Difference between pages "Sega Genesis emulators" and "Nintendo 3DS emulators"

From Emulation General Wiki
(Difference between pages)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Emulators)
 
(Citra Android is somewhat good now.)
(Tags: Mobile edit, Mobile web edit)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Infobox console
 
{{Infobox console
|title = Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
+
|title = Nintendo 3DS
|logo = RS39200_Megadrive.png
+
|logo = 3ds.png
|image = Sega-Genesis-Mk2-6button.jpg
+
|developer = [[:Nintendo]]
|image2 = Sega-Nomad-Front.jpg
+
|type = [[:Category:Handheld consoles|Handheld game console]]
|imagecaption = '''Top:''' Sega Mega Drive.<br/>'''Middle:''' Sega Genesis Model 2 with 6-button controller.<br/>'''Bottom:''' Sega Genesis Nomad, portable variation.
+
|generation = [[:Category:Eighth-generation video game consoles|Eighth generation]]
|developer = [[:Sega]]
+
|release = 2011
|type = [[:Category:Consoles|Home video game console]]
+
|discontinued = 2020
|generation = [[:Category:Fourth-generation video game consoles|Fourth generation]]
+
|predecessor = [[Nintendo DSi emulators|Nintendo DSi]]
|release = 1988
 
|discontinued = 1997
 
|predecessor = [[Master System emulators|Master System]]
 
|successor = [[Sega Saturn emulators|Saturn]]
 
 
|emulated = {{✓}}
 
|emulated = {{✓}}
 
}}
 
}}
The '''[[gametech:Sega_Genesis|Sega Genesis]]''' is a 16-bit, fourth-generation console released by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega Sega] in Japan on October 29, 1988 and in the US on August 14, 1989. It had a Motorola 68000 CPU at 7.6 MHz and a Zilog Z80 at 3.58 MHz. In other regions, it was known as the '''Mega Drive'''. It had several add-ons, including the Sega CD (a CD add-on, called Mega CD outside America) and the 32X (a 32-bit, cartridge-based add-on). 
 
  
The Sega CD was released on October 15, 1992 and retailed for {{Inflation|USD|299.99|1992}} and had a Motorola 68000 CPU at 12.5 MHz and 64 kbit of RAM. The Sega 32X was released on November 21, 1994 for {{Inflation|USD|159.99|1994}}. It had 2 SH-2 RISC CPUs at 23 MHz with 256KB of RAM and 256KB of VRAM.
+
The '''[[wikipedia:Nintendo 3DS|Nintendo 3DS]]''' is an eighth-generation handheld game console by Nintendo, released on March 27, 2011 for {{inflation|USD|249|2011}}. The original model and the 2DS had a dual-core ARM11 MPCore at 268 MHz and a single-core ARM9, 128MB of RAM and 6MB of VRAM, and a DMP PICA200 GPU. The New 3DS and New 2DS XL models upgrade this to an 804 MHz quad-core ARM11 and 256MB of RAM, along with an extra pair of shoulder buttons and a right analogue stick.
  
Genesis emulation is very good, with a high degree of game compatibility (many of them claiming nearly 100% compatibility with commercial games, including Virtua Racing). They are available on many platforms. Many Genesis emulators also feature compatibility with the [[Master System emulators|Sega Master System]] (SMS), and the [[Master System emulators|Game Gear]] (GG) as well as earlier Sega consoles. Genesis-based arcade boards and the [[Sega Pico]] are still sketchy, however.
+
The most notable feature of this console is the use of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereoscopy autostereoscopic] (glasses-free) 3D, which can be configured using a slider. This was omitted on the cost-reduced 2DS and New 2DS XL models, which was released due to eye health concerns with children whom Nintendo advised not to use the 3DS's stereoscopic mode (though it is speculated that said advisories were more for liability reasons in case of a health-related lawsuit).
 +
 
 +
__TOC__
  
 
==Emulators==
 
==Emulators==
Line 25: Line 22:
 
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
 
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
 
! scope="col"|Latest Version
 
! scope="col"|Latest Version
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Genesis / Mega Drive">G/MD</abbr>
+
! scope="col"|Open-Source
! scope="col"|CD
+
! scope="col"|[[libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|32X
 
