Changes

|type = [[:Category:ConsolesHandheld consoles|Handheld game console]]

|release = 2011(3DS)<br/>2014 (new 3DS)|discontinued = 2017 (new 3DS)<br/>2020(3DS)|predecessor = [[Nintendo DS emulators|DS(i)]]|successor=[[Nintendo DSSwitch emulators|Switch]]|emulated = {{~✓}}

{{for|other emulators that run on 3DS hardware|Emulators on 3DS}}  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, 128 MBs of RAM and 6 MBs 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 256 MBs of RAM, along with an extra pair of shoulder buttons and a right analog stick. The most notable feature of this console is the use of [https[wikipedia://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereoscopy |autostereoscopic]] (i.e. without 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 were released due to eye health concerns with children ages 6 and under 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). ;Remember, [[Wikipedia:Category:New_Nintendo_3DS_games|certain titles are exclusive to the New 3DS, New 3DS XL and New 2DS XL]]. Make sure your chosen emulator supports these variations if you want to play them.

<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width:100%"

! scope="col"|Open-SourceNew 3DS! scope="col"|[[#Hardware_features|Hardware features]]! scope="col"|[[libretro#Enhancements|Libretro CoreEnhancements]]! scope="col"|Compatibility! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>

!colspan="710"|PC / x86|-|[[Citra (PabloMK7 fork)]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/PabloMK7/citra/releases/latest git]|{{✓}}|{{~}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✓}} |{{✓}}|{{✓}}

|[[Citra]https://github.com/Lime3DS Lime3DS]

|[https://citra-emugithub.orgcom/downloadLime3DS/ NightlyLime3DS/releases {{Lime3DSVer}}]

|Vvctre[[Panda3DS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|W7Linux|LinuxmacOS}}|[https://github.com/vvanelslandewheremyfoodat/Panda3DS {{Panda3DSVer}}]|{{✓}}|{{~}}|{{~}}|[https:/vvctre/releases 39github.0.1com/Panda3DS-emu/Panda3DS-Games-List/issues 34%<br/><small>46 out of 135 reported titles</small>]

|Corgi3DS[https://github.com/Gamer64ytb/Lemonade Lemonade]

|[https://github.com/PSILemonade-Rockinemu/Corgi3DSLemonade/ Gitreleases {{LemonadeVer}}]‡|{{✓}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}

|[[3dmoo]]Corgi3DS|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/plutooo/3dmooPSI-Rockin/ GitCorgi3DS git]|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}

|[https://github.com/CyuubiItsKaitlyn03/LemonLime/ Gitgit]|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{✓}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|-|VVCTRE|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}|[https://archive.org/details/vvctre-bestbuild archive]

!colspan="910"|Mobile / ARM

|[[Citra(PabloMK7 fork)]]|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}|[https://github.com/PabloMK7/citra/releases git]|{{✓}}|{{~}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✓}} |{{✓}}|{{✓}}|-|[https://github.com/Lime3DS Lime3DS]|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}|[https://github.com/Lime3DS/Lime3DS/releases {{Lime3DSVer}}]|{{✓}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|-|[[Citra MMJ]]

|[https://play.googlegithub.com/store/apps/details?id=org.citra.citra_emu Google Play]<br/>[https://github.comweihuoya/citra-emu/citra-android Gitreleases git]

|{{✗~}}|{{~}}|{{?}}|{{~}}

|Citra-MMJ <small>(Unofficial)</small>[[Panda3DS]]

|[https://github.com/weihuoyawheremyfoodat/citraPanda3DS 1.0]|{{~}}|{{~}}|{{~}}|?|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{~}}|-|[https://github.com/emuPlace/Limon/ Limón]|align=left|{{Icon|iOS}}|[https://github.com/emuPlace/Limon/releases Git/tag/v1.0.8.5.1 1.0.8.5.1] <small>(WIP)</small>

|[[Mikage]https://github.com/Gamer64ytb/Lemonade Lemonade]

|0[https://github.5com/Lemonade-emu/Lemonade/releases Alpha 2] ‡|{{✓}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✓}}

