Guide Install Emulator Nintendo 3DS on PC Laptop
Thousands of Nintendo 3DS games can now be played on PCs and Laptops, and can even be played on Android or iOS. Using Emulator Nintendo 3DS you can play 3DS games on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, and iOS. A good news considering that there are so many exciting 3DS Games but not available on PC or Laptop. Now all these games can be played smoothly thanks to the 3DS emulator. How to ? Please read this post to the end.
About Emulator Nintendo 3DS
Before you install the emulator, you should first check the required specifications, because if it is not adequate, it can lag and even hang.
✽ Minimum Specifications Windows
Operating System: Windows Xp, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.2 GHz or AMD Athlon 64 X2 2.0 GHz
CPU Type: 32bit (86bit) or 64bit
Memory RAM: 1-2 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce or ATI Radeon X1300
Hard Drive: 500 MB available space
✽ Minimum Specifications Mac OS
Operating System: Apple MacOS, Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra / High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey
CPU Type : 32/64-bit(Intel Core Duo CPU, 2GHz or faster recommended)
Memory: 1-2 GB RAM
Disk Space : 300 MB Free Disk Space
✽ Minimum Specifications Linux
Operating System: Mint, Ubuntu, MX, Fedora, Debian, Elementary, Zorin, Kali, CentOS, Manjaro, Pop, Solus, Deepin
CPU Type : 32/64-bit(Intel Core Duo CPU, 2GHz or faster recommended)
Memory: 1-2 GB RAM
Disk Space : 500 MB
✽ Minimum Specifications Android/iOs
Memory RAM: 2 GB RAM
Memory ROM : 100 MB
You can use the Scan feature “Can you run it” to find out whether your device can or not install Playstation 5 Emulator. It’s quite light because with 2GB of RAM, you can run the emulator and play Nintendo 3DS games.
How to Install Emulator
To be able to play Nintendo 3DS games on a PC, you need to use the Citra 3DS emulator. This emulator has good performance, so you don’t have to worry about crashing. You can play various 3DS games via PC easily. Citra 3DS has various advantages, one of which is that it can run games with a higher resolution than the original 3DS console.
In addition, adjustments can also be made regarding the graphics of the game being played. This will make fun in playing Nintendo 3DS games. However, you still have to adjust to the PC that is used to play the game.
- The first step, you need to download the Citra 3DS emulator first. This emulator is available for free, and can be used on Windows, MacOS and Linux operating systems. Just visit the official website at https://citra-emu.org/
- After the Citra 3DS emulator has been successfully downloaded, you can directly install it. The process is not much different from installing applications in general.
- To start the configuration, you need to open the Citra 3DS emulator. Then click the Emulator menu, then click again on the Configure option. There will be several configuration options ranging from General, System, Graphics to Control. For this time, you only need to focus on adjusting the Graphics and Controls.
In the Graphics section you can also set various things, from the speed percent limit, resolution to the hardware renderer. While in the Control section, you can adjust the controls with the keyboard you are using.
Next you have to search for Roms or Nintendo 3DS games, you can use search engines like Google to search for them.
Best Emulator Nintendo 3DS
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, there are several Nintendo 3DS emulators available for playing 3DS games on different platforms. Here are six of the most popular 3DS emulators:
- Citra: Citra is one of the most well-known and widely used Nintendo 3DS emulators. It’s an open-source emulator that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Citra offers excellent compatibility and performance, allowing you to play a wide range of 3DS games.
- 3DMOO: 3DMOO is another open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator that is still in the early stages of development. While it may not have full compatibility with all games, it shows promise and has potential for future improvements.
- DeSmuME: DeSmuME is primarily a Nintendo DS emulator, but it also has limited support for running some Nintendo 3DS games. While it may not provide the same level of compatibility as dedicated 3DS emulators, it’s a reliable option for playing older 3DS titles.
- TronDS: TronDS is a lightweight 3DS emulator that focuses on providing a simple and fast experience. It’s compatible with Windows and offers basic emulation features. However, it may have limited compatibility compared to more advanced emulators like Citra.
- NO$GBA: NO$GBA is primarily a Game Boy Advance (GBA) emulator, but it also has some experimental support for running Nintendo DS and 3DS games. While it’s not as feature-rich or optimized as dedicated 3DS emulators, it can run certain games with varying degrees of success.
- R4 3DS Emulator: R4 3DS Emulator is a commercial emulator that claims to emulate the Nintendo 3DS system on Windows. It offers decent compatibility and performance, but keep in mind that some users have reported issues with this emulator, and it may not have the same level of community support as other options.
Please note that the development and performance of emulators can vary over time, and new emulators may emerge. It’s recommended to check for the latest information, user reviews, and compatibility lists to find the most suitable emulator for your needs. Additionally, it’s important to respect copyright laws and only use emulators if you own the original game copies.
Nintendo 3DS Roms file formats
Nintendo 3DS ROMs typically come in a specific file format known as the “.3ds” format. This format contains the game data, including the executable code, graphics, audio, and other assets required to run the game on a Nintendo 3DS console or emulator.
In addition to the standard “.3ds” format, there are a few other file formats associated with Nintendo 3DS ROMs:
- “.cia” (CTR Importable Archive): This file format is used for installing games directly on a Nintendo 3DS console using custom firmware or homebrew tools. The “.cia” format is often preferred for its ease of installation and compatibility with various custom firmware options.
- “.3dz” (3DS Gateway Flash Card ROM): The “.3dz” format is associated with the Gateway 3DS flashcard, which is a device used for playing unofficial ROMs on a Nintendo 3DS console. This format is specific to the Gateway flashcard and may not be compatible with other emulators or methods of playing 3DS ROMs.
It’s important to note that downloading or distributing copyrighted ROMs without owning the original game cartridge is illegal and considered piracy. It’s always recommended to respect the intellectual property rights of game developers and publishers by purchasing legitimate copies of games.