3DS Controller

An up-to-date 3DS homebrew application that lets you use your Nintendo 3DS as a wireless controller for Windows and Linux.

Features

• Use your 3DS as a wireless gamepad for PC games and emulators
• Cross-platform support for Windows and Linux
• Support for all buttons, Circle Pad, and C-Stick
• Configurable server IP and port
• Low latency wireless connection
• Battery level indicator
• LCD toggle option to save battery

Q&A

Q: Why Create this?

• A: A similar application exists but is no longer maintained or functional.

Q: Why is linux so much more complicated to setup?

• A: i honestly don't fucking know. i'm not the person to ask.

Requirements

3DS

• Nintendo 3DS with custom firmware (CFW)
• Homebrew Launcher access
• Wi-Fi connection (same network as PC)

PC

• Windows or Linux
• Python 3.6+
• Windows: ViGEmBus driver
• Linux: uinput kernel module

Installation

3DS Setup

1. Copy 3ds_controller.3dsx to your 3DS SD card in /3ds/ folder
2. Launch Homebrew Launcher on your 3DS
3. Run the 3DS Controller application

PC Setup

Windows

1. Install ViGEmBus driver
2. Install Python 3.6+
3. Install required packages:

   pip install vgamepad
   

4. Run the PC receiver:

   python pc.py
   

Linux

1. Load uinput module:

   sudo modprobe uinput
   

2. Install dependencies:

   sudo apt-get install libudev-dev
   pip install python-uinput
   

3. Run PC receiver with root privileges:

   su -
   modprobe python-uinput
   python3 path/to/pc.py
   

Usage

1. Start PC receiver script
2. Launch 3DS Controller on your 3DS
3. Set the IP address in the 3DS app to match your PC's IP
4. Connect and start using your 3DS as a controller

Control Mapping

3DS Input	PC Controller Output
A/B/X/Y Buttons	A/B/X/Y Buttons
Circle Pad	Left Analog Stick
C-Stick	Right Analog Stick
D-Pad	D-Pad
L/R Buttons	LB/RB (Left/Right Bumpers)
ZL/ZR Buttons	LT/RT (Left/Right Triggers)
Start/Select	Start/Back

Configuration

3DS

• Config file at /config.ini on SD card
• Edit