Difference between pages "Wii emulators" and "Nintendo 3DS emulators"

From Emulation General Wiki
(Difference between pages)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Emulators)
(Tags: Mobile edit, Mobile web edit)
 
(Citra Android is somewhat good now.)
(Tags: Mobile edit, Mobile web edit)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Infobox console
 
{{Infobox console
|title = Nintendo Wii
+
|title = Nintendo 3DS
|logo = Wii-Console.png
+
|logo = 3ds.png
 
|developer = [[:Nintendo]]
 
|developer = [[:Nintendo]]
|type = [[:Category:Home consoles|Home video game console]]
+
|type = [[:Category:Handheld consoles|Handheld game console]]
|generation = [[:Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles|Seventh generation]]
+
|generation = [[:Category:Eighth-generation video game consoles|Eighth generation]]
|release = 2006
+
|release = 2011
|discontinued = 2013
+
|discontinued = 2020
|predecessor = [[GameCube emulators|GameCube]]
+
|predecessor = [[Nintendo DSi emulators|Nintendo DSi]]
|successor = [[Wii U emulators|Wii U]]
 
 
|emulated = {{✓}}
 
|emulated = {{✓}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
The '''[[wikipedia:Wii|Wii]]''' is a seventh-generation home video game console by Nintendo released on November 19, 2006 and priced for {{Inflation|USD|249.99|2006}}. It has a IBM PowerPC CPU at 729 MHz with 88MB of RAM. It has a ATI GPU. Because of similarity between the Wii and the [[GameCube emulators|GameCube]], Wii emulation happened very quickly through GameCube emulation.  
+
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.
 +
 
 +
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==
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
 
 
! scope="col"|Name
 
! scope="col"|Name
 
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
 
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
 
! scope="col"|Latest Version
 
! scope="col"|Latest Version
! scope="col"|WiiWare
+
! scope="col"|Open-Source
! scope="col"|Triforce
 
 
! scope="col"|[[libretro|Libretro Core]]
 
! scope="col"|[[libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
 
 
! scope="col"|Active
 
! scope="col"|Active
 
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
 
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
 
|-
 
|-
!colspan="10"|PC / x86
+
!colspan="7"|PC / x86
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Dolphin]]
+
|[[Citra]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
|[https://dolphin-emu.org/download/ Dev]
+
|[https://citra-emu.org/download Nightly]
|{{✓}} ||{{~}}<ref group=N name=triforce>Requires the [https://dolphin-emu.org/download/list/Triforce/1/ Triforce branch] to work. It is very old and unsupported.</ref> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
+
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✓}}
 
|-
 
|-
|Ishiiruka-Dolphin
+
|Corgi3DS
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
|[https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-unofficial-ishiiruka-dolphin-custom-version Dev]
+
|[https://github.com/PSI-Rockin/Corgi3DS git]
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{~}} <small>(WIP)</small> ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
+
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{}}
 +
|{{}}
 
|-
 
|-
!colspan="10"|Mobile / ARM
+
|[[3dmoo]]
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
 +
|[https://github.com/plutooo/3dmoo git]
 +
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Dolphin]]
+
|[[TronDS]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|Linux}}
+
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
|[https://dolphin-emu.org/download/list/master Dev]
+
|[http://trondsemu.byethost15.com/downloads.html 1.0.0.5]
|{{}} ||{{~}}<ref group=N name=triforce /> ||{{}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{}}
+
|{{}}
 +
|{{}}
 +
|{{}}
 +
|{{}}
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Dolphin MMJR (Unofficial)|Dolphin MMJR]]
+
|LemonLime
 +
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
 +
|[https://github.com/Cyuubi/LemonLime/ git]
 +
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="9"|Mobile / ARM
 +
|-
 +
|[[Citra_MMJ_(Unofficial)|Citra-MMJ]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
|[https://github.com/Bankaimaster999/Dolphin-MMJR/releases git]
+
|[https://github.com/weihuoya/citra/releases git]
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}
+
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{~}}<small> (WIP)</small>
 
|-
 
|-
|Dolphin 360
+
|[[Citra]]
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
 
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
|[https://github.com/Gamer64ytb/Dolphin-360-Definitive-/releases git]
+
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.citra.citra_emu Beta 15]<br/>[https://github.com/citra-emu/citra-android git]
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
+
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{✗}}
 +
|{{✓}}
 +
|{{~}}
 
|}
 
|}
  
<references group=N />
+
===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].
 +
 
 +
;[[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 [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").
  
[[Dolphin]] is the only option for Wii emulation. This is probably due to the project going open source, allowing more developers to pursue it early in the lifespan of the console. It's updated on a near daily basis and is very good, barring some noticeable issues with GameCube games. System requirements are high. In addition, it is recommended to sync a Wii remote to play games, mainly because it can be difficult mapping the motion controls to a controller.
+
==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.
  
==Wii System Menu Emulation==
+
Corgi3ds currently can't run any game without heavy stuttering.
Dolphin is capable of running the system menu. To get the system menu, one needs to use [http://www.wiibrew.org/wiki/BootMii BootMii] to dump the NAND of the Wii and import it. Refer to the [https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/index.php?title=NAND_Usage_Guide NAND usage guide on the Dolphin wiki] for more details.
 
  
As of 5.0-4588, it is possible to get the System Menu along with all other system software automatically by performing an online update (in the Tools menu).
+
Citra emulates the home menu although you can't launch anything on it.
  
