Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

No$GBA VS DeSmuME

Compare No$GBA VS DeSmuME and see what are their differences

No$GBA logo No$GBA

If you have no money you can play Nintendo DS and Gameboy Advance game.

DeSmuME logo DeSmuME

DeSmuME is a freeware emulator for the NDS roms & Nintendo DS Lite games created by YopYop156.
  • No$GBA Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-01-25
  • DeSmuME Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-08-04

No$GBA features and specs

  • Compatibility
    No$GBA is known for its high compatibility with a wide range of Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS games, which allows users to play a vast library of titles without major issues.
  • Performance
    The emulator is lightweight and optimized for high performance, meaning it can run efficiently on older hardware without demanding too many system resources.
  • Debugging Tools
    No$GBA includes debugging features that are beneficial for developers and ROM hackers, providing in-depth insights into the functioning of game ROMs.
  • Low System Requirements
    The emulator has low system requirements, allowing it to function smoothly on a variety of systems, including those with limited processing power.
  • Frequent Updates
    No$GBA is regularly updated by its developer, ensuring ongoing improvements, bug fixes, and the addition of new features to enhance user experience.

Possible disadvantages of No$GBA

  • User Interface
    The user interface can be quite rudimentary and less intuitive compared to other modern emulators, potentially making it challenging for new users to navigate.
  • Sound Emulation
    There are reports of sound emulation issues that may detract from the overall experience, as audio output is sometimes less accurate compared to the original hardware.
  • Limited Features
    No$GBA lacks some advanced features found in other emulators, such as built-in cheat support and enhanced graphic options, which may limit customization and control for users.
  • DS Emulation Limitations
    While it supports Nintendo DS games, the emulation is not perfect and some games may experience graphical glitches or crashes, reducing playability.
  • Commercial Licensing for Debug Version
    The debugging version of No$GBA requires a commercial license for full access, which may be a drawback for those looking for free software solutions.

DeSmuME features and specs

  • High Compatibility
    DeSmuME has a high compatibility rate with a wide range of Nintendo DS games, making it a reliable choice for most users.
  • Active Community
    There is a strong, active community around DeSmuME, offering support, updates, and troubleshooting advice which can be very helpful.
  • Save State Feature
    The emulator supports save states, allowing users to save and load their progress at any point, offering greater control over gameplay.
  • High Customizability
    Users can adjust numerous settings including graphics, controls, and emulation speed, enabling tailored experiences.
  • Free to Use
    DeSmuME is open-source and free to use, making it accessible to all users without any cost.

Possible disadvantages of DeSmuME

  • Performance Issues
    Some users experience performance issues, such as lag or frame rate drops, particularly with more demanding games or on lower-end hardware.
  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup and configuration can be complex and intimidating for beginners who are not familiar with emulators.
  • Limited Touchscreen Functionality
    Replicating the Nintendo DS touchscreen functionality can be cumbersome, and some games may not play as smoothly without a real touch interface.
  • No Built-in Network Play
    Unlike some other emulators, DeSmuME does not have built-in network play, limiting multiplayer experiences to local or single-player modes.

Analysis of DeSmuME

Overall verdict

  • DeSmuME is considered one of the best Nintendo DS emulators available. Its ease of use and comprehensive feature set make it a strong option for those looking to emulate DS games on a computer.

Why this product is good

  • DeSmuME is a popular Nintendo DS emulator known for its high compatibility, numerous features, and regular updates. It allows users to play Nintendo DS games on their computers, offering support for save states, cheats, and high customization. The emulator also includes options for graphical enhancements and debugging tools, making it a preferred choice for both casual gamers and developers.

Recommended for

    DeSmuME is recommended for casual gamers who want to enjoy Nintendo DS games, as well as developers and enthusiasts interested in experimenting with the DS's architecture. It is also suitable for users who value features like save states, graphical enhancements, and customization options.

No$GBA videos

How to Play DS Games on Your PC (2018) - No$GBA

More videos:

  • Review - NDS TV OUT vs No$GBA emulator (comparative)
  • Review - No$GBA Mic Workarounds...