===Comparisons===:;[[Citra(PabloMK7 fork)]]:An open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator made by experienced emulator developers. The devs insist A fork of Citra that it's still experimental, but as of mid-2019 around half of all games are fully playable with minor or no issues. was initially created to add online play[https://citra-emutwitter.orgcom/entryPablomf6/announcing-citra-androidstatus/ An official Android version 1719705943028449372], but continues to receive new updates and other new features following the end of support for upstream Citra. PabloMK7 was released in May a contributor of 2020].;Vvctre:Based on Citra. made by valentinThe repository has also seen work from GPUCode, the person who fixed luigi mansion 2 crash before citra could. Vvctre is The best way to play Luigi's Mansion 2 on PC, since it changes was one of the CPU tickspeed to 21000, and the CPU clock speed to 85%.(make sure to set these settings most active contributors for Citra before u run the game, and vvctre is the best emulator to run the nintendo 3ds os)repository was deleted. :;[[3dmooCitra MMJ]]:Another open-source An unofficial Nintendo 3DS emulator, made for Android written by experienced developers in the DS hacking sceneweihuoya and forked from Citra. It was released shortly after Offers less stuttering and greater performance than mainline Citra and received similar progress for a few monthson Android, but was eventually aborted by its authors after a whilealong with additional features. :;[[TronDS]]Limón:A closed-source Nintendo 3DS emulatorPort of Citra to iOS/iPadOS devices, presumably made developed by the iDeaS authorJarrod Norwell. Little is Previously known about it other than that it can run simple homebrewas emuThreeDS. It cannot be used for playing gamesNow continued as a [[Multi-system_emulators|multi emulator]], Folium. :;Corgi3DSLime3DS:An unique 3DS emulator designed for macOS systemsFork of Citra. Its GitHub activity started on [The main goal of the project is to act as a revival of Citra<ref>https://github.com/PSILime3DS#lime3ds-Rockin/Corgi3DS/commit/1b81c7e00c9a7a73f2da12d07ec3a9e4bc69c6ac May 5, 2019]. Main programmer is -a self-proclaimed dog lover and has previously created CorgiDS and DobieStation, though project-which-aims-to-revive-citra-the former seemed to be abandoned-most-popular-open-source-nintendo-3ds-emulator</ref>. :;Lemonade: Fork of Citra. Previously known as Citra-Enhanced. Corgi3DS is mainly indigenous but the preliminary Development ceased temporarily in March, 2024[https://githubold.reddit.com/PSI-Rockinr/EmulationOnAndroid/comments/Corgi3DS1bbos29/commitcitraenhanced_is_going_to_be_continued_and/a60b06683495e4e8fd0c170ec4ca8c453ce31609 Wi-Fi code] was ported from due to the [[melonDSYuzu#Lawsuit|stoppage of Citra development]]' code.(project on a indefinite hiatusAfter which, 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 changed its focus to the urge").;Android platform and planned to add new [[#Hardware_features|features]] and [[Mikage#Enhancements|enhancements]]:A commercial. However, Android-exclusive 3DS emulator optimized for smartphones and due to critique stemming from Lemonade's developers stealing code from other mobile devices. Made by a former author of forks, violating Citra 's GPL license, and berating developers of other emulatorsforks<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20240411140255/https://twitter.com/Pablomf6/status/1778376166098825515</ref>, the team has since abandoned the project[https://github. On an indefinite hiatuscom/Lemonade-emu/Lemonade/pull/2/files#diff-b335630551682c19a781afebcf4d07bf978fb1f8ac04c6bf87428ed5106870f5R16].

==Emulation issues==Citra currently can;[[Mikage]]: An emulator developed by Tony Wasserka, a.k.a. ''t emulate any of the 3DSneobrain's online features aside from LAN multiplayer.It can't connect , which focuses on optimization and stability on Android and PC, willing to nintendos servers but Users can create rooms and play through fill the internet(all though the online features and servers support will be possible when pretendo releasesgap left by Citra. It is closed-source, but right now the developers have stated that they paused will release the source code bit-by-bit after the app's official release.<ref name=mikageopen></ref> [https://mikage.app/faq/ Mikage is in an early stage of development for emulators)], but according to its developers it already supports some [[#Hardware_features|hardware features]] and several commercial games.

