AzaharPlus
AzaharPlus is a free, open-source fork of the Azahar 3DS emulator, available for Android, Linux and Windows.
What AzaharPlus is
AzaharPlus is a free, open-source fork of the Azahar 3DS emulator, available for Android, Linux and Windows. The project says game files that work with any Citra fork also work with AzaharPlus. It can download system files from official servers without requiring a 3DS and supports older CPUs that do not require SSE4.2. Built-in features include cheats, Amiibo generation and improved multiplayer compatibility with other Citra forks. ZipPass imports and exports StreetPass data in zip files to simulate StreetPass tags. On Android, users can install a Replace flavor that replaces Azahar or a Coexist flavor that runs alongside it. Android requires version 9.0 or later in 64-bit form, a Snapdragon 835 or better, 2 GB of RAM and OpenGL ES 3.2 or Vulkan 1.1. Desktop minimums include 64-bit Windows 10 or modern 64-bit Linux, 2 GB of RAM and OpenGL 4.3 or Vulkan 1.1. ZipPass is experimental, requires system files, enabled LLE modules and StreetPass enabled in games, and only works when no game is running.
Good
- Free, GPL-2.0 licensed software.
- Supports Android, Linux and Windows.
- Can download system files without an actual 3DS.
- Includes built-in cheats and Amiibo generation.
- Offers Replace and Coexist Android flavors.
Watch out
- Android requires version 9.0 or later, 64-bit.
- Android minimum CPU is Snapdragon 835 or better.
- ZipPass is experimental and unavailable during gameplay.
- ZipPass imports beyond a game's queue limit are ignored.
Who it suits
AzaharPlus may suit people looking for a 3DS emulator fork on Android, Linux or Windows, including Android users who want to run it alongside Azahar. Check the listed system requirements and ZipPass limitations before choosing it.
Verdict
AzaharPlus adds features such as built-in cheats, Amiibo generation and ZipPass to an Azahar emulator fork across three platforms. Android hardware requirements are specific, and ZipPass has prerequisites and experimental status to consider.
Plans and prices
From AzaharPlus's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| AzaharPlus | Free | GPL-2.0 licensed 3DS emulator fork |
The facts
Each one read from AzaharPlus's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Android install options
- Android offers a Replace flavor that replaces Azahar and a Coexist flavor that can run alongside it.checked 2 Oct 2001
- Android requirements
- Android minimums include a Snapdragon 835 or better, OpenGL ES 3.2 or Vulkan 1.1, and 2 GB of RAM.checked 2 Oct 2001
- Android support
- The project lists Android 9 compatibility and Android 9.0+ (64-bit) as the minimum requirement.checked 2 Oct 2001
What it does
- Cheats and Amiibo
- AzaharPlus includes built-in cheats and Amiibo generation.checked 2 Oct 2001
- Cocoon and Batocera
- The README describes using the Replace Android flavor with Cocoon and points Batocera users to unofficial add-ons.checked 2 Oct 2001
- CPU support
- AzaharPlus supports older CPUs without requiring SSE4.2.checked 2 Oct 2001
- Desktop requirements
- Desktop minimums include 64-bit Windows 10 or modern 64-bit Linux, OpenGL 4.3 or Vulkan 1.1, and 2 GB of RAM.checked 2 Oct 2001
- Game compatibility
- The project says a game file that works with any Citra fork works with AzaharPlus.checked 2 Oct 2001
- License and downloads
- The repository lists a GPL-2.0 license and directs users to GitHub Releases for downloads.checked 2 Oct 2001
- Multiplayer
- The project lists improved multiplayer compatibility with other Citra forks.checked 2 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- AzaharPlus is a fork of the Azahar 3DS emulator with extra features.checked 2 Oct 2001
- System files
- AzaharPlus can download system files from official servers without requiring an actual 3DS.checked 2 Oct 2001
- ZipPass
- ZipPass exports and imports StreetPass data using zip files to simulate StreetPass tags.checked 2 Oct 2001
- ZipPass limitation
- The README describes ZipPass as experimental and says imported StreetPass data beyond a game's queue limit is ignored.checked 2 Oct 2001
- ZipPass requirements
- ZipPass requires system files, enabled LLE modules, and StreetPass enabled in games, and can only be used when no game is running.checked 2 Oct 2001
The full review of AzaharPlus
AzaharPlus is a free, open-source fork of the Azahar 3DS emulator for Android, Linux and Windows. It suits players looking for built-in cheats, Amiibo generation or a way to exchange StreetPass data through ZipPass. Its added features are useful, but ZipPass is experimental and Android has a demanding minimum hardware requirement.
