Azahar 2124: A New Perspective

Azahar 2124, an open-source 3DS emulator based on Citra, has introduced several enhancements. Key updates include fully implemented cartridge insertion functionality, improved texture filtering with the Vulkan renderer, and multiplayer support for new games. It also addresses audio issues, improved memory handling, and various visual and performance optimizations. Notable fixes include microphone input stuttering, secondary screen detection issues, and improved gamepad controls. Android updates feature a minimum required version change to Android 10 and enhanced ROM compression support. A new Docker image allows for local multiplayer hosting. Overall, the update enhances stability, performance, and user experience.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Azahar 2124 has been released. This is an open-source project for a 3DS emulator based on Citra.

Azahar changelog:
Comprehensive
Introduced functionality for emulating cartridge insertion. | @PabloMK7 #1304
This allows the cartridge to appear as inserted on the emulated HOME menu and behaves as it would on actual hardware.
Implemented texture filtering while utilizing the Vulkan renderer. | @jbm11208 #1116, @jbm11208 #1513, @PabloMK7 #1561
Added functionality for secondary screen opacity when using the Vulkan renderer. | Briar @OpenSauce04 #1255
Enhanced HLE NWM support. | @lannoene #1375
This enables multiplayer for several new games using the LLE DLP module, including Luigi’s Mansion, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, and Mario Kart 7.
Added HLE DSP sleep and wakeup functionality. | @PabloMK7 #1529
This resolves an issue with problematic sound when games are launched from the HOME menu.
New SMDH region-free patch option, enabled by default. | @PabloMK7 #1541
This works similarly to the region-free patch from Luma3DS.
Improved memory mode management, enabling the launch of extended memory games from the HOME menu. | @PabloMK7 #1534, @PabloMK7 #1560
Enhanced plugin memory management, allowing for launching applications with plugins directly from the HOME menu. | @PabloMK7 #1554
Adjusted unimplemented GAS mode behavior, resolving visual issues in Monster Hunter titles when using blur effects.
Fixed corrupted HOME menu graphics when an application is suspended. | @PabloMK7 #1518
Resolved a long-standing issue where microphone input sounded slowed down or distorted. | @PabloMK7 #1610
Several enhancements to stereoscopic 3D settings and capabilities. | @DavidRGriswold #1212
Introduced AM:CancelImportProgram, allowing cancellation of emulated CIA installations midway. | @PabloMK7 #1535
Refined MemorySystem::GetPhysicalPointer implementation for a slight performance boost. | @PabloMK7 #1587
Transferred plugin framebuffer address management from the plg:ldr service to the memory system for a minor performance improvement. | @PabloMK7 #1572
Addressed a potential crash in the Vulkan renderer due to malformed geometry shaders. | @PabloMK7 #1585
Switched to xxHash from CityHash64, enhancing ShaderSetup hashing behavior for a minor performance uptick. | @PabloMK7 #1592
Implemented game-specific fixes for geometry shader issues in several SEGA 3D Classics titles: Thunder Blade, After Burner, Power Drift.
The play_time.bin file is now relocated from the log directory to the sysdata directory. | @OpenSauce04 #1310
Android
Raised the minimum Android version requirement to Android 10. | @OpenSauce04 #1368
Enabled support for compressing and decompressing ROM files. | @ne-kle @PabloMK7 #1458
Incorporated background color, secondary screen opacity, and audio emulation settings from the desktop version. | marsia @rtiangha @OpenSauce04 #1254
Resolved an issue with Discord disrupting secondary screen detection on dual-screen devices. | @DavidRGriswold #1455
Added “Hide 3DS Images from Android” option. | marsia @OpenSauce04 #1254
This prevents Azahar-related images from appearing in the Android gallery.
VSync is now off by default on Android as explained here. | @DavidRGriswold #1456
This leads to significant decreases in input lag with minimal impact on game visuals.
This change retroactively applies to existing setups; VSync will be automatically disabled after an update if it was previously on.
Fixed an issue where resetting input bindings to defaults didn’t clear the binding. | @DavidRGriswold #1463
Resolved a bug where the secondary screen opacity would apply to layouts besides the custom layout. | @DavidRGriswold #1496
Fixed a problem with certain external gamepads having inverted axis controls. | @DavidRGriswold #1483
Affected gamepads will need to be re-bound post-update.
The emulator UI’s refresh rate is no longer capped at 60Hz on devices with higher refresh rates. | @ne-kle
During emulation, the display refresh rate remains limited to 60Hz to conserve battery.
Fixed flickering in the Toggle Controls menu on the bottom edge and aligned list clickboxes on specific Android devices. | @OpenSauce04 #1598
Resolved an issue with incorrect screen size detection. | @DavidRGriswold #1495
Desktop
Implemented batch compression and decompression features. | @PabloMK7 #1503
Enhanced uniformity in capitalization and colon usage within the UI. | @RedBlackAka @OpenSauce04 #1306
Prevented game directory refresh while emulation is active to avoid race conditions. | @PabloMK7 #1553
Skipped Vulkan in API quick selection if unavailable. | @RedBlackAka #1618
Docker
Introduced a new Docker image download option for release files. | @OpenSauce04 #1493
This Docker image includes the azahar-room executable for hosting local multiplayer rooms.
Technical
ARM macOS binaries are now compiled using macOS 26 runners. | @OpenSauce04 #1412
Added new game launch stress testing features to the desktop build under the ENABLE_DEVELOPER_OPTIONS CMake option. | @OpenSauce04 #1442
Various minor internal enhancements to the Android performance overlay. | @OpenSauce04 #1367
Fixed a build failure on Unix-like systems caused by Qt 6.10.0. | @OpenSauce04 #1441
Transitioned DSP memory ownership to the memory subsystem. | @PabloMK7 #1520
Updated dynarmic to the latest version. | @PabloMK7 #1569