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Best Nintendo 3DS Emulators in 2026

Nintendo 3DS emulators offer different combinations of features and system software support to consider for your setup. Compare graphics upscaling, save states, cheat support, and online multiplayer, alongside supported platforms and system software compatibility. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing provide additional cost context. Azahar, Virtual Jaguar, and 3Beans are among the named options. Match the listed platform and software support to your intended use, then weigh the features you value most, such as preserving save states or using cheats.

  1. 1

    3Beans

    Free plan Open source AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

    3Beans offers a low-level approach to 3DS emulation, but the maker describes it as an early project with issues. Check that you have the required system files and a supported downloadable build.

    9.3 Open source Visit site
  2. 2

    Manic EMU

    Free plan Open source iPhoneMacSelf-hosted

    Manic EMU offers broad system support and a range of play and save features for iPhone and iPad.

    8.5 Open source Visit site
  3. 3

    Azahar

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

    Azahar brings 3DS emulation together with homebrew, research, and preservation uses. Check the platform requirements and treat compatibility reports as potentially outdated.

    7.6 Free plan Visit site
  4. 4

    AzaharPlus

    Free plan AndroidLinuxWindows

    AzaharPlus adds emulator features including cheats, Amiibo generation and ZipPass, while supporting three desktop and mobile platforms.

    7.4 Open source Visit site
  5. 5

    Citra MMJ

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    Citra MMJ offers 3DS emulation and debugging, with homebrew use explicitly supported and commercial-game compatibility varying.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    Panda3DS

    Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+1

    Panda3DS offers a free way to emulate Nintendo 3DS games across desktop systems and Android, with scripting and other listed features.

    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  7. 7

    CitraVR

    Free plan Android

    CitraVR offers 3D playback features and controller options for several Quest headsets at no cost. Check game decryption requirements and the listed rendering caveat before use.

    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  8. 8

    LunaDS

    Free plan iPhoneMac

    LunaDS offers free iOS emulation for three Nintendo handheld systems, with offline use and DS-family local multiplayer listed.

    6.8 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    Mandarine-Neo

    Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+1

    Pick Mandarine-Neo if you want a free 3DS emulator with its experimental features and hacks across Android or desktop platforms.

    6.8 Free plan Visit site
  10. 10

    Tanuki3DS

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

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

    6.5 Free plan Visit site
  11. 11

    Citra Libretro Core

    Free plan AndroidLinuxWindows
    6.2 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    Borked3DS

    Paid AndroidLinuxMac+1

    Borked3DS provides several frontends and platform builds, but the project explicitly warns that testing and support are limited.

    5.6 Open source Visit site
  13. 13

    Folium

    Paid iPhone

    Choose Folium if you want the listed retro system emulation on a compatible iPhone or iPad and can supply your own files.

    5.2 Visit site
  14. 14

    emuThreeDS

    Paid iPhone

    Consider emuThreeDS if you use iOS and want to follow a Citra-based emulator project whose audio support is described as complete.

    4.9 Open source Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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