[RELEASE] DXX-3DS - Descent 1. Stable mono and experimental Stereo3D build

[indionicarao]

Hello everyone! I'm excited to announce the release of DXX-3DS, a Nintendo 3DS port of the classic 6DoF shooter Descent.
This is a fork of DXX-Rebirth that I have adapted to run with hardware acceleration. This port translates the engine's OpenGL 1.1 calls directly to the 3DS's PICA200 GPU via picaGL . It runs at a
smooth, highly playable framerate and has been tailored specifically for the New 3DS family (taking full advantage of the C-Stick and ZL/ZR buttons).
### Features & Fixes

• Full Hardware Acceleration: Uses the PICA200 GPU for rendering.
• Modern Dual-Stick Controls: Circle Pad for pitch/turn, C-Stick for sliding.
• Quick Save / Quick Load: Bound directly to the controller (START+X / START+Y).
• Controller-Friendly UI: The pilot selection screen is bypassed, cheats are enabled, and you can select levels directly with the D-Pad.
• Bilinear Texture Filtering enabled by default.

### Two Different Builds

I am offering two different versions of the port on the GitHub releases page:

1. Stable (Mono)
The standard, highly optimized 2D build. Choose this for the absolute best performance and framerate.

2. Experimental (Stereoscopic 3D)
Yes, true stereoscopic 3D is supported! This branch actually renders the scene twice per frame (one for each eye). Because the GPU is doing double the work, expect a lower framerate than the stable
build.

Exclusive Stereo Controls:

• START + D-Pad Up / Down: Adjust stereo separation strength
• START + ZR: Cycle stereo method (side-by-side / anaglyph / off)
• START + L / R: Adjust convergence distance

Important Note on the Stereo Build: Both CIA files share the same Title ID. You cannot have both the Stable CIA and the Stereo CIA installed via FBI at the same time. If you want to use the Stable
build as your main game but still try out the 3D, install the Stable CIA and run the Stereo version via the Homebrew Launcher ( .3dsx format).

### Installation Instructions

Like most engine ports, you must supply your own game data. The game data ( descent.hog and descent.pig ) is copyrighted and not included with this download.

1. Create a folder on your SD card at sdmc:/3ds/D1/ .
2. Copy descent.hog and descent.pig from a legitimate copy of the game (such as the Steam or GOG release) into the D1 folder.
3. Install the .cia using FBI, or run the .3dsx from the Homebrew Launcher.

### Controls

• Circle Pad: Turn / Pitch
• C-Stick: Slide
• X / B: Accelerate / Reverse
• A / Y: Slide Right / Slide Left
• R: Fire Primary
• L: Drop Bomb
• ZL / ZR: Rear View / Flare
• D-Pad Up / Down: Cycle Cockpit View
• D-Pad Left / Right: Cycle Weapon
• SELECT: Automap
• START: Menu / Abort
• START + SELECT: Bring up the controls help screen

### Downloads & Source Code

• Releases: https://github.com/iNdioNicarao/dxx-3ds/releases
• Source Code: https://github.com/iNdioNicarao/dxx-3ds

A massive thank you to everyone in the homebrew scene whose tools (like picaGL and libctru ) made this possible. Let me know what you think***

I dont plan to continue doing much more on this for the time being. I just got a new job and will not have sufficient time to put in. but never say never. we'll see.

 

[indionicarao]

**Update — DXX-3DS v2.0.7 is out**

Thanks for the support on the v1.0 release! I could'nt stay away for long. I've pushed a big update. The biggest change: **there is now one build, not two. ** Stereoscopic 3D was merged into the main `master` build and is **3D-slider gated** — raise the 3DS 3D slider for depth! No more picking between a "stable" and a "stereo" CIA.

**What's new in v2.0.7**
- **Stereoscopic 3D in the main build** (was the separate experimental branch).
- **On-screen keyboard (OSK)** — you can now enter a pilot name and have **multiple named pilots / save slots**. Named saves actually persist now (v1.0 had no keyboard, so they weren't possible).
- **Demo playback & recording** both work (neither was in v1.0).
- **Power-off crash fixed** — no more ARM11 crash when closing the game / powering off.
- **Overlay fixes** from hardware testing: the automap no longer flickers over gameplay with the slider up, closing/reopening the lid no longer leaves both screens black, and the "Prepare for Descent" banner after a demo shows cleanly. Please let me know if you find instances of this issue.

