3Beans

At a glance

• Editor score
  8.3 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Desktop users needing system-level 3DS emulation
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• System software support
  Yes
• Facts checked
  20 Sep 2026

• 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

Our verdict on 3Beans

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 users who need system-level emulation rather than a lightweight game launcher. The project is free to use and provides official builds through GitHub Releases.

Its standout capability is system software support. 3Beans can boot the 3DS operating system and Home Menu, while also offering cartridge auto-boot and encrypted cartridge dump support. Graphics can be handled through either software GPU rendering or hardware GPU rendering, and controls are configurable. This gives the emulator a broader system focus than a tool limited to launching individual games, although game support remains partial and the project is described as young and incomplete.

Setup depends on having files dumped from a physical 3DS with homebrew access, including boot9.bin, boot11.bin, and nand.bin. Platform coverage is limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux, so 3Beans is aimed at desktop users rather than people seeking broader device support. The published project notes plenty of issues, with New 3DS presenting more problems and running much slower than Old 3DS. Choose 3Beans for open-source desktop emulation, system software access, and configurable rendering; choose another option if wide game coverage, mature behavior, or New 3DS performance is the priority.

Your product? Our editors can test 3Beans in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

3Beans pricing

3Beans fact sheet

Alternatives to 3Beans

• AAzaharA broad free emulator with high-resolution graphics, save states, multiplayer rooms, and RetroArch support.9.4
• CLCitra Libretro CoreA feature-rich free core for scaling, cheats, save states, and flexible screen layouts.9.1
• AAzaharPlusA feature-rich 3DS emulator fork for users who want customization and compatibility.8.9

See all 3Beans alternatives →

3Beans vs the competition

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• 3CL3Beans vs Citra Libretro Core
• 3A3Beans vs AzaharPlus
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• 33Beans vs Panda3DS
• 3T3Beans vs Tanuki3DS

Compare 3Beans with any tool side by side →

Featured on iTechGuides

3Beans is listed in our Nintendo 3DS Emulators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update