A fork of melonDS for Android made by SapphireRhodonite has reached its 0.0.4 update that brings a focused and important enhancement: support and detailed documentation for external or dual display setups. This release addresses a key aspect of Nintendo DS emulation on handhelds by improving how the emulator handles multiple screens, a key feature essential to recreating the DS’s dual-screen setup.
Prior to this update, users interested in using a dual-display setup on their handhelds were left with the sole option of using DraStic. MelonDS is one of many DS emulators, pitting itself as growing competition to longstanding emulators like the aforementioned DraStic and the once-king DesMuME.
MelonDS on Android / Image: TechRadar
SapphireRhodonite melonDS 0.0.4 Changelog
- Refactored the external screen rendering logic into modular, maintainable components.
- Added descriptive comments throughout the external display pipeline.
- Improved naming conventions and removed redundant code.
- Ensured clear logical separation between primary and external display behavior.
- Note: Some features that were present in v0.0.3, such as screen transparency and a few experimental options, have been temporarily removed.
This decision was made to focus on delivering a solid and optimized foundation for external display support first. These features will be reintroduced once the core is stable.Functionally, v0.0.4 behaves like v0.0.3 but with a much cleaner and more reliable codebase.
Ideal for developers and testers who want to build on top of dual-screen support.
With the 0.0.4 update being to a fork of melonDS, the improvements and other changes may be absent from the final, official version. MelonDS overall has been making major strides in DS emulation across the board on all of its available platforms. However, here we’re able to see the various improvements the community can make to the Android version of the app to have it better suited to future and upcoming devices like the Retroid Dual Screen add-on when on the Retroid Pocket 5.
MelonDS Update
Beyond simply adding support and some documentation, 0.0.4 focuses heavily on optimization and performance improvements related to users even simply using dual-screen setups.
Rendering two screens at once can strain resources that Android handhelds already find scarce, and can typically lead to issues like input lag, frame drops, or sync problems. This release brings big changes to improve render utilization, reduce latency, and ensure smooth frames when using dual screens.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Retroid Pocket Dual Display attachment is set to take full advantage of melonDS’s improved external and dual display support. By connecting a second screen to compatible devices, this accessory will allow players to experience true dual-screen Nintendo DS gameplay on a variety of handhelds that support DisplayPort out.
Thanks to melonDS’s recent optimizations and documentation, the emulator is prepared to make the Retroid Pocket Dual Display add-on an exciting option for mobile gamers seeking an authentic DS experience.
In the End…and Beyond
Overall, this update represents a significant step forward for melonDS by prioritizing multi-display functionality and performance therein. It shows the commitment to refining DS emulation and providing users with the relative stability needed to fully immerse themselves in the DS experience in the modern age.
MelonDS on PC / Image: melonDS
Even now, a few moments after the release of 0.0.4, melonDS for Android 0.0.5 has just been released, focusing on further improvements to dual screen and external display support. 0.0.4 offered a new experience and excitement for those who are looking forward to dual displays taking center stage.
Recently, we’ve seen the announcement of the ONExSUGAR and AYANEO Flip 1S. Even beyond those two, the aforementioned Retroid Dual Screen add-on offers another option for those who have grown fond of Retroid’s recently released Mini V2 and Pocket 5.
SapphireRhodonite melonDS 0.0.5 Changelog
Fix for Dual Internal Display Bug (e.g. Odin 2)
This version addresses a specific bug affecting some Android handhelds (notably the AYN Odin 2) that incorrectly report having multiple internal displays, which prevented proper use of the external screen.What’s fixed:
- Now detects the list of physically connected displays instead of relying on reported internal types.
- Selects the first true external display by default, improving compatibility with devices affected by this misreporting issue.
- Should resolve issues on Odin 2 and other devices with similar multi-display quirks.
No user-facing features were added in this version.
This is a targeted compatibility fix focused on improving dual-screen support across a wider range of Android handhelds.Special thanks to @mohamed720o for testing and confirming the fix on a real Odin 2 device.
With these newly incorporated changes, melonDS continues to set the standard for faithful and flexible Nintendo DS emulation on the vast array of Android retro handhelds. These releases showcase how the community is committed to ensuring that the future of retro handhelds has the software it needs to soar beyond whatever limits are imposed upon it.
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