Changes

{{Infobox console|title = Nintendo 3DS|logo = 3ds.png|imagecaption=Nintendo 3DS XL|developer = [[File:Article_img.jpgNintendo]]|type = [[:Category:Handheld consoles|Handheld game console]]|generation = [[:Category:Eighth-generation video game consoles|Eighth generation]]|release=2011 (3DS)<br/>2014 (new 3DS)|discontinued =2017 (new 3DS)<br/>2020 (3DS)|thumbpredecessor=[[Nintendo DS emulators|The DS(i)]]|successor=[[Nintendo 3DS handheld consoleSwitch emulators|Switch]]|emulated = {{✓}}}} {{for|other emulators that run on 3DS hardware|Emulators on 3DS}}  The '''[[wikipedia:Nintendo 3DS |Nintendo 3DS]]''' is the latest an eighth-generation handheld game console by Nintendo, released in 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 were released due to eye health concerns with children ages 6 and under whom Nintendo advised not to use the 3DS' 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"|Operating SystemPlatform(s)

! scope="col"|[[Recommended emulatorsEmulators|Recommended]]|-!colspan="10"|PC / x86|-|[[Citra (PabloMK7 fork)]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/PabloMK7/citra/releases/latest {{Citra_(PabloMK7_fork)Ver}}]|{{✓}}|{{~}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✓}} |{{✓}}|{{✓}}|-|[https://github.com/Lime3DS Lime3DS]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/Lime3DS/Lime3DS/releases {{Lime3DSVer}}]|{{✓}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|-|[[Panda3DS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/wheremyfoodat/Panda3DS {{Panda3DSVer}}]|{{✓}}|{{~}}|{{~}}|[https://github.com/Panda3DS-emu/Panda3DS-Games-List/issues 34%<br/><small>46 out of 135 reported titles</small>]|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{~}}|-|[[Mikage]] (御影)|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}|{{na}} <small>(WIP)</small>|{{~}}|{{~}}|{{~}}|N/A|{{~}} <ref name=mikageopen>[https://mikage.app/faq/#willmikagebeopensource FAQ: Will Mikage be open-source?]</ref>|{{✓}}|{{TBD}} <small>(WIP)</small>|-|Citra-Enhanced|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/Gamer64ytb/Citra-Enhanced/tags git]|{{✓}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{TBD}}

|style="text-align: center;"|[[Citra]]<small><br/>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/citra/ citra_libretro]|stylealign="text-align: center;"left|{{Icon|Windows, OS X, |Linux|macOS}}|style[https://git.libretro.com/libretro/citra ''libretro cores'']<ref group="textN name=Citralibretro>Similar to Dolphin, PPSSPP and melonDS libretro cores, the standalone version of Citra is highly recommended over the libretro core as the libretro core version is outdated and can be slow and unstable.</ref><br/>[https://citra-align: center;"emu.org/ Former website] ‡|{{✓}}|{{~}}|(nightly builds){{~}}|style="text[http://web.archive.org/web/20240301112349/https://citra-align: center;"emu.org/game/ 63%<br/><small>327 out of 519 reported titles</small>]|{{✓}} |style="text-align: center;"{{✗}}|✓{{✗}}

|style="text-align: center;"|[[3dmoo]]Corgi3DS|stylealign="text-align: center;"left|{{Icon|Windows, |Linux|macOS}}|style="text[https://github.com/PSI-align: center;"Rockin/Corgi3DS git]|(nightly builds){{✗}}|style="text-align: center;"{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|style="text-align: center;"{{✓}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}

