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Head-to-head · Nintendo 3DS Emulators

Azahar vs Citra MMJ

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Azahar #1 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Azahar
Citra MMJ #8 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Citra MMJ

Azahar leads on 0 checks, Citra MMJ 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 scoreAzahar · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresAzahar · 1 of 5

Azahar scores higher on our rubric for nintendo 3ds emulators: 9.4 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Azahar is the better fit for most users wanting a free Nintendo 3DS emulator. Citra MMJ is the better fit for developers and homebrew users on desktop systems.

  • Azahar fits best

    Most users wanting a free Nintendo 3DS emulator

  • Citra MMJ fits best

    Developers and homebrew users on desktop systems

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Side by side

Feature Azahar 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Citra MMJ 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 7.9
Ranking #1 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators #8 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators
Best for Most users wanting a free Nintendo 3DS emulator Developers and homebrew users on desktop systems
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS Windows, Linux, macOS
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Azahar 1/5 · Citra MMJ 0/5
System software support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Save states Not checked yet Not checked yet
Graphics upscaling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Cheat support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Online multiplayer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Windows, Linux, macOS
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
  • Resolution scaling up to 18x, save states, and modern controller support
  • Multiplayer rooms plus Libretro cores for RetroArch and similar frontends
  • Free, open-source Nintendo 3DS emulation
  • Supports Windows, Linux, and macOS
  • Includes debugging and homebrew application support
Cons
  • Focuses on Nintendo 3DS rather than broader multi-system emulation
  • Some documented features depend on compatible software and supported configurations
  • Desktop builds and Android releases use different distribution channels
  • No save states
  • No scaling or cheats
  • No multiplayer support
Our verdict

Azahar is a free, open-source high-level Nintendo 3DS emulator for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It is designed for users who want to run compatible 3DS software with enhanced presentation and convenience features, while also…

Read the review →

Citra MMJ is a public fork of Citra, an experimental Nintendo 3DS emulator and debugger written in C++. It is designed for desktop users who need Nintendo 3DS hardware emulation, homebrew application support, or debugging tools. The…

Read the review →
  1. AzaharNintendo 3DS Emulators 9.4Free plan
  2. Citra MMJNintendo 3DS Emulators 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Azahar — where it wins

    • Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
    • Resolution scaling up to 18x, save states, and modern controller support
    • Multiplayer rooms plus Libretro cores for RetroArch and similar frontends

    Where it doesn't

    • Focuses on Nintendo 3DS rather than broader multi-system emulation
    • Some documented features depend on compatible software and supported configurations
    • Desktop builds and Android releases use different distribution channels

  • Citra MMJ — where it wins

    • Free, open-source Nintendo 3DS emulation
    • Supports Windows, Linux, and macOS
    • Includes debugging and homebrew application support

    Where it doesn't

    • No save states
    • No scaling or cheats
    • No multiplayer support
  • Azahar9.4/10 · Free plan

    A broad free emulator with high-resolution graphics, save states, multiplayer rooms, and RetroArch support.

    Visit AzaharFull verdict →
  • Citra MMJ7.9/10 · Free plan

    A free desktop emulator for developers and homebrew users, with debugging and broad OS support.

    Visit Citra MMJFull verdict →

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