Tanuki3DS
github.com
What it is
Tanuki3DS is a Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It runs decrypted .cci/.3ds, .cxi/.app, .elf/.axf, and .3dsx game files. Input options include keyboard, mouse control for the touch screen, and controllers; keyboard and freecam mappings can be changed. Settings and save data use the operating system’s application-data location by default, while a portable.txt file beside the executable enables portable mode. The emulator uses open replacements for shared font and Mii resources, with an option to load originals dumped from a real 3DS. It can open a ROM from the command line, or display options with -h. The project says many games work, although some show graphical glitches or crash. Recent releases list GPU emulation improvements, camera and microphone support, motion-control fixes, a game-list interface, procedural textures, and depth-buffer reading that enables outlines in Pokémon games. Stable and latest builds list x86_64 and arm64 downloads. Tanuki3DS is free and GPL-3.0 licensed.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Tanuki3DS is a Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C that aims to be simple, fast, and compatible.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Product
- Tanuki3DS is a 3DS emulator written in C that aims to be simple, fast, and compatible.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Support
- The project asks users to report bugs as GitHub issues and include the generated ctremu.log file.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project as GPL-3.0 licensed.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Build requirements
- Building requires SDL3, xxhash, cglm, fdk-aac, capstone, and a compiler that supports C23.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Command line
- The executable can be run from the command line with a ROM file argument, or with -h to show options.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Community
- The README invites users to join its Discord to ask questions or discuss the emulator.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Compatibility
- The README says many games work, while others can have bugs ranging from graphical glitches to crashes.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Controls
- The emulator supports keyboard and mouse input, and can also accept controller input.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Customization
- Keyboard and freecam input can be remapped in the input settings menu.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Decryption requirement
- All games must be decrypted.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Downloads
- The README links stable releases and lists Linux, macOS, and Windows builds for x86_64 and arm64.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Game formats
- Supported game formats are .cci/.3ds, .cxi/.app, .elf/.axf, and .3dsx.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Issue support
- The README asks users to report bugs as GitHub issues and include the generated ctremu.log file from the application data folder.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Other release features
- Release v0.5.0 lists GPU emulation improvements, camera and microphone support, motion control fixes, and a new game list UI.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Recent features
- The v0.5.0 release notes list GPU emulation improvements, camera and microphone support, motion control fixes, and a new game list UI.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Recent graphics updates
- The v0.5.1 release notes list a procedural texture unit and depth buffer reading, which enables outlines in Pokémon games.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Recent release
- Release v0.5.1 lists fixes to shadow map precision, procedural texture unit support, and depth buffer reading.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Save data
- Settings and save data are stored in the operating system’s application data path by default, with an optional portable mode using portable.txt beside the executable.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Storage
- Settings and save data are stored in the operating system's application data path by default, with an optional portable mode.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- System files
- Open replacements for the shared font and Mii resource are used by default, and the UI can load originals dumped from a real 3DS.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Supports multiple 3DS game file formats
- Keyboard, touch-screen mouse, and controller input
- Portable mode can store data beside executable
- Free and GPL-3.0 licensed
Limits
- Games must be decrypted
- Some games have glitches or crashes
- Building requires several libraries and a C23 compiler
Who it suits
Tanuki3DS suits users on Linux, macOS, or Windows who have decrypted 3DS games and want configurable keyboard, touch-screen, or controller input. It also fits users needing portable storage or command-line launching.
Verdict
Tanuki3DS covers the main desktop platforms, several 3DS formats, configurable controls, and portable storage. Compatibility is not universal, and decrypted games are required, but the project provides active release features and free licensing.
Where Specifiction places it
- Nintendo 3DS Emulators#13 of 146.8
