The goal is to do things right and fast, akin to blargSNES (but hopefully better). But also to, you know, have a fun challenge :)

melonDS requires BIOS/firmware copies from a DS. Files required:

• bios7.bin, 16KB: ARM7 BIOS
• bios9.bin, 4KB: ARM9 BIOS
• firmware.bin, 128/256/512KB: firmware

Firmware boot requires a firmware dump from an original DS or DS Lite. DS firmwares dumped from a DSi or 3DS aren't bootable and only contain configuration data, thus they are only suitable when booting games directly.

• 128KB: DSi/3DS DS-mode firmware (reduced size due to lacking bootcode)
• 256KB: regular DS firmware
• 512KB: iQue DS firmware

DS BIOS dumps from a DSi or 3DS can be used with no compatibility issues. DSi BIOS dumps (in DSi mode) are not compatible. Or maybe they are. I don't know.

As for the rest, the interface should be pretty straightforward. If you have a question, don't hesitate to ask, though!

Thanks to Jpe230 for more detailed guide!

This guide assumes that you already set up your build enviroment for the Nintendo Switch, if not see DevKitPro's guide

1. Install dependencies. for example for Debian based distros:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install cmake ninja meson bison flex
sudo dkp-pacman -Syu curl

2. Compile dekotools:

cd ~/
git clone https://github.com/fincs/dekotools
cd dekotools
meson setup builddir
cd builddir
ninja
sudo cp ./dekodef /usr/bin/
sudo cp ./dekomme /usr/bin/

3. Compile deko3d: (Replace $DEVKITPRO with the path of DevKitPro installation)

cd ~/
git clone https://github.com/RSDuck/deko3d
cd deko3d
git switch fix-10
make
sudo cp ./lib/libdeko3d.a $DEVKITPRO/libnx/lib/
sudo cp ./lib/libdeko3dd.a $DEVKITPRO/libnx/lib/

4. Download this melonDS repository and prepare:

cd ~/
git clone https://github.com/RSDuck/melonDS 
cd melonDS
git submodule update --init --recursive
mkdir build && cd build

5. Compile:

cmake .. -DENABLE_OGLRENDERER=OFF -DBUILD_QT_SDL=OFF -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=../cmake/Toolchain-cross-Switch.cmake
make -j$(nproc --all)

You can also use the build script (build_script.sh) to build the .nro file after a first build. It just wipe the build directory for a clean build, then execute the commands above.

• RetroAchievements support (currently developing)

• (Fix) DSi emulation
• Mic Support
• the impossible quest of pixel-perfect 3D graphics
• improve libui and the emulator UI
• support for rendering screens to separate windows
• emulating some fancy addons
• other non-core shit (debugger, graphics viewers, cheat crapo, etc)

• better wifi
• maybe emulate flashcarts or other fancy hardware
• big-endian compatibility (Wii, etc)
• LCD refresh time (used by some games for blending effects)
• any feature you can eventually ask for that isn't outright stupid

• Martin for GBAtek, a good piece of documentation
• Cydrak for the extra 3D GPU research
• limittox for the icon (old)
• daedra000 for the NX icons and banner
• All of you comrades who have been testing melonDS, reporting issues, suggesting shit, etc

melonDS is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.