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Head-to-head · Nintendo 3DS Emulators

Citra Libretro Core vs AzaharPlus

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Citra Libretro Core #2 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Libretro
AzaharPlus #3 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators 8.9/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 5 features Visit AzaharPlus

Citra Libretro Core leads on 0 checks, AzaharPlus on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCitra Libretro Core · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Citra Libretro Core
  • Most featuresCitra Libretro Core · 4 of 5

Citra Libretro Core scores higher on our rubric for nintendo 3ds emulators: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Citra Libretro Core is the better fit for users wanting scaling, cheats, and save states. AzaharPlus is the better fit for users needing cheats, save states, and broad compatibility.

  • Citra Libretro Core fits best

    Users wanting scaling, cheats, and save states

  • AzaharPlus fits best

    Users needing cheats, save states, and broad compatibility

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.

Side by side

Feature Citra Libretro Core 9.1/10 Visit ↗ AzaharPlus 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.9
Ranking #2 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators #3 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators
Best for Users wanting scaling, cheats, and save states Users needing cheats, save states, and broad compatibility
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, Linux, Android Windows, Linux, Android
Support Community, Docs Community
Features Citra Libretro Core 4/5 · AzaharPlus 3/5
System software support ✓ ✓
Save states ✓ ✓
Graphics upscaling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Cheat support ✓ ✓
Online multiplayer — Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, Linux, Android Windows, Linux, Android
Our review
Pros
  • Resolution scaling from native 1x up to 10x
  • Save states, native Citra cheats, and custom textures
  • Configurable layouts with touchscreen and mouse input
  • Supports Windows, Linux, and Android, including Android 9.
  • Includes built-in cheats, save states, and Amiibo generation.
  • Adds older-CPU support and multiplayer compatibility with other Citra forks.
Cons
  • No verified online multiplayer support
  • Requires decrypted ROMs
  • macOS is not currently working
  • Its platform coverage is limited to Windows, Linux, and Android.
  • Multiplayer details focus on fork compatibility rather than online play.
  • Its focus is Nintendo 3DS emulation rather than broader console coverage.
Our verdict

Citra Libretro Core brings Nintendo 3DS emulation to the Libretro API and compatible frontends such as RetroArch. It is open-source and free, with official build scripts for Windows, Linux, and Android. The core is aimed at users who want…

Read the review →

AzaharPlus is an open-source fork of the Azahar Nintendo 3DS emulator for users who want to run supported 3DS game files on desktop and mobile platforms. It supports Windows, Linux, and Android, with Android 9 compatibility included among…

Read the review →
  1. Citra Libretro CoreNintendo 3DS Emulators 9.1Free plan
  2. AzaharPlusNintendo 3DS Emulators 8.9Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Citra Libretro Core — where it wins

    • Resolution scaling from native 1x up to 10x
    • Save states, native Citra cheats, and custom textures
    • Configurable layouts with touchscreen and mouse input

    Where it doesn't

    • No verified online multiplayer support
    • Requires decrypted ROMs
    • macOS is not currently working

  • AzaharPlus — where it wins

    • Supports Windows, Linux, and Android, including Android 9.
    • Includes built-in cheats, save states, and Amiibo generation.
    • Adds older-CPU support and multiplayer compatibility with other Citra forks.

    Where it doesn't

    • Its platform coverage is limited to Windows, Linux, and Android.
    • Multiplayer details focus on fork compatibility rather than online play.
    • Its focus is Nintendo 3DS emulation rather than broader console coverage.

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