! scope="col"|Pico
 
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
 
 
! scope="col"|Active
 
! scope="col"|Active
 
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
 
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
 
|-
 
|-
!colspan="10"|PC
+
!colspan="7"|PC / x86
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Genesis Plus GX]]
+
|[[Citra]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 
|{{GenPlusGXVer}}
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}* ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|[[BlastEm]]
 
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
|[https://www.retrodev.com/blastem/changes.html {{BlastEmVer}}]
+
|[https://citra-emu.org/download Nightly]
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
+
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Kega Fusion]]
+
|Corgi3DS
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
|[http://www.carpeludum.com/kega-fusion/ 3.64]
+
|[https://github.com/PSI-Rockin/Corgi3DS git]
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}
+
|{{✓}}
|-
+
|{{✗}}
|[[FinalBurn Neo]]
+
|{{✗}}
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
+
|{{✗}}
|[https://github.com/finalburnneo/FBNeo-WIP-Storage-Facility/releases/tag/appveyor-build WIP builds]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|[[MAME]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 
|[http://www.mamedev.org/release.html {{MAMEVer}}]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|[[PicoDrive]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 
|[http://notaz.gp2x.de/pico.php {{PicoDriveVer}}]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}<ref group=N name=PicoDrive>Only for the 32X as a cross-platform alternative to Kega Fusion.</ref>
 
|-
 
|[http://segaretro.org/Gens/GS Gens/GS]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 
|[http://www.dusers.drexel.edu/gitweb/gitweb.cgi/~korth/gens.git r7]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|[[Exodus]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
 
|[http://www.exodusemulator.com/index.php/downloads/current-release {{ExodusVer}}]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|[http://dgen.sourceforge.net/ DGen]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 
|[http://sourceforge.net/projects/dgen/files/dgen/ 1.33]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|[[Genecyst]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|DOS}}
 
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20070205202050/http://www.zophar.net/genecyst/gcystxxx.zip x.xx]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|[[GENS]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|BeOS}}
 
|[http://gens.me/downloads.shtml 2.14]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|[[higan]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
 
|[http://byuu.org/emulation/higan/ {{higanVer}}]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}<small>(bsnes)</small> ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Megado
+
|[[3dmoo]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
|[https://github.com/merwaaan/megado Git]
+
|[https://github.com/plutooo/3dmoo git]
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
+
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|-
|Regen
+
|[[TronDS]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
|[http://aamirm.hacking-cult.org/www/regen.html 0.972]
+
|[http://trondsemu.byethost15.com/downloads.html 1.0.0.5]
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
+
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|-
!colspan="10"|Mobile / ARM
+
|LemonLime
|-
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
|[[Genesis Plus GX]]
+
|[https://github.com/Cyuubi/LemonLime/ git]
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS|Linux|Pandora}}
+
|{{✓}}
|{{GenPlusGXVer}}
+
|{{✗}}
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
+
|{{✗}}
|-
+
|{{✗}}
|[[PicoDrive]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS|Linux|Pandora}}
 
|[http://notaz.gp2x.de/pico.php {{PicoDriveVer}}]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}<ref group=N name=PicoDrive />
 
|-
 
!colspan="10"|Consoles
 
|-
 
|NeoGenesis
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Xbox}}
 
|[https://digiex.net/threads/neogenesis-v25-download-sega-genesis-megadrive-32x-segacd-megacd-emulator.13698 NeoGenesis v25]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Sega Genesis Plus
+
!colspan="9"|Mobile / ARM
|align=left|{{Icon|Xbox360}}
 
|[https://digiex.net/threads/sega-genesis-plus-libexnon-genesis-megadrive-emulator-for-xbox-360-download.9936 Libxenon]
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Genesis Plus GX]]
+
|[[Citra_MMJ_(Unofficial)|Citra-MMJ]]
|align=left|{{Icon|GCN|Xbox360|Wii|3DS}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
|[https://bitbucket.org/eke/genesis-plus-gx/downloads {{GenPlusGXVer}}]<br/>[https://digiex.net/threads/retroarch-360-0-9-8-3-download-sega-sens-gameboy-finalburn-emulator-for-xbox-360.12395 RetroArch 360 0.9.8.3]
+
|[https://github.com/weihuoya/citra/releases git]
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
+
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{~}}<small> (WIP)</small>
 
|-
 
|-
|[[PicoDrive]]
+
|[[Citra]]
|align=left|{{Icon|PS2|PSP|3DS}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
|[http://notaz.gp2x.de/pico.php {{PicoDriveVer}}]<br/>[https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=99&t=1710 PicoDrive 1.51b]
+
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.citra.citra_emu Beta 15]<br/>[https://github.com/citra-emu/citra-android git]
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
+
|{{✓}}
|-
+
|{{}}
|[[Virtual Console]]
+
|{{✓}}
|align=left|{{Icon|Wii}}
+
|{{~}}
|N/A
 
