Head-to-head · Nintendo 3DS Emulators
Citra Libretro Core vs Citra MMJ
Citra Libretro Core leads on 0 checks, Citra MMJ 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 planboth
- Most featuresCitra Libretro Core · 4 of 5
Citra Libretro Core scores higher on our rubric for nintendo 3ds emulators: 9.1 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.
Citra Libretro Core is the better fit for users wanting scaling, cheats, and save states. Citra MMJ is the better fit for developers and homebrew users on desktop systems.
- Citra Libretro Core fits best
Users wanting scaling, cheats, and save states
- Citra MMJ fits best
Developers and homebrew users on desktop systems
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Side by side
| Feature | Citra Libretro Core 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | Citra MMJ 7.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 7.9 |
| Ranking | #2 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators | #8 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators |
| Best for | Users wanting scaling, cheats, and save states | 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, Linux, Android | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features Citra Libretro Core 4/5 · Citra MMJ 0/5 | ||
| System software support | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Save states | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Graphics upscaling | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Cheat support | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Online multiplayer | — | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Windows, Linux, Android | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| 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 → |
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 → |
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
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
- Citra Libretro Core9.1/10 · Free plan
A feature-rich free core for scaling, cheats, save states, and flexible screen layouts.
Visit LibretroFull 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 →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update