corgi3ds currently can;Corgi3DS: A unique 3DS emulator designed for macOS systems. Its GitHub activity started on [https://github.com/PSI-Rockin/Corgi3DS/commit/1b81c7e00c9a7a73f2da12d07ec3a9e4bc69c6ac May 5, 2019]. The main programmer is a self-proclaimed dog-lover and has previously created CorgiDS and DobieStation, though the former seems to have been abandoned. Corgi3DS is mainly indigenous, but the preliminary [https://github.com/PSI-Rockin/Corgi3DS/commit/a60b06683495e4e8fd0c170ec4ca8c453ce31609 Wi-Fi code] was ported from [[melonDS]]' code. The main programmer said that they "''haven't run any game without heavy stutteringworked on it in several months, it's basically a hobby project of mine that I touch when I feel the urge''". Thus, the project is on an indefinite hiatus.

citra emulates ;[[3dmoo]]: An open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator, made by experienced developers in the home menu although u can't launch anything on it(use vvctre DS hacking scene. It was released shortly after Citra and received similar progress for the os emulation)a few months, but was eventually aborted by its authors after a while.

currently there ==Enhancements==<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;width:100%"|- style="font-weight:bold;"! colspan=2 | Name! Citra! Panda3DS! Mikage|-| rowspan=6 | Graphics| [[Resolution|Resizable Internal Resolution]]| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Widescreen_hacks#Nintendo_3DS|Ultrawide hack]]<br/><small>Widescreen already supported on 3DS system.<br/>However for DS backwards compatibility titles you need to use patches to play in widescreen mode.<br/>There is no full screen support by system for render games in linux vvctreother ratios such as ultrawide 21:9 and 32:9.</small>| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{?}}|-| [[Texture_packs#Nintendo_3DS_.28Citra.29|Texture Replacement]]| {{~}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20240304211606/https://citra-emu.org/help/feature/custom-textures/ *]| {{N}}| {{?}}|-| Ray-tracing<br/><small>([https://devblogs.microsoft.com/directx/announcing-microsoft-directx-raytracing/ DXR], valentin said he [https://www.khronos.org/blog/ray-tracing-in-vulkan VRT] and [https://developer.apple.com/documentation/metal/metal_sample_code_library/accelerating_ray_tracing_using_metal MRT])</small>| colspan=3 | <small>Implementing ray-tracing in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future.<br/>However you cantry "[[Shaders_and_filters#Notable_ReShade_shaders|Screen-Space Ray Traced Global Illumination]]" shader using ReShade.[https://reshade.me/forum/general-discussion/5442-release-misc-emulators-with-depth-buffer-access#34388][https://reshade.me/forum/general-discussion/5442-release-misc-emulators-with-depth-buffer-access?start=60#46417]</small>|-| Pre-rendering AA<br/><small>(MSAA, SSAA)</small>| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| Super-resolution techniques<br/><small>([https://github.com/NVIDIAGameWorks/Streamline/blob/main/docs/ProgrammingGuideDLSS.md DLSS], [https://github.com/intel/xess/?tab=readme-ov-file XeSS] and [[Wikipedia:GPUOpen#FidelityFX_Super_Resolution|FSR 2+]])</small>| colspan=3 | <small>Requires access to the depth buffer and temporal data like motion-vectors so it't fix s quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future.<br/>Besides any GPU that can use DLSS can run these emulators at 4k native with ease anyway.</small>|-| rowspan=4 | Performance| [[Overclocking|Overclock]]| {{Y}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20220428210656/https://github.com/citra-emu/citra/issues/5975 *]| {{N}}| {{?}}|-| [[30/60_FPS_cheat_codes|Internal Framerate Hack]]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [https://blurbusters.com/frame-generation-essentials-interpolation-extrapolation-and-reprojection/ Frame generation technologies]<br/><small>([https://store.steampowered.com/app/993090/Lossless_Scaling/ LSFG], [https://github.com/NVIDIAGameWorks/Streamline/blob/main/docs/ProgrammingGuideDLSS_G.md DLSS-G], [https://www.techpowerup.com/316835/extrass-framework-paper-details-intels-take-on-frame-generation ExtraSS] and [https://community.amd.com/t5/gaming/amd-fluid-motion-frames-is-out-now-on-amd-radeon-rx-7000-series/ba-p/634372 AFMF])</small>| colspan=3 | <small>Implementing frame generation technology in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future, however post-processing techniques such as [[Wikipedia:Motion_interpolation|motion interpolation]] is quite possible. [[Input_lag|Input latency]] will be a crucial factor, but its impact likely varies depending on the specific technique employed, it's recommended to use '''after applying the "Internal Framerate Hack"'''.