---
name: "desmume"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "desmume"
version: "0.9.13-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/desmume"
---

# desmume(1)

Nintendo DS emulator

## NAME

desmume - Nintendo DS emulator

## SYNOPSIS

**desmume** \[*options*\] *files*...

## DESCRIPTION

This manual page documents briefly the **desmume** program

**desmume** is a Nintendo DS emulator running homebrew demos and commercial games.

## OPTIONS

These programs follow the usual GNU command line syntax, with long options starting with two dashes (\`-'). A summary of options is included below.

- **--load-slot=NUM**

  Loads savegame from slot NUM

- **--opengl-2d**

  Enables using OpenGL for screen rendering

- **--soft-convert**

  Use software colour conversion during OpenGL screen rendering. May produce better or worse frame rates depending on hardware.

- **--3d-engine=ENGINE**

  Select available 3d emulation:

  0 = 3d disabled

  1 = internal desmume software rasterizer (default)

  2 = osmesa or gtkglext opengl (if available, depending on compilation options, see desmume --help)

- **--disable-sound**

  Disables the sound emulation

- **--disable-limiter**

  Disables the 60 fps limiter

- **--arm9gdb=PORT\_NUM**

  Enable the ARM9 GDB stub on the given port

- **--arm7gdb=PORT\_NUM**

  Enable the ARM7 GDB stub on the given port

- **--save-type=TYPE**

  Select savetype from the following:

  0 = Autodetect

  1 = EEPROM 4kbit

  2 = EEPROM 64kbit

  3 = EEPROM 512kbit

  4 = FRAM 256kbit

  5 = FLASH 2mbit

  6 = FLASH 4mbit

- **--fwlang=LANG**

  Set the language in the firmware, LANG as follows:

  0 = Japanese

  1 = English

  2 = French

  3 = German

  4 = Italian

  5 = Spanish

- **--cflash=PATH\_TO\_DISK\_IMAGE**

  Enable disk image GBAMP compact flash emulation

- **-h, --help**

  Show summary of options.

- **-v, --version**

  Show version of program.

## INPUT

Mouse cursor acts as stylus, mouse click replaces stylus touch.

Keyboard can be configured and by default works as follows:

F1-F10 load savegame from slot 1-10

Shift+F1-F10 save game to slot 1-10

Non-keypad arrows act as d-pad

z = A

x = B

a = Y

s = X

q = L

w = R

Enter = START

Left Shift = SELECT

Backspace = LID

Desmume accepts joystick events, which can be configured by user.

## AUTHOR

desmume was written by DeSmuME team (http://sourceforge.net/projects/desmume).

This manual page was written by Reinhard Tartler \<siretart@tauware.de\> and modified by Pascal Giard \<pascal@debian.org\>, for the Debian project (but may be used by others).