Just a few days after Citra, the popular 3DS emulator, was officially released for Android devices, we report on new developments about the software. Yes, as the title suggests, someone has been working on getting Citra to work on the Nintendo Switch. Fellow GBAtemp member @m4xw shared his progress a couple of hours ago on Twitter showing Citra running natively with dynarec, under Horizon, on the Nintendo Switch. He does clarify that there are several issues to be fixed. For instance, he admits to the presence of many bugs and that it needs to be rebased onto the recent release. Moreover, there is a significant frame deviation that still needs looking into.

Citra running natively with dynarec, under Horizon, on Nintendo Switch!
Lot's of bugs still need to be squashed and it needs to be rebased onto the recent release.
Frame deviation still is huge, looking into that should probably give a indicatior for current performance issues. https://t.co/fhHbEdKIP8 pic.twitter.com/LIIbMT5AIk

— m4xw (@m4xwdev) May 25, 2020

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However, as you can see in the videos they uploaded, this proof-of-concept does show promise. Indeed, m4xwdev further mentioned that the videos are from the first compiled build and that "nothing big broke so far". These developments strongly suggests that it's only a matter of time before we can decently play 3DS titles on the Switch.

pic.twitter.com/eVoa6QdcUP

— m4xw (@m4xwdev) May 25, 2020

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SOURCE

 

[Jayinem81]

The Bravely Defaults would be cool to check out, we're getting Bravely Default 2 on Switch but the first two were 3DS only.

 

[ganons]

This is going to rock on the Mariko CPUs.

Won't it be the exact same performance?

 

[EduAAA]

You can use Citra on Windows, buy a google cardboard vr, config citra to use side by side 3D, then use moonlight to stream to your smartphone, and see the 3D effect.

You can stream the emu to your switch and play better that way than natively.

Or best option: you can buy a second handed New 3DS XL, as good as new, for 100 bucks or less, including original box with the ra cards, and maybe some games, ds flashcart.... I bought a second handed New 3Ds limited edition, + portable case + 2 games for that price just by looking people selling their 3DS close to my neighborhood, you can find easily better offers.

3DS has lots of the best turn based rpg games I've played still not ported to other consoles including 8 shin megami tensei( 4 new, 4 remastered ), and lots of other Atlus games.

 

[xbmcuser]

lmao well i mean I didn’t think a part 3 was needed (I don’t know the 3ds lineup well. It is like the only console I don’t own). But sure I will add it to the list! I am a huuuge pilotwings fan!

Thank you @seanp2500 just saw it!

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Won't it be the exact same performance?

I thought the mariko ran at a higher frequency, I may be wrong.

 

[Deleted User]

 

[MonMonz]

Man this is huge!! Am waiting for this i wont leave until I get it lol

 

[xbmcuser]

Having seen @seanp2500 excellent videos, citra switch seems to struggle in a few areas compared to say citra android on an samsung s10×

I'm hoping @m4xw will be back porting the latest citra android fixes into his code. I believe he started switch citra before the official release of android citra a week sgo.

I think there will be significant improvements to come:

S10+ vid here :

 

[MonMonz]

Having seen @seanp2500 excellent videos, citra switch seems to struggle in a few areas compared to say citra android on an samsung s10×

I'm hoping @m4xw will be back porting the latest citra android fixes into his code. I believe he started switch citra before the official release of android citra a week sgo.

I think there will be significant improvements to come:

S10+ vid here :

Can you try luigi dark moon please!?

 

[haaskub]

Can you try luigi dark moon please!?

Super lag !

 

[Deleted User]

Can you try luigi dark moon please!?

i did in 2 of the videos! But for me it wouldn't even boot. New build. Gonna gonna do it again!

 

[MonMonz]

i did in 2 of the videos! But for me it wouldn't even boot. New build. Gonna gonna do it again!

Oh too bad I wished i can play that game on the switch, thank you tho would you please keep us updated with the results of the new build

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Super lag !

Damn

 

[Deleted User]

 

[MonMonz]

Any chance we can try this !?

 

[GBADWB]

I thought the mariko ran at a higher frequency, I may be wrong.

new units are made in a lower fabrication node, making it smaller and more power efficient(and thus less heat). the clocks are the same regardless because the switch doesn't implement temperature based on demand overclocking.

 

[Deleted User]

Any chance we can try this !?

have to become patreon of m4xw from their you would have access to same file.

 

[lordelan]

Just to be prepared, what's the recommended file format?
3DS or CIA? I know Citra takes both but what are the pros and cons?
It's been a while since I dealt with my real 3DS but as far as I remember, *.3ds is like *.xci while *.cia is like *.nsp (installable).

Also a little off topic but is there a tool to merge a base game and update CIA into one? Like NSC Builder does for the Switch?

 

[Billy Acuña]

Just to be prepared, what's the recommended file format?
3DS or CIA? I know Citra takes both but what are the pros and cons?
It's been a while since I dealt with my real 3DS but as far as I remember, *.3ds is like *.xci while *.cia is like *.nsp (installable).

Also a little off topic but is there a tool to merge a base game and update CIA into one? Like NSC Builder does for the Switch?

Decrypted 3ds for cart games, CXI for eShop games, for updates and DLCs you need to unpack your DECRYPTED CIAs with standalone Citra, Citra uses virtual SD to handle them

 

[lordelan]

Decrypted 3ds for cart games, CXI for eShop games, for updates and DLCs you need to unpack your DECRYPTED CIAs with standalone Citra, Citra uses virtual SD to handle them

Thanks, I'll have a look on this on my PC.

 

[MonMonz]

have to become patreon of m4xw from their you would have access to same file.

Is there any update on this or improved version yet?!

 

[lordelan]

Is there any update on this or improved version yet?!

Not yet. Be patient. It'll eventually become available on the buildbot at some point.