Difference between revisions of "Emulators on 3DS"

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(Game Boy Advance: Reworded section on GBA firmware; Added open_agb_firm)
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[https://gbatemp.net/threads/neopop-port-neo-geo-pocket-emu.376830/ NeoPop]
 
[https://gbatemp.net/threads/neopop-port-neo-geo-pocket-emu.376830/ NeoPop]
 
===Nintendo DS===
 
===Nintendo DS===
[https://github.com/masterfeizz/DeSmuME/releases DeSmuME] - an experimental port of DeSmuME that has since been abandoned, it wasn't very compatible.
+
*[[TWiLight Menu++]] - Not technically an "emulator", rather it's a frontend for a separate program, [[nds-bootstrap]], which allows for an NDS ROM to be loaded from an SD card.  The program is originally designed for the DSi, however it's able to work on the 3DS by utilizing the virtual DSi (aka the TWL_FIRM or "DS Mode") that the 3DS has for backwards-compatibility.  Compatibility isn't the same as using a flashcart, however it's still pretty high with only a few games having issues or triggering anti-piracy protections (newer versions now come with AP patches for most games and will patch them if needed at launch).  It also comes pre-bundled with a variety of emulators used on the DS and a work-in-progress GBA hypervisor, [[GBARunner2]], that works to some degree. 
 +
**[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LRTkXOUXraTMjg1eedz_f7b5jiuyMv2x6e_jY_nyHSc/edit#gid=0 Compatiblity List]
  
[[TWiLight Menu++]] - Not technically an "emulator", rather it's a frontend for a separate program, [[nds-bootstrap]], which allows for an NDS ROM to be loaded from an SD card.  The program is originally designed for the DSi, however it's able to work on the 3DS by utilizing the virtual DSi (aka the TWL_FIRM or "DS Mode") that the 3DS has for backwards-compatibility.  Compatibility isn't the same as using a flashcart, however it's still pretty high with only a few games having issues or triggering anti-piracy protections (newer versions now come with AP patches for most games and will patch them if needed at launch).  It also comes pre-bundled with a variety of emulators used on the DS and a work-in-progress GBA hypervisor, [[GBARunner2]], that works to some degree. 
+
*[https://github.com/masterfeizz/DeSmuME/releases DeSmuME] - an experimental port of DeSmuME that has since been abandoned, it wasn't very compatible.
*[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LRTkXOUXraTMjg1eedz_f7b5jiuyMv2x6e_jY_nyHSc/edit#gid=0 Compatiblity List]
 
  
 
===DSiWare===
 
===DSiWare===
 
Because the firmware that the 3DS uses for backwards-compatibility is actually the same as the DSi, it's possible to inject DSiWare as an installable <code>.cia</code> file.  There's two ways to do this:
 
Because the firmware that the 3DS uses for backwards-compatibility is actually the same as the DSi, it's possible to inject DSiWare as an installable <code>.cia</code> file.  There's two ways to do this:
 +
 +
*[https://github.com/d0k3/GodMode9/releases GodMode9] - Version 1.8.0 and above has a script that can convert <code>.nds</code> to <code>.cia</code>, [https://3ds.hacks.guide/godmode9-usage 3ds.hacks.guide] has more information on how to update to the latest version if needed.
 
*[https://gbatemp.net/threads/scripts-dsiware-conversion-easily-convert-to-nds-and-cia-files.478575/ DSiWare Conversion Script] - This script can be used to convert <code>.bin</code> files from your DSi's SD card to <code>.nds</code> which can then be used to convert into <code>.cia</code>.
 
*[https://gbatemp.net/threads/scripts-dsiware-conversion-easily-convert-to-nds-and-cia-files.478575/ DSiWare Conversion Script] - This script can be used to convert <code>.bin</code> files from your DSi's SD card to <code>.nds</code> which can then be used to convert into <code>.cia</code>.
*[https://github.com/d0k3/GodMode9/releases GodMode9] - Version 1.8.0 added in a script that can convert <code>.nds</code> to <code>.cia</code>, [https://3ds.hacks.guide/godmode9-usage 3ds.hacks.guide] has more information on how to update to the latest version if needed.
+
 
 
These scripts will <b>ONLY</b> work for DSiWare, <font style="color:red"><b>NOT NDS GAMES</b></font>.
 