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
 
 
|}
 
|}
<references group=N />
 
  
<nowiki>* Available exclusively as a libretro core</nowiki>
+
===Comparisons===
 +
;[[Citra]]:An open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator made by experienced emulator developers. The devs insist that it's still experimental, but as of mid-2019 around half of all games are fully playable with minor or no issues.  [https://citra-emu.org/entry/announcing-citra-android/ An official Android version was released in May of 2020].
  
===Comparisons===
+
;[[3dmoo]]:Another open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator, made by experienced developers in the DS hacking scene. It was released shortly after Citra and received similar progress for a few months, but was eventually aborted by its authors after a while.
;[[Genesis Plus GX]]:A very solid emulator for the Sega Genesis / Sega Master System / Sega CD / Game Gear. The only things it lack are 32X and Pico support, and a native desktop port; the only way to get this emulator on the desktop is to use the libretro core, which allows for all the benefits of RetroArch like shaders, dynamic sync, and other enhancements. The version used in [[BizHawk]] adds features for speedrunners.
+
;[[TronDS]]:A closed-source Nintendo 3DS emulator, presumably made by the iDeaS author. Little is known about it other than that it can run simple homebrew. It cannot be used for playing games.
;[[Kega Fusion]]:The project of an employee with previous experience at Sega. Kega Fusion has high compatibility, is easy to use and has plugin-based filter support but it has some issues on newer versions of Windows which can be solved with compatibility settings.
+
 
;[[PicoDrive]]:Strongly prioritizes performance over accuracy. Compatibility and accuracy isn't as good as Genesis Plus GX but it's useful on very underpowered systems like the Raspberry Pi Zero. Currently the first and only cross-platform option for 32X and Pico games.
+
;Corgi3DS:An unique 3DS emulator designed for macOS systems. Its GitHub activity started on [https://github.com/PSI-Rockin/Corgi3DS/commit/1b81c7e00c9a7a73f2da12d07ec3a9e4bc69c6ac May 5, 2019]. Main programmer is a self-proclaimed dog lover and has previously created CorgiDS and DobieStation, though the former seemed to be abandoned. Corgi3DS is mainly indigenous but the preliminary [https://github.com/PSI-Rockin/Corgi3DS/commit/a60b06683495e4e8fd0c170ec4ca8c453ce31609 Wi-Fi code] was ported from [[melonDS]]' code.(project on a  indefinite hiatus, PSI said this about the matter "Haven't worked on it in several months, it's basically a hobby project of mine that I touch when I feel the urge").
;[[Exodus]]:Think bsnes but for the Genesis. Even though higan is also getting into the Genesis game, Exodus has already achieved cycle-accuracy at the familiar cost of high system requirements. It is the newest Genesis emulator and is far from complete.
 
;[http://aamirm.hacking-cult.org/www/regen.html Regen]:A focus on accuracy as earned it high compatibility with games, but it does not emulate the Sega CD and 32X. It also allows [[overclocking]].
 
;[[BlastEm]]:Aims for cycle-accuracy but unlike Exodus, aims for lower system requirements. It has substantially higher compatibility than Exodus and is catching up to Genesis Plus GX.
 
;[[GENS]]:Close to Kega Fusion in features and compatibility, but has largely been surpassed by better emulators. There are many different forks and iterations of Gens, so your experience will differ quite a lot depending on which version you use.
 
;[[higan]]:Also developing cycle-accurate Genesis emulation, akin to its very own [[Super Nintendo emulators|SNES emulator]] bsnes. It's promising but incomplete. However, it can be used in the latest builds.
 
;[[MAME]]:Has the parent drivers <code style="color:green">genesis</code>, <code style="color:green">sms</code>, <code style="color:green">gamegear</code>, <code style="color:darkred">segacd</code>, and <code style="color:darkred">32x</code>. Green drivers are reported as OK, where red ones are reported as not working as of version 0.200.
 
