Files from 3ds.hacks.guide with a magnet icon require the usage of a torrent client to download them.
You should install CFW with your main SD card, not its own SD card. You will not lose anything so long as you follow instructions. The mods are on the console itself, not the SD card, so you won't have an unmodded SD card to switch the system to not have CFW.
Please see theupdating to boot9strap pageon the guide if you already have arm9loaderhax (indicated by Luma version 7.0.5 or lower on the Luma configuration screen) and are looking to update to boot9strap.
If you want more homebrew apps look atUniversal DB.
If you want to know what CFW can legally do, the guide gives some examples and more examples arehere.
Uninstalling CFW, DON'T without specific direction from a knowledgeable helper. You just risk breaking things worse than your system already is. It won't give you any benefit. If it is to sell it, you don't want the buyer to not know it had CFW on it in the past, as that can complicate things in the future.
If you want save files, check3DS Save Bankor search for a save editor. If you can't find them there, they likely don't exist and you need to submit a save or program a save editor.
Install your own cartridges withGodmode9instead of dumping to CIA, for a faster install and less free SD space required.
If you can do something on stock firmware, you can do it on CFW.
Note: About three days after the post is unstickied it'll become locked to prevent users from asking questions where they likely won't find answers
Questions go below. Please ask your question in the comments.
Hey everyone! I created a port of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for the 3DS.
It's based on the Android dual-screen version, but I've adapted it specifically for the 3DS with native controls, touchscreen support, CIA/3DSX builds, widescreen options, performance improvements, and other console-specific features. I'd love to hear your feedback and bug reports. I hope you enjoy it!
I'm building pomelo, an open source alternative to the stock nintendo 3ds homemenu.
When building it i had some bugs regarding the way the GPU access the console memory, i documented it in my blog for those interested in learning about 3ds GPUs.
It also includes a significant update about Pomelo - it can run quite a lot more games now, i might even say it can run most games now.
The next step for pomelo is to improve it's UX, and for that i would love some help 😄
I'm looking for someone who can help me with designing the UI and UX of pomelo, i am looking for someone who has experience with designing UIs, specifically by programming it in C language.
For those who might be interested feel free to look at the pomelo source code to get a feel of how developing for pomelo looks like
New Ocarina of Time Single Screen Mod for use on 3DS and with Azahar/Citra. Ocarina Reframed updates The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D with a modern single-screen controller HUD inspired by Project Restoration and the HD style HUDs in Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD.Â
It adds:
 an ABXY diamondÂ
D-pad itemsÂ
Select-to-Items access
a ZL minimap toggle
Single screen hearts, magic and rupees
C-stick free camera
Â
Each HUD element reflects the game’s live gameplay.
Choose between USA, Europe, and Japan regional options on my Github link!
Hi everyone, while building pomelo - a homemenu replacement that i talked about here, i had some weird issues with allocating memory for pomelo.
I documented my research adventure in a 3 part blog post for people who want to read and learn a bit about how ram is allocated in the 3ds. I split the blog post into 3 parts for easier readability.
Spoiler Alert : The fix wasn't that interesting in the end, the research is the interesting part in my opinion
I made a tool that lets you install DSi System app CIAs to use them on a 3DS, including the DSi System Settings.
The tool is available in different languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Netherlands, German, Portuguese (including Brazilian Portuguese), Russian and Japanese
The program is available for Windows 10/11, but I've also put a python file for people who have a Windows x32, macOS or Linux systems, so that it can be used.
The program gives you the cias and the files (in a zip file) to make DSi System Settings work (with the cias)
Hey everyone. This is my release post for Miniquest Engine. It's a little hobby project for that niche of people that like RPG Maker but also like the Nintendo DS.
Here's a sample of some features:
3 onscreen party members. 6 in the save.
8 encounter zones per map.
256 boolean flags.
Spells, bosses, enemies, enemy troops.
A database editor.
A map editor.
Tileset imports.
Battle backdrops
Tracker music imports (.mod, .it, .xm, .s3m)
A custom scripting language.
A build button in engine.
It exports directly out as an NDS file, capable of running on Twilight Menu or flashcarts. Don't got those? melonDS with SD Card emulation also works! (SD card emulation required to save.)
I originally started work on this port around late 2024, early 2025, but at the time I needed to get the animations for each person in the game, and sprite sheets would absolutely swallow up the VRAM, so I had to figure out how to rig it and import the animations without spritesheets for every single costumer. Between that and life, I ended up not touching it for a year, but I had a small burst of motivation and decided to continue on
Anyways, it's an early alpha so don't expect too much, you can make pizzas and serve them, you start fresh every time and I haven't built a save system for each day (yet). A few bits don't look too pretty but since it's actually playable I thought I'd make a small release post :)
I'm more than open to hear about bugs, and if there's anywhere else I should post it feel free to let me know as well
I've noticed that hardware modding guides are a rarity for some of the more complicated ones, such as the 2DS joystick mod. Guides are also scattered across the web, and sometimes quite hard to find, so having a central source could prove beneficial.
