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Tanuki3DS

Tanuki3DS is a Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Place
#13 of 14
Score
5.8
Tanuki3DS's website

What Tanuki3DS is

Tanuki3DS is a Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It runs decrypted games in .cci/.3ds, .cxi/.app, .elf/.axf, and .3dsx formats. Players can use a keyboard, a mouse for touch-screen input, or a controller; keyboard and freecam controls can be remapped. Settings and save data go to the operating system’s application data location by default, with an optional portable mode using a portable.txt file beside the executable. Open replacements for shared font and Mii resources are used by default, while the interface can load originals dumped from a real 3DS. The executable also accepts a ROM file from the command line, or -h to show options. The project says many games work, but some encounter issues ranging from graphical glitches to crashes. Listed release features include GPU emulation improvements, camera and microphone support, motion control fixes, procedural textures, and depth-buffer reading that enables outlines in Pokémon games. Tanuki3DS is free and licensed under GPL-3.0.

Good

  • Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • Supports several 3DS game file formats
  • Keyboard, mouse, and controller input supported
  • Optional portable mode for settings and saves

Watch out

  • All games must be decrypted
  • Some games have glitches or may crash

Who it suits

It suits people looking for a free 3DS emulator on Linux, macOS, or Windows who have decrypted game files. Users comfortable reporting issues through GitHub may also find the project’s support approach useful.

Verdict

Tanuki3DS offers multiple input options and supports several game formats across desktop platforms. Its compatibility can vary, and decrypted game files are required.

The facts

Each one read from Tanuki3DS's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Build requirements
Building requires SDL3, xxhash, cglm, fdk-aac, capstone, and a compiler that supports C23.checked 5 Oct 2001
Command line
The executable can be run from the command line with a ROM file argument, or with -h to show options.checked 5 Oct 2001
Community
The README invites users to join its Discord to ask questions or discuss the emulator.checked 4 Oct 2001
Compatibility
The README says many games work, while others can have bugs ranging from graphical glitches to crashes.checked 5 Oct 2001
Controls
The emulator supports keyboard and mouse input, and can also accept controller input.checked 5 Oct 2001
Customization
Keyboard and freecam input can be remapped in the input settings menu.checked 5 Oct 2001
Decryption requirement
All games must be decrypted.checked 5 Oct 2001
Downloads
The README links stable releases and lists Linux, macOS, and Windows builds for x86_64 and arm64.checked 5 Oct 2001
Game formats
Supported game formats are .cci/.3ds, .cxi/.app, .elf/.axf, and .3dsx.checked 5 Oct 2001
Issue support
The README asks users to report bugs as GitHub issues and include the generated ctremu.log file from the application data folder.checked 4 Oct 2001
License
The GitHub repository identifies the project as GPL-3.0 licensed.checked 5 Oct 2001
Other release features
Release v0.5.0 lists GPU emulation improvements, camera and microphone support, motion control fixes, and a new game list UI.checked 5 Oct 2001
Product
Tanuki3DS is a 3DS emulator written in C that aims to be simple, fast, and compatible.checked 5 Oct 2001
Purpose
Tanuki3DS is a Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C that aims to be simple, fast, and compatible.checked 4 Oct 2001
Recent features
The v0.5.0 release notes list GPU emulation improvements, camera and microphone support, motion control fixes, and a new game list UI.checked 4 Oct 2001
Recent graphics updates
The v0.5.1 release notes list a procedural texture unit and depth buffer reading, which enables outlines in Pokémon games.checked 4 Oct 2001
Recent release
Release v0.5.1 lists fixes to shadow map precision, procedural texture unit support, and depth buffer reading.checked 5 Oct 2001
Save data
Settings and save data are stored in the operating system’s application data path by default, with an optional portable mode using portable.txt beside the executable.checked 4 Oct 2001
Storage
Settings and save data are stored in the operating system's application data path by default, with an optional portable mode.checked 5 Oct 2001
Support
The project asks users to report bugs as GitHub issues and include the generated ctremu.log file.checked 5 Oct 2001
System files
Open replacements for the shared font and Mii resource are used by default, and the UI can load originals dumped from a real 3DS.checked 4 Oct 2001

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