Best Emulators for the 3DS
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Best Emulators for the 3DS

OVERVIEW
Easy v11.17 Anton Jan 8, 2026 20m

Introduction

Turn your 3DS into the ultimate retro handheld! Here are the best ways to play classic games, from Virtual Console injection to full RetroArch emulation.

1. New Super Ultimate Injector 3DS (Virtual Console)

New Super Ultimate Injector 3DS is an application that allows you to inject NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, Game Boy Advance, Mega Drive/Genesis, Game Gear, and TurboGrafx 16/PCE ROMs into the 3DS. This allows ROMs of games from popular classic consoles to be loaded directly from the 3DS home screen, complete with official-looking icons and banners.

2. Universal Updater (Native Emulators)

The Universal Updater is a store that has tons of emulators and apps available. From open_agb_firm (for native GBA hardware playback) to Red Viper (Virtual Boy), there are many options for playing all kinds of systems right from the store.

3. RetroArch

RetroArch is a frontend interface, enabling you to access and play games on various platforms through the utilization of emulator cores. However, while it offers versatility and convenience (one app for everything), it may not always provide the optimal experience on every system, especially in comparison to specialized separate emulators.

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Quick Info
Console3DS
Version11.17
Typeoverview
DifficultyEasy
Est. Time20 Minutes
AuthorAnton
What You'll Need
  • Modded 3DS
  • Internet Connection
  • Universal Updater
About Anton

Published on January 8, 2026