Hacking Emulation Gaming Should I buy a modded Switch for 3Ds games - especially when I don't have a PC?

[hauntingwanting]

Hello everyone. Looking to buy a modded switch currently and not so sure about if i should even do it with all the stuff im reading on here...

i have a modded OG 3ds which is running like crap atp because it's old as hell. i was able to mod the console myself WITH MY PHONE. I'd get the Switch modded by someone else for me however i read that you need your PC every now and then if the console turns off, for the chip or something? I dont have a PC, is that an issue?

Id love to mainly play 3Ds games on it, specifically acnl but i didn't even see anyone talking about playing that game on a modded switch so im wondering if that specific game is even possible? has anyone played the game and if yes, how does the game run?
(I've looked at the compatible 3ds games list where acnl was listed as green without any further comments, and again i haven't seen anyone talk about playing that game on the switch)

Also if the game DOES work on the modded switch, can you install mods/cheats on it like you could on the 3Ds?

Thanks guys ┐⁠(⁠´⁠ー⁠｀⁠)⁠┌

 

[thesjaakspoiler]

If you have an old 'unpatched' Switch, you can hack it with just a PC and a jig (only need once).
Downside is indeed that you must inject the hack every time you power off the Switch.
You can inject that hack with a smartphone or dedicated dongle as well.
One option is the have the dedicated dongle added inside the Switch so that you always have it around.

Other models need a modchip, which has to be added inside as well.
Downside is the cost, upside is that you won't need to inject the hack so it always can boot again after powering it off.

Note that the current 3DS emulators for the Switch don't run all games flawlessly yet.
You'll have to try that out.
I'm not sure if 3DS emulators can use cheats because they require the 3DS CFW.
Mods are usually just updated game files so those should work.
If playing 3DS games is your thing, consider buying a new/secondhand 3DS.

 

[LandonAndEmma]

Hello everyone. Looking to buy a modded switch currently and not so sure about if i should even do it with all the stuff im reading on here...

i have a modded OG 3ds which is running like crap atp because it's old as hell. i was able to mod the console myself WITH MY PHONE. I'd get the Switch modded by someone else for me however i read that you need your PC every now and then if the console turns off, for the chip or something? I dont have a PC, is that an issue?

Id love to mainly play 3Ds games on it, specifically acnl but i didn't even see anyone talking about playing that game on a modded switch so im wondering if that specific game is even possible? has anyone played the game and if yes, how does the game run?
(I've looked at the compatible 3ds games list where acnl was listed as green without any further comments, and again i haven't seen anyone talk about playing that game on the switch)

Also if the game DOES work on the modded switch, can you install mods/cheats on it like you could on the 3Ds?

Thanks guys ┐⁠(⁠´⁠ー⁠｀⁠)⁠┌

Please just don't

 

[tmnr1992]

No, the Switch will run some games almost as good as a real 3ds, but that's it, there's no reason to do that if you already have a real 3ds that runs 3ds games perfectly.

 

[DarkKRPG]

As someone who uses his modded Switch to emulate 3DS, no. You're better off just playing them on a modded 3DS, so you should probably buy that instead.

3DS on Switch is very hit or miss, and requires overclocking the console (sometimes to maximum just to keep a game from running at 20fps).

 

[hauntingwanting]

Thanks so far guys!

if i do buy a switch and get it extra modded for myself, is a computer still good to have for me though? i mean besides loading roms onto the sd card, i know i can do that with my phone as well, but to all the mod switch users who dont have an old release date switch, do you find yourself needing a computer often to use it?

i wouldn't just use it for 3ds game emulation but also ds and just switch games with mods as well.

i heard 3ds emulation is not that great now but whats with ds, specially all mainly Pokemon titles?

(⁠｡⁠･⁠ω⁠･⁠｡⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♡

 

[thesjaakspoiler]

melonDS is the DS emulator for the Switch.
Read more about game compatibility here :
https://melonds.kuribo64.net/board/thread.php?pid=62

About using your smartphone, the Switch can made to act like a USB stick (with the homebrew app Haze).
If your phone supports usb sticks you could theoretically use it to move files to the Switch.

For Android there is Rekado which you can use to inject the payload hack.
Your phone needs to support USB-OTG but most modern phone do.
If you have an iPhone, you're out of luck as it doesn't read usb sticks and also has no payload injector app.

Getting an old windows10 notebook for 30~40 dollar would be sufficient for managing your Switch.
That option is way easier than trying to do everything with your smartphone.

 

[dragonz]

One option is the have the dedicated dongle added inside the Switch so that you always have it around.

What exactly did you mean by this?

 

[Hayato213]

What exactly did you mean by this?

He probably meant soldering like a trinket m0 if it is an unpatched switch, that is just still a modchip to be honest than a dongle.

 

[ber71]

Earlier this year there was a big advance in the 3ds emulation ("disable right eye rendering") that provided a big general performance boost. Many, if not most, games become playable.
So it's not that bad.

 

[hauntingwanting]

Okay so how well do DS games run on the modded switch? Better than on my ipad/the same? or is it choppy?

 

[InsaneNutter]

As you don't have a PC why not get a Steam Deck? https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck

The Steam Deck is essentially a handheld PC running Linux, it can run 3DS emulators really well.

 

[lightwo]

As you don't have a PC why not get a Steam Deck? https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck

The Steam Deck is essentially a handheld PC running Linux, it can run 3DS emulators really well.

+1. It can play Switch games too! Additionally, unlike on the Switch, you don't need to pay someone to solder in a modchip. With a bit of patience, I'd say the experience may just be a lot more straightforward.

 

[Taffer]

Okay so how well do DS games run on the modded switch? Better than on my ipad/the same? or is it choppy?

Heres how everything runs on Switch. If you use Linux, 3DS is flawless except Pilotwings Resort.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...zRxsmYBxsLsZfIhwDlhVFwCPQGY/edit?usp=drivesdk