Nintendo 3DS Emulator

[Wodd]

I am not sure of the practicality of an emulation of Nintendo's 3DS console. The system is designed to allow viewing of content in 3D without the need for specialized glasses. Even if the 3D effect is emulated, it would probably require specialized glasses due to the designs and sizes of most computer screens. In this case, the user doesn't get the experience as Nintendo had intended it. One advantage might be that the ROM for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D could be coded such that the bug contained on the physical cartridge is fixed. A description of the bug for anyone who is unaware of its presence: In the original quest, in the Bottom of the Well dungeon, on the third floor, the ReDead by the plants that Link can cut with his sword does not make the following sounds: moaning, freezing, and "hit" (when it unfreezes). Because of this bug, my father and I jokingly call that ReDead the Poopsmith-like ReDead.

[LordVador]

Even if the 3D effect is emulated, it would probably require specialized glasses due to the designs and sizes of most computer screens

I suppose such an emulator would provide the possibility to play the game without the 3D effect.

Anyway 3DS emulator isn't even close to be released as far as I know...

[AnyOldName3]

Being a handheld console, it won't be too hard to do once someone with time and a defiance of nintendo's wishes understands the hardware fully. It will come sooner than a PS3 or XBox 360 emulator.

[Shonumi]

Gotta hack the thing first. If you can't probe the 3DS to find out how it works, you won't get very far. That'll probably happen whenever the homebrew scene makes some progress, or someone with time on his or her hands gets around to it.

There's also the issue of how the ROMs are currently encrypted. They've been dumped for like a year now, but they're not any good for emulation as it stands. I think that's just a matter of time; the keys are probably somewhere on the 3DS itself. Given enough looking, I'm sure they could be found rather than cracked.

I'd like to see a 3DS emulator simply because it'd be interesting to see what some games look like in HD. Dunno how accurate this is, but some people say the 3DS is slightly more "powerful" than a Wii. Nevertheless, the graphical quality thus far is great, imo. I'd really like to see that on higher resolutions. Additionally, gaming history always needs to be preserved (exception, Tiger Game.com). When a 3DS emulator comes along, you can be sure I'll be working on it

[Anti-Ultimate]

While we're at it, how come no DS Emulator supports Anti-Aliasing and AF?

[Shonumi]

While we're at it, how come no DS Emulator supports Anti-Aliasing and AF?

I've actually dabbled with Desmume's code trying to hack it. As far as I know, Desmume and IDeaS don't actually increase the internal resolution for the DS screens. For Desmume, it's something to do with how the emulator handles sprites and polygons; the devs said it would be possible, but not without some work and restructuring. Instead, I believe both just use scaling algorithms to increase the size of the native screens. Desmume probably doesn't support AA or AF because its 3D renderer isn't designed for anything greater than native resolution.

I've been trying to increase Desmume's internal resolution (using ugly super-hacks) and I've had some success, at least for polygonal stuff. For now, scaling algorithms like Hq2x (or even better, Hq2xc) go a long ways to improving the look when increasing the window size. Not perfect, but it's a lot better than nearest-neighbor (super-blocky) or bilinear filtering (super-blurry). If I ever make some real progress, I'll be sure to post about it.

[lamedude]

Driver forced AA works. Only need to edit a few lines to get linear filtering.

[NaturalViolence]

Upscaling != AA.

[SketchSlayer]

Being a handheld console, it won't be too hard to do once someone with time and a defiance of nintendo's wishes understands the hardware fully. It will come sooner than a PS3 or XBox 360 emulator.

I would expect 360 and ps3 emulators well before 3ds emulators tbh, 3ds isn't likely to be focused on as majorly as the two major consoles of the moment not to mention I'm pretty sure ps3 and 360 have been around a bit longer anyway so it's had more time for anyone who would work on an emulator for either to have thought about it a fair bit more.

and the whole thing about emulating 3d being problematic for n emulator that could be made is a bit of a pointless thing to worry about since 1.Pc is more capable than any console or handheld in almost every field (bar portability) and 2. how many people actually use the 3d stuff anyway(I personally would make sure to have 3d settings off since 3d just doesn't appeal to me)but even if it is popular as I said computers are a hell of a lot more capable than any handheld so it shouldn't be a major issue

[Axxer]

I would expect 360 and ps3 emulators well before 3ds emulators tbh, 3ds isn't likely to be focused on as majorly as the two major consoles of the moment not to mention I'm pretty sure ps3 and 360 have been around a bit longer anyway so it's had more time for anyone who would work on an emulator for either to have thought about it a fair bit more.

I wouldn't expect one that is actually useful for anything but debugging though. The computer needed to run a 360 or PS3 game fullspeed would need to be very powerful, much more powerful than current computers.

and the whole thing about emulating 3d being problematic for n emulator that could be made is a bit of a pointless thing to worry about since 1.Pc is more capable than any console or handheld in almost every field (bar portability) and 2. how many people actually use the 3d stuff anyway(I personally would make sure to have 3d settings off since 3d just doesn't appeal to me)but even if it is popular as I said computers are a hell of a lot more capable than any handheld so it shouldn't be a major issue

I use 3d; it makes 3d platforming and aiming a lot easier (for example, the slingshot in OOT 3D has a pretty long delay before the nut hits the object, so seeing how far away the object is is useful). It also looks really good.

Anyway, as these consoles have more and more ways of inputting things (like touch screens, back touch panels, etc.) it will become more and more difficult to properly simulate the experience. I love how Wiimotes and GC controllers work with Dolphin, and I don't really like having to use a mouse for a touchscreen in Desmume or for the pointer in Dolphin.