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Citra Libretro Core

Free#2 of 14 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators

Citra Libretro Core: A feature-rich free core for scaling, cheats, save states, and flexible screen layouts. Ranked #2 of 14 in Nintendo 3DS Emulators by our editors (9.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for users wanting scaling, cheats, and save states.

9.1/10Editor score

Visit Libretro

Citra Libretro Core9.1 Visit Libretro

At a glance

Editor score
9.1 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Users wanting scaling, cheats, and save states
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
System software support
Yes
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

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

Our verdict on Citra Libretro Core

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 adjustable graphics, save states, cheat support, and control over how the 3DS screens appear. It supports Nintendo 3DS game formats, but requires decrypted ROMs, so it suits users who already understand that part of the emulation workflow.

Its strongest area is feature depth within the emulation core. Hardware rendering requires OpenGL Core 3.3 or newer, while resolution scaling ranges from native 1x to 10x. Texture filtering and custom textures provide additional graphics controls, and configurable 3DS screen layouts help adapt the dual-screen experience to different displays. Save states, CPU JIT dynamic recompilation, touchscreen input, and mouse pointer input round out a practical feature set. Native Citra cheats are supported, although this is distinct from the generic cheat system offered by some frontends.

Platform coverage is focused rather than broad: Windows, Linux, and Android are supported, while macOS is not currently working. Online multiplayer is also not supported, which limits the core for users who want network play. Choose Citra Libretro Core if scaling, cheats, save states, custom textures, and frontend integration matter more than broad platform availability or online features. Users seeking macOS support or multiplayer should consider a different Nintendo 3DS emulator.

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

Citra Libretro Core pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on github.com

Citra Libretro Core fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Supported platforms	Windows, Linux, Android
System software support	Yes
Save states	Yes
Graphics upscaling	Yes
Cheat support	Yes
Online multiplayer	No
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, Linux, Android
Support	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	github.com
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

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Citra Libretro Core vs the competition

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Featured on iTechGuides

Citra Libretro Core 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