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# DeSmuME - RetroBIOS

Type | libretro
Classification | community_fork
Source | https://github.com/libretro/desmume
Upstream | https://github.com/TASEmulators/desmume
Version | SVN
Profiled | 2026-03-23
Cores | desmume
Systems | nintendo-ds

Technical 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.

3 files | 0 required, 3 optional | 3 in repo, 0 missing | 3 with HLE fallback

`bios7.bin` -optional, HLE available : ARM7 BIOS

- System: nintendo-ds
- Size: 16.0 KB
- Validation: size
- Source: `desmume/src/NDSSystem.cpp:2178-2182, frontend/libretro/libretro.cpp:763`
- Platforms: batocera, emudeck, lakka, recalbox, retroarch, retrobat, retrodeck, retropie
- Native file needed for firmware boot and SWI-from-BIOS accuracy

`bios9.bin` -optional, HLE available : ARM9 BIOS

- System: nintendo-ds
- Size: 4.0 KB
- Validation: size
- Source: `desmume/src/NDSSystem.cpp:2236-2239, frontend/libretro/libretro.cpp:764`
- Platforms: batocera, emudeck, lakka, recalbox, retroarch, retrobat, retrodeck, retropie
- Native file needed for firmware boot and logo comparison (Pal Park)

`firmware.bin` -optional, HLE available : NDS firmware image

- System: nintendo-ds
- Source: `desmume/src/firmware.cpp:249-280, frontend/libretro/libretro.cpp:765`
- Platforms: batocera, emudeck, lakka, recalbox, retroarch, retrobat, retrodeck, retropie
- Loaded only if both BIOS files present; needed for boot animation, wifi config, user settings

Generated on 2026-03-25T14:56:43Z