These scripts will <b>ONLY</b> work for DSiWare, <font style="color:red"><b>NOT NDS GAMES</b></font>.
  
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===Super Mario 64===
 
===Super Mario 64===
*[https://github.com/sm64-port/sm64_3ds SM64 3DS Port] - Thanks to the decompilation project, you can now enjoy SM64 on the 3DS with *analog* support and native rendering (compared to the official DS port).  Works pretty much at full speed on the New 3DS, the original model apparently has some slow downs but still playable.  You can either build it yourself, or there's a precompiled build [https://www.dropbox.com/s/2gc11l8h2labe8w/sm64_3ds_hd_hr.cia?dl=0 here] (not kept up to date).
+
*[https://github.com/sm64-port/sm64_3ds SM64 3DS Port] - Thanks to the decompilation project, you can now enjoy SM64 on the 3DS with ''*analog*'' support and native rendering (compared to the official DS port).  Works pretty much at full speed on the New 3DS, the original model apparently has some slow downs but still playable.  You can either build it yourself, or try finding pre-compiled build online (there are multiple versions, you can find some [https://web.archive.org/web/20200924080151/https://gist.github.com/stranno/2609a82f75ce346d1f1a5b99af94590c here] but it's no longer up-to-date).
  
===VC Injection===
+
===Virtual Console Injection===
 
Some have tried injecting alternate ROMs in the available Virtual Console releases (MD, GG, NES, GBA Ambassador, GBC, Japanese emulated SFC compilations) with varying degrees of success. The emulators used for Virtual Console are not as accurate as other emulators so compatibility isn't perfect (the only exception is GBA since it runs it natively, not emulation), Sega systems in particular have high compatibility however.<br>  
 
Some have tried injecting alternate ROMs in the available Virtual Console releases (MD, GG, NES, GBA Ambassador, GBC, Japanese emulated SFC compilations) with varying degrees of success. The emulators used for Virtual Console are not as accurate as other emulators so compatibility isn't perfect (the only exception is GBA since it runs it natively, not emulation), Sega systems in particular have high compatibility however.<br>  
 
There's an easy tool that will convert and inject any supported ROM file as its associated VC application called [https://gbatemp.net/threads/discussion-new-super-ultimate-injector-nsui.500376/ New Super Ultimate Injector].  It's an all in one tool and can even remotely install the injection provided your 3DS is connected to the same network. It's currently in beta, but it's still really useful.
 
There's an easy tool that will convert and inject any supported ROM file as its associated VC application called [https://gbatemp.net/threads/discussion-new-super-ultimate-injector-nsui.500376/ New Super Ultimate Injector].  It's an all in one tool and can even remotely install the injection provided your 3DS is connected to the same network. It's currently in beta, but it's still really useful.
  
 
[[Category:Emulators on consoles]]
 
[[Category:Emulators on consoles]]

Revision as of 19:05, 19 October 2020

Because of the homebrewing scene the 3DS has had, you can install a variety of emulators. Currently, the New 3DS is capable of running much faster than the older models, making it a much more ideal platform for emulation, but despite this there are still some emulators that have issues regardless. For more information on how to homebrew your 3DS, visit 3ds.hacks.guide.