|style[[TronDS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}|[http://trondsemu.byethost15.com/downloads.html 1.0.0.5]|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|-|[[3dmoo]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}|[https://github.com/plutooo/3dmoo git]|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{✓}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|-|LemonLime|align="textleft|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/ItsKaitlyn03/LemonLime/ git]|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{✓}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|-|VVCTRE|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}|[https: center;//archive.org/details/vvctre-bestbuild archive]|{{✓}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|-!colspan="10"|Mobile / ARM|-|[[TronDSCitra (PabloMK7 fork)]]|stylealign="textleft|{{Icon|Android}}|[https://github.com/PabloMK7/citra/releases git]|{{✓}}|{{~}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✓}} |{{✓}}|{{✓}}|-|[https://github.com/Lime3DS Lime3DS]|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}|[https: center;"//github.com/Lime3DS/Lime3DS/releases {{Lime3DSVer}}]|{{✓}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|-|Windows, Linux[[Citra MMJ]]|stylealign="textleft|{{Icon|Android}}|[https://github.com/weihuoya/citra/releases git]|{{✓}}|{{~}}|{{~}}|{{?}}|{{~}}|{{✓}}|{{~}}|-|[[Panda3DS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}|[https://github.com/wheremyfoodat/Panda3DS 1.0]|{{~}}|{{~}}|{{~}}|?|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{~}}|-|[https: center;"//github.com/emuPlace/Limon/ Limón]|align=left|{{Icon|iOS}}|[https://github.com/emuPlace/Limon/releases/tag/v1.0.8.5.1 1.0.08.5.1]|{{✓}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{✓}}|{{✗}}|{{~}}|-|[https://folium.emuplace.app/ Folium]|align=left|{{Icon|iOS}}|[https://folium.emuplace.app/downloads 1.1.4]|{{✓}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{~}}|-|[[Mikage]] (御影)|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}|{{na}} <small>(WIP)</small>|{{~}}|{{~}}|style{{~}}|N/A|{{~}} <ref name="textmikageopen></ref>|{{✓}}|{{TBD}} <small>(WIP)</small>|-|Citra-Enhanced|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}|[https: center;"//github.com/Gamer64ytb/Citra-Enhanced/tags git]|{{✓}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|style{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{TBD}}|-|[[Citra]]|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}{{Icon|iOS}}<ref group=N>iOS support only available with rinsuki builds.</ref>|[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/android/latest/arm64-v8a/ ''libretro core'']<ref group=N name="textCitralibretro></ref><br/>[https://citra-alignemu.org/ Former website] ‡<br/>[https://github.com/rinsuki/citra rinsuki builds for iOS] ‡|{{✓}}|{{~}}|{{~}}|[http://web.archive.org/web/20240301112349/https: center;"//citra-emu.org/game/ 63%<br/><small>327 out of 519 reported titles</small>]|{{✓}} |{{✗}}|{{✗}}

