Nintendo 3DS games can often be found in the .3ds
format, which is intended for emulators like Citra. Nintendo 3DS consoles cannot load .3ds
ROM files, however they can be converted to .cia
format which can be installed on hacked 3DS consoles with FBI. This guide will show you how to convert your .3ds
ROMs to .cia
files using GodMode9.
Required Downloads:
- GodMode9 (latest version)
Hacked (New) Nintendo 3DS (XL) Console with Luma3DS CFW
- Booting into GodMode9 via the Luma3DS chainloader requires a hacked 3DS console
- Follow this guide (with pictures) or Plailect’s guide on hacking your 3DS if you have not done so before
- An SD Card is required to store the exploit files and homebrew apps
- 32GB or more is recommended to store games
- The SD card must be formatted to FAT32
- MicroSD cards are compatible with Old 3DS consoles via a MicroSD to SD adapter
Godmode9 3ds Download
GodMode9 by dok3 is a powerful file manager for 3DS that comes with a myriad of useful features from system backup/restore, dumping cartridges and converting 3DS game files between different formats. This guide will show you how to backup and restore your 3DS system, this is highly recommended and one of the first things you should do after. Note that if you wish to convert a.3ds file that is already on a flashcart, you should follow Dumping a Game Cartridge; Launch GodMode9 by holding (Start) during boot; Navigate to 0: SDCARD- cias; Press (A) on your.3ds file to select it, then select “NCSD image options”, then select “Build CIA from file”.
- Insert your 3DS SD card into your PC
- Extract the GodMode9
.zip
- Copy
GodeMode9.firm
to the/luma/payloads/
folder on your SD card - Copy the
/gm9/
folder to the root of your SD card - Insert your SD card into your 3DS
- Insert your 3DS SD card into your PC
- Create a folder called
in
inside the/gm9/
folder on your SD card if it doesn’t exist already - Copy your
.3ds
rom file to the/gm9/in/
folder on your SD card - Insert your SD card into your 3DS
- Power your 3DS on while holding [START] to boot into GodMode9
- Press [Home] for the action menu
- Select [Scripts…]
- Select [GM9Megascript]
- Select [Miscellaneous]
- Select [.3ds to .cia Converter]
- Select your
.3ds
game then press [A] to confirm your selection and wait for the process to complete - Press [A] once complete to go back to the menu, your
.cia
file will be found in the/gm9/out/
folder on your SD card - You can now install the
.cia
using FBI, navigate toSD
->gm9
->out
to install the game from this location
Congratulations, you’ve converted a .3ds
rom file to a .cia
to install on a 3DS console.
Installing 3DS Backups and Homebrew
- Install 3DS backups and homebrew easily with FBI
Dump Cartridges to SD
- Play your games without the cartridge inserted by dumping them directly to your SD card with GodMode9
- Cartridges can be dumped as multiple formats:
.cia
for 3DS consoles,.3ds
for emulators or.nds
for Nintendo DS games
Install Virtual Console Games (GBC, GBA, SNES etc)
- Convert ROM’s to Virtual Console titles and install them directly to your Home menu using New Super Ultimate Injector
Play DS Games with TWiLight Menu++
Github Godmode9
- Play Nintendo DS ROM’s flawlessly using TWiLight Menu++
- The application also features a built-in cheats manager