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3DS:RetroArch: Difference between revisions

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m SammyGoesHowdy moved page User:SammyGoesHowdy/RetroArch 3DS to 3DS:RetroArch 3DS: Apparently it should be here instead, welp
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update infobox and download for 1.22.2
 
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{{lowercase title}}{{Infobox homebrew
{{Infobox homebrew
| title = RetroArch
| developers= Libretro
| for3ds = 1
| image= RetroArch_Logo.png
| releasedate = 2019-05-20
| imagesize = 256px
| imagealt= RetroArch Logo
| for3ds= 1
| releasedate= 2025-11-20
| version= 1.22.2
| website= https://www.retroarch.com/index.php retroarch.com
| github = libretro/RetroArch
| github = libretro/RetroArch
}}
}}
{{shortcut|3DS:RA}}
'''RetroArch''' is a frontend for emulators, & more. It can emulate up to SEGA Genesis & SEGA CD on the Old 3DS/2DS, and up to PlayStation 1 on New 3DS/2DS.


'''RetroArch''' is a frontend for emulators, & more. It can emulate up to PlayStation 1 on '''NEW''' 3DS/2DS '''ONLY''' via '''PCSX ReARMed'''.
{{info|Most standalone emulators are better than RetroArch in terms of performance. For a list of recommended emulators, see the [[3DS:Emulators|Emulators]] page.}}


{{info|
NES, & SNES should be done with [[udb:3ds/virtuanes|VirtuaNES]] and [[udb:3ds/snes9x|Snes9x for Old 3DS]] instead, if you want to have VC Injections for Genesis games then use the PicoDrive core in RetroArch, otherwise use [[udb:3ds/picodrive|the standalone PicoDrive instead.]]}}
{{warning|
If you are on an Old 3DS/2DS, you shouldn't bother with continuing.}}


=== Installation ===
==Installation==


=== What you need ===
===What you need ===  
* [http://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/nintendo/3ds/RetroArch_cia.7z RetroArch_cia.7z] (direct download)
*[https://buildbot.libretro.com/stable/1.22.2/nintendo/3ds/RetroArch_cia.7z RetroArch_cia.7z] (direct download)
* The latest release of [https://www.7-zip.org/ 7-Zip]
*The latest release of [https://www.7-zip.org/ 7-Zip]


=== Section I - Prep Work ===
===Section I - Prep Work===
# Power off your device
#Power off your console
# Insert your SD card into your computer
#Insert your SD card into your computer
# Extract the <code>RetroArch_cia.7z</code> with 7-Zip
#Extract the <code>RetroArch_cia.7z</code> with 7-Zip
# Move the <code>retroarch</code> & <code>cia</code> folders onto the root of your SD card
#Move the <code>retroarch</code> & <code>cia</code> folders onto the root of your SD card
# Remove the SD card from your computer and put it back into your device
#Create a <code>Cores-Notused</code> folder within the <code>retroarch</code> folder
#Navigate to <code>sd:/retroarch/cores/</code>
#Move any cores you don't plan on using to <code>sd:/Retroarch/Cores-Notused/</code>
#*If you want to use any of the unused cores later, move them from <code>sd:/Retroarch/Cores-Notused/</code> to <code>sd:/Retroarch/Cores/</code> and install them with FBI, or use the "Load Core" option within RetroArch
#Reinsert your SD card into your console


=== Section II - Installation ===
===Section II - Installation===  
# Power on your device
#Power on your console
# Launch FBI from your HOME Menu
#Launch FBI from your HOME Menu
# Navigate to <code>SD</code> -> <code>retroarch</code> -> <code>cores</code>
#Navigate to <code>SD</code> -> <code>retroarch</code> -> <code>cores</code>
# Scroll down until you find the core you want, then install it like you would any other CIA.
#Scroll down and press {{B|A}} on the core you want to install, and select <code>Install CIA</code>
* Alternatively, if you want to install all the cores you can just press <code><current directory></code> -> <code>Install & Delete All CIAs</code>
#*As there are over 80 cores, and these cores show up as titles on your HOME Menu, it is recommended to only install the cores you want to use


