3DS:RetroArch: Difference between revisions

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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

}}

'''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

# ~~Eject~~ 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 and press {{B|A}} on the core you want to install, and select <code>Install CIA</code>

#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 press <code><current directory></code> -> <code>Install 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

**Note there are over 80 cores, and as these cores show up as titles on your ~~home screen this~~ is ~~not~~ recommended

=== Section III ~~- Core Optimization ===~~

===Section III - Launching your ROM===

~~# Navigate to <code>sd:/retroarch/cores/</code>~~

#Once your core(s) have finished installing, press {{B|Home}}

~~# Select all the uninstalled cores and place them in a new folder at <code>/Retroarch/Cores-Notused/</code>~~

#Press {{B|A}} on your newly installed core to unwrap it

* Leave any installed cores in the <code>cores</code> folder, these are required for "Load Core" functionality

#Press {{B|A}} to open it

* If you want to use any of the uninstalled cores, move them from <code>/Retroarch/Cores-Notused/</code> to <code>/Retroarch/Cores/</code> and install them with FBI, or use the "Load Core" option within RetroArch

#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.

~~=== Section IV~~ - Launching your ROM ===

# Once your core(s) have finished installing, press ~~HOME to enter the HOME Menu.~~

# ~~Tap~~ on your core to unwrap it~~, then~~ open 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>

* Be patient for your ROM to load, ~~things don't load quickly in RetroArch~~ on ~~3DS~~

{{success|text=You should now be playing your game on RetroArch!}}

===Resources===

[https://docs.libretro.com/guides/install-3ds2ds/ RetroArch Install Guide] <br/>

[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://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]