Azahar gets you from installation to playing a 3DS game in just a few steps. This guide walks you through downloading the emulator, preparing your game files, and configuring the basics for a smooth experience.Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/azahar-emu/azahar/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
Azahar can only play games you legally own. You must dump your game cartridges and system files from your own Nintendo 3DS console. Azahar does not provide, endorse, or support downloading copyrighted game files from the internet.
Install Azahar
Download Azahar for your platform from the GitHub Releases page or your platform’s package manager.
- Windows: Run the installer (MSYS2 build recommended) or extract the zip archive
- macOS: Download
macos-universaland dragAzahar.appto your Applications folder - Linux: Install via Flathub or download the AppImage
- Android: Install from Google Play or via Obtainium for the Vanilla build
Obtain your game files
Azahar supports the following 3DS game file formats, which you can dump from your own cartridges and console:
Use a tool like GodMode9 on your 3DS to dump cartridges and installed titles to your SD card.
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
.3ds / .cci | Raw NCCH cartridge image (most common for physical games) |
.cia | Nintendo installable archive (installed titles and DLC) |
.cxi / .app | Raw executable partition |
.3dsx | Homebrew executable |
.elf | Homebrew ELF binary |
Add your games to Azahar
Once you have your game files:
- Launch Azahar
- Go to File → Load File to open a single game directly, or
- Go to File → Add Game Directory to add a folder containing multiple games — they will appear in the game list
Configure graphics
Before your first game session, choose a graphics backend in Emulation → Configure → Graphics:
Set the Internal Resolution to 2× or higher if your GPU can handle it for sharper visuals. For weaker systems, keep it at 1× (native 3DS resolution).
| Backend | Best for |
|---|---|
| Vulkan | Modern GPUs (recommended if supported) — lower CPU overhead, faster shader compilation |
| OpenGL | Older GPUs or fallback — widely compatible, required for OpenGL 4.3+ cards |
| Software | CPU-only rendering for debugging — very slow, not for regular gameplay |
Next steps
Graphics settings
Fine-tune rendering, resolution, and visual enhancements.
Controls
Configure your keyboard or gamepad for 3DS input.
Multiplayer
Play compatible games online with friends.
Troubleshooting
Find answers to common questions and issues.