<br/>While '''AFMF''' or '''LSFG''' could be used with Citra?, please be aware that some visual glitches and artifacts may occur at this time.|-| Preload [[Wikipedia:ROM_image|ROM image]] to RAM<br/><small>For users with sluggish multi-platter HDDs or plagued by horrible seek times, this enhancement '''might''' offer smoother experience, potentially reduced power consumption; it also shines when images reside on a network drive.<br/>Although keep in mind that preloading image would take some time, and it will require additional amount of RAM capacity.</small>| {{N}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| rowspan=6 | Post-Processing| [[Wikipedia:Category:Anti-aliasing_algorithms|Post-rendering AA]]<br/><small>(FXAA, TXAA and MLAA/SMAA)</small>| {{N}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20201217074552/https://github.com/citra-emu/citra/issues/3623 *]| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Wikipedia:Comparison_gallery_of_image_scaling_algorithms|Post-rendering scaling]]<br/><small>(Sharp bilinear, Lanczos and [[Wikipedia:GPUOpen#FidelityFX_Super_Resolution|FSR 1]])</small>| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Shaders_and_filters|Filters]]| {{N}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-|[[Shaders_and_filters#AI-powered filters|AI-powered filter compatible]]<br/><small>([https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/gfecnt/nvidia-freestyle-ansel-enhancements-geforce-experience-article/ Freestyle])</small>| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Shader_Presets|Shader Chain]]| {{~}}<ref group=N2 name=lrExclusive>Exclusive to libretro core.</ref>| {{?}}| {{?}}|-|[[High_dynamic_range#Inverse_tone_mapping|Inverse tone mapping compatible]]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| rowspan=5 | [https://tasvideos.org/Emulatorresources/Features TAS features]| [[Wikipedia:Macro_(computer_science)|Macros/Scripts]]/[https://tasvideos.org/LuaScripting Lua]| {{?}}| {{Y}}| {{?}}|-| Rewind| {{N}}[https://github.com/citra-emu/citra/issues/5859 *]| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| Fast-Forward/Turbo Speed| {{Y}}[https://github.com/citra-emu/citra/pull/3353 *]| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| Savestates| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [https://tasvideos.org/Movies Movie recording/playback]| {{Y}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20201217052538/https://github.com/citra-emu/citra/pull/3500 *]| {{N}}| {{?}}|-| rowspan=2 | Controls| [[Controllers#Mouse_Injectors_for_Emulators|Mouse Injector Compatible]]| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{?}}|-| [[Input_lag|Input lag-mitigating technique]]| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{?}}|-| rowspan=6 | Quality of life| Built-in [[Mods,_hacks_and_fan-translations#Built-in_graphics_mod_editor.2Fmanager_for_emulators|Graphics mod editor/manager]]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{?}}|-| Built-in [[Cheats_and_patches|Cheat Manager]]| {{Y}}| {{Y}}[https://github.com/wheremyfoodat/Panda3DS#compatibility *]| {{?}}|-| [[Save_disk_space_for_ISOs|Streamable compression format]]| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{?}}|-| Per-Game Profiles| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| Command Line Options| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Frontends#Graphical_User_Interfaces_.28GUIs.29|Big Picture Mode]]| {{N}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| rowspan=3 | Misc| [https://retroachievements.org/gameList.php?c=62 RetroAchievements]| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{?}}|-| [[Virtual_reality#VR_game_room_simulations|EmuVR support]]| colspan=3 | Exclusive to [https://www.emuvr.net/wiki/Installation_Guide#Downloads libretro cores] at the moment.|-| [[Wikipedia:Category:Debugging|Debug Features]]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|}</div><references group=N2/>

==Game Imagesimages==

There are two big types of 3DS game images currently:;NCSD-type: Includes '''.CCIcci''' (CTR Cart Image), aka '''.3DS3ds''' - 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 '''.CIAcia''' (CTR Importable Archive) and '''.CXIcxi''' - 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 name 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 an actual 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.