==Hardware features=Comparisons=<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;width:100%"|- ! colspan=2 | Name ! Citra ! Citra (PabloMK7 fork) ! Citra MMJ ! Mikage ! Panda3DS|- | rowspan=1 | [[Wikipedia:Nintendo_3DS_system_software|3DS system software]] | [[Wikipedia:Nintendo_3DS_system_software#Home_menu|HOME Menu]] | {{✓}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20240229150223/https://citra-emu.org/entry/citra-progress-report-2023-q2/#home-menu *] | {{✓}} | {{✗}} | {{✓}}[https://www.youtube.com/@MikageEmu/videos *] | {{✓}}[https://github.com/wheremyfoodat/Panda3DS#compatibility * ]|- | colspan=2 | [[#DS Mode|DS Mode]] | {{✗}} | {{✗}} | {{✗}} | {{TBD}} | {{✗}}|- | colspan=2 | [[Virtual_Console|Virtual Console]] | {{✓}} | {{✓}} | {{?}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | colspan=2 | [[Virtual_reality#Emulators_with_VR_support|3D Screen]] | {{✓}}<ref group=N>Citrasupports Stereoscopic 3D mode (Side by Side, Anaglyph, Interlaced, Reverse Interlaced).</ref> | {{✓}}<ref group=N>Supports Stereoscopic 3D mode (Side by Side, Anaglyph, Interlaced, Reverse Interlaced).</ref> | {{?}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | colspan=2 | [[Amiibo]] is an early | {{✓}} | {{✓}} | {{✓}} | {{TBD}} | {{~}}[https://github.com/wheremyfoodat/Panda3DS#compatibility *]|- | rowspan=6 | Inputs | Circle Pad Pro/C-Stick | {{✓}} | {{✓}} | {{✓}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | Motion Control (Gyroscope/Accelerometer) | {{✓}}<ref group=N>Citra supports motion control in development open-source 3DS emulator made by experienced emulator developersMouse (Right click), CemuhookUDP and SDL modes. It is considered experimental</ref> | {{✓}}<ref group=N>Citra supports motion control in Mouse (Right click), CemuhookUDP and SDL modes.</ref> | {{TBD}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | [[Wikipedia:Nintendo_3DS_system_software#Nintendo_3DS_Camera|Camera]] | {{✓}}<ref group=N>Citra supports Front and it runs homebrew applications with Rear cameras in single (2D) and double (3D) modes. The camera can be a decent degree of compatibilitystill image or system camera.</ref> | {{✓}}<ref group=N>Supports Front and Rear cameras in single (2D) and double (3D) modes. Though it The camera can play many commercial games be a still image or system camera.</ref> | {{✗}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | Microphone | {{✓}}<ref group=N>Citra supports microphone as Static noise and Real device.</ref> | {{✓}}<ref group=N>Supports microphone as Static noise and Real device.</ref> | {{✗}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | [https://github.com/libretro/RetroArch/pull/13743 Head-tracking] | {{?}} | {{?}} | {{✗}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | Touch-screen | {{✓}}<ref group=N>Citra supports touch-screen in Emulator Window and CemuhookUDP modes. It's possible to use button mapping.</ref> | {{✓}}<ref group=N>Supports touch-screen in Emulator Window and CemuhookUDP modes. It's possible to use button mapping.</ref> | {{✓}} | {{✓}} | {{?}}|- | rowspan=6 | Connectivity | [[Wikipedia:SpotPass_and_StreetPass#Nintendo_3DS|SpotPass/StreetPass]] | {{✗}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20240118041239/https://github.com/citra-emu/citra/issues/4928 *] | {{✓}} | {{~}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvSlRyWH32c *] | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | NFC Reader/Writer | {{✗}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20201217073356/https://github.com/citra-emu/citra/issues/4797 *] | {{✗}} | {{✗}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | [[Nintendo_Network|Nintendo Network]] | {{✗}}[https://pretendo.network/progress#juxtaposition-(miiverse) *] | {{✓}} | {{✗}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | [[Wikipedia:Nintendo_3DS#Download_Play|Download Play]] | {{✓}} | {{✓}} | {{TBD}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | DS(i) Connectivity | {{✗}} | {{✗}} | {{✗}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|- | Wii U Connectivity | {{✗}} | {{✗}} | {{✗}} | {{TBD}} | {{?}}|}</div><references group=N />===DS Mode===:[[Wikipedia:Nintendo_3DS#Backward_compatibility|Wikipedia - Nintendo 3DS backwards compatibility]]In addition to some extentits own software, the emulator has various graphical Nintendo 3DS is backward compatible with all Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi software. Like the DSi and sound issues DSi XL, the Nintendo 3DS is incompatible with most games, DS software that requires use of the Game Boy Advance port. Nintendo DS and requires DSi software cannot be played with 3D visuals on the 3DS.*None of the 3DS emulators support this feature. There was a very powerful CPU [https://web.archive.org/web/20240301010422/https://community.citra-emu.org/t/ds-game-support/33133 feature request] for most games implementing this feature to be playableCitra emulator.  ==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 being regularly worked onno support by system for render games in other 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], [https://www.khronos.org/blog/ray-tracing-in-vulkan VRT] and progress [https://developer.apple.com/documentation/metal/metal_sample_code_library/accelerating_ray_tracing_using_metal MRT])</small>| colspan=3 | <small>Implementing ray-tracing in it an emulator is faster than expected for most unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future.<br/>However you can try "[[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. Howevermd DLSS], there[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's still no telling how long it will quite challenging and unlikely to be before it is suitable for playing games to completionfeasible 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}}| {{?}}|-| [[3dmoo30/60_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 another open-source 3DS out-now-on-amd-radeon-rx-7000-series/ba-p/634372 AFMF])</small>| colspan=3 | <small>Implementing frame generation technology in an emulator, made by experienced developers is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the DS hacking scenenear future, however post-processing techniques such as [[Wikipedia:Motion_interpolation|motion interpolation]] is quite possible. It was released shortly after Citra and received similar progress for [[Input_lag|Input latency]] will be a few monthscrucial factor, but was eventually aborted by its authors 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 whilenetwork 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 [[TronDSWikipedia: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 images=====3DS vs. CIA===<!--this section is a closedpretty inaccurate--source >There are two types of 3DS emulatorgame images currently:;NCSD-type: Includes '''.cci''' (CTR Cart Image), aka '''.3ds''' - data on physical carts, presumably made by can be executed right off the iDeaS authorbat, 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. Little is known about it other than ;NCCH-type: Includes '''.cia''' (CTR Importable Archive) and '''.cxi''' - installers that it unpack game data to the SD card or the 3DS NAND memory. Some homebrew apps (FBI, DevMenu) can run simple homebrewinstall CIA files on 3DS systems with CFW installed. It cannot be used for playing Digital gamesare often distributed as CIAs.

===Emulation issues==='''The Nintendo 3DS [https://techritch.com/nintendo-3ds-emulator/] currently has no emulators *Note that play all games with all features intact.''' This CTR (Citrus) is mainly because for a long time the hardware was documented only sparingly, and homebrew internal code execution was hard to achieve. Nowadays, name for the hardware is better known and homebrew is being developed. Many games boot now, with a few even having no noticeable graphical issues. However, sound has not fully been implemented. This, along with other various issues, exist that make 3DS emulation not ready for prime time just yet.

