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Tanuki3DS
What it is
Tanuki3DS is a free Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It runs decrypted games in .cci/.3ds, .cxi/.app, .elf/.axf, and .3dsx formats. Input can come from a keyboard, mouse touch-screen controls, or a controller, and keyboard and freecam mappings can be changed. Settings and save data use the operating system application-data path by default; portable mode is available with a portable.txt file beside the executable. Open replacements for shared font and Mii resources are used by default, while the interface can load originals dumped from a real 3DS. The executable accepts a ROM path from the command line, or -h for options. The project says many games work, but some show graphical glitches or crashes. Recent releases list GPU improvements, camera and microphone support, motion-control fixes, a game-list interface, procedural textures, and depth-buffer reading. Builds are available for x86_64 and arm64. The repository is licensed under GPL-3.0.
For and against
For
- Free and available for Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Supports four listed decrypted game formats
- Keyboard, mouse, and controller input
- Remappable keyboard and freecam controls
- Portable mode for settings and save data
Against
- Games must be decrypted
- Some games have glitches or crashes
- Building requires several libraries and a C23 compiler
The verdict
Tanuki3DS provides a free, cross-platform way to run decrypted 3DS software with flexible controls and storage options. Compatibility is not universal, and building from source has several listed requirements.
Who it suits
It suits users on Linux, macOS, or Windows who want to run decrypted 3DS games. Keyboard, mouse, controller, remapping, and portable storage options support different setups.
On the record
- Build requirements
- Building requires SDL3, xxhash, cglm, fdk-aac, capstone, and a compiler that supports C23.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Command line
- The executable can be run from the command line with a ROM file argument, or with -h to show options.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Community
- The README invites users to join its Discord to ask questions or discuss the emulator.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The README says many games work, while others can have bugs ranging from graphical glitches to crashes.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Controls
- The emulator supports keyboard and mouse input, and can also accept controller input.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Keyboard and freecam input can be remapped in the input settings menu.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Decryption requirement
- All games must be decrypted.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The README links stable releases and lists Linux, macOS, and Windows builds for x86_64 and arm64.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Game formats
- Supported game formats are .cci/.3ds, .cxi/.app, .elf/.axf, and .3dsx.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Issue support
- The README asks users to report bugs as GitHub issues and include the generated ctremu.log file from the application data folder.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project as GPL-3.0 licensed.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Other release features
- Release v0.5.0 lists GPU emulation improvements, camera and microphone support, motion control fixes, and a new game list UI.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Product
- Tanuki3DS is a 3DS emulator written in C that aims to be simple, fast, and compatible.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Tanuki3DS is a Nintendo 3DS emulator written in C that aims to be simple, fast, and compatible.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- 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.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Recent graphics updates
- The v0.5.1 release notes list a procedural texture unit and depth buffer reading, which enables outlines in Pokémon games.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Recent release
- Release v0.5.1 lists fixes to shadow map precision, procedural texture unit support, and depth buffer reading.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- 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.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
