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Borked3DS
What it is
Borked3DS is a free, open-source project derived from Citra that continues Nintendo 3DS emulation development. It offers builds for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows, and describes its status as experimental with limited testing and minimal support. Desktop and Android versions have near-feature parity for applicable settings and functions, with Offset Time as an exception. Desktop releases include a Qt graphical frontend and an SDL command-line frontend that accepts command-line options. Desktop versions also include Skylanders IR portal support for most compatible 3DS games. On desktop and Android, users can customize SPIR-V shader optimization for size or performance, disable it, and enable validation or legalization. Android adds log-level selection and regex filtering. The APK supports 64-bit Android 9 or later devices with ARM or x86 hardware; Vulkan 1.3 or later is recommended for the best experience. The unified Mac binary supports 64-bit x86 and ARM Macs, with minimum macOS versions of 13 for x86 and 14 for ARM. Linux releases are 64-bit AppImages based on Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04, and 24.04. Release notes warn that LLE audio may fail or crash on some Android hardware; HLE audio is the suggested workaround.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under GPL-2.0
- Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
- Desktop offers GUI and command-line frontends
- Desktop includes Skylanders IR portal support
Against
- Project describes testing and support as limited
- Offset Time is an Android feature exception
- LLE audio may fail or crash on some Android hardware
The verdict
Borked3DS offers desktop and Android builds with several configurable emulation options, but its experimental status is important to weigh. Android users may need HLE audio if LLE audio causes problems.
Who it suits
It suits users looking for an experimental Nintendo 3DS emulator on desktop or Android who are comfortable with limited testing and support. Android users should check the stated device requirements and audio issue.
On the record
- Android logging
- The Android version supports log-level selection and regex filtering.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Android requirements
- The project says its APK supports 64-bit Android 9 or later devices with ARM or x86 hardware, and recommends Vulkan 1.3 or later for the best experience.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The project says it works with Bravely Offline after renaming borked3ds.exe to citra-qt.exe and copying the bundle into the relevant Citra directory.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Desktop and Android features
- The project says its Desktop and Android versions have near-feature parity for applicable settings and functions, with Offset Time as an exception.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Desktop frontends
- Desktop releases include a Qt GUI frontend and an SDL command-line frontend, which can take command-line options.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Desktop interfaces
- Desktop releases include a QT-based GUI and an SDL-based command-line frontend that supports scripting or use with other frontends.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- Releases are offered for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, including Linux AppImages and an Android APK.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Experimental status
- The project describes itself as experimental, with limited testing and minimal support, and says bugs may go undiscovered or unfixed.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Feature parity
- The Desktop and Android versions have near-feature parity, with Offset Time listed as an exception for Android.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Known Android issue
- The release notes warn that LLE audio may fail or crash on some Android hardware and recommend using HLE audio as a workaround.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Known issue
- The release notes say LLE audio may fail or crash on some Android hardware and recommend HLE audio as a workaround.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as GPL-2.0.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Linux builds
- The project offers 64-bit Linux AppImages based on Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04, and 24.04, including a GCC option based on Ubuntu 24.04.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- macOS requirements
- The unified Mac binary supports 64-bit x86 and ARM Macs; the stated minimum is macOS 13 for x86 and macOS 14 for ARM.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Origins
- The project continues work from Citra and incorporates elements from the PabloMK7 fork, Lime3DS, and Mandarine.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Borked3DS is an experimental Nintendo 3DS emulator based on Citra.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Project maintainer
- A release page identifies Reg Tiangha as a release contributor.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Borked3DS is a Citra-derived project that continues Nintendo 3DS emulation development.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026