: While "savestates" are convenient, it is highly recommended to use the game's internal save feature (which writes to the NAND/SAV files) for long-term stability, as emulator updates can sometimes break old savestates. from a physical DSi, or more details on RetroArch-specific screen layouts?

Under the "DS Mode" tab, ensure the paths to your BIOS and NAND files are correct. Uncheck "Direct Game Boot" if you want to see the original DS boot animation.

: Sometimes "top screen only" issues are simply a matter of configuration. In the melonDS display settings , "Screen Sizing" can accidentally be set to "Top Only," hiding the bottom touchscreen entirely.

In simple terms, the is a dump of the Nintendo DS or DSi internal flash memory. Unlike a standard ROM file (which contains the game data), the NAND contains: The system firmware. System settings (language, birthday, nicknames). Save data for DSiWare and certain system apps.