No major regressions have been reported. The most common user‑reported issue is Vulkan driver incompatibility on very old GPUs (e.g., Intel HD 4000). In those cases, the built‑in OpenGL fallback works flawlessly.
: A proper dump includes a "nocash footer" at the end of the file, which contains the CID and Console ID necessary for melonDS to decrypt the NAND. New Features and Improvements (Late 2025 – Early 2026)
Digital games and applications downloaded from the now-defunct Nintendo DSi Shop.
Unlike standard Nintendo DS emulation—which boots physical cartridge ROM files using basic ARM7 and ARM9 BIOS dumps—DSi emulation recreates a full operating system ecosystem. nandbin melonds new
Unique ID markers (like the CID) required by the emulator to properly decrypt and run software in DSi mode. Howto/FAQ - melonDS
Once finished, turn off your DSi, put the SD card back into your computer, and locate the resulting file (usually named nand.bin or similar). Configuring the nandbin in New MelonDS
A word of caution: The NAND file is a delicate image of a system's memory. Always ensure emulation is not running when you use the title manager to avoid corrupting the file. If you ever get a black screen when loading your NAND, it likely means the file has been corrupted and you'll need to replace it with a backup. No major regressions have been reported
For the uninitiated, melonDS is a free, open-source emulator designed to run Nintendo DS and DSi games on modern hardware. Unlike its predecessor, DeSmuME, melonDS was built from the ground up to prioritize accuracy, performance, and features like Wi-Fi emulation.
So, what makes Nandbin melons so unique? Here are a few characteristics that set them apart:
How to properly use nightly builds vs. stable builds Troubleshooting specific error messages you are receiving Let me know which of those would be most helpful! MelonDS NDS Emulator Setup Guide 2026 : A proper dump includes a "nocash footer"
Internal applications (Flipnote Studio, DSi Camera, DSi Shop) Downloaded (.nds or .app titles)
If you want to try these features yourself, follow these steps. : Since this is an unofficial fork, always scan files from community sources.
Run the dumper from the DSi Menu (or via Flipnote Lenny). Select the option to dump the full NAND to your SD card.
Place the dumper tool (usually a .nds or .app file) onto your SD card via homebrew.
If you’re ready to experience Nintendo DS games like never before, go ahead and give “Nandbin melonds new” a try. Just remember to dump your own BIOS and ROMs – and happy retro gaming.