In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing melonDS 0.9.5 on your Chromebook. MelonDS is a popular Nintendo DS emulator known for its accuracy and performance. By following these steps, you'll be able to enjoy your favorite DS games on your Chromebook.

System Requirements

Before we begin, it's important to note that this tutorial is specifically for Chromebooks with Intel or AMD CPUs that support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, this method won't work on Chromebooks with ARM64 architecture CPUs. If you're unsure about your Chromebook's specifications, you can check our list of all Chromebooks with Linux Apps (Crostini) support.

Video Tutorial

We've prepared a video tutorial to guide you through the installation process. We recommend following along with the video while using the commands provided below for the best results.

Installation Steps

Follow these steps to install melonDS 0.9.5 on your Chromebook:

1. Update your system repositories:

   sudo apt update

2. Install required packages:

   sudo apt install libslirp0 libsdl2-2.0-0 libqt5core5a kmenuedit libarchive13 p7zip-full libqt5multimedia5

3. Download melonDS:

   wget https://melonds.kuribo64.net/downloads/melonDS_0.9.5_linux_x64.zip

4. Unzip the package:

   unzip melonDS_0.9.5_linux_x64.zip

5. Make the application executable:

   chmod 755 melonDS

6. Extract the firmware:

   7z x NDS\ Firmware\ \&\ BIOs.7z

7. Launch melonDS:

   ./melonDS

8. Open the menu editor:

   kmenuedit

Adding BIOS Files and Firmware

MelonDS requires specific BIOS files and firmware to function correctly. You can download these files from the MelonDS Emulation Wiki. Once downloaded, follow the video guide to add these files to melonDS.

Creating a Launcher

To make launching melonDS easier in the future, we'll create a launcher using the menu editor (kmenuedit). Here's how:

1. Open kmenuedit using the command provided earlier
2. Choose a category for the launcher
3. Click "Create a launcher"
4. Give your launcher a name (e.g., "melonDS")
5. Set the command to the path of your melonDS executable (typically "./melonDS")
6. Save the launcher

Important Notes

• Controllers, touch screens, and joysticks are currently not supported in this setup.
• Ensure all ROMs you use are legally obtained and placed in your Linux files directory.
• If you encounter any issues, please leave a comment on the YouTube video, and we'll be happy to assist you.

Additional Resources

For more information about melonDS and its features, visit the official melonDS website. You can also refer to our Google Doc used in this tutorial for additional details.

Conclusion

Installing melonDS on your Chromebook opens up a world of Nintendo DS gaming. Remember to use this emulator responsibly and respect copyright laws. If you found this guide helpful, consider checking out our Chromebook comparison and Buyers Guide for more Chromebook-related content.