Retro Replay Retro Replay gaming reviews, news, emulation, geek stuff and more!
3Beans (released on January 8, 2026) is an emulator for the 3DS, running the entire OS as if on real hardware. It can access the home menu and play cartridge games but still faces several issues due to its early development stage. The emulator is fully interpreted and software-rendered, making it portable but slow. Future plans may include incorporating hardware acceleration and high-level elements to improve performance. Key updates in the changelog include tracking dirty memory to invalidate GL textures. Users can download 3Beans from the provided source.
(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 👍)
3Beans (2026/01/08) has been released. This emulator operates at a low level for the 3DS, allowing it to run the complete operating system as if it were on real hardware. It can access the home menu and play cartridge games, yet it remains in early development with multiple issues. Currently, it is entirely interpreted and uses software rendering, which enhances portability but results in slower performance. Should the project advance, I may look into adding hardware acceleration or high-level features for improved speed.
3Beans Changelog:
* Monitor dirty memory to invalidate GL textures
