NeoDS is a Nintendo DS emulator for NeoGeo AES and MVS games. It emulates the M68000 and Z80 CPUs, graphics, ADPCM and PSG audio, and NeoGeo protection and encryption. NeoDSConvert prepares NeoGeo ROM sets as .neo files, and the emulator uses the same ROM sets as MAME. Its documented setup requires a Nintendo DS Lite and a DLDI-compatible flash card. A Slot-2 flash card with RAM is optional and may improve some games’ speed. Players can remap buttons, choose normal or scaled video, underclock the CPU, and save configuration and SRAM to the flash card; the graphical interface is controlled with the stylus. The project repository describes it as a fork of a 2008 NeoDS project being updated to 2026 MAME sets. FM audio, raster effects, and multiplayer are not emulated, and some timings are not very accurate. Save states are listed in the README’s TODO section, not as a supported feature. The emulator is free; its code is available for non-commercial use.
Who it is for
It suits people with a Nintendo DS Lite and DLDI-compatible flash card who want to run NeoGeo AES or MVS games. Its documented controls and configuration include stylus navigation and button remapping.
What is good
- Emulates NeoGeo AES and MVS games.
- Supports normal or scaled video.
- Can save configuration and SRAM to the flash card.
- Optional Slot-2 RAM can improve some games’ speed.
What to know first
- Requires a Nintendo DS Lite and DLDI-compatible flash card.
- FM audio is not emulated.
- Raster effects and multiplayer are not emulated.
- Some game timings are not very accurate.
Verdict
NeoDS covers core NeoGeo emulation on the specified DS Lite setup, with configurable video and controls. Note its omitted audio and multiplayer features, and that save states remain a TODO rather than a supported capability.
NeoDS plans and pricing
All plansCompared on neo geo emulators
- Free plan
- Yes
- AES emulation
- Yes
- MVS emulation
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Nintendo DS (Lite)
- Netplay
- No
- Save states
- No