Azahar Version 2125.0.1

Azahar 2125.0.1, an open-source 3DS emulator based on Citra, is now available as libretro/RetroArch cores across various platforms, including Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. This release includes JIT compilation disabled on iOS/tvOS, impacting performance. Key features improved include a disk shader cache for the Vulkan renderer, reduced CPU usage, and added texture filtering. Bug fixes address issues with application handling, camera emulation, and user interface errors. New features include hotkey enhancements and improved controller support. The update emphasizes performance optimizations, configuration improvements, and resolves multiple minor issues. Download links are provided for various platforms.

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Azahar 2125.0.1 has been released. This is an open-source 3DS emulator project that builds on Citra.

Azahar changelog:
libretro
Azahar is now accessible as libretro/RetroArch cores for several OS platforms. | @warmenhoven #1215 + other PRs
Below is a list of platforms with available cores 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 included in future releases.
It is important to note that JIT compilation is disabled by default on iOS and tvOS due to App Store restrictions.* This could significantly affect performance, resulting in emulation speeds below 100% on older devices.
* For more details, click here: https://docs.libretro.com/guides/install-ios/#jit
All
Implemented a disk shader cache for the Vulkan renderer using .vkch files. | @PabloMK7 #1725 #1748
These files monitor compiled shaders, eliminating the need to recompile them on subsequent application launches, thus preventing stuttering caused by shader compilation after the initial playthrough.
Cache files can also be transferred between devices to enhance performance.
Implemented NWM_SOC::GetMACAddress to enable applications relying on it to function on Azahar. | @PabloMK7 #1840
Significantly reduced CPU usage in Azahar when using Artic Base. | @keynote #1789
Shader and pipeline compilation tasks are now managed by separate workers, enhancing parallelism and slightly mitigating shader compilation stutter. | @PabloMK7 #1802
Re-introduced texture filtering capability with the Vulkan renderer. | @jbm11208 #1675
This feature was initially added in version 2124 but was removed in 2124.2 due to stability problems. This version aims to fix those issues.
Fixed a bug where viewing the cheat list of a game without cheats or launching the game would incorrectly use the cheats from the previously loaded game. | @Fs00 #1640
Minor fixes for local play in Luigi’s Mansion 1 and Download Play applications. | @lannoene #1690
A slight optimization to the Vulkan renderer has been applied, resulting in lower memory usage. | @PabloMK7 #1710
Introduced a minor optimization for log message filtering, effective when a large number of LOG_DEBUG messages are generated in a short time-frame. | @PabloMK7 #1773
Introduced a new “Integer Scaling” option. @DavidRGriswold #1400
Added a new “Layouts to Cycle” setting, enabling users to select which layouts are cycled with the Cycle Layout/Toggle Layout hotkey. | @DavidRGriswold #1430
Apply the selected texture filter to color surfaces in addition to texture surfaces. | @PabloMK7 #1784
Major refactor of the configuration backend for all platforms, enhancing maintainability | @OpenSauce04 #1762
This change mainly benefits developers, yet it slightly affects end-users on Android by dynamically generating and validating the default config.ini file, ensuring previously missing keys are now included. | @OpenSauce04 #1762
The CECD LLE module is now enabled via the “Enable required LLE modules for online features” setting. | @PabloMK7 #1842
Download Play sessions can now connect to hosted games without the DLP LLE module, fully enabling Download Play with HLE only. | @lannoene #1741 #1828
Resolved an issue where certain apps, such as Nintendo Video, would mistakenly believe they were receiving SpotPass data. | @lannoene #1828
Corrected a problem that could prevent .zcci and .zcxi ROMs from being recognized if the 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 potentially lead to undefined behavior. | @PabloMK7 #1818
Fixed Nintendo Badge Arcade from incorrectly displaying an “update data has been applied” message. | @PabloMK7 #1845
Version numbers have been repositioned to the end of the release files’ filenames for improved readability. | @OpenSauce04 #1815
Implemented NAND RW, NAND RO, and NAND RO W archives for applications utilizing these archives. | @PabloMK7 #1861
Android
Fixed a crash occurring when attempting to use still-image camera emulation. | @PabloMK7 #1892
Resolved an issue where the emulator could incorrectly pause after selecting a file for camera emulation. | @OpenSauce04 #1894
Introduced a new “Hotkey Enable” button bind that can be used in button combinations to activate hotkeys. | #1464
Refer to the linked PR for a more detailed explanation.
Added a new “Auto-Map Controller” button functioning similarly to its desktop counterpart. | @RJNY #1769
Fixed a crash under certain conditions when a secondary screen is detached. | @PabloMK7 #1903
Resolved an issue where secondary screens sometimes displayed the incorrect aspect ratio. | @DavidRGriswold #1907
Fixed multiple problems in the setup screen that could result in crashes or stuck loops on some Android distributions. | @PabloMK7 @OpenSauce04 #1902
Now, if the Applications button is double-clicked while selected, it will display the current Azahar version in a toast notification. | @OpenSauce04 #1891
The drawer menu now consistently uses the layout appropriate for the device’s current orientation. | @DavidRGriswold #1473
Corrected a misspelling of the word “cartridges.” | @sks316 #1879
Addressed a display issue where applications would not appear correctly in the application list if their update title failed to load. | @PabloMK7 #1930
Android (Vanilla)
Changed to a new package ID, org.azahar_emu.azahar. | @OpenSauce04 #1874
The Google Play variant continues to use the old package ID, leading to separate package IDs for both variants.
Migrated to a more reliably effective method for determining removable storage paths. | @PabloMK7 #1863
Transitioned to fully native file I/O for the Vanilla (non-Google Play) build variant. | @PabloMK7 @OpenSauce04 #1795
This substantially reduces loading times compared to previous builds or the current Google Play build.
For instance, booting the HOME menu has been observed to drop from 30-45 seconds to under 5 seconds.
As noted in earlier patch notes, these enhancements don’t apply to the Google Play build due to restrictions set by Google’s Play Store policies.
Desktop
Introduced a setting to allow a controller touchpad to control the emulated 3DS touchscreen. | @DavidRGriswold #777
Fixed a rare scenario where the emulator could try to pre-load custom textures even when they were disabled, leading to a crash. | @coolguy1842 #1629
Resolved an issue where a small number of setting tooltips lacked automatic line breaks as intended. | @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 when choosing its preferred Vulkan presentation mode. Turning off this setting may cause emulation slowdowns with specific displays, so it is advised to keep it enabled unless you are aware of what you’re doing.
Fixed a potential crash issue with Azahar when resetting all settings to their defaults. | @ChaseParate #1751
Removed all codes associated with the old SDL2 frontend. | @OpenSauce04 #1756
This should not be confused with the SDL2 functionality available in the Qt frontend.
It specifically refers to the SDL2 emulation frontend, which has been disabled at build time by default for some time.
Enhanced the update checker logic to avoid potential downgrades due to possible future release patterns. | @RedBlackAka #1749
Windows
Fixed camera emulation with a real camera not functioning properly in the MSYS2 build. | @jbm11208 #1812
Addressed filesystem issues with some games caused by minor file I/O emulation inaccuracies. | @PabloMK7 #1841
Fixed an error where specific characters in an app’s name might become corrupted when creating a desktop shortcut. | @RedBlackAka
Explicitly instructed AMD drivers to use the dedicated GPU by default if an integrated GPU is available. | @RedBlackAka #1783
macOS
Introduced a warning message when launching Azahar directly instead of from the .app bundle, advising users of the correct method to launch the app. | @OpenSauce04 #1873
Fixed a possible…