Tanuki3DS
Tanuki3DS is a Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
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
Alternatives to Tanuki3DS
- 1
Virtual Jaguar
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI8.1Free plan - 2
3Beans
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSLinuxmacOS7.9Free plan - 3
Azahar
Free planAndroidiOSLinuxmacOS7.3Free plan - 4
Manic EMU
Free planiOSmacOS7.1From $0.42 a month - 5
LunaDS
Free planiOSmacOS6.8$2, paid once - 6

Panda3DS
Free planAndroidLinuxmacOSWindows6.8Free plan
