Azahar 2125.0: A New Perspective

Azahar 2125.0 has been released. It’s an open-source 3DS emulator based on Citra.

Azahar changelog:
libretro
Azahar is now available as libretro/RetroArch cores across various OS platforms. | @warmenhoven #1215 + other PRs
Here’s a list of platforms supported in this initial release:
Linux (x86_64)
Windows (x86_64)
macOS (arm64)
macOS (x86_64)
Android (arm64)
iOS
tvOS
Additional platforms and architectures may be supported in future releases.
Please note that due to restrictions on JIT compilation in the App Store, JIT is disabled by default* on iOS and tvOS. The absence of JIT can significantly affect performance, resulting in emulation speeds below 100% on devices older than recent releases.
* For further details, click here: https://docs.libretro.com/guides/install-ios/#jit
All
A disk shader cache for the Vulkan renderer has been implemented in .vkch file format. | @PabloMK7 #1725 #1748
These files track compiled shaders to avoid recompilation on subsequent application launches, eliminating stutter caused by shader compilation after the first playthrough.
Cache files can be shared between devices for reduced stutter benefits.
Implemented NWM_SOC::GetMACAddress, enabling applications utilizing it to run on Azahar. | @PabloMK7 #1840
Significantly reduced CPU usage of Azahar when using Arctic Base. | @keynote #1789
Shader and pipeline compilation tasks are now handled by separate workers, enhancing parallelism and slightly reducing shader compilation stutter. | @PabloMK7 #1802
Restored texture filtering capability when using the Vulkan renderer. | @jbm11208 #1675
This feature was previously introduced in version 2124 but was removed in 2124.2 due to stability concerns. This version should resolve the issues from the earlier implementation.
Fixed a bug where viewing the cheat list or launching a game without cheats would incorrectly use the cheats list from previously loaded games. | @Fs00 #1640
Minor fixes for local play in Luigi’s Mansion 1 and Download Play applications. | @lannoene #1690
Applied slight optimization to the Vulkan renderer, reducing its memory usage. | @PabloMK7 #1710
Very minor optimization for log message filtering, beneficial when numerous LOG_DEBUG messages are produced quickly. | @PabloMK7 #1773
Added a new “Integer Scaling” option. @DavidRGriswold #1400
Introduced “Layouts to Cycle” setting, allowing users to choose which layouts are cycled with the Cycle Layout/Toggle Layout hotkey. | @DavidRGriswold #1430
Applied the selected texture filter to color surfaces, not just texture surfaces. | @PabloMK7 #1784
Major refactor of configuration backend across all platforms, enhancing maintainability | @OpenSauce04 #1762
This change is developer-focused but also impacts Android users by dynamically generating and validating the default config.ini file, ensuring that missing keys are included. | @OpenSauce04 #1762
CECD LLE module can now be enabled using the “Enable required LLE modules for online features” setting. | @PabloMK7 #1842
Download Play sessions can now connect to hosted sessions without needing the DLP LLE module, making Download Play fully functional with HLE alone. | @lannoene #1741 #1828
Fixed a bug causing certain applications, such as Nintendo Video, to mistakenly detect SpotPass data. | @lannoene #1828
Resolved an issue that may prevent .zcci and .zcxi ROMs from being recognized if 3DS system files weren’t set up. | @PabloMK7 #1930
Added a debug option to toggle the console type specified in the console unique data between Old and New 3DS types. | @PabloMK7 #1826
Addressed validation issues in the Vulkan renderer that could lead to undefined behavior. | @PabloMK7 #1818
Fixed Nintendo Badge Arcade’s incorrect display of an “update data has been applied” message. | @PabloMK7 #1845
Version numbers have been relocated to the end of release file names for better readability. | @OpenSauce04 #1815
Implemented NAND RW, NAND RO, and NAND RO W archives to support applications requiring these archives. | @PabloMK7 #1861
Android
Fixed a crash that occurred when using still-image camera emulation. | @PabloMK7 #1892
Addressed an issue where the emulator could incorrectly pause after selecting a file for camera emulation. | @OpenSauce04 #1894
Introduced a new “Hotkey Enable” button bind to be used alongside other buttons to activate hotkeys. | #1464
Refer to linked PR for detailed explanation.
Added a new “Auto-Map Controller” button, functioning similarly to its desktop counterpart. | @RJNY #1769
Fixed a crash that occurred under certain circumstances when disconnecting a secondary screen. | @PabloMK7 #1903
Resolved an issue where secondary screens might occasionally use incorrect aspect ratios. | @DavidRGriswold #1907
Fixed various setup screen issues that could crash or get stuck in loops on specific Android distributions. | @PabloMK7 @OpenSauce04 #1902
If the Applications button is double-clicked while already selected, it will now show the current Azahar version in a toast notification. | @OpenSauce04 #1891
The drawer menu will now consistently use a layout suitable for the device’s orientation. | @DavidRGriswold #1473
Corrected a misspelling of “cartridges” as “cartidges”. | @sks316 #1879
Fixed an issue where applications wouldn’t display properly in the application list if the update title failed to load. | @PabloMK7 #1930
Android (Vanilla)
Updated to a new package ID, org.azahar_emu.azahar. | @OpenSauce04 #1874
The Google Play variant retains the old package ID, creating separate package IDs for these two variants.
Migrated to a more effective method to determine removable storage paths. | @PabloMK7 #1863
Transitioned to fully native file I/O for the Vanilla (non-GooglePlay) build variant. | @PabloMK7 @OpenSauce04 #1795
This change drastically reduces loading times compared to previous builds or the current Google Play build.
For example, booting the HOME menu has decreased from 30-45 seconds to under 5 seconds.
As noted in prior patch notes, these improvements do not apply to the Google Play build due to restrictions enforced by Google’s Play Store policies.
Desktop
Implemented a setting to allow a controller touchpad to operate the emulated 3DS touchscreen. | @DavidRGriswold #777
Fixed a rare bug causing the emulator to pre-load custom textures even when disabled, which resulted in a crash. | @coolguy1842 #1629
Corrected an issue where a small number of setting tooltips lacked automatic line breaks. | @OpenSauce04 #1718
Added a new “Enable display refresh rate detection” debug setting. | @OpenSauce04 #1726
This setting is enabled by default; disabling it stops Azahar from detecting the display’s refresh rate while choosing the preferred Vulkan presentation mode. Disabling it might cause emulation slowdowns with certain displays, so it’s advisable to keep it enabled unless you’re familiar with the implications.
Fixed a crash occurring when resetting all settings to their defaults. | @ChaseParate #1751
Removed all references to the old SDL2 frontend. | @OpenSauce04 #1756
This shouldn’t be confused with the SDL2 functionality in the Qt frontend.
This solely pertains to the SDL2 emulation frontend, which has been disabled at build time for quite a while.
Enhanced update checker logic to prevent possible downgrades caused by hypothetical future release scenarios. | @RedBlackAka #1749
Windows
Resolved camera emulation issues with a real camera in the MSYS2 build. | @jbm11208 #1812
Fixed filesystem-related problems with some games due to minor file I/O emulation inaccuracies. | @PabloMK7 #1841
Corrected an issue where specific characters in application names could get corrupted when creating desktop shortcuts. | @RedBlackAka
Explicitly directed AMD drivers to use the dedicated GPU by default if an integrated GPU is available. | @RedBlackAka #1783
macOS
Added a warning when launching Azahar directly instead of from the .app bundle, reminding users of the correct launch method. | @OpenSauce04 #1873
Fixed a potential issue…

Download: Azahar 2125.0 x64
Download: Azahar 2125.0 Android

Source: Here