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Head-to-head · Nintendo 3DS Emulators

3Beans vs Tanuki3DS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score 3Beans #6 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit 3Beans
Tanuki3DS #7 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators 8.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Tanuki3DS

3Beans leads on 0 checks, Tanuki3DS on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest score3Beans · 8.3/10
  • Free planboth

3Beans scores higher on our rubric for nintendo 3ds emulators: 8.3 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

3Beans is the better fit for desktop users needing system-level 3DS emulation. Tanuki3DS is the better fit for desktop users wanting a simple 3DS interface.

  • 3Beans fits best

    Desktop users needing system-level 3DS emulation

  • Tanuki3DS fits best

    Desktop users wanting a simple 3DS interface

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Side by side

Feature 3Beans 8.3/10 Visit ↗ Tanuki3DS 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.3 8.0
Ranking #6 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators #7 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators
Best for Desktop users needing system-level 3DS emulation Desktop users wanting a simple 3DS interface
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features 3Beans 1/5 · Tanuki3DS 1/5
System software support ✓ ✓
Save states Not checked yet Not checked yet
Graphics upscaling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cheat support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Online multiplayer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, Linux macOS, Linux, Windows
Our review
Pros
  • Boots the 3DS operating system and Home Menu
  • Supports software and hardware GPU rendering
  • Handles cartridge auto-boot and encrypted cartridge dumps
  • Free and open source on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Supports keyboard remapping, controllers, and mouse touch input
  • Offers screen layouts, fullscreen mode, fast-forward, and free-camera controls
Cons
  • Game compatibility remains limited
  • Requires files dumped from a physical 3DS with homebrew access
  • New 3DS has more issues and runs much slower than Old 3DS
  • Compatibility is still developing across games
  • Some games may show graphical issues or crash
  • Requires decrypted 3DS software and supported resource files
Our verdict

3Beans is an open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It models the console at a low level, including its operating system, and can boot the 3DS Home Menu and launch some Nintendo 3DS games. Its audience is desktop…

Read the review →

Tanuki3DS is an open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is aimed at desktop users who want a graphical interface for opening decrypted 3DS software and managing emulator settings. Supported formats…

Read the review →
  1. 3BeansNintendo 3DS Emulators 8.3Free plan
  2. Tanuki3DSNintendo 3DS Emulators 8.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 3Beans — where it wins

    • Boots the 3DS operating system and Home Menu
    • Supports software and hardware GPU rendering
    • Handles cartridge auto-boot and encrypted cartridge dumps

    Where it doesn't

    • Game compatibility remains limited
    • Requires files dumped from a physical 3DS with homebrew access
    • New 3DS has more issues and runs much slower than Old 3DS

  • Tanuki3DS — where it wins

    • Free and open source on Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Supports keyboard remapping, controllers, and mouse touch input
    • Offers screen layouts, fullscreen mode, fast-forward, and free-camera controls

    Where it doesn't

    • Compatibility is still developing across games
    • Some games may show graphical issues or crash
    • Requires decrypted 3DS software and supported resource files

More comparisons

All nintendo 3DS emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update