Whenever you play games on a DeSmuME emulator on PC, there are two ways for you to save.
You save normally, like how you would save on a normal system like the Nintendo DS. A save file is created in the game, and you can load the file when you play the game again.
The other way to save is by using save states. Using this method is as easy as saving a state or pressing the shortcut keys ALT + F (1, 2, etc.).
The question is, where does DeSmuME store save files? We’ll teach you where they are in case you want to use them.
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DeSmuME’s Save File Location
The DeSmuME save files are located in the Battery folder in your DeSmuME folder.
If you take a look inside the folder, the save files have the .DSV format. However, one important thing is that the .DSV file is created when you play the game. Even if you don’t have a save file in-game, the .DSV file will be created.
What that means is that it is sort of like a memory storage created by the emulator. You can’t load anything, but the .DSV file is there.
Only one .DSV save file is created, even if the game has numerous save slots; only one is there for you to use.
If the .DSV file is deleted or corrupted for some reason, then the save file you have in the game will be removed. If the file is corrupted, you will have to delete it from the folder.
You just have to load the game again, and a new .DSV file will be created.
How to Transfer Save Files
If you want to transfer a save file from one DeSmuME emulator to another, these are the steps that you need to take.
Unfortunately, transferring a save file from a different emulator is not possible. That’s because other emulators have a different format compared to the .DSV file of the DeSmuME.
For this step-by-step procedure, we are transferring a save file from Pokemon Pearl. The save file comes from the 9.10 version of DeSmuME, which we will transfer to the 9.13 version.
Step 1: Copy the Save file from the Battery Folder
Step 2: Paste it over the other DeSmuME’s Battery Folder
Step 3: Close the DeSmuME (Optional)
For this step, in case you had the DesmuME running as you were making the transfer, close the emulator.
Just open it again so that the Battery saved file will be loaded properly. There are instances when the save file is not detected, so just close and open the DeSmuME.
Step 4: You’re Done
The save file will be detected when you load the ROM on DeSmuME. Load the file, and you can freely use the save file and resume your gaming session.
Important Details about Save States
When you want to save the game via states, just press the ALT + F keys (i.e., F1, F2, etc.).
If you want to load the file, just press the F Key where the state was saved. If they saved it via ALT + F1, then just press F1. It’s a quick save and quick load feature, which is perfect for those who want convenience.
This method doesn’t require you to save through the in-game saving method. Granted, when you boot up the game, there is no save file to load.
You just have to load the save state. It is quick and easy since some games require you to save at specific saving points.
How to Transfer Save States
The Save States are located in the States folder (older versions) and StateSlots (version 9.13). They have the .DS (Number) file format.
The numbers are based on the F keys used to save. For example, saving ALT + F1 will make the save state as .DS1, and that would be .DS2 when you save on the F2 Slot.
When it comes to transferring save states from one emulator to another, it is not possible. We tested it, and the save state being transferred will not load properly.
It will even close the DeSmuME, so right now, we don’t have a fix for this.
FAQs
Can I transfer save files from other emulators to DeSmuME?
The answer is no. We established that the DeSmuME save files come in the .DSV format. Let’s take a look at melonDS; its save file format comes in a .SAV format. Even if you put the save file into the Battery folder, DeSmuME will not detect it.
If you change the format, the file will just be corrupted. It goes the same way, where you can’t transfer a DeSmuME save file to another emulator.
How many save states can I have?
Despite having 12 F keys, you can only save up to 10 states. The F10 key will be registered in the zero slot.
In Closing
We hope that you find the answer about DeSmuME’s save file location to be satisfactory.
Regardless of the version of DeSmuME, the Battery folder is where the save files would be located.
You can freely transfer and overwrite the file if you want to. Transferring save files from older versions of DeSmuME to new ones doesn’t have to be hard.
You can even transfer the files for the same versions; just make sure that the save file has the same name as the ROM that you are playing.
