b. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.6b)
9. [Release 0.7. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.7)
10. [Release 0.7.1. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.7.1)
11. [Release 0.7.2. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.7.2)
12. [Release 0.7.3. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.7.3)
13. [Release 0.7.4. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.7.4)
14. [Release 0.8. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.8)
15. [Release 0.8.1. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.8.1)
16. [Release 0.8.2. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.8.2)
17. [Release 0.8.3. 2019](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.8.3)
18. [Release 0.9. 2020](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.9)
19. [Release 0.9.1. 2020](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.9.1)
20. [Release 0.9.2. 2021](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.9.2)
21. [Release 0.9.3. 2021](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.9.3)
22. [Release 0.9.4. 2022](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.9.4)
23. [Release 0.9.5. 2022](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/0.9.5)
24. [Release 1.0. 2025](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/1.0)
25. [Release 1.1. 2025](https://github.com/melonDS-emu/melonDS/releases/tag/1.1)
26. [Source](https://github.com/Arisotura/melonDS/commit/e0255fb957b9bcfe8b45b0e810b181fe93fe7fd4)