Best Emulators for the 3DS

Turn Your 3DS Into a Retro Powerhouse

The Nintendo 3DS is arguably the best handheld for retro gaming due to its ability to run many Nintendo titles natively. This guide highlights the best ways to emulate classic systems on your 3DS.

1. Official Methods (Virtual Console)

While the eShop is closed, it’s worth noting what runs natively. The 3DS supports NES, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color officially.

Exclusives:

• Game Gear & PC Engine: Available officially.
• SNES: Exclusive to “New” 3DS models due to power requirements.
• GBA (Ambassador Program): Runs natively on hardware but lacks sleep mode/save states.

Hidden Features:

• Game Boy/Color: Hold L + R + Y to toggle between grayscale and the classic green tint. Maintain Start or Select while booting for a border and 3D depth effect.
• Game Gear: Includes screen blurring, button remapping, and borders.

2. Virtual Console Injects

Since the eShop is closed, you can use the New Super Ultimate Injector (NSUI) to inject ROMs into official Virtual Console wrappers.

• Pros: Appear on Home Menu with custom banners/icons.
• Cons: 300 title limit, lacks advanced emulator features. Anton generally recommends standalone emulators instead.

3. Standalone Homebrew Emulators (Recommended)

Standalone emulators are the best way to play retro games on 3DS due to better performance and features.

Game Boy / Color / Advance

• mGBA: The preferred emulator. Supports Super Game Boy borders and Game Boy Camera. Runs best on “New” 3DS.
• open_agb_firm: Runs GBA games natively without VC overhead. Useful for older 3DS models. Launched via Luma payload (hold Start).

Home Console Emulators

• VirtuaNES: Highly recommended NES emulator.
• Snes9x for 3DS: Excellent SNES emulation. Essential for Super FX games on “New” 3DS.
• PicoDrive: Runs Genesis, Master System, Sega CD, and 32X.
• TemperPCE: A TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine emulator.

Unique & Experimental

• Red Viper (Virtual Boy): The definitive way to play Virtual Boy. Uses the 3DS’s stereoscopic screen to replicate depth without the headset. Essential download.
• DaedalusX64 (N64): Experimental. Works okay for early titles like Mario 64 but prone to glitches. Requires “New” 3DS.
• PokeMini 3DS: Pokemon Mini emulator.

4. RetroArch

Verdict: Generally Not Recommended.

While convenient, standalone emulators usually offer better performance. Use RetroArch only for systems lacking good standalone ports, like PlayStation 1 (PCSX ReARMed) or Neo Geo Pocket Color.

Summary of Recommendations

• Best for GBA: mGBA (New 3DS) or open_agb_firm (Old 3DS).
• Best for Virtual Boy: Red Viper.
• General Rule: Use standalone emulators from Universal Updater over RetroArch or VC Injects.
• Hardware: A “New” Nintendo 3DS is highly recommended for SNES, PS1, and N64.