emulator: DeSmuME
type: libretro
core_classification: community_fork
source: "https://github.com/libretro/desmume"
upstream: "https://github.com/TASEmulators/desmume"
profiled_date: "2026-03-23"
core_version: "SVN"
display_name: "Nintendo - DS (DeSmuME)"
cores: [desmume]
systems: [nintendo-ds]

notes: |
  Full HLE of ARM7/ARM9 SWI routines; BIOS files optional for most games.
  External BIOS enables SWI-from-BIOS mode. Firmware boot requires both
  BIOS files loaded and interpreter mode (JIT incompatible).
  No DSi support. Core option: desmume_use_external_bios.

files:
  - name: "bios7.bin"
    system: nintendo-ds
    description: "ARM7 BIOS"
    required: false
    hle_fallback: true
    size: 16384
    validation: [size]
    source_ref: "desmume/src/NDSSystem.cpp:2178-2182, frontend/libretro/libretro.cpp:763"
    note: "Native file needed for firmware boot and SWI-from-BIOS accuracy"

  - name: "bios9.bin"
    system: nintendo-ds
    description: "ARM9 BIOS"
    required: false
    hle_fallback: true
    size: 4096
    validation: [size]
    source_ref: "desmume/src/NDSSystem.cpp:2236-2239, frontend/libretro/libretro.cpp:764"
    note: "Native file needed for firmware boot and logo comparison (Pal Park)"

  - name: "firmware.bin"
    system: nintendo-ds
    description: "NDS firmware image"
    required: false
    hle_fallback: true
    source_ref: "desmume/src/firmware.cpp:249-280, frontend/libretro/libretro.cpp:765"
    note: "Loaded only if both BIOS files present; needed for boot animation, wifi config, user settings"