DeSmuME videos

DeSmuME: Complete Install Guide (Nintendo DS Emulator)

More videos:

  • Review - DeSmuMe: The Amazing Nintendo DS Emulator for PC! |Emulator Review| Ft. Anton Retro
  • Review - Desmume Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to No$GBA and DeSmuME)
Emulators
26 26%
74% 74
Gaming
22 22%
78% 78
Gaming Tools
27 27%
73% 73
Media Player
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare No$GBA and DeSmuME

No$GBA Reviews

We have no reviews of No$GBA yet.
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DeSmuME Reviews

Best DS Emulator: Are These Emulators Safe And Legal To Use?
It provides a good gaming experience with features like save states, cheat codes, and controller support. DeSmuME is also easy to use and has a simple interface.
Source: appletoo.us
5 Best Nintendo DS Emulators for PC
Although it only has handful graphic settings, you can get good game graphics comparable to DeSmuME with a few tweaks.
7 Best Mac Emulators For Gamers In 2022
If you are like me, and have never owned a Nintendo DSโ€ฆ DeSmuME can emulate the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite handheld game consoles with its Mac compatible program.
Source: retrododo.com
12 Best Gaming Console Emulators for Mac in 2022
DeSmuMe is a Nintendo emulator designed to allow users to play dual screens of Nintendo on their PC as the emulator simulates the dual-screen on the PC monitor.
Source: thebingeful.com
10 Emulators To Turn Your Computer Into A Retro Console
Nintendoโ€™s dual screen console can be played on your computer using DeSmuME, with both screens simulated on your computer monitor. Your mouse is used as a stylus for the touch input. It even supports games that require you to play your device sideways.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DeSmuME should be more popular than No$GBA. It has been mentiond 32 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

No$GBA mentions (4)

  • Is no$gba safe?
    It is, but it's not really the most accurate emulator so you may encounter graphical glitches and/or sound cracking, because the emulator is made to run on old computers and focuses on speed. I suggest you look for a alternative if you have a modern computer, you'll find others here, but No$GBA is fine if you really want or need it. The official website is here (use this link if the official site is out, it's a... Source: over 2 years ago
  • What would the best emulator be for emulating Nintendo DS games?
    If you don't want to hunt for DS firmware, No$GBA is another great emulator that has existed ever since Nintendo DS was released. Make sure you download if from problemkaputt.de as the top result isn't its official site. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Reliving perhaps one of the best bits of my childhood. Epic
    On android DraStic is the best one, on PC No$GBA seems to be the most updated one with DSi enhancements support. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • [DSi] Unlaunch and Wifiboot
    Using no$gba works slightly better than dslink with wifiboot, but wifiboot just doesn't really work with homebrew made with devkitARM. Source: over 4 years ago

DeSmuME mentions (32)

  • any one know how to emulate a dsi game
    Citra is for 3ds games. While it should be compatible with ds games since the physical consoles are, this isn't true of the emulators. http://desmume.org/ has what you need. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Looking for My Old Nintendo 3DS
    You should probably emulate the games, your 3DS is unlikely to be found Here is an Emulator r/roms is a good resource for ROMs. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Scooby Doo First Frights & the spooky swamp
    You can download DeSmuME (http://desmume.org/), which is a free Nintendo emulator. Then you wanna search up "Scooby Doo First Frights ROM" in Google, and download it. Then you can open the emulator, click on File at the top, click "Open ROM", then open the ROM file you downloaded to play the game. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How do you guys play?
    Emulators 100%, mGBA for GBA games (My Boy for android, sprang for the paid version a while ago and don't regret it), DeSmuME for DS and Citra for 3DS. I do technically still own copies of most DS and 3DS games but I despise nuzlocking on hardware at this point and I tend to play romhacks anyways. I personally wouldn't recommend anything other than GBA games/romhacks for a phone, but maybe someone else has a... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Rule
    Youโ€™ll need an emulator that you can load the rom into. Desmume (https://desmume.org) is a decent one. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing No$GBA and DeSmuME, you can also consider the following products

RetroArch - RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players.

melonDS - A Nintendo DS emulator with support for commercial games.

VisualBoyAdvance - VisualBoyAdvance (VBA) is a free software (GNU GPL) emulator targeted for the Game Boy, Super Game...

Citra - Citra is a work-in-progress emulator for the Nintendo 3DS.

mGBA - mGBA is an open source emulator of the Game Boy Advance. The goals are speed and accuracy.

OpenEmu - Console and Arcade video game emulator for macOS.