  
==Lock-On Emulation==
+
==Emulation issues==
Lock-On Technology is a unique feature found on Sonic & Knuckles cartridges for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis that allowed a player to connect an older game to the cartridge's pass-through port for extended or altered gameplay.
+
Citra currently can't emulate any of the 3DS's online features aside from LAN multiplayer. It can't connect to Nintendo's servers but users can create rooms and play through the internet.
  
* With Sonic 3: Unlocks an alternate version of Sonic 3 with more levels.
+
Corgi3ds currently can't run any game without heavy stuttering.
* With Sonic 2: Unlocks an alternate version of Sonic 2 with playable Knuckles.
 
* With Sonic 1: Unlocks the Blue Sphere minigame with a level select to all possible levels.
 
  
The Sonic & Knuckles cartridge can lock on to other cartridges:
+
Citra emulates the home menu although you can't launch anything on it.
  
* Smaller than 2MB: Will play a single random level from the Blue Sphere minigame generated from data in the header.
+
==Game images==
* Bigger than 2MB: Will boot to Sonic & Knuckles.
+
===3DS vs. CIA===
* Has Battery Pack: All save data will be wiped out.
+
<!--this section is pretty inaccurate-->
 +
There are two big types of 3DS game images currently:
 +
;NCSD-type: Includes '''.CCI''' (CTR Cart Image), aka '''.3DS''' - data on physical carts, can be executed right off the bat, not used much since no one bothered to develop a CFW solution to load them yet (besides converting them to CIA) and only overpriced flashcarts (Gateway/Sky3DS) can load them.
 +
;NCCH-type: Includes '''.CIA''' (CTR Importable Archive) and '''.CXI''' - installers that unpack game data to the SD card or the 3DS NAND memory. Some homebrew apps (FBI, DevMenu) can install CIA files on 3DS systems with CFW installed. Digital games are often distributed as CIAs.
  
Most emulators don't support Lock-On save for Genesis Plus GX, but there are pre-combined ROMs for the Sonic trilogy available online that can be played as a regular Megadrive ROM on any emulator and still work. The Sonic 3 Complete romhack also achieves the same purpose.
+
*Note that CTR (Citrus) is the internal code names for the 3DS.
  
Genesis Plus GX's [[RetroArch]] core includes true Lock-On emulation. From the Core Options menu, you can enable the Lock-On feature for either Sonic & Knuckles, Game Genie, or the Action Replay (Pro) -- the latter two using a different technology but with similar effects. Setting this option to anything other than "Off" will enable Lock-on to the cartridge you're currently playing as. After resetting, the game will boot in Lock-On mode.
+
Due to one format being so far restricted to overpriced flashcarts and the very slow Citra development (meaning playing on a real 3DS is still the preferred way to go), the CIA format is preferred in many sharing websites, downloader tools and even tools to dump your own games.  
  
The following files need to be under the directory for BIOS files (usually "system"):
+
However, converting a CIA image to 3DS format (and vice-versa) is still possible with no loss of content. Read the Encryption section below for a guide.
* sk.bin (Sonic & Knuckles (2 MiB) ROM)
 
* sk2chip.bin (Sonic & Knuckles UPMEM (256 KiB) ROM): If you can't find it online, extract it with a hex editor from a pre-combined Sonic 2 & Knuckles ROM from offset 00300000 to the end of the ROM.
 
  
For GG/AR, the files needed are areplay.bin and ggenie.bin, but most emulators support cheat codes from these natively.
+
Some outdated dumping utilities intended for use with Citra (like braindump) produce damaged decrypted 3DS images that can't be easily converted back. No known solution exists so far to fix those dumps.
  
==Mega Drive Plus / Genesis Plus==
+
===Encryption===
 +
Most dumps online are also encrypted. This encryption poses no problem for playing game images on a real 3DS since it can deal with that encryption with internal keys included in the bootrom, but becomes a problem when trying to emulate them on PC. '''Citra requires additional encryption keys to play encrypted games.''' If you want to play encrypted games on Citra without these keys, you'll have to convert your game images to the decrypted format.
  
