How to Mod Your Nintendo 3DS to Play Retro Games

howtogeek.com:

The Nintendo 3DS may be over a decade old at this point, but even without the cutoff of official support from Nintendo, it can be a robust piece of hardware for emulation and retro gaming. This guide will inform you on the steps to create your own handheld retro machine out of your old 3DS, whether it's the "New" model or the original.

What You'll Need

Before you can begin modding your 3DS system to install external apps and emulators, you will need access to a computer and an SD card. I recommend a 64 gigabyte card so that you are not as limited when it comes to storage space. You may need a USB adapter to insert the SD card into your PC, as many computers do not have SD card slots. You will also, of course, need a 3DS console with a solid internet connection and without any custom firmware already installed. This can be an original model 3DS, 3DS XL or 2DS or a New 3DS model of any type.

You will also need to make sure your computer has any 3.x version of Python and an unzipping program like 7Zip or WinRar installed. Also, keep in mind that this guide was written using a PC installed with Windows 10. While the steps are largely the same, some other operating systems like MacOS or Linux may have slight variations in the steps involved in file transfers and other applications.

First, Know Your Model and Firmware Version

The processes for modding a 3DS vary slightly depending on the model, with the New model requiring a bit more steps. If you're unsure which version you have, just look for the small, circular joypad to the right of the bottom screen. If you do not have one, it means you have an original model. The result is mostly the same for either one, but you will need to know your system's version number first. To find this, go to your 3DS's System Settings app, and the version number will be displayed in the bottom right of the top screen. It is okay to update the system if you wish but note the version number afterward.

Modding an Original 3DS or 2DS

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