Best Nintendo DS Emulators for iPhone in 2026

ByScarlet iOS Team 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 capable of emulating the DS and its successor, the DSi, at full speed with enhancements, and there are several good ways to get an NDS emulator running on your iPhone.

This guide reviews the best Nintendo DS emulators available for iPhone right now, covering features, compatibility, 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 smoothly 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 a widely used option for iOS emulation in 2026. Originally developed by Riley Testut, Delta has grown from a GBA emulator into a 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 app. For GBA-only picks, see the best Game Boy Advance emulators for iOS.

Delta has been on the App Store worldwide since April 2024, which means it installs like any other app on iOS 17.4 or later, with no sideloading, certificates, or reinstalling required.

Nintendo DS Performance in Delta

Delta’s DS core is powered by melonDS, a well regarded DS emulator. On recent iPhone models, DS games run smoothly, and the dual-screen layout is handled 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.
  • Controller support for MFi and Bluetooth controllers.
  • Customizable on-screen button layouts.
  • Delta Sync for backing up save files to Google Drive or Dropbox.
  • Skin support, with community-made controller skin designs available.
  • AirPlay support to mirror gameplay to a TV.
  • Action Replay cheat code support.

How to Install Delta

  1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
  2. Search for “Delta – Game Emulator.”
  3. Tap Get to install, the same as any other App Store app.
  4. Open Delta, tap the + button to add games, and import your legally obtained NDS ROM files.

Because Delta is distributed through the App Store rather than sideloaded, it does not depend on Scarlet iOS or certificate signing. It needs iOS 17.4 or later.

melonDS: The Engine Behind the Best DS Emulation

melonDS is an open-source Nintendo DS emulator known for its accuracy and strong compatibility with the DS library. It is not an app you install on its own, it is the emulation engine working inside other apps. It is the DS core that powers Delta, which is why Delta’s DS performance and compatibility are so strong, and it is also available as a selectable core inside RetroArch for players who want that same accuracy within a multi-system setup.

What melonDS Brings to DS Emulation

  • High emulation accuracy across most of the Nintendo DS library.
  • DSi mode support for playing DSiWare titles.
  • Support for local wireless multiplayer between devices running the same core.
  • OpenGL and Metal rendering paths for balancing performance and visual accuracy.

Because melonDS is an engine rather than a standalone app, there is nothing separate to install here, you get it automatically through Delta on the App Store, or by selecting it as a core inside RetroArch.

RetroArch: Best for Multi-System Users

RetroArch is a modular emulation frontend that uses interchangeable “cores” to emulate many 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 has also been on the App Store since 2024, so it installs the same straightforward way as Delta, with no sideloading needed for the standard build.

RetroArch DS Setup

  1. Install RetroArch from the App Store, the same way you installed Delta.
  2. Open RetroArch and tap Load Core. On iOS the cores come bundled with the app, so there is nothing to download.
  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), which are not available in standalone emulators like Delta. If you want a RetroArch build with a different set of cores than the App Store version offers, Scarlet iOS can sideload alternate RetroArch IPA builds, though the App Store version is enough for most Nintendo DS players.

Compatibility Notes

Delta and RetroArch are both on the App Store: Delta needs iOS 17.4 or later, and RetroArch iOS 12 or later. melonDS, as the engine inside each, follows the same path since it is not something you install separately.

If you choose to sideload an alternate RetroArch build through Scarlet iOS instead of the App Store version, that install follows Scarlet’s own support. Scarlet is confirmed on iOS 14 through iOS 26; iOS 27 support is reported by third parties but not officially confirmed. iOS 27 has been out since September 14, 2026.

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 some of the best the platform has to offer:

  • Pokemon HeartGold / SoulSilver: A beloved 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 standout of the Metroidvania genre.
  • Professor Layton and the Curious Village: Puzzle perfection.

Start Playing DS Games on Your iPhone Today

Delta and RetroArch both get you started in minutes straight from the App Store, with melonDS working behind the scenes as the DS engine inside each. If you ever want a RetroArch build with a different set of cores, Scarlet iOS can sideload an alternate IPA. Scarlet is confirmed on iOS 14 through iOS 26; iOS 27 support is reported by third parties but not officially confirmed. However you get there, your iPhone becomes a capable Nintendo DS that fits in your pocket. For the DS’s successor, see our guide to 3DS emulators for iPhone.

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

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