DS Timing

Emulators:
The two emulators for DS games being considered for submissions are DeSmuME (0.9.11) and MelonDS. The current Emulator allowed is DeSmuME (0.9.11)

From the timing below, you will see that MelonDS performs more closely to console, however is still faster.

MelonDS requires the user to get DS firmware themselves in order to run.
MelonDS does not natively support changing the time within the program itself (this can be done in DeSmuME by using the "record movie" function to start at a specific time/date). This means in order to set the date to a specific time, the user must open it through an external program (such as RunAsDate), or manually change the clock on their computer each time they wish to change the time.

These things make MelonDS currently less "user friendly" to use, specifically in the instance of doing RNG Manipulation, as that requires specific times and dates.

--

Considering the addition of Flash Carts, Repro Carts, and WiiU VC:

All of those are under consideration to be added, but not in comparison to official console runs.

The method for WiiU VC is traditionally not allowed, as the game was not actually released for the WiiU Virtual Console. It requires an injection of the rom to play through the virtual console itself. It is being considered however, to allow an alternative for those who may not be able to capture a DS, nor be able to capture an emulator (not everyone has a PC capable of doing so.)

Flash Carts and Repro Carts are also being considered, as an alternative way to play on DS without having an official cart. It would also allow users who can not emulate the game on PC an option to run the games.

--

Timings:

Soul Silver:
5 Reloads
(Violet City Gate - each side)
[Timing: TF inside.
End: First non black frame after 5th back reload]
-
DS Console: 	Right side: 23.07s | Left side: 30.64s
Flash Cart: 	Right side: 20.85s | Left side: 27.99s
MelonDS: 	Right side: 22.28s | Left side: 29.92s
Desmume: 	Right side: 16.26s | Left side: 23.20s
WiiU VC: 	Right side: 15.08s | Left side: 22.75s

---
Save after:
[Timing: Yes/No disappears
End: First text after save]
-
DS Console: 	8.20s
Flash Cart: 	3.24s
MelonDS: 	8.16s
Desmume: 	7.93s
WiiU VC: 	4.84s

----------

Platinum
5 reloads
(Lake Verity)
[Timing: TF inside.
End: First non white frame after 5th back reload]
-
DS Console: 	28.40s
Repro Cart: 	28.40s
Flash Cart: 	24.89s
MelonDS: 	27.87s
Desmume: 	21.25s

---
Save after:
[Timing: Yes/No disappears
End: First text after save]
-
DS Console: 	6.79s
Repro: 		6.79s
Flash Cart: 	1.47s
MelonDS: 	6.58s
Desmume: 	6.45s

----------

White 2:
10 reloads
(Aspertia Gate)
[Timing: First TF, character moves.
End: First non black frame after]
-
DS Console: 					1:02.79
3DS Console: 					1:06.71
Flash Cart (DS): 				55.45s
Flash Cart (3DS): 				55.45s
MelonDS: 					1:00.70
Desmume (Bus-level & Dynamic recompiler Off): 	45.69s
Desmume (Bus-level & Dynamic recompiler On): 	45.85s



-----
Save after
(White 2 Aspertia Gate)
[Timing: Textbox disappears
End: First text (e.g. I sa)]
-
DS Console: 					6.33s
3DS Console: 					6.26s
Flash Cart (DS): 				4.46s
Flash Cart (3DS): 				4.46s
MelonDS: 					6.04s
Desmume (Bus-level & Dynamic recompiler Off): 	4.84s
Desmume (Bus-level & Dynamic recompiler On): 	4.86s