Citra (PabloMK7 fork)
Developer(s) | PabloMK7 and other contributors |
---|---|
Latest version | [+] |
Active | Yes |
Platform(s) | Windows Linux macOS Android |
Emulates | Nintendo 3DS |
Programmed in | C++ |
License | GPLv2 |
Source code | GitHub |
BIOS/Keys | Required for some games and decryption |
The PabloMK7 fork of Citra is a free and open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator/debugger written in C++.
Contents
Overview[edit]
The fork was originally created to add support for online play, but since the discontinuation of upstream Citra (see Yuzu#Lawsuit), it continues to receive new updates and features. The project is maintained by several ex-upstream Citra developers such as PabloMK7 himself and GPUCode.
Being a fork of Citra, the emulator emulates a subset of 3DS hardware and therefore is useful for running/debugging homebrew applications; it is also able to run many commercial games. Some of these do not run in a playable state.
On May 5, 2024, PabloMK7 announced an upcoming feature known as Artic Base,[1] released on May 12, 2024.[2] Artic Base is a 3DS homebrew app that can stream game data from the 3DS system to an instance of Citra over the local network, allowing users to play their own games on Citra without having to dump them. Artic Base can also sync save data between the 3DS and Citra.
Download[edit]
Latest Development/Preview Builds |
[edit]
Some 3DS games make use of shared files from the console's system software. These games will not boot if said files are not present in the user folder.
These files are not provided by the developers for legal reasons, so they can be downloaded from the Emulator Files page.
Importing saves[edit]
Some games require this to bypass bugs in title screens.
- Get the Title ID for the game version you have from here. For example, we'll try with the European version of Zelda: ALBW. Its full Title ID is
00040000000EC400
. - Take the last 8 digits of the Title ID. (in our example,
000EC400
) In case this method fails later, take00000000
instead, or make sure the save file and the ROM image are from the same region. - Make an empty folder named as that partial Title ID (
000EC400
). Put inside it another folder named "data", then inside that one put another folder named00000001
, then inside that one put the actual save data files. - Move the folder with the title ID and put it here:
\user\sdmc\Nintendo 3DS\00000000000000000000000000000000\00000000000000000000000000000000\title\00040000
Issues[edit]
Emulation issues[edit]
Emulation for various features is non-existent or not actively worked on enough to be in a usable state. This includes:
- Connectivity features relying on Wi-Fi (Wii U/3DS, Switch/3DS, 3DS Local Multiplayer...), not in small part due to the setbacks hindering Wi-Fi DS emulation. However, Download Play is emulated.
Game image format[edit]
The emulator accepts games in .3ds, .cia or .cxi format.