The Nintendo 3DS is a popular console, so much so that finding a decent 3DS emulator requires a lot of time and effort because the market is saturated with so many options. You don’t want to saddle your PC with a 3DS emulator that doesn’t work, and neither can you afford to download emulators that will ultimately infect your computer with malware.
You have to limit your selections to reliable choices with a decent track record. If you don’t know where to find such 3DS emulators, consider the list below. These emulators are popular because they have been tried and tested, and you can trust them to deliver on their promises:
List of Best 3DS Emulator for PC Windows7/8/10 2021
Here are the best working emulators that let you run Nintendo 3DS Games on your PC.
- Citra
- RetroArch
- R4 3DS Emulator
- iDEAS Emulator
- N0$GBA
- 3DMOO
- Project64
- NeonDS
- DuoS
- DeSmuME
1. Citra
Citra is an open-source emulator that was launched in 2015. Back then, it did not have a front end. You had to use a command line to run the program. The emulator has come a very long way.
First of all, you can use it on both Windows and Mac OSX devices. Secondly, you can play games at 60fps. The application guarantees enhanced 3D graphics and a decent resolution (400 x 200).
Price – You can either use the emulator for free or pay $5 for the premium version. The premium version has extra features.
Pros
- Enhanced 3D graphics
- Free to access
- Compatible with Windows, Mac OSX, and Android
- 60fps
- 400 x 200 resolution
2. RetroArch
RetroArch is unique because it isn’t as much an emulator as it is a platform that allows people to install other emulators. If you want to use a 3DS emulator, you can install the emulator core of your choice. But if you want to play a Gameboy Advance game, for instance, you can use RetroArch to switch from the 3DS emulator to the GBA emulator. The convenience is difficult to ignore.
Price – Free
Pros
- It supports multiple emulators
- It is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux
- It works on Android and iOS devices
- Excellent tutorials
- It provides support for keyboards and joysticks
3. R4 3DS Emulator
This emulator does an impressive job of mimicking the operations of a 3DS console. It will even ask you to insert a cartridge the moment you activate the emulator. This will prompt you to select and open the gaming files on your hard disk.
You can’t call it the best emulator because it is compatible with a wide variety of games but it doesn’t support the newest Nintendo games. That being said, game developers appreciate the emulator because they can use it to test their projects.
Price – Free
Download R4 3DS Emulator
Pros
- It allows developers to test Nintendo games on a computer
- The interface is easy to use
- You can customize the keyboard
4. iDEAS Emulator
iDEAS is tricky. At the end of the day, it is a decent emulator. But you can tell that it requires refinement. The developers are always releasing new updates. They know that it needs more work.
That being said, it will work on a 64-bit PC. It supports a decent number of Nintendo games. If you don’t mind the minor inconveniences, including graphical glitches and the absence of an official website, iDEAS won’t disappoint you.
Price – Free
Pros
- Smooth and neat interface
- Customizable settings
- You can use it on more than one screen
- Most games are glitch-free
Related: Earthbound Emulator Download to Play
5. DeSmuME
This is the program to download if you want an emulator that works on a 32-bit OS. It is one of the few emulators on the market that works with 32-bit systems today. DeSmuME is not perfect. It has some bugs. But the developers keep releasing updates to resolve these problems.
Price – Free
Pros
- Compatible with 32-bit systems
- Compatible with less powerful computers
- The developers are always releasing updates to fix the bugs
6. N0$GBA
As the name suggests, this is a GameBoy Advance emulator. However, even if you hate GameBoy Advance games, you shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss this emulator because it supports 3DS games as well. You cannot use it to run as many games as other high-end emulators that were made with the 3DS in mind.
But it can run more than enough games to keep you occupied. If that wasn’t enough, it accepts cheat codes.
Price – Free
Pros
- It supports game controllers
- You can personalize the keyboard controls
- It supports multiplayer
- Stable
7. 3DMOO
This 3DS emulator works on Windows and Linux. It uses a command line because development on the program stopped in 2014. This is why the processing is slow. Some games are going to crash while you’re playing them, which is annoying. You will also find that the emulator is not officially available. Though, that shouldn’t stop you from downloading it if you want.
Price – Free
Pros
- Works on Windows and Linux
- Open-Source Program
- Free to download and use
8. Project64
This is a powerful emulator that requires at least 128 MB of RAM and a Pentium 3 700Mhz CPU. As you can see, it doesn’t take much to run the emulator. The biggest attractions of the emulator are the simple functions and smooth operations.
Price – Free
Pros
- It can decompress Zip files
- It supports joysticks
- The graphics and audio quality are impressive
9. DuoS
This is a basic windows 3DS emulator that stands out because of its simplicity. It is easy to download, install, and use, which makes the application perfect for people with very little technical knowledge. It doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as its competitors but you can use it to play several 3DS games.
Price – Free
Pros
- Simple Interface
- Easy to Use
- It can run a variety of games
10. NeonDS
Some people avoid this 3DS emulator. This is because the developers haven’t released any new versions of the emulator since it was created in 2008. It can work on Windows XP, Vista, and 7. You need at least 128 MB of RAM and a Pentium 4 processor. It needs a 32-bit system. But it can play most 3DS games.
Price – Free
Pros
- Simple interface
- You can customize the keyboard controls
- 50-60FPS
- It runs most 3DS games
These are the best working 3DS Emulators for your PC that you can download completely free of cost. We have mentioned all downloading links above click on that and save to your computer.
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