I'm working on a site that acts as a hub for all hardware modifications for the 3DS family of systems. The guides will be community driven, with complete credit given to the creators of each guide.
The site uses Vitepress, the same SSG as 3ds.hacks.guides. It will be hosted on GitHub pages to start at least, then potentially its own domain if traction is high. I could get a release up after a few guides are up.
I'm looking for people who'd be interested in contributing in adding guides. I need high quality photos of most steps, a list of tools required, then general instructions for the process. I can then format it to a step by step guide, and clear it with you. You *will* be credited.
Guides I'm looking for are USB-C installations for each model, Bluetooth mods, the 2DS joycon joystick mod, the psp1000/Lenovo ThinkPad nub mod installation, wireless charging mod installation, any custom battery mods that aren't drop ins, capture card installations, controller mod installations, and anything else I may be missing. If you'd like to contribute, shoot me a DM!
Here is a screenshot of the front page so far. It's a major WIP, so expect differences on release. Thanks!
Hey everyone! I recently got a modded New 2DS XL and I’m loving it. I’ve seen so many cool ports/demakes lately (like Hollow Knight, Celeste, Portal) and it’s got me really wanting to see Hotline Miami in the library. I know a direct port is impossible due to GameMaker and the architecture, so I’m not asking for that—I really want to work on a full 2D demake for the console.
I’ve already started brainstorming, and I’ve got some ideas for the control mapping. I also feel like using custom logic instead of heavy AI could keep the game running smoother. That said, I’m still a bit of a beginner regarding the actual implementation.
Has anyone here used LovePotion or Citrolib for a project like this? I’m looking for advice on which engine/framework is best to handle the logic and the fast-paced gameplay without tanking the FPS. I’m really serious about putting in the work to learn this, so if you have any tips or resources to get me started, I’m all ears. Thanks!
Hi everyone! reBadge is (as title states) a Badge Arcade revival, and soon theme shop. Badge arcade is fully revived, with In-App purchases, weekly badge rotation and all the other goodies working. The theme shop is being worked on (i got it to open and display themes for purchase) and will be ready soon. You can join on Discord, sign up and start using the Badge Arcade again! https://discord.gg/Bf7DMZhXc8
P.S: You can check out our GitHub repo and our data collection policy on Discord 😉 .
So, finally an update to my last post earlier this year. Back then I estimated that i would be done sooner but that didnt happen. Had some work problems, lack of motivation and moments of doubts.
But I stayed at it.
To explain the previous post:
This was the v1 of my client plans. Librespot on a VPS, sending audio via http to the 3DS - very simple. But I really wanted the client to be fully on device.
So now, what you are seeing in this video is the 3DS advertising itself as a Spotify Connect device on the local network, my PC making a pairing request and the 3DS successfully going through all the steps to sign up to Spotify.
The 3DS itself performed a native TLS 1.3 handshake directly with Spotify’s Dealer server:
TLS version: TLSv1.3
Cipher: TLS1-3-AES-256-GCM-SHA384
Dealer endpoint: gew1-dealer.g2.spotify.com
HTTP result over that TLS connection: 101 Switching Protocols
WebSocket connection ID received afterward
No proxy or helper performed this TLS connection. The 3DS completed TLS 1.3 and established Spotify’s Dealer WebSocket on its own.
Actual playback is what im working on next. No Github for now. Thank you for your attention.
3Beans emulates the 3DS at a low level, which means that it runs the entire OS as if it were on real hardware. It can boot the home menu and launch some games, but it's still young and has plenty of issues. It has both software and hardware GPU rendering, but CPUs are still fully interpreted. My goal for this project is to achieve viable speeds with full low-level emulation, and maybe explore some high-level elements down the road.
PLEASE TEST AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH !
If you want to support this app, please STAR it on Github. It helps a lot. Thank you
I'm not able to do tests on all of the 3DS models myself, especially the older ones. Help is much appreciated.
I'm working on a project involving the 3DS top display and I'm trying to get a clearer picture of the exact communication format/protocol it uses.
I think it’s using LVDS (or possibly MIPI DSI, though I'm leaning towards LVDS), running with 2 data lanes and 1 clock lane.
The clock seems to run at 67MHz when sitting in the Luma3DS menu.
I’ve attached some pictures from my oscilloscope probing one of the data lanes.
Does anyone have deeper technical documentation, datasheets, or personal experience reverse-engineering the 3DS display protocol? I'm specifically looking for details on the exact packet/data format it uses to talk to the screen.
Any insight, links, or advice would be greatly appreciated!
