What are the 3 best 3ds emulators for pc?

The best 3DS emulator on PC in September 2026 is called Azahar, the direct successor to the former Citra, arrested in march 2024.

It runs on Windows, Mac, linux and Android, and supports virtually all of the 3DS games.

If you're looking for the best 3DS emulators available today, this guide breaks down each option.

What is a 3DS emulator?

A 3DS emulator is software that simulates the operation of the Nintendo 3DS on your computer or mobile device.

In practical terms, it emulates the console's system so that your PC can run 3DS games as if you were holding the real machine.

The Nintendo 3DS is a handheld console released in 2011 and whose production ceased in 2020.

It is a handheld console equipped with two screens one touchscreen at the bottom and a display 3D without glasses in the top photo. A good Nintendo 3DS emulator must reproduce these two screens accurately, with a interface clear and inspections configurable.

The benefit is simple: you can find your 3DS games on Windows, Mac, linux Where Androidwith a resolution a sharper picture and a large, comfortable screen.

You play using a keyboard, a controller, or you simulate the’touchscreen with a mouse, without needing the original console. If you also like playing on other emulated consoles, check out the best Switch emulators available on PC.

Which emulator to choose for your PC?

Be aware of a common misunderstanding: NeonDS emulates the Nintendo DS, not the 3DS. The R4 3DS is a physical flash card, not PC software. Neither of them is a real 3DS emulator for computers.

The historical reference was Citra.

Today, the best 3DS emulators for PC are Azahar, the community fork that took over, and Panda3DS, an independent project. Each Nintendo emulator has its strengths.

The table below summarizes the differences to help you choose.

A Quick Comparison of the Best 3DS Emulators

Azahar, Citra's main successor

Azahar is the fork community that has established itself as the leading emulator Nintendo 3DS since the end of Citra. It incorporates the code from the original project and continues to actively improve it. The project is led by a crew of developers very responsive volunteers.

You get to enjoy a 3D rendering improved, with a resolution superior to the original console and a dual display screens just like on the real 3DS. The coverage The selection of games is excellent: titles such as Super Mario 3D Land Where The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D are doing very well. The latest version The available version is easy to download and get started with.

This is definitely the best choice if you're just getting started with the’3DS emulation. L'interface is well-maintained, the updates are regular, and the compatibility with virtually all of the 3DS games in fact, the best solution efficient of the moment.

System Requirements for Azahar on Windows

For a seamless experience on Windows, your PC must have a 64-bit operating system, at least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended), and a compatible graphics card OpenGL 4.3 or Vulkan 1.1.

As for the processor, the instruction set SSE4.2 is required: virtually all processors sold since 2010 support it.

How to Download Azahar

1. Go to the official repository GitHub ofAzahar (github.com/azahar-emu/azahar).
2. Click the tab Press Releases to access the latest version stable.
3. Download the installer that matches your system : Windows, linux Where Mac.
4. Run the executable and follow the installation steps.

Panda3DS, the alternative currently in development

Panda3DS is a 3DS emulator written from scratch, without reusing code from Citra. This independent project is still in development is active and moving quickly. The version Android is also available for download.

The compatibility progresses with each new one update, but it remains below’Azahar for now. His interface is more minimalist. It is a alternative One to keep an eye on if you're looking for a technically different project led by a small crew of developers enthusiasts.

Citra, the Classic Emulator, Has Been Discontinued

Citra has long been the’emulator Nintendo 3DS a benchmark, recognized for its stability, ease of use, and its rendering High-resolution 3D net resolution. It was available on Windows, Mac, linux and Android.

Since march 2024, the project has been permanently discontinued and its official repository has been removed. You may still come across some old versions online, but they no longer receive any update. For the latest experience, download it directly Azahar.

Good to know: RetroArch offered a core based on Citra to emulate the 3DS.

A core libretro based on Azahar has since taken over, published in March 2026.

The Best 3DS Emulators for Android

Playing 3DS games on Android is entirely possible. Several emulators are available on mobile, with experiences that vary greatly depending on the apps.

Azahar on Android

Azahar offers a version Android complete, available for download from its repository GitHub. L'interface is optimized for touchscreens, with buttons configurable virtual ones. The compatibility remains excellent, just like the version PC. That's the’application to prioritize on mobile.

To use it, your smartphone must be running Android At least 10 (64-bit), with a Snapdragon At least 835 or equivalent and 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended).

Recent devices (from 2020 onward) provide a very smooth experience for the vast majority of 3DS games.