**Stereo controls (hold START)**
- START + D-Pad Up/Down — stereo separation strength
- START + ZR — toggle method: PARALLEL <-> TOE-IN
- START + L / R — convergence distance


**Known issue: ** the in-game **Cheat menu is temporarily disabled** in v2.0.7 — its checkboxes can't be toggled on-device yet. It'll return fixed in a later release.

**Download: ** DXX-3DS releases — https://github.com/iNdioNicarao/dxx-3ds/releases — grab d1x-3ds-2.0.7.cia. The old v1.0 releases are struck/superseded; v2.0.7 is the one to use. Install with FBI (or run the .3dsx via the Homebrew Launcher).

Enjoy, and let me know what breaks. hopefully Descent 2 is next...

 

[CrashMidnick]

**Update — DXX-3DS v2.0.7 is out**

Thanks for the support on the v1.0 release! I could'nt stay away for long. I've pushed a big update. The biggest change: **there is now one build, not two. ** Stereoscopic 3D was merged into the main `master` build and is **3D-slider gated** — raise the 3DS 3D slider for depth! No more picking between a "stable" and a "stereo" CIA.

**What's new in v2.0.7**
- **Stereoscopic 3D in the main build** (was the separate experimental branch).
- **On-screen keyboard (OSK)** — you can now enter a pilot name and have **multiple named pilots / save slots**. Named saves actually persist now (v1.0 had no keyboard, so they weren't possible).
- **Demo playback & recording** both work (neither was in v1.0).
- **Power-off crash fixed** — no more ARM11 crash when closing the game / powering off.
- **Overlay fixes** from hardware testing: the automap no longer flickers over gameplay with the slider up, closing/reopening the lid no longer leaves both screens black, and the "Prepare for Descent" banner after a demo shows cleanly. Please let me know if you find instances of this issue.

**Stereo controls (hold START)**
- START + D-Pad Up/Down — stereo separation strength
- START + ZR — toggle method: PARALLEL <-> TOE-IN
- START + L / R — convergence distance


**Known issue: ** the in-game **Cheat menu is temporarily disabled** in v2.0.7 — its checkboxes can't be toggled on-device yet. It'll return fixed in a later release.

**Download: ** DXX-3DS releases — https://github.com/iNdioNicarao/dxx-3ds/releases — grab d1x-3ds-2.0.7.cia. The old v1.0 releases are struck/superseded; v2.0.7 is the one to use. Install with FBI (or run the .3dsx via the Homebrew Launcher).

Enjoy, and let me know what breaks. hopefully Descent 2 is next...

Hi there. Great work ! However, no download option on GITHUB, only CIA here at GBATEMP. Do you have a 3dsx to share of latest version ? I have no more space (icon/cia limit on home screen) on my N3DS and I do not want to unintall a game/app to test it. Thanks.

 

[indionicarao]

Hi there. Great work ! However, no download option on GITHUB, only CIA here at GBATEMP. Do you have a 3dsx to share of latest version ? I have no more space (icon/cia limit on home screen) on my N3DS and I do not want to unintall a game/app to test it. Thanks.

My bad, i will get that out as soon as I can.

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 8:18 PM

https://github.com/iNdioNicarao/dxx-3ds/releases#release-v2.0.8

What's new in 2.0.8
Bottom-screen HUD toggle: the top-left touch button now cycles the HUD info display (Standard -> Alternate -> Off). Stereo -/MODE/+ buttons removed; 3D depth is controlled by the 3DS hardware depth slider (parallel-only stereo).
Full-screen HUD stats now draw correctly in stereo mode (per-eye gauge pass), so energy/shield/weapon info stays visible with the cockpit off.
HUD button re-arms after Menu -> Resume (no longer disappears on resume).
Cheat menu is now fully usable with the gamepad: the A button toggles CHECK/RADIO items in place (no keyboard required).
Controls screen updated (START = Pause; BOTTOM SCREEN section; automap zoom is the Circle Pad).
Stereo tuning: gentler maximum separation with a lower minimum; toe-in mode and the method/convergence settings were removed in favor of simple slider-driven parallel stereo.

