Tanuki3DS

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What Tanuki3DS is

Tanuki3DS is a free Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It runs decrypted game files in .cci/.3ds, .cxi/.app, .elf/.axf, and .3dsx formats. Input options include keyboard, mouse for touch-screen use, and controllers; keyboard and freecam controls can be remapped. Settings and save data go to the operating system’s application data path by default, while portable mode uses a portable.txt file beside the executable. The interface uses open replacements for shared font and Mii resources by default, and 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, though some have problems ranging from graphical glitches to crashes. Listed releases include GPU emulation improvements, camera and microphone support, motion-control fixes, a game list UI, procedural textures, and depth-buffer reading that enables outlines in Pokémon games. The project is licensed under GPL-3.0.

Who it suits

It suits people looking to run decrypted Nintendo 3DS games on Linux, macOS, or Windows, with keyboard, mouse, or controller input. It may also fit users who want portable storage or remappable controls.

What it does well

Free and licensed under GPL-3.0
Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows
Supports multiple listed game file formats
Keyboard, mouse, and controller input
Optional portable mode

What to know first

Games must be decrypted
Some games have glitches or crashes

Getting started

Open the Tanuki3DS GitHub website.
Choose a stable release or latest build for Linux, macOS, or Windows.
Download the build matching your listed platform and architecture.
Use a decrypted game file in one of the supported formats.
Launch the executable, or pass a ROM file as a command-line argument.

Verdict

Tanuki3DS offers cross-platform 3DS emulation with several input and storage options. Its game compatibility is not uniform, and decrypted files are required.

Questions

Is Tanuki3DS free?

Yes. It is free and has no free trial.

Which platforms does it support?

Linux, macOS, and Windows. Downloads are listed for x86_64 and arm64.

Which game formats can it open?

It supports .cci/.3ds, .cxi/.app, .elf/.axf, and .3dsx files. Games must be decrypted.

Can I use a controller?

Yes. It supports controller input, as well as keyboard input and mouse use for the touch screen. Keyboard and freecam controls can be remapped.

Where are settings and save data stored?

They go to the operating system’s application data path by default. Portable mode uses a portable.txt file beside the executable.

What license does Tanuki3DS use?

The repository identifies Tanuki3DS as licensed under GPL-3.0.

Facts from Tanuki3DS's own pages

Build requirements: Building requires SDL3, xxhash, cglm, fdk-aac, capstone, and a compiler that supports C23. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Command line: The executable can be run from the command line with a ROM file argument, or with -h to show options. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Community: The README invites users to join its Discord to ask questions or discuss the emulator. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Compatibility: The README says many games work, while others can have bugs ranging from graphical glitches to crashes. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Controls: The emulator supports keyboard and mouse input, and can also accept controller input. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Customization: Keyboard and freecam input can be remapped in the input settings menu. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Decryption requirement: All games must be decrypted. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Downloads: The README links stable releases and lists Linux, macOS, and Windows builds for x86_64 and arm64. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Game formats: Supported game formats are .cci/.3ds, .cxi/.app, .elf/.axf, and .3dsx. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Issue support: The README asks users to report bugs as GitHub issues and include the generated ctremu.log file from the application data folder. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License: The GitHub repository identifies the project as GPL-3.0 licensed. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Other release features: Release v0.5.0 lists GPU emulation improvements, camera and microphone support, motion control fixes, and a new game list UI. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Product: Tanuki3DS is a 3DS emulator written in C that aims to be simple, fast, and compatible. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Purpose: Tanuki3DS is a Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C that aims to be simple, fast, and compatible. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Recent graphics updates: The v0.5.1 release notes list a procedural texture unit and depth buffer reading, which enables outlines in Pokémon games. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Recent release: Release v0.5.1 lists fixes to shadow map precision, procedural texture unit support, and depth buffer reading. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Storage: Settings and save data are stored in the operating system's application data path by default, with an optional portable mode. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Support: The project asks users to report bugs as GitHub issues and include the generated ctremu.log file. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

Where Tanuki3DS stands on Freedom251

Nintendo 3DS Emulators#10 of 14