The Mega Drive Plus / Genesis Plus (sometimes abbreviated as MD+) is a special mode for certain Genesis games that use enhanced CDDA tracks with a Sega CD. This was not used in any official games, however, the mode itself was first used in the first batch of Pier Solar releases. This feature was been [https://downloads.terraonion.com/public/MegaSD_DEV_Manual.pdf documented] to be used on Terraonion's Mega SD flash cartridge, to give similar effects for Genesis games in a way how MSU-1 does in patched SNES games.
+
Formerly, decrypting those ROMs used to require real 3DS hardware (bafflingly enough, Citra devs still ask users to do this even nowadays). It required files generated by a real 3DS called '''xorpads''' unique to that game version, using the encryption engine within the 3DS. After this part, these xorpads (which are big) can be used with PC tools (or other 3DS-based homebrew) to produce the decrypted game image. After that, some 3DS homebrew (Decrypt9, GodMode9) included tools to directly convert encrypted images to decrypted images with a single button press, but those still require a real 3DS.
  
Currently, no Genesis + Sega CD emulators feature this function, although there is [https://github.com/ekeeke/Genesis-Plus-GX/issues/297 plans to be added] in Genesis Plus GX.
+
The game changer was the sighax exploit, allowing to dump the 3DS bootrom which includes these encryption keys. This file can be downloaded from the [[Emulator Files#Nintendo 3DS|Emulator Files]] page. You can then use a program like '''[https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-extract-decrypt-games-nand-backups-and-sd-contents-with-fuse-3ds.499994/ fuse-3ds]''' to decrypt games using this file. Simply place boot9.bin in the same folder, run the program, mount the encrypted .cia or .3ds, and find the '''decrypted.cxi''' file inside (usually in the first folder). Citra should be able to load this file without issues.
  
==External links==
+
Due to these keys being available, Citra can now play encrypted games (3ds or CIA) without decrypting them. Read this page
* [http://wiki.megadrive.org/index.php?title=Main_Page MegaDrive Development Wiki] - A Wiki about every technical aspect of the SEGA MegaDrive hardware and software. Its aim is to provide the most detailed, accurate and up to date information, to help homebrew development and repairs.
+
[https://citra-emu.org/wiki/aes-keys/]. Then, go to this reddit page and copy the code from second comment (credit floppydoppy2)
* [http://segaretro.org/Category:Mega_Drive_emulators Mega Drive emulators] on Sega Retro
+
[https://www.reddit.com/r/CemuPiracy/comments/gpo2ey/aes_key_nintendo_3ds_title_keys_for_citra/]. Copy it and make a new .TXT file named 'aes_keys.txt'
* [https://archive.org/details/sega_genesis_library ARCHIVE.ORG Console Library: Sega Genesis]
+
Place this txt file in the sysdata folder of Citra's user directory. This key file is already included in the 3DS Shared Data download in the Emulator Files page.  
  
  
{{Sega}}
+
{{Nintendo}}
  
 
[[Category:Consoles]]
 
[[Category:Consoles]]
[[Category:Sega consoles]]
+
[[Category:Handheld consoles]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis emulators|*]]
+
[[Category:Nintendo consoles]]
[[Category:Fourth-generation video game consoles]]
+
[[Category:Eighth-generation video game consoles]]
 +
[[Category:Nintendo 3DS emulators|*]]

Revision as of 21:27, 10 October 2021

Nintendo 3DS
3ds.png
Developer Nintendo
Type Handheld game console
Generation Eighth generation
Release date 2011
Discontinued 2020
Predecessor Nintendo DSi
Emulated

The Nintendo 3DS is an eighth-generation handheld game console by Nintendo, released on March 27, 2011 for $249. The original model and the 2DS had a dual-core ARM11 MPCore at 268 MHz and a single-core ARM9, 128MB of RAM and 6MB of VRAM, and a DMP PICA200 GPU. The New 3DS and New 2DS XL models upgrade this to an 804 MHz quad-core ARM11 and 256MB of RAM, along with an extra pair of shoulder buttons and a right analogue stick.

The most notable feature of this console is the use of autostereoscopic (glasses-free) 3D, which can be configured using a slider. This was omitted on the cost-reduced 2DS and New 2DS XL models, which was released due to eye health concerns with children whom Nintendo advised not to use the 3DS's stereoscopic mode (though it is speculated that said advisories were more for liability reasons in case of a health-related lawsuit).

