Azahar 2125.1: A New Perspective

Azahar 2125.1, an open-source 3DS emulator built on Citra, is now available as libretro/RetroArch cores across various platforms including Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. This release features a disk shader cache for the Vulkan renderer, improving performance and reducing stuttering. JIT compilation is disabled on iOS and tvOS, affecting speed. Other enhancements include optimized CPU usage, new “Integer Scaling” options, and a refined configuration backend. Issues with camera emulation, controller settings, and application loading have been fixed. Download options are available for different operating systems, and further platform support may occur in future releases.

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Azahar 2125.1 has been released! This open-source 3DS emulator is developed based on Citra.

Azahar changelog:
libretro
Azahar is now available as libretro/RetroArch cores for several operating systems. | @warmenhoven #1215 + additional PRs
Below is a list of platforms with accessible cores in this initial release:
Linux (x86_64)
Windows (x86_64)
macOS (arm64)
macOS (x86_64)
Android (arm64)
iOS
tvOS
Support for additional platforms and architectures may come in future updates.
It’s crucial to understand that due to JIT compilation restrictions on the App Store, the iOS and tvOS versions have JIT disabled by default* on these platforms. Disabling JIT significantly affects performance, potentially keeping emulation speeds below 100% on devices other than newer models.
* For more details, please read here: https://docs.libretro.com/guides/install-ios/#jit
All
A disk shader cache has been implemented for the Vulkan renderer using .vkch files. | @PabloMK7 #1725 #1748
These files monitor compiled shaders, eliminating the need for recompilation upon subsequent application launches, thus removing stutter caused by shader compilation following the initial gameplay.
Cache files can also be transferred between devices to enjoy reduced stutter.
Implemented NWM_SOC::GetMACAddress, enabling compatible applications towork on Azahar. | @PabloMK7 #1840
Significantly decreased CPU usage of Azahar while utilizing Artic Base. | @keynote #1789
Shader and pipeline compilation tasks are now managed by separate workers, enhancing parallelism and slightly minimizing shader compilation stutter. | @PabloMK7 #1802
Restored texture filtering functionality in the Vulkan renderer. | @jbm11208 #1675
This feature was initially introduced in version 2124 but was removed in 2124.2 due to stability issues.
This update aims to resolve those previous inconsistencies.
Rectified an issue where viewing the cheat list or launching a game without cheats would mistakenly use the cheats from the last loaded game. | @Fs00 #1640
Minor fixes for local play in Luigi’s Mansion 1 and Download Play applications. | @lannoene #1690
Minor optimizations were made to the Vulkan renderer to slightly decrease memory usage. | @PabloMK7 #1710
Small optimization for log message filtering, effective during high volumes of LOG_DEBUG messages within a brief duration. | @PabloMK7 #1773
Introduced a new “Integer Scaling” option. @DavidRGriswold #1400
Added a “Layouts to Cycle” setting, allowing users to choose which layouts to cycle through with the Cycle Layout/Toggle Layout hotkey. | @DavidRGriswold #1430
Apply the chosen texture filter to color surfaces, not only texture surfaces. | @PabloMK7 #1784
A major refactor of the configuration backend has been done across all platforms for improved maintainability. | @OpenSauce04 #1762
This change is mainly developer-focused but does affect Android users by dynamically generating and validating the default config.ini file, ensuring that previously missing keys are now included. | @OpenSauce04 #1762
CECD LLE module can now be enabled via the “Enable required LLE modules for online features” setting. | @PabloMK7 #1842
Download Play sessions are now fully operational without the DLP LLE module, ensuring Download Play is functional with only HLE. | @lannoene #1741 #1828
Resolved an issue where applications like Nintendo Video incorrectly perceived they were receiving SpotPass data. | @lannoene #1828
Fixed an issue that could hinder the proper recognition of .zcci and .zcxi ROMs if the 3DS system files weren’t correctly set up. | @PabloMK7 #1930