Mandarine-Neo, formerly Lemonade

Lemonade has been renamed several times: first to Citra-Enhanced, then Mandarine, and today Mandarine-Neo.

This fork of Citra is available on Windows, Linux, and Android, and reuses some of the code from’Azahar while retaining its own options.

It's a decent option on mobile, but Azahar remains the best choice.

Lime3DS on Android

Lime3DS was also available on Android before development was halted in November 2024, when his team joined the project Azahar.

If you already have a version installed, it will continue to work.

How to install the games on the PC?

Install a 3DS game Installing it on your computer takes just a few simple steps. Here are the exact steps to use a 3DS emulator on PC.

1. Download your 3DS emulator (ideally Azahar) since its official filing on GitHub. There latest version The stable version is always available in the tab Press Releases.
2. Install the software on Windows by simply running the executable file. On linux, use the package provided on the official download page.
3. Retrieves the ROM of your game in the format .3ds (also known as .cci) or .cia. These files are digital images of your cartridges, and they need to be decrypted: Azahar no longer runs encrypted dumps.
4. Copy the system files and keys from your own console to the emulator using the’Artic Setup Tool, for a Nintendo 3DS modified. Without this step, most games remain on a black screen.
5. Open the emulator, add the folder that contains your files, then click the title to play it.

The Legality of 3DS ROMs

You can't use that 3DS games that you have already. The correct method is to extract the ROM from your own cartridge using GodMode9, installed on a Nintendo 3DS amended.

The tool copies the contents of your card to the microSD in .3ds format. Be sure to select the "unencrypted dump" option; otherwise, the file will not be read by Azahar.

One more step is required if you want to convert this dump to .cia. Download ROMs However, the games you've never bought remain illegal.

When it comes to storage, an external hard drive or a USB flash drive works just fine if you want to keep several securities without filling up your main drive.

Set Up the Buttons and Touchscreen

Once the Game Once you get started, you'll enjoy a large A screen that's much more comfortable than the one on the original handheld console. You can even display the image on your TV using a cable HDMI.

Take a moment to go into the settings and configure the buttons from your keyboard or controller. The simulation of the’touchscreen Mouse control is available directly in the’interface ofAzahar. The buttons The physical buttons on your controller can be mapped to the buttons of the Nintendo 3DS in just a few clicks. This customization really changes the gaming experience.

Common Problems and Solutions

Here are the problems the most common issues encountered with the 3DS emulators, and their solutions.

The game is slow or choppy

The first solution is to reduce the resolution internal in the settings for the’emulator. A resolution Native (240p) requires far fewer resources than upscaled video.

Also make sure that your equipment meets the prerequisites well. On Windows, close the apps in the background to free up memory.

Game files are not recognized

Make sure your files are in the correct format .3ds Where .cia. Azahar supports both of these formats, but only if they are decrypted: an encrypted dump will be rejected or will result in a black screen, even if it has the correct file extension.

There is no sound, or the sound is distorted

This type of problems often appears on the versions older versions of the’emulator. There solution The easiest way is to download the latest version ofAzahar since GitHub. The news versions regularly fix audio bugs.

Play 3DS games on a big screen

One of the major advantages of emulation Nintendo 3DS on a PC is being able to play on a large screen. The Nintendo 3DS is a handheld console, so his games were designed for small screens. The emulators enable’display high-quality rendering resolution on a monitor or TV.

Azahar offers several ways ofdisplay both screens on the 3DS: side by side, one above the other, or stacked.

You can choose the layout that best suits your setup. In full-screen mode on a large TV, the experience is much more comfortable than with the original console.

To connect your PC to your TV, you'll need a cable HDMI That's all. Once it's plugged in, set up the’emulator in full-screen mode and adjusts the layout of the screens depending on your preferences.

3DS Emulators vs. Other Handheld Consoles

Emulation of the handheld consoles Nintendo is now very well covered. The Nintendo DS is emulated by DeSmuME Where melonDS, projects that have been stable for many years.

The Nintendo Switch also features best emulators on a PC, even though emulating this console remains more demanding in equipment.

Unlike a PlayStation Vita or a PlayStation Portable, the Nintendo 3DS has a unique technical feature: its two screens and its display 3D without glasses.

The 3DS emulators It took them several years to faithfully reproduce this experience. Azahar is doing very well at it today.

If you like exploring the best emulators of various consoles, check out the best Switch emulators available on PC. And to get the best gaming experience, check out the best free PC games and the best PC strategy games.