Multi-System

RetroArch

There are preliminary 3DS ports of the following cores: stable 3DS ports

  • 2048
  • CATSFC
  • CATSFC Plus (has more accurate audio, slower)
  • FinalBurn Alpha CPS1
  • FinalBurn Alpha CPS2
  • FinalBurn Alpha CPS3 (most games are too slow to run even on New 3DS, though JoJo runs almost full speed)
  • FinalBurn Alpha Neo Geo (A few games are unable to be loaded due to memory constraints)
  • FCEUmm
  • Gambatte
  • Genesis Plus GX
  • gpSP (dynarec only works by installing the CIA)
  • Mednafen NGP
  • Mednafen PCE Fast
  • Mednafen VB
  • Mednafen WonderSwan
  • mGBA (acceptable with Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire, but some games are slow to use, even on New 3DS, at present)
  • Nestopia
  • NXEngine
  • PCSX-ReARMed - the latest nightly build has made some improvements, making it possible to have 60 fps emulation on some games (mainly 2D based games, but is possible for 3D games if you tweak some of the settings) and even added support for .CHD compression formats. These improvements are mainly for the New 3DS as the original model is not powerful enough.
  • PicoDrive (32X emulation does not work in the .3dsx format, at least.)
  • PocketSNES (less compatible than CATSFC, but can actually run many special chip games at full speed)
  • QuickNES
  • Snes9x-Next (too slow to use even on New 3DS at present)


Using current exploits, the New 3DS is capable of running most of these cores at or nearly at full speed on most games. The only cores the older 3DS can reliably run at full speed are 2048, Gambatte, QuickNES, NXEngine, and some older Sega games using PicoDrive. Opposed to normal use of RetroArch, these are all self-contained emulators, albeit sharing the same automatic configuration. Screenshot-taking is broken. Upon exiting RetroArch 3DS, press the Start button.

Unofficial Builds

There are unofficial ports which add new cores with emulators that do not have a retroarch by default

Consoles

NES

SNES

  • Snes9x for 3DS - runs a good majority of games well, even on old 3DS/2DS's. It's recommended to use a New 3DS if you want to run games that uses the SuperFX or SA-1 chip properly.
  • blargSNES - It works well, but lacks compatibility for games with certain chips (i.e. the SuperFX chip).

Nintendo 64

  • DaedalusX64 - N64 has always been known to be a hard system to emulate, which is why many were skeptical about how feasible it would be to have an emulator for the system on the 3DS. While still in its beta stage, it has shown a lot of improvements thanks to using a dynamic recompiler, with some games running at a playable state. It also supports using stereoscopic 3D (at the cost of slower performance), which isn't a feature a lot of emulators have.

Genesis/32X/Sega CD

  • PicoDrive for 3DS - 32X and Sega CD are playable on the original 3DS, but works better on New 3DS. Sega CD requires BIOS in order to play, they must be named:

"bios_CD_U.bin", "bios_CD_J.bin", and "bios_CD_E.bin" based on the respective regions. BIOS need to be in the /3ds/picodrive_3ds/bios folder.

PC Engine

Handhelds

Game Boy

  • GameYob: forked from a popular emulator used on the DS. Emulates the Game Boy and Game Boy Color. The original DS version is actually more polished than the 3DS port, so some of the more hardware pushing games won't work as well as the DS port.

Virtual Boy

  • r3Ddragon - It's kind of surprising that Nintendo never released a Virtual Console for the Virtual Boy on the 3DS, especially given how small the library of games were for the system and how both utilizes 3D effects and causes eyestrain. What makes this emulator stand out is the fact that it's able to display the graphics in 3D the way it was intended, something that is almost impossible to do on other platforms, unfortunately compatibility is still low and requires a New 3DS to run. Development has since halted.

Game Boy Advance

The 3DS does include native firmware for a GBA mode which was mainly used to run ambassador releases instead of having to develop an emulator for them. Because it's technically running a "virtual" GBA, it can't provide features that are normally available on other emulators, such as savestates, screen filtering, or sleep mode, however it does have high compatibility with the exception of cartridges with special hardware. If you're using an old 3DS/2DS, this is the best option to play GBA games. There are two ways to take advantage of this firmware:

