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Nelkano Emulator for Android
BasicNintendo · 2004

Nintendo DS

Two screens and a different way to play.

Files:.nds
The core starts, and some games may reach menus or display graphics, but gameplay is not yet functional or serious issues remain.

What is NDS?

Nintendo DS is Nintendo's handheld with two screens, one of them a touchscreen. Nelkano lets you open .nds games, display both screens or select one, and touch the lower screen to interact with the game. Some titles are already playable, although functionality and performance vary by game and device.

What you can do today

  • Add .nds files to your library and open compatible games.
  • Show both screens or select only the upper or lower screen.
  • Use the game's touchscreen from your device.
  • Use on-screen buttons or an Android-compatible controller.
  • Save and load game states from Nelkano.

Known limitations

  • Some games may freeze, show graphical errors or fail to start correctly.
  • Performance may drop in certain scenes, particularly some cutscenes, causing audio interruptions.
  • Touch input may have issues in some games.
  • Loading in-game saves and save states may still fail in certain titles or scenes.

Getting started with NDS

  1. Prepare your game

    You need an .nds file you have permission to use, such as a homebrew game distributed by its author.

  2. Add it to your library

    Open Nelkano, tap the + button and select the .nds file from your device. Once the import is complete, you can open it from the library.

  3. Choose how to display the screens

    During gameplay, you can select Both, Upper or Lower. When both are visible, the screens are stacked in portrait orientation and side by side in landscape. Touch the game's lower screen to use its touch controls.

Frequently asked questions about NDS

Do all Nintendo DS games work?

No. Some titles are already playable, while others have issues or fail to start. Compatibility may also vary between different parts of the same game.

How do I use the touchscreen?

Touch the game's lower screen directly. Select Both or Lower to display it and use touch input.

Can I save my game?

Yes. Nelkano can preserve in-game saves and create save states to resume later. Saving or restoring progress still has issues in certain titles, so it does not work equally well in every game.

Why do some scenes run more slowly?

Performance depends on the game, the scene and the device. Some cutscenes may run slowly even when other parts of the game run smoothly.