==Connectivity==
+
==Game images==
===Wi-Fi Connection===
+
===3DS vs. CIA===
{{main|Dolphin Online}}
+
<!--this section is pretty inaccurate-->
This was the first Nintendo console to make online a standard feature. The service was discontinued on May 20, 2014, for most games.<ref>http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/vyWpoM6CBIe6FjW8NIY7bvzOrgBURhzw</ref> Dragon Quest X continued to support the service until November 2017, and support for the Wii Shop Channel ended in January 30, 2019. Online emulation improved enough to cover these while they were still functional. A Wii NAND is required and there are some restrictions on what controllers are allowed.
+
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.
  
Custom servers for some of the more popular games exist thanks to the [https://wiimmfi.de Wiimmfi] project. However, some popular servers ban emulator users who drop frames since it can give some unfair competitive advantages. There are various No-Intro sets that include DLC data for the games that used to have it that can be installed.
+
*Note that CTR (Citrus) is the internal code names for the 3DS.
  
===DS Connectivity===
+
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.
An unadvertised feature of the Wii is being able to connect to the [[Nintendo DS emulators|Nintendo DS]] (and by extension, the DSi and the 3DS through their respective retro-compatibility features). A few DS titles<ref>[[Wikipedia:Mii#Nintendo DS]]</ref> can do it, including but not limited to:
 
* ''Mii Channel'' (a hidden feature that can be used in conjunction with a 3DS's Mii Maker application or some DS games)
 
* ''Pokémon Battle Revolution''
 
* ''Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time''
 
* ''Nintendo Channel''
 
  
Unlike with GameCube/GBA connectivity, this feature is still not yet emulated. So far, neither [[Dolphin]] nor any [[Nintendo DS emulators|Nintendo DS emulator]] so far supports this feature.
+
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.
  
==Controllers==
+
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.
===Wiimote===
 
The main selling point of the Wii - motion control devices relying on gyroscopic sensors to detect motion, and an IR sensor plus a "Wii Sensor Bar" on the top or bottom of the TV screen (which is just 2 red LEDs, and you can even use two candles on each side of the screen to get the exact same effect) to detect the screen and simulate pointers. Optionally, a nunchuck with an analog pad can be plugged to the Wiimote, and it also has its own gyroscopic controls. Some other, yet less common add-ons may be plugged in too.
 
  
You can simulate these controls with one of these modes:
+
===Encryption===
* '''Bluetooth Passthrough''' (since 5.0-910). This allows exposing a Bluetooth adapter to the emulated software directly, bypassing all host stack limitations. Given a good enough adapter, this mode guarantees identical connectivity and behavior to the Wii.
+
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.
* '''Real Wiimote:''' Controlled only with an actual, physical Wiimote, connected to the PC with Bluetooth. You may need to hold 1+2 on the Wiimote before clicking "Pair" in Dolphin.
 
* '''Emulated Wiimote:''' Controlled only with a keyboard or gamepad controls you set up in the configuration. Considering the motion controls were basic enough for the first Wiimote, there are just options to set the directions for "Tilt", "Swing" and "Shake". The IR sensor is mapped to the mouse by default, though the option to go towards the screen is empty by default but available for remapping. The Nunchuck has its own motion controls. Depending on the game, you can just set up a few of these (typically, a button dedicated for shaking) and leave the rest empty. With presets, you can have each game use its own configuration. There are settings for sideways and vertical Wiimote positions.
 
* '''Hybrid Wiimote:''' Allows for using both emulated controls and real Wiimote controls. Can be useful to control the IR pointer with a mouse in case there's no sensor bar. This feature has been removed since 5.0-7038.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2018/06/03/dolphin-progress-report-april-and-may-2018/#50-7038-remove-hybrid-wii-remote-by-josjuice |title = 5.0-7038 - Remove Hybrid Wii Remote by JosJuice}}</ref>
 
  
Up to 4 Wiimotes can be added. If they desynch and disconnect, they can be reconnected by pressing Alt+F5~8.
+
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.
  
===Wiimote+===
+
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.
The enhanced incarnation of the Wiimote with better motion detection. It was used to great effect for improved swordplay in Wii Sports Resort and The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword. However, with this improvement comes additional complexity for setting up the gyroscopic controls.
 
  
[https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2019/04/26/mastering-motion/ As of May 2019], Dolphin now includes the option for an emulated MotionPlus controller, though some minor issues remain and configuration is still being figured out.  A real Wiimotion Plus controller can also be used.
+
Due to these keys being available, Citra can now play encrypted games (3ds or CIA) without decrypting them. Read this page
 +
[https://citra-emu.org/wiki/aes-keys/]. Then, go to this reddit page and copy the code from second comment (credit floppydoppy2)
 +
[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'
 +
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.  
  
==Resources==
 
* [https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/index.php?title=Main_Page Dolphin Wiki] - For checking if your games work and any fixes/tweaks/settings you should know beforehand.
 
  
==References==
 
<references/>
 
 
 
{{Nintendo}}
 
{{Nintendo}}
  
 
[[Category:Consoles]]
 
[[Category:Consoles]]
[[Category:Home consoles]]
+
[[Category:Handheld consoles]]
[[Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles]]
 
 
[[Category:Nintendo consoles]]
 
[[Category:Nintendo consoles]]
[[Category:Wii emulators|*]]
+
[[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.