The Nintendo DS (NDS) is a dual-screen ARM-based handheld console released in 2004. Decompilation in the context of NDS games refers to the process of translating compiled machine code (ARM9, ARM7, or Thumb binaries) back into a high-level language, ideally human-readable C or C++ code.
Developed by the NSA, Ghidra is the most accessible tool for hobbyists.
: It is completely free, supports ARM architecture (used by the DS), and features a powerful built-in decompiler that produces readable C code. nds decompiler
For modern matching-decompilation projects (reconstructing a game's source code so perfectly that it compiles byte-for-byte identical to the original retail release), developers utilize ds-decomp . This specialized toolkit assists in delinking compiled binary blobs back into structured translation units, mapping out symbols, and automating layout configurations.
All use (usually arm-eabi-gcc with specific flags). The Nintendo DS (NDS) is a dual-screen ARM-based
: Clocked at 33 MHz, this processor manages 2D graphics, audio processing, Wi-Fi connectivity, and input from the buttons and touchscreen.
Before diving into decompilation tools, you must understand the hardware you are dissecting. The Nintendo DS utilizes a dual-CPU architecture, which complicates the decompilation process compared to single-processor systems. : It is completely free, supports ARM architecture
: Clocked at 33 MHz. It manages 2D graphics, audio processing, Wi-Fi connectivity, and touch-screen inputs.