=== Section III - Launching your ROM ===
===Section III - Launching your ROM===
# Once your core(s) have finished installing, press HOME to enter the HOME Menu.
#Once your core(s) have finished installing, press {{B|Home}}
# Tap on your core to unwrap it, then open it.
#Press {{B|A}} on your newly installed core to unwrap it  
# Wait for it to load, then -> <code>Load Content</code> -> <code>sdmc:/</code> -> <code>Go to wherever your ROM is located</code> -> <code>Press (A) to select your ROM</code> -> <code>Choose your core</code>
#Press {{B|A}} to open it
* Be patient for your ROM to load, things don't load quickly in RetroArch on 3DS
#Wait for it to load, then -> <code>Load Content</code> -> <code>sdmc:/</code> -> <code>Go to wherever your ROM is located</code> -> <code>Press A to select your ROM</code> -> <code>Choose your core</code>
* Be patient for your ROM to load, this can take a while depending on file size.


{{success|text=You should now be playing your game on RetroArch!}}
{{success|text=You should now be playing your game on RetroArch!}}
===Resources===
[https://docs.libretro.com/guides/install-3ds2ds/ RetroArch Install Guide] <br />
[https://www.reddit.com/r/3dshacks/comments/jvkotb/full_speed_psx_finally_here_on_new_3ds_new_2ds_xl/ PCSX ReARMed optimal configuration] <br />
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pl2bTkzTe736EOaQjk8FBWY9ixfgoNSYSitbm5Gnyqs/edit#gid=0 PCSX ReARMed N3DS compatibility List]

Latest revision as of 04:51, 3 December 2025

RetroArch
RetroArch Logo
Developer(s)Libretro
ConsoleNintendo 3DS
Version1.22.2 (November 20, 2025; 15 days ago (2025-11-20))
Links
Websiteretroarch.com
GitHublibretro/RetroArch
Shortcut

RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, & more. It can emulate up to SEGA Genesis & SEGA CD on the Old 3DS/2DS, and up to PlayStation 1 on New 3DS/2DS.

Info icon Most standalone emulators are better than RetroArch in terms of performance. For a list of recommended emulators, see the Emulators page.


Installation

What you need

Section I - Prep Work

  1. Power off your console
  2. Insert your SD card into your computer
  3. Extract the RetroArch_cia.7z with 7-Zip
  4. Move the retroarch & cia folders onto the root of your SD card
  5. Create a Cores-Notused folder within the retroarch folder
  6. Navigate to sd:/retroarch/cores/
  7. Move any cores you don't plan on using to sd:/Retroarch/Cores-Notused/
    • If you want to use any of the unused cores later, move them from sd:/Retroarch/Cores-Notused/ to sd:/Retroarch/Cores/ and install them with FBI, or use the "Load Core" option within RetroArch
  8. Reinsert your SD card into your console

Section II - Installation

  1. Power on your console
  2. Launch FBI from your HOME Menu
  3. Navigate to SD -> retroarch -> cores
  4. Scroll down and press A on the core you want to install, and select Install CIA
    • As there are over 80 cores, and these cores show up as titles on your HOME Menu, it is recommended to only install the cores you want to use

Section III - Launching your ROM

  1. Once your core(s) have finished installing, press Home
  2. Press A on your newly installed core to unwrap it
  3. Press A to open it
  4. Wait for it to load, then -> Load Content -> sdmc:/ -> Go to wherever your ROM is located -> Press A to select your ROM -> Choose your core
  • Be patient for your ROM to load, this can take a while depending on file size.
Success icon You should now be playing your game on RetroArch!

Resources

RetroArch Install Guide
PCSX ReARMed optimal configuration
PCSX ReARMed N3DS compatibility List

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