Changes

There are [https://gbatemp.net/threads/retroarch-emulation-thread-nightly-builds-included.400913/ preliminary 3DS ports] of the following cores: [http://buildbot.libretro.com/stable/ stable 3DS ports]

* PCSX-ReARMed - the latest nightly build has made some improvements, making it possible to have 60 fps emulation on some games (dynarec only works by installing the CIAmainly 2D based games, many but is possible for 3D games if you tweak some of the settings) and even added support for .CHD compression formats. These improvements are too slow even on mainly for the New 3DS)as the original model is not powerful enough.

there There are [https://gbatemp.net/threads/unofficial-3ds-retroarch-builds.462252/ unofficial ports] which add new cores with emulators that do not have a retroarch by default

* [https://github.com/Steveice10/GameYob/releases/latest GameYob]: GB/GBC emulationforked from a popular emulator used on the DS. Emulates the Game Boy and Game Boy Color.

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. So far, the only way to access this firmware is by injecting a GBA ROM as a VC application. This can be achieved through various programs such as [https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-ultimate-gba-vc-injector-for-3ds.438057/ this one]. Compatibility is high with the exception of cartridges with special hardware. The only downside is it can't provide features that are normally available on other emulators, such as savestates or , screen filtering, and or sleep mode, since technically it's running a "virtual" GBA. Also, each ROM must inject and install each ROM individually. Also, save files will have to be injected/backed-up individual via including the [https://3ds.hacks.guide/godmode9-usage.html GodMode9#backup-gba-vc-saves save files]. If you're using an old 3DS/2DS, this is the best option to play GBA games.

There was a WIP [https://github.com/masterfeizz/DeSmuME/releases DeSmuME] - an experimental port of DeSmuME being developthat has since been abandoned, but it wasn't very compatible and has since been abandoned due to it not being necessary as the 3DS already provides firmware to play DS/DSi natively.

Instead of trying to emulate, you can instead use the firmware directly by using [https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/TWiLightMenu/releases TWiLight Menu++] which allows you to play games off of your SD card- Not technically an "emulator", rather it's a frontend for a flash cartseperate program, or the cartridge itself. It function off the same idea as [httphttps://emulation.gametechwikigithub.com/index.phpahezard/Emulators_on_Wii#Nintendo_GameCube Nintendon'tnds-bootstrap nds-bootstrap] did , which allows for an NDS ROM to be loaded from an SD card. It utilizes the Wii; rather than emulate virtual DSi (aka the hardware, it hypothetically "bridges" to TWL_FIRM) that the already existing 3DS has for backwards-compatibility the system offers (in , meaning this case, program can also be installed on the original DSi's firmware)provided it has CFW installed. Compatibility is high with only a few games having small loading lags, <i>(i.eeg. GTA: Chinatown warsWars)</i>, or triggering anti-piracy protections(the latest version now includes AP patches for some games and will patch them on the fly). It also comes pre-bundled with a variety of emulators used on the DS and a work-in-progress GBA hypervisor, [https://github.com/Gericom/GBARunner2 GBARunner2], that works to some degree.

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 <code>.cia</code> file. There's two ways to do this:*[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 nds</code> which can then be used to convert into <code>.CIAcia</code>.*[https://github.com/d0k3/GodMode9/releases GodMode9] - Version 1.8.0 added in a script that can convert <code>.NDS nds</code> to <code>.CIAcia</code>, [https://3ds.hacks.guide/godmode9-usage 3ds.hacks.guide] has more information on how to update to the latest version if needed.

There's an easy tool that will convert and inject any supported ROM file as it's 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.