NitroSwan

NINTENDO DS 3DS 2 EMULATOR

NitroSwan

NitroSwan is an open-source Bandai WonderSwan (WonderSwan, WonderSwan Color, WonderSwan Crystal) and Benesse PocketChallenge V2 emulator that runs on Nintendo DS, DSi and Nintendo 3DS handhelds.

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NitroSwan emulator screenshot.

nintendo ds 3ds 2PRIMARY SYSTEM

History documentedPROJECT BEGAN

Open sourcePROJECT MODEL

WHY IT MATTERS

Why NitroSwan matters

NitroSwan brings WonderSwan-era software to NDS-family hardware as a native homebrew application. It is notable for targeting resource-constrained handhelds (original DS/DS Lite) with compatibility and device-specific workarounds (SLOT-2/GBA RAM support on original DS, extra RAM and optimizations for DSi/3DS). The project maintains active development and release notes in its repository history, including recent updates to audio, mapper support and build tooling.

BEST FOR

Best use case

Run WonderSwan and PocketChallenge V2 ROMs on a hacked or homebrew-enabled Nintendo DS/DSi/3DS to play original WonderSwan software on handheld hardware without requiring a separate WonderSwan device. Use on 3DS when larger ROMs or improved performance are needed; use on DS with a SLOT-2/GBA RAM cartridge for games larger than 2 MB.

The people behind NitroSwan

History & status

NitroSwan is maintained on GitHub by FluBBaOfWard and includes a detailed revision history in the repository. The History.txt and README in the repository document incremental versions (including V0.7.7 and earlier entries), fixes, and feature additions such as Karnak mapper support and audio fixes. The project provides compiled releases via GitHub Releases and remains actively updated (see History.txt for dated changelog entries). The repository contains source, build files and a README with usage notes, and the project is discussed in community homebrew resources and news posts.

What NitroSwan supports

WonderSwan (mono)
WonderSwan Color
WonderSwan Crystal
Benesse PocketChallenge V2

Download and availability

OFFICIAL DOWNLOADS

Get NitroSwan

Official binaries and source are distributed from the NitroSwan GitHub repository and its Releases page. Prefer the release assets on the project’s GitHub Releases for ready-to-run .nds/.cia assets (if provided) or the source to build with the toolchain documented by the project.

Get NitroSwan ↗

DOCUMENTATION

Official documentation

Read the official configuration, compatibility, and troubleshooting material before changing advanced options.

Read official documentation ↗

Broken or missing download? Emulator projects move and official links sometimes change. Please contact Retro Replay so the source can be verified and updated.

NitroSwan setup guide

Setup note: Practical setup notes (from the project README and History): NitroSwan is a DS/3DS homebrew application. Installation and operation differ depending on your device (DS/DS Lite using a flashcart with optional SLOT-2/GBA RAM, DSi/3DS using homebrew launchers or forwarders). The emulator does not include commercial game ROMs or WonderSwan BIOS files — the project can be configured to use real BIOS images if you provide them.

1) Get the official build or source: Download the latest release assets from the project’s GitHub Releases page or clone the repository. If you plan to build from source, follow the project’s README and build notes in the repository. Releases and History.txt list versioned binaries and changes.
2) Prepare the files on your cart/storage: Create a folder named nitroswan on the root of your flashcard or in the DS/3DS data folder as the README instructs. This folder is where settings and save files will be stored. Place your WonderSwan/WSC/PCV2 ROM files in a ROM folder (the README notes a per-folder limit of up to 768 files and a filename length maximum). NitroSwan supports ROMs stored directly or inside zip files (deflate) but warns that games requiring SLOT-2 RAM cannot use zip containers.
3) On original DS/DS Lite: SLOT-2/GBA RAM requirements: The original DS and DS Lite have only 4 MB RAM. For WonderSwan games larger than ~2 MB, the README documents that you’ll need a SLOT-2/GBA cartridge with extra RAM to run those games. Ensure your flashcart supports DLDI and that NitroSwan is DLDI-patched if required by your flashcart (some carts need DLDI patching before running homebrew).
4) On DSi / 3DS: installing and running: On DSi/3DS systems use a homebrew launcher or forwarder (TWiLight Menu++/Universal-Updater/other DS homebrew launchers) or load the NitroSwan .nds through your normal homebrew entry method. The repository mentions 3DS-specific improvements (extra RAM and optimizations); large ROMs that won’t run on DS often run on 3DS without SLOT-2 RAM.
5) BIOS and machine selection: NitroSwan can optionally load WonderSwan BIOS images (mono/Color/Crystal). The README documents menu options to select BIOS images and to import or clear internal EEPROM data. BIOS files or internal EEPROM content must be provided by you; NitroSwan does not bundle proprietary firmware or commercial game data.
6) Menus, save states and NVRAM: Use L+R or tap the touchscreen to open the NitroSwan menu at startup. The README documents load/save state functions, and separate NVRAM (EEPROM/SRAM) load/save options. The emulator can autoload savestates and NVRAM if enabled in settings. Save files are intended to be compatible with many other WonderSwan emulators, per the project README.
7) Performance and options: NitroSwan exposes speed modes (Normal, 50%, 200%, Max up to 4x), CPU speed hacks, display options (gamma/contrast/palettes), and controller mappings tailored to WS and PocketChallenge. For troubleshooting, enable debug output in the Debug menu. The README lists game-specific quirks and known visual/audio issues for certain titles.
8) Building from source (advanced): If building from source, follow the repository’s build notes. The History indicates the project has moved build targets (for example from devkitARM to BlocksDS in later versions). Use the toolchain and build instructions referenced in the repository to produce a binary compatible with your target device.

Software reminder: NitroSwan is distributed as an open-source homebrew project. It does not include commercial ROMs or proprietary BIOS files. Use legal copies of BIOS/ROMs where required and follow your platform’s homebrew guidelines.