Best Nintendo DS Emulators for iPhone in 2026

By Updated on

Playing Nintendo DS Games on Your iPhone in 2026

The Nintendo DS is home to one of the richest game libraries in portable gaming history. Titles like Pokemon HeartGold, The World Ends With You, Professor Layton, Mario Kart DS, and Chrono Trigger make the NDS a console worth revisiting decades after its original release. In 2026, iPhone hardware is more than powerful enough to emulate the DS and its successor, the DSi, at full speed with enhancements — and thanks to Scarlet iOS, installing an NDS emulator on your iPhone takes under a minute.

This guide reviews the best Nintendo DS emulators available for iPhone right now, covering performance, compatibility, features, and how to get each one running.

What to Look for in a DS Emulator

Not all DS emulators are equal. Before diving into specific options, here are the key criteria:

  • Compatibility: What percentage of the DS ROM library runs without crashes or major graphical issues?
  • Performance: Does the emulator run at full 60fps on your device without lag or audio stuttering?
  • Save States: Can you save your progress at any point, not just at in-game save points?
  • Controller Support: Does it support Bluetooth controllers like the Xbox controller or PlayStation DualSense?
  • Screen Layout Options: The DS has two screens. How does the emulator handle displaying both on an iPhone?
  • Cheats: Does it support Action Replay or GameShark codes?

Delta — Best Overall DS Emulator for iPhone

Delta is the undisputed champion of iOS emulation in 2026. Originally developed by Riley Testut, Delta has grown from a GBA emulator into a comprehensive multi-system emulator supporting Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo, and Sega Genesis — all within a single beautiful app.

Nintendo DS Performance in Delta

Delta’s DS core is powered by melonDS, one of the most accurate DS emulators ever written. On an iPhone 14 or newer, DS games run at a locked 60fps with no frame drops. Even on older hardware like the iPhone 12, the vast majority of the DS library runs perfectly. The dual-screen layout is handled elegantly, with options to display both screens simultaneously (stacked or side by side), show only the top screen with the touch screen accessible via a tap, or customize the screen arrangement to your preference.

Delta Key Features

  • Save states and fast forward (up to 4x speed).
  • Full MFi controller and Bluetooth controller support.
  • Customizable on-screen button layouts.
  • Delta Sync for backing up save files to Google Drive or Dropbox.
  • Skin support — thousands of community-made controller skin designs available.
  • AirPlay support to mirror gameplay to a TV.
  • Action Replay cheat code support.

How to Install Delta via Scarlet iOS

  1. Open Scarlet iOS and navigate to the app library.
  2. Search for “Delta” or browse the Emulators category.
  3. Tap Get to install. Delta appears on your home screen within seconds.
  4. Open Delta, tap the + button to add games, and import your legally obtained NDS ROM files.

Delta is free and available directly through the Scarlet iOS library with no additional repository required.

MeloNX — Best for Advanced DS Emulation

MeloNX is a standalone iOS port of the melonDS emulator, offering lower-level access to emulation settings than Delta. It is the preferred choice for users who want granular control over emulation accuracy, renderer settings, and Wi-Fi emulation for DS games with local wireless multiplayer features.

MeloNX Highlights

  • OpenGL and Metal renderer options for balancing performance and accuracy.
  • Local wireless emulation for DS multiplayer games (requires a second device with MeloNX).
  • DSi mode emulation for DSiWare titles.
  • Full BIOS emulation for maximum compatibility with region-locked games.
  • Microphone passthrough for games that use the DS microphone.

MeloNX is best suited for experienced emulation users who understand the difference between HLE and LLE BIOS emulation and want to configure an emulator deeply. For casual gaming, Delta’s simpler interface is the better choice.

RetroArch — Best for Multi-System Users

RetroArch is a modular emulation frontend that uses interchangeable “cores” to emulate hundreds of different systems. For Nintendo DS, it supports both the DeSmuME and melonDS cores. RetroArch’s strength is unification — if you play games across many systems, RetroArch gives you a single interface with unified controller mappings, shader support, and save management.

RetroArch DS Setup

  1. Install RetroArch via Scarlet iOS.
  2. Open RetroArch and navigate to Load Core → Download a Core.
  3. Select Nintendo DS – melonDS from the core list.
  4. Return to the main menu, tap Load Content, and browse to your NDS ROM file.

RetroArch supports CRT shader filters, widescreen hacks, and rewind functionality (the ability to go back in time a few seconds if you make a mistake), none of which are available in standalone emulators like Delta.

Compatibility Notes for iOS 18

All three emulators listed above are confirmed compatible with iOS 18 through early 2026. The Metal renderer in both Delta and MeloNX is specifically optimized for the Apple GPU architecture found in A15, A16, and A17 Pro chips, delivering exceptional performance with minimal battery drain. Older A12 and A13 devices can run most of the DS library without issues, though extremely demanding titles may exhibit occasional slowdowns.

For a broader look at what emulators are available across all gaming platforms via Scarlet iOS, see the complete guide to best emulators to install with Scarlet iOS in 2026.

Recommended DS Games to Start With

If you are new to DS emulation and not sure where to start, these titles represent the best the platform has to offer:

  • Pokemon HeartGold / SoulSilver — The definitive Pokemon experience on any platform.
  • The World Ends With You — A genre-defining JRPG with dual-screen combat mechanics that feel great on iPhone.
  • Chrono Trigger DS — The legendary SNES JRPG with DS-exclusive bonus content.
  • Mario Kart DS — Still one of the best entries in the franchise.
  • Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow — A masterpiece of the Metroidvania genre.
  • Professor Layton and the Curious Village — Puzzle perfection.

Start Playing DS Games on Your iPhone Today

With Delta, MeloNX, or RetroArch installed through Scarlet iOS, your iPhone becomes a capable Nintendo DS that fits in your pocket. The entire setup — from installing Scarlet iOS to loading your first NDS game — takes under ten minutes.

Visit Scarlet iOS now to get started with DS emulation on your iPhone or iPad.

Similar Posts