 

[CrashMidnick]

My bad, i will get that out as soon as I can.

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 8:18 PM

https://github.com/iNdioNicarao/dxx-3ds/releases#release-v2.0.8

What's new in 2.0.8
Bottom-screen HUD toggle: the top-left touch button now cycles the HUD info display (Standard -> Alternate -> Off). Stereo -/MODE/+ buttons removed; 3D depth is controlled by the 3DS hardware depth slider (parallel-only stereo).
Full-screen HUD stats now draw correctly in stereo mode (per-eye gauge pass), so energy/shield/weapon info stays visible with the cockpit off.
HUD button re-arms after Menu -> Resume (no longer disappears on resume).
Cheat menu is now fully usable with the gamepad: the A button toggles CHECK/RADIO items in place (no keyboard required).
Controls screen updated (START = Pause; BOTTOM SCREEN section; automap zoom is the Circle Pad).
Stereo tuning: gentler maximum separation with a lower minimum; toe-in mode and the method/convergence settings were removed in favor of simple slider-driven parallel stereo.

Thanks for the files and the update !

I tested the game on N3DS (1st level only), here is my feedback :

- in game there is screen tearing / texture "shaking"
- 3D depth default settings are very "agressives". I did not tweak the settings but maybe it could be great to lower the 3D effect by default.
- Midi files : I do not know why but during the 1st launch, on my N3DS, the midi files played correctly (in your readme it seems to be impossible). I converted them to mp3 anyway. How to be sure that the game is using the mp3's and not the midi files ?
- Midi files (again) : is it possible to not generate them again after we converted them to mp3/wav to save space on the SD card ?


I tested the game on old 3DS as well : unfortunately, the game crash before to go ingame. It loads the music of the 1st level during the loading screen and then crash. I tried MP3 and WAV without success. Memory problem/leak ?

This is already a solid port you've done here, congratulations ! And the 3d effect is very nice for this game, really awesome ! Thanks for your hard work.

 

[Sejo]

**Update — DXX-3DS v2.0.7 is out**

Thanks for the support on the v1.0 release! I could'nt stay away for long. I've pushed a big update. The biggest change: **there is now one build, not two. ** Stereoscopic 3D was merged into the main `master` build and is **3D-slider gated** — raise the 3DS 3D slider for depth! No more picking between a "stable" and a "stereo" CIA.

**What's new in v2.0.7**
- **Stereoscopic 3D in the main build** (was the separate experimental branch).
- **On-screen keyboard (OSK)** — you can now enter a pilot name and have **multiple named pilots / save slots**. Named saves actually persist now (v1.0 had no keyboard, so they weren't possible).
- **Demo playback & recording** both work (neither was in v1.0).
- **Power-off crash fixed** — no more ARM11 crash when closing the game / powering off.
- **Overlay fixes** from hardware testing: the automap no longer flickers over gameplay with the slider up, closing/reopening the lid no longer leaves both screens black, and the "Prepare for Descent" banner after a demo shows cleanly. Please let me know if you find instances of this issue.

**Stereo controls (hold START)**
- START + D-Pad Up/Down — stereo separation strength
- START + ZR — toggle method: PARALLEL <-> TOE-IN
- START + L / R — convergence distance


**Known issue: ** the in-game **Cheat menu is temporarily disabled** in v2.0.7 — its checkboxes can't be toggled on-device yet. It'll return fixed in a later release.

**Download: ** DXX-3DS releases — https://github.com/iNdioNicarao/dxx-3ds/releases — grab d1x-3ds-2.0.7.cia. The old v1.0 releases are struck/superseded; v2.0.7 is the one to use. Install with FBI (or run the .3dsx via the Homebrew Launcher).

Enjoy, and let me know what breaks. hopefully Descent 2 is next...

Ouuuhh I love this! Thank you for the hard work of this port! I grew up with Descent in the 90’s so this game e close to my heart

Are you by chance the same person that’s worked on the Heretic/Hexen ports?