The Best Nintendo 3DS Emulators in 2026
We researched Nintendo 3DS emulators through official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Rankings focus on the core job—running Nintendo 3DS games and system software—alongside value for money and verified features, so buyers can compare supported-platform options in this category.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Azahar#1 of 149.4/10A broad free emulator with high-resolution graphics, save states, multiplayer rooms, and RetroArch support.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
Citra Libretro Core#2 of 149.1/10A feature-rich free core for scaling, cheats, save states, and flexible screen layouts.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Mandarine-Neo#4 of 148.7/10A broad, free emulator with Android-focused enhancements and configurable graphics.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 14 tools, best first
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Best forMost users wanting a free Nintendo 3DS emulator
A broad free emulator with high-resolution graphics, save states, multiplayer rooms, and RetroArch support.
- Graphics upscaling
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Azahar -
Best forUsers wanting scaling, cheats, and save states
A feature-rich free core for scaling, cheats, save states, and flexible screen layouts.
- Graphics upscaling
- Save states
- Cheat support
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Libretro -
Best forUsers needing cheats, save states, and broad compatibility
A feature-rich 3DS emulator fork for users who want customization and compatibility.
- Save states
- Cheat support
- System software support
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit AzaharPlus -
Best forCross-platform users wanting Android enhancements
A broad, free emulator with Android-focused enhancements and configurable graphics.
- Graphics upscaling
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Mandarine-Neo -
Best forUsers wanting cheats and motion controls
A free, flexible 3DS emulator for users who value cheats and motion controls.
- Cheat support
- System software support
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Panda3DS -
Best forDesktop users needing system-level 3DS emulation
Free, open-source 3DS emulation with system software support and limited game coverage.
- System software support
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit 3Beans -
Best forDesktop users wanting a simple 3DS interface
A straightforward desktop 3DS emulator with flexible input and display controls.
- System software support
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Tanuki3DS -
Best forDevelopers and homebrew users on desktop systems
A free desktop emulator for developers and homebrew users, with debugging and broad OS support.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Citra MMJ -
Best forUsers wanting a Citra-based cross-platform build
A cross-platform, open-source Citra-derived emulator with experimental status.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Borked3DS -
Best forMeta Quest users wanting 3D and mixed-reality play
A focused, free Quest emulator for stereoscopic 3D, mixed reality, and multiplayer rooms.
- Online multiplayer
- System software support
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit CitraVR -
Best forApple users wanting multi-system emulation
A capable free Apple emulator with save states, iCloud sync and native-style menus.
- Save states
- System software support
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit LunaDS -
Best foriOS users wanting cheats and online multiplayer
A capable iOS 3DS emulator for cheats and multiplayer, but it requires a paid app.
- Online multiplayer
- Save states
- Cheat support
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Folium -
Best foriPhone and iPad users testing an early port
An unfinished, open-source iOS port for early Nintendo 3DS emulation work.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit emuThreeDS -
Best foriOS users wanting broad retro-system features
A feature-rich iOS emulator, but not a direct Nintendo 3DS-focused choice.
- Online multiplayer
- Cheat support
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Manic EMU
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | System software support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Azahar | Yes | Free | 9.4 | ||
| 2 | Citra Libretro Core | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, Android | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | AzaharPlus | Free | Windows, Linux, Android | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 4 | Mandarine-Neo | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | 8.7 | |
| 5 | Panda3DS | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | Yes | 8.5 |
| 6 | 3Beans | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | 8.3 |
| 7 | Tanuki3DS | Yes | Free | macOS, Linux, Windows | Yes | 8.0 |
| 8 | Citra MMJ | Yes | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS | 7.9 | |
| 9 | Borked3DS | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | 7.7 | ||
| 10 | CitraVR | Yes | Free | Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S | Yes | 7.5 |
| 11 | LunaDS | Yes | iOS, macOS | Yes | 7.3 | |
| 12 | Folium | No | iOS, iPadOS | Yes | 6.9 | |
| 13 | emuThreeDS | Free | iOS | 6.5 | ||
| 14 | Manic EMU | Free | iOS | 6.1 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- Azahar vs Citra Libretro Core
- Azahar vs AzaharPlus
- Azahar vs Mandarine-Neo
- Azahar vs Panda3DS
- Azahar vs 3Beans
- Azahar vs Tanuki3DS
- Azahar vs Citra MMJ
- Citra Libretro Core vs AzaharPlus
- Citra Libretro Core vs Mandarine-Neo
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How we rank nintendo 3DS emulators
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update