We're big fans of the dual-screen emulation handheld scene - you'll know this if you've ever seen us getting excited about our AYN Thor. But if you've picked up one of the cheaper, less powerful dual-screen handhelds of late, then the news of MelonDualDS getting a lite version and a slick new look might well be of interest.
Let's start at the top - MelonDualDS has been rebranded as WatermelonDS, getting a nice refresh and a new look. It now presents your ROMs and RetroAchievements in a much nicer format and looks a lot cleaner, which is great news for any emulator fan regardless of your machine.
And for those with lower-powered machines, there's now SeedlessDS (thanks RetroHandhelds), which, according to the project's GitHub, 'exists to provide a more lightweight option for low-power handheld consoles today.' It's been built around the 'DraStic r2.6.0.4a core' and has a new UI and frontend that works more fluidly for modern handhelds with low processing power, with a Linux version being promised for the future.
Not just one, but two DS emulators just had a new update drop, both of which come from the same developer.
— RetroHandhelds.gg (@RetroHandhelds) August 8, 2026
So what's up with WatermelonDS and SeedlessDS?https://t.co/awRAY12ubF pic.twitter.com/VwgbIgFMVD
Both programmes have been developed by Sapphire Rhodonite, with new features like RetroArch and experimental features like Vulkan FastPath being implemented into WatermelonDS specifically.
While SeedlessDS fills the gap by providing gamers with a lite version of WatermelonDS, it still provides:
- A controller-first interface
- Save states
- Cheats
- RetroAchievements
- Dual-screen presentation improvements
- A modern Android library experience
- New Android frontend for a DraStic-based core
- Based on the DraStic r2.6.0.4a core
- New UI built from scratch with Kotlin + Jetpack Compose
- UI direction designed to match the WatermelonDS family
- Focused on Android handhelds with physical controls
- Designed with dual-screen devices in mind
- RetroAchievements support work
rcheevosintegration pinned to v12.3.0- Achievements, leaderboards, and profile information
- Save states with screenshots
- Quick save and quick load
- Cheat database and custom codes
- Global and per-game settings
- Physical controller mapping
- Front-end friendly launch intent support
SeedlessDS doesn't replace WatermelonDS: it fills the gaps by offering a similar experience on devices that aren't powerful enough to run WatermelonDS. In all honesty, SeedlessDS has most likely been made for the ANBERNIC RG DS, as it's the lowest-powered and cheapest dual-screen handheld on the market. Still, if it brings a more stable version of MelonDualDS, or now WatermelonDS to the table and allows us to have some of the same features running smoothly, then we're all for it!