Overview
AzaharPlus builds on the Azahar emulator with extra features while retaining support for games that work with any Citra fork. It can also download system files from official servers, so setting up system software does not require an actual 3DS. Support for older CPUs without SSE4.2 may help on desktop machines that miss that instruction set, though the stated graphics and memory requirements still apply.
Key features
Cheats and Amiibo
Built-in cheats and Amiibo generation make AzaharPlus a practical pick for players who want those functions as part of their emulator rather than as separate add-ons.
ZipPass and multiplayer
ZipPass imports and exports StreetPass data as zip files, simulating StreetPass tags. It requires system files, enabled LLE modules and StreetPass enabled in the game, and it can only be used when no game is running. The feature is experimental; imported data beyond a game's queue limit is ignored. Those constraints make it better suited to players willing to manage setup and accept imperfect results than to anyone expecting a seamless background feature.
The project also cites improved multiplayer compatibility with other Citra forks, a useful consideration for players coordinating with users of related emulators.
Pricing
AzaharPlus is free: the AzaharPlus plan costs nothing. It is GPL-2.0 licensed, with downloads provided through GitHub Releases. There is no paid tier or trial to weigh against the free version.
Platforms
AzaharPlus supports Windows, Linux and Android. Desktop minimums are 64-bit Windows 10 or modern 64-bit Linux, OpenGL 4.3 or Vulkan 1.1, and 2 GB of RAM. Android requires Android 9.0 or later on 64-bit hardware, a Snapdragon 835 or better, OpenGL ES 3.2 or Vulkan 1.1, and 2 GB of RAM. The Android CPU floor is a significant barrier for older or lower-end devices.
On Android, the Replace flavor replaces Azahar, while the Coexist flavor runs alongside it. The project describes using Replace with Cocoon and directs Batocera users to unofficial add-ons.
Who it's for
Choose AzaharPlus if you want a free 3DS emulator fork with cheats and Amiibo generation built in, or if ZipPass and cross-fork multiplayer compatibility matter to your setup. Android users should first check the specific CPU, graphics and OS requirements. If you do not need the added features, or your device falls below those requirements, another emulator may be a better fit.
Pros and cons
- Pro: Built-in cheats and Amiibo generation provide useful extras for players who want both features in their emulator.
- Pro: Official-server system-file downloads remove the need to own an actual 3DS for that setup step.
- Pro: Support for CPUs without SSE4.2 broadens desktop compatibility on older processors.
- Con: ZipPass is experimental, requires several settings and cannot run while a game is open.
- Con: Android requires at least a Snapdragon 835, excluding many older or budget devices.
- Con: StreetPass imports beyond a game's queue limit are ignored, which can constrain larger data transfers.
Alternatives
For a broader 3DS emulator comparison, browse Nintendo 3DS Emulators. Azahar is another free, open-source option and supports iOS and macOS in addition to Android, Linux and Windows; choose it if those platforms matter more than AzaharPlus's extra features. Panda3DS is also free and open source, with builds for macOS alongside Android, Linux and Windows. 3Beans is another free option for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows. Citra MMJ is a free open-source alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows, though its repository has no releases. Mandarine-Neo is a free option for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. Tanuki3DS is a free option for Linux, macOS and Windows. CitraVR is a free Android beta for Meta Quest 2, Quest Pro, Quest 3 and Quest 3S, making it the more relevant choice for those headsets. LunaDS is a free iOS and macOS option with optional one-time in-app purchases for a Supporter Unlock or donation.
Verdict
AzaharPlus is a strong choice for players on supported Windows, Linux or Android hardware who want cheats, Amiibo generation or ZipPass in an Azahar fork at no cost. Its feature set is the reason to choose it; look elsewhere if you need a lower Android hardware threshold or want StreetPass exchange without experimental status and setup constraints.
