CitraVR review
A focused, free Quest emulator for stereoscopic 3D, mixed reality, and multiplayer rooms.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
CitraVR is a GPL-licensed, open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator for Meta Quest headsets. It is designed for 3DS homebrew and personal game backups, presenting them in stereoscopic 3D through a Quest-native OpenXR application. The focus is clear: users who want Nintendo 3DS software in a headset, with support for Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, Meta Quest 3, and Meta Quest 3S. It is distributed through GitHub releases and remains labeled as beta software.
Its standout feature is the way it adapts the 3DS experience to virtual and mixed reality. CitraVR provides a large, movable, resizable virtual screen, stereoscopic 3D rendering, mixed-reality play, and an in-VR emulator settings menu. Vulkan and OpenGL ES rendering options give users two available graphics paths, while support for compressed 3DS-related file formats helps accommodate supported game files. Controller support includes wired USB and Bluetooth controllers, and multiplayer rooms include private rooms and chat. These features make it more than a basic flat-screen emulator for Quest users who value spatial presentation and flexible controls.
The main trade-off is platform scope. CitraVR is tailored to Android-based Meta Quest devices rather than serving as a broader Nintendo 3DS emulator across other platforms. Multiplayer is also not equally straightforward in every area: public multiplayer-room browsing requires an unofficial web API according to the release notes. The free, open-source model suits users comfortable with beta software and GitHub distribution. Users seeking Quest-focused stereoscopic 3D, mixed reality, and room-based multiplayer should consider it; those needing wider platform coverage or a more mature release should look elsewhere.
CitraVR pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Stereoscopic 3D with a movable, resizable virtual screen
- Supports wired USB and Bluetooth controllers
- Mixed reality, Vulkan/OpenGL ES, and multiplayer rooms
- Where it doesn't
- Limited to Meta Quest 2, Pro, 3, and 3S
- Beta software, with latest listed release v0.6.0
- Public room browsing requires an unofficial web API
CitraVR fact sheet, pricing and score →
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.
Last updated · How we research and update