Emulators

Name Platform(s) Latest Version Open-Source Libretro Core Active Recommended
PC / x86
Citra Windows Linux macOS Nightly
Corgi3DS Windows Linux macOS git
3dmoo Windows Linux git
TronDS Windows Linux 1.0.0.5
LemonLime Windows Linux macOS git
Mobile / ARM
Citra-MMJ Android git ~ (WIP)
Citra Android Beta 15
git
~

Comparisons

Citra
An open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator made by experienced emulator developers. The devs insist that it's still experimental, but as of mid-2019 around half of all games are fully playable with minor or no issues. An official Android version was released in May of 2020.
3dmoo
Another open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator, made by experienced developers in the DS hacking scene. It was released shortly after Citra and received similar progress for a few months, but was eventually aborted by its authors after a while.
TronDS
A closed-source Nintendo 3DS emulator, presumably made by the iDeaS author. Little is known about it other than that it can run simple homebrew. It cannot be used for playing games.
Corgi3DS
An unique 3DS emulator designed for macOS systems. Its GitHub activity started on May 5, 2019. Main programmer is a self-proclaimed dog lover and has previously created CorgiDS and DobieStation, though the former seemed to be abandoned. Corgi3DS is mainly indigenous but the preliminary Wi-Fi code was ported from melonDS' code.(project on a indefinite hiatus, PSI said this about the matter "Haven't worked on it in several months, it's basically a hobby project of mine that I touch when I feel the urge").

Emulation issues

Citra currently can't emulate any of the 3DS's online features aside from LAN multiplayer. It can't connect to Nintendo's servers but users can create rooms and play through the internet.

Corgi3ds currently can't run any game without heavy stuttering.

Citra emulates the home menu although you can't launch anything on it.

Game images

3DS vs. CIA

There are two big types of 3DS game images currently:

NCSD-type
Includes .CCI (CTR Cart Image), aka .3DS - data on physical carts, can be executed right off the bat, not used much since no one bothered to develop a CFW solution to load them yet (besides converting them to CIA) and only overpriced flashcarts (Gateway/Sky3DS) can load them.
NCCH-type
Includes .CIA (CTR Importable Archive) and .CXI - installers that unpack game data to the SD card or the 3DS NAND memory. Some homebrew apps (FBI, DevMenu) can install CIA files on 3DS systems with CFW installed. Digital games are often distributed as CIAs.
  • Note that CTR (Citrus) is the internal code names for the 3DS.

Due to one format being so far restricted to overpriced flashcarts and the very slow Citra development (meaning playing on a real 3DS is still the preferred way to go), the CIA format is preferred in many sharing websites, downloader tools and even tools to dump your own games.

However, converting a CIA image to 3DS format (and vice-versa) is still possible with no loss of content. Read the Encryption section below for a guide.

Some outdated dumping utilities intended for use with Citra (like braindump) produce damaged decrypted 3DS images that can't be easily converted back. No known solution exists so far to fix those dumps.

Encryption

Most dumps online are also encrypted. This encryption poses no problem for playing game images on a real 3DS since it can deal with that encryption with internal keys included in the bootrom, but becomes a problem when trying to emulate them on PC. Citra requires additional encryption keys to play encrypted games. If you want to play encrypted games on Citra without these keys, you'll have to convert your game images to the decrypted format.

Formerly, decrypting those ROMs used to require real 3DS hardware (bafflingly enough, Citra devs still ask users to do this even nowadays). It required files generated by a real 3DS called xorpads unique to that game version, using the encryption engine within the 3DS. After this part, these xorpads (which are big) can be used with PC tools (or other 3DS-based homebrew) to produce the decrypted game image. After that, some 3DS homebrew (Decrypt9, GodMode9) included tools to directly convert encrypted images to decrypted images with a single button press, but those still require a real 3DS.

The game changer was the sighax exploit, allowing to dump the 3DS bootrom which includes these encryption keys. This file can be downloaded from the Emulator Files page. You can then use a program like fuse-3ds to decrypt games using this file. Simply place boot9.bin in the same folder, run the program, mount the encrypted .cia or .3ds, and find the decrypted.cxi file inside (usually in the first folder). Citra should be able to load this file without issues.

Due to these keys being available, Citra can now play encrypted games (3ds or CIA) without decrypting them. Read this page [1]. Then, go to this reddit page and copy the code from second comment (credit floppydoppy2) [2]. Copy it and make a new .TXT file named 'aes_keys.txt' Place this txt file in the sysdata folder of Citra's user directory. This key file is already included in the 3DS Shared Data download in the Emulator Files page.