Introduced a debug option for toggling between the Old and New 3DS types specified in the console unique data. | @PabloMK7 #1826
Addressed validation issues for the Vulkan renderer that could lead to undefined behavior. | @PabloMK7 #1818
Fixed the incorrect update message in Nintendo Badge Arcade. | @PabloMK7 #1845
Version numbers have been repositioned to the end of the release files’ names for enhanced readability. | @OpenSauce04 #1815
Introduced NAND RW, NAND RO, and NAND RO W archives, enabling the use of applications that require these archives. | @PabloMK7 #1861
Android
Resolved a crash encountered when using still-image camera emulation. | @PabloMK7 #1892
Fixed an issue where the emulator might mistakenly pause after selecting a file for camera emulation. | @OpenSauce04 #1894
Added a new “Hotkey Enable” button binding, usable in combinations to activate hotkeys. | #1464
Refer to the linked PR for detailed information.
Added a new “Auto-Map Controller” button mimicking its desktop equivalent. | @RJNY #1769
Fixed a crash under specific conditions when disconnecting a secondary screen. | @PabloMK7 #1903
Resolved issues causing secondary screens to occasionally utilize the wrong aspect ratio. | @DavidRGriswold #1907
Addressed multiple setup screen issues that could lead to crashes or loops on certain Android distributions. | @PabloMK7 @OpenSauce04 #1902
Double-clicking the Applications button while selected now shows the current Azahar version in a toast notification. | @OpenSauce04 #1891
The drawer menu now consistently adapts to the layout fitting the current device orientation. | @DavidRGriswold #1473
Fixed a spelling error of the word “cartridges” which appeared as “cartidges”. | @sks316 #1879
Corrected an issue where applications would not be displayed properly in the application list if their update title failed to load. | @PabloMK7 #1930
Android (Vanilla)
Transitioned to a new package ID, org.azahar_emu.azahar. | @OpenSauce04 #1874
The Google Play variant retains the old package ID, resulting in separate package IDs for these two variants.
Shifted to a more reliable method of identifying removable storage paths. | @PabloMK7 #1863
Moved to fully native file I/O for the Vanilla (non-GooglePlay) build variant. | @PabloMK7 @OpenSauce04 #1795
Dramatic loading time improvements have been noticed compared to previous builds, with an example of booting the HOME menu reduced from 30-45 seconds to under 5 seconds.
As mentioned in earlier patch notes, these enhancements do not apply to the Google Play build due to restrictions imposed by Google through Play Store app policies.
Desktop
Added a setting allowing a controller touchpad to control the emulated 3DS touchscreen. | @DavidRGriswold #777
Resolved a rare issue where the emulator might pre-load custom textures even when disabled, causing crashes. | @coolguy1842 #1629
Fixed a problem where a few setting tooltips lacked automatic line breaks as intended. | @OpenSauce04 #1718
Introduced 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 when setting its preferred Vulkan presentation mode. Turning this off may slow down emulation with some displays, so it’s advisable to keep it active unless you’re knowledgeable about the settings.
Fixed a potential crash when resetting all settings to their default values. | @ChaseParate #1751
Removed all references to the old SDL2 frontend. | @OpenSauce04 #1756
This isn’t to be confused with the SDL2 functionality that still exists in the Qt frontend.
This specifically refers to the SDL2 emulation frontend, which has been disabled at build time by default for some time.
Enhanced update checker logic to thwart possible downgrades from hypothetical release patterns in the future. | @RedBlackAka #1749
Windows
Resolved camera emulation issues with real cameras in the MSYS2 build. | @jbm11208 #1812
Fixed filesystem inaccuracies affecting some games. | @PabloMK7 #1841
Rectified a problem causing certain characters in application names to become corrupted when generating desktop shortcuts. | @RedBlackAka
Explicitly instruct AMD drivers to utilize the dedicated GPU by default if an integrated GPU exists. | @RedBlackAka #1783
macOS
Added a warning when launching Azahar directly instead of through the .app bundle, advising users on the correct launching method. | @OpenSauce04 #1873
Fixed a possible…