===Game Images===There's two big types of Due to one format being so far restricted to overpriced flashcarts and the very slow Citra development (meaning playing on an actual 3DS game images currently:* NCSD-type: Includes .CCI (Citra Cart Imageis still the preferred way to go), aka .3DS* NCCH-type: Includes .the CIA (Citra Importable Archive) format is preferred in many sharing websites, downloader tools and even tools to dump your own games.CXI

However, converting a CIA image to 3DS format (Citrus, Citra or CTR being and vice versa) is still possible with no loss of content. Read the internal code name Encryption section below for the 3DS)a guide.

The first type Some outdated dumping utilities intended for use with Citra ('''.3ds'''like braindump) is used for data on the physical carts, and produce damaged decrypted 3DS images that can 't be executed right off the bateasily converted back. These ROMs are playable on official developer flashcards, and 3DS flashcards like Gateway/Sky3DS, but are not playable on CFW aka custom firmwares (because no one bothered No known solution exists so far to code homebrew doing so... for now)fix those dumps.

The second type (===Encryption===Most dumps online are also encrypted.cia) are essentially '''installers''', unpacking and installing the This encryption poses no problem for playing game's contents to your SD card or images on an actual 3DS since it can deal with that encryption with internal keys included in the 3DS's NAND memorybootrom, provided you have but becomes a problem when trying to emulate them on PC. '''ticketCitra requires additional encryption keys to play encrypted games.''' proving If you own that game. They're found want to play encrypted games on digital installs and Nintendo's servers (and some homebrew apps like Freeshop and CIAngel can fool them into thinking you have the tickets and can download the .cia for free even Citra without the eShop). Some unofficial homebrew apps like FBI and DevMenu can install cia files on 3DS systems with CFWthese keys, even if the cia files donyou't ll have to convert your game images to the proper signature or region codedecrypted format.

Formerly, decrypting those ROMs used to require real 3DS hardware (bafflingly enough, Citra can only load devs still ask users to do this even nowadays).3ds It required files and not .cia files for now. Howevergenerated 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, which allowed for the dumping of the 3DS bootrom, which includes these encryption keys. This file can be downloaded from the [[Emulator Files#Nintendo 3DS custom firmware |Emulator Files]] page. You can only load then use a program like '''[https://gbatemp.cia files net/threads/tutorial-extract-decrypt-games-nand-backups-and not -sd-contents-with-fuse-3ds.499994/ fuse-3ds files]''' to decrypt games using this file. In additionSimply place boot9.bin in the same folder, run the program, mount the encrypted CIA or 3DS, and find the more recent dumping tools output '''decrypted.cia files, even from physical cartridgescxi''' file inside (usually in the first folder). And more and more games are digital only nowadaysCitra should be able to load this file without issues.

This means most dumps online are 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 page and copy the code from the [https://www.reddit.com/r/CemuPiracy/comments/gpo2ey/aes_key_nintendo_3ds_title_keys_for_citra second comment] (credit floppydoppy2). Copy it and make a new TXT file named '''aes_keys.txt'''. Place this TXT file in the preferred sysdata folder of Citra's user directory.cia format, considering games are more playable on This key file is already included in the real deal than on 3DS Shared Data download in the Citra emulator[[Emulator files#Nintendo_3DS|Emulator Files]] page.

Even the ones in ==Emulation issues==For more information about Nintendo 3DS hardware and reverse engineering;* MVG: [https://www.youtube.3ds format will be com/watch?v=YAKujG8SXKY The most of the time '''encrypted''' (same for the important Nintendo 3DS Game Ever Made], [https://www.youtube.cia onescom/watch?v=jjFGxIfDX70 Homebrew on a $100 New Nintendo 3DS LL], for that matter)[https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=-guh8hXo1bc The Nintendo 3DS can decrypt and play those dumpseShop Is Going Offline Forever. How to Play All Games After 2023], even unofficial ones, but * Citra can't: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240304201632/https://citra-emu. Currentlyorg/tags/progress-report/ Blog], converting an encrypted (normal) game dump to a decrypted dump requires files generated by a real [https://discord.gg/FAXfZV9 Discord]* Panda3DS: [https://discord.gg/UyepRMm Discord]* [https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/Main_Page 3dbrew]* [https://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/3DS_Homebrew_Development GBATemp - 3DS Homebrew Development]* [https://3ds.hacks.guide/ 3DS called Hacks Guide]* [https://fosdem.org/2024/schedule/event/fosdem-2024-1726-panda3ds-climbing-the-tree-of-3ds-emulation/ FOSDEM '''xorpads''' unique to that game version.24: Panda3DS - Climbing the tree of 3DS emulation]

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