Snes9x for 3DS

• xxxxst: Simple Chinese language directory support and GBK font table
• R-YaTian: Continue work on Chinese language support and Implement Chinese Pinyin sorting for files

• James-Makoto
• R-YaTian
• xxxxst

This project is a fork of the legacy snes9x_3ds codebase by bubble2k and continues that work with a modernized architecture and improved user experience. It builds with current devkitARM, libctru and citro3d releases (as of June 2026). Optional assets are available in the dedicated asset repository: snes9x_3ds-assets.

It works on all 2DS and 3DS models. Old 2DS/3DS mainly struggle with Super FX and SA-1 games, but most SNES titles run well.

Feedback and bug reports are welcome.

• Improved rendering for HDMA-heavy games and mosaic effects
• SNES refresh rate matching (60.1 Hz for NTSC, 50 Hz for PAL)
• NDSP audio output
• Rich visual customization with thumbnails, themes, per-game backgrounds and overlays
• Crop and overscan
• Improved cheat management
• Extended hotkey options and screen swap support
• Directory caching for faster ROM list loading

• A modded 3DS is required.
• Install the latest .cia from Releases
• Optional: download asset packs from snes9x_3ds-assets releases.

ROMs can be stored in any folder. ZIP files are not supported.

Supported ROM formats:

• .smc
• .sfc
• .fig
• .bs
• .bsx

Configs, saves and imported assets are stored in sd:/3ds/snes9x_3ds.

• Copy snes9x_3ds.3dsx to sd:/3ds/snes9x_3ds
• Start it from the Homebrew Launcher

Assets are provided in a dedicated asset repository:

• matbo87/snes9x_3ds-assets

Notes:

• The repository follows a 1G1R-style selection.
• Naming is strict No-Intro style for matching.

• Install devkitPro and 3DS toolchain packages (including devkitARM, libctru, citro3d). If needed, follow the devkitPro pacman guide.
• The Makefile is based on TricksterGuy's 3ds-template.

Required command-line tools in PATH:

• For 3dsx builds: tex3ds, smdhtool, 3dsxtool (from the devkitPro 3DS toolchain).
• For cia builds: makerom in addition to the above.

Common build targets:

• make 3dsx
• make citra
• make 3dslink (sends the .3dsx to your Homebrew Launcher)

This repository bundles makerom binaries under makerom/ for convenience. Bundled binary provenance is documented in makerom/BINARY_SOURCES.md.

• Citra (nightly ≤ 2104): working
• Azahar: Mode7 1024x1024 texture renders as a solid yellow texture

New work usually lands on develop first. Merges to master create build artifacts via GitHub Actions. Tagged GitHub releases are the official stable releases.

Community PRs are welcome. For larger changes, a short issue first is appreciated. Please keep PRs focused and test on hardware where possible. AI-assisted code is fine, but contributors are responsible for understanding and validating the code they submit. Broad, risky, hard-to-review PRs may be closed or split into smaller changes. Prototype work may still be credited if it informs a later implementation.

AI note: I use AI assistants as part of my development workflow, including code review, debugging, planning, implementation and documentation. All changes are reviewed and adjusted by me before they are merged.

Start screen, "Game Thumbnail" option enabled	Pause screen, per-game overlay enabled
Cropped top & bottom, cheats enabled	Applied hotkeys
Crop & overscan, scanlines enabled	Swapped screen
In-Frame Palette Changes enabled	BS-X game, savestate preview

• Increase Frameskips (more than 2 isn't recommended)
• Set Frame Sync Method to Sleep Sync
• Set In-Frame Palette Changes to Disabled Style 1 or Disabled Style 2
• Set SRAM Auto-Save Delay to 60 seconds or disable it (SD Card speed is slow on 3DS)
• Disable 3D and/or on-screen display settings

• Set In-Frame Palette Changes to Enabled
• Increase Audio Buffer Size if audio crackles, skips or stutters
• Enabled cheats can break visuals or gameplay; disable cheats and reload the game
• Check if your ROM is valid (No-Intro is highly recommended; ROM hacks often have issues)
• Check the known issues

• Cheat support is only lightly tested and some codes may not work correctly
• Use cheats with caution: broken codes can affect gameplay or damage save data

Satellaview games are supported, but compatibility is hit-or-miss. See Known Issues for details and per-game status.

Some files may carry their own license headers, but because this project includes the Snes9x core (source/Snes9x/), redistribution of the combined project follows the Snes9x non-commercial license terms.

See:

• LICENSE.md
• THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md

• The Snes9x team for the SNES emulator core, and the libretro Snes9x core maintainers for ongoing reference work
• bubble2k, original author of snes9x_3ds, for creating the excellent base this fork builds on
• Wyatt-James for his snes9x_3ds fork; this fork adapts a few safety, audio and stability fixes from his work
• ramzinouri's snes9x_3ds fork inspired the image border/background and theme support
• willjow's snes9x_3ds fork revived the project after development had gone quiet
• The Citra/Azahar teams for making 3DS emulator testing and debugging practical
• Everyone reporting issues, testing games and suggesting improvements