  • New Super Ultimate Injector - There are other programs that can do injections, but this one is nice as it can do other Virtual Console injections and some forwarders for emulators. The only problem is each ROM must be injected and installed individually, including the save files, which makes the number of titles that can be installed restricted to the max the 3DS title limit (300 titles, not including pre-installed system titles).
  • open_agb_firm (Name not finalized) - A custom FIRM payload that takes advantage of the built-in GBA firmware, it's still in early development but has an alpha build available. The major advantage of this compared to VC injection is it can load the ROM through the SD card instead of having to convert and install them, but needs to be launched on boot instead of being able to use the 3DS HOME Menu (there's ways to make a forwarder for in on the HOME menu, but requires additional setup to get it to work). One major issue is there's a chance that it may not detect the correct save format or will corrupt the existing save file so make sure to backup your saves beforehand (they are currently trying fix it by having a better database for save detection, if you're interested you can help).
    • To install, simply put the .firm file in the /luma/payloads/ folder and hold START to load up the chainloader to launch it. There's no way of exiting out once the program starts, so you will need to turn it off and redo the step to load it if you wanted to change games.

On the other hand, there are also some homebrew GBA emulators available for 3DS:

  • mGBA (Latest Nightly) - A port of the popular GBA emulator by the same developer, only a handful of GBA games suffer from slowdowns but are still playable. Also works great for GB(C) games and even supports the Gameboy Camera.
  • GBARunner2 - a GBA hypervisor made for the DS(i), can only be ran through TWiLight Menu++ and is included by default with the program (see below). Compatiblity can be a hit-or-miss, but it's still in active development with plans to include interesting features such as gyro control emulation and local wireless multiplayer in the future.
  • CitrAGB - (based on gpSP)

Neo Geo Pocket

NeoPop

Nintendo DS

  • TWiLight Menu++ - Not technically an "emulator", rather it's a frontend for a separate program, nds-bootstrap, which allows for an NDS ROM to be loaded from an SD card. The program is originally designed for the DSi, however it's able to work on the 3DS by utilizing the virtual DSi (aka the TWL_FIRM or "DS Mode") that the 3DS has for backwards-compatibility. Compatibility isn't the same as using a flashcart, however it's still pretty high with only a few games having issues or triggering anti-piracy protections (newer versions now come with AP patches for most games and will patch them if needed at launch). It also comes pre-bundled with a variety of emulators used on the DS and a work-in-progress GBA hypervisor, GBARunner2, that works to some degree.
  • DeSmuME - an experimental port of DeSmuME that has since been abandoned, it wasn't very compatible.

DSiWare

Because the firmware that the 3DS uses for backwards-compatibility is actually the same as the DSi, it's possible to inject DSiWare as an installable .cia file. There's two ways to do this:

  • GodMode9 - Version 1.8.0 and above has a script that can convert .nds to .cia, 3ds.hacks.guide has more information on how to update to the latest version if needed.
  • DSiWare Conversion Script - This script can be used to convert .bin files from your DSi's SD card to .nds which can then be used to convert into .cia.

These scripts will ONLY work for DSiWare, NOT NDS GAMES.

TWiLight Menu++ has support for two DSiWare as of v15.1.1 with a special preview of nds-bootstrap, Pop Island and Pop Island: Paperfield. These can also run on the DS.

Others

Amiibo

  • Wumiibo - Emulates Amiibo functionality on the 3DS without needing an NFC reader or using tags. You can even use your own Amiibo data, after it's been decrypted, or a generic AmiiboID which are freely available and explains how to get them on the project page.

CHIP-8

Super Mario 64

  • SM64 3DS Port - Thanks to the decompilation project, you can now enjoy SM64 on the 3DS with *analog* support and native rendering (compared to the official DS port). Works pretty much at full speed on the New 3DS, the original model apparently has some slow downs but still playable. You can either build it yourself, or try finding pre-compiled build online (there are multiple versions, you can find some here but it's no longer up-to-date).

Virtual Console Injection

Some have tried injecting alternate ROMs in the available Virtual Console releases (MD, GG, NES, GBA Ambassador, GBC, Japanese emulated SFC compilations) with varying degrees of success. The emulators used for Virtual Console are not as accurate as other emulators so compatibility isn't perfect (the only exception is GBA since it runs it natively, not emulation), Sega systems in particular have high compatibility however.
There's an easy tool that will convert and inject any supported ROM file as its associated VC application called New Super Ultimate Injector. It's an all in one tool and can even remotely install the injection provided your 3DS is connected to the same network. It's currently in beta, but it's still really useful.