Most dumps online are also encrypted. This encryption poses no problem for playing game images on a real an actual 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 cannot requires additional encryption keys to play encrypted games, only decrypted games will work.''' A solution to load encrypted images is for the moment on the back burner and there's not much developer interest for it. If you want to play encrypted games on Citrawithout these keys, you'll have to convert your game images to that the decrypted format.

But now this new feature The game changer was added to citra enables the user to play encrypted games without decrypting themsighax exploit, which allowed for the dumping of the 3DS bootrom, which includes these encryption keys. Read this This file can be downloaded from the [[Emulator Files#Nintendo 3DS|Emulator Files]] page. You can then use a program like '''[https://citra-emugbatemp.orgnet/wikithreads/aestutorial-extract-decrypt-games-nand-backups-and-sd-contents-with-fuse-keys3ds.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.

Due to these keys being available, Citra can now play encrypted games (3DS or CIA) without decrypting them. Read [https://web.archive.org/web/20240229064914/https://citra-emu.org/wiki/aes-keys this page]. Then, go to this reddit Reddit page and copy the code from second comment (credit floppydoppy2)the [https://www.reddit.com/r/CemuPiracy/comments/gpo2ey/aes_key_nintendo_3ds_title_keys_for_citra/second comment] copy (credit floppydoppy2). Copy it ,and make a new .TXT file names named '''aes_keys.txt'Then you might have that user folder for citra, then open it go to sysdata , assuming that you have a shared font''.bin Place this TXT file there paste this AES keys.txt there.Now user folder is what is in the system archive of 3ds you need it to display videoNow put user folder in sysdata folder of citra or in c: drive (see some YouTube videos , read some reddit posts you will understand it)For Citra's user folder:- [http://www.mediafiredirectory.com/This key file/brdbqzng4iuvvcz/Citra_60_FPS_100%2525_gurantee.exe/file]Extract is already included in the archive and then take 3DS Shared Data download in the user folder and put that to the latest build[[Emulator files#Nintendo_3DS|Emulator Files]] page.

(This is a ogl 3==Emulation issues==For more information about Nintendo 3DS hardware and reverse engineering;* MVG: [https://www.3 fix using mesa driver)youtube. Then extract this archive using 7-zip (don't use this as your citra this is an old versioncom/watch?v=YAKujG8SXKY The most important Nintendo 3DS Game Ever Made], [https://www. Compatibility is very low and speed may be terrible in your device)youtube. Copy the 'user' folder you see com/watch?v=jjFGxIfDX70 Homebrew on that foldera $100 New Nintendo 3DS LL], download the latest citra version on to your desktop then paste this user folder there[https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=-guh8hXo1bc The game changer was the sighax exploit, allowing to dump the Nintendo 3DS bootrom which includes these encryption keyseShop Is Going Offline Forever. This file can be downloaded from the How to Play All Games After 2023], * Citra: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240304201632/https://citra-emu.org/tags/progress-report/ Blog], [Emulator Files#Nintendo 3DS|Emulator Fileshttps://discord.gg/FAXfZV9 Discord]* Panda3DS: [https://discord.gg/UyepRMm Discord] page* [https://www. You can then use a program like '''3dbrew.org/wiki/Main_Page 3dbrew]* [https://wiki.gbatemp.net/threadswiki/tutorial3DS_Homebrew_Development GBATemp -extract3DS Homebrew Development]* [https://3ds.hacks.guide/ 3DS Hacks Guide]* [https://fosdem.org/2024/schedule/event/fosdem-decrypt2024-games1726-nandpanda3ds-backupsclimbing-andthe-sdtree-contentsof-with-fuse3ds-3ds.499994emulation/ fuseFOSDEM '24: Panda3DS -3dsClimbing the tree of 3DS emulation]''' 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.

[[Category:Consoles|!3DS]][[Category:Handheld consoles|!3DS]][[Category:Nintendo consoles|!3DS]][[Category:Eighth-generation video game consoles|!3DS]][[Category:Nintendo 3DS emulators|*]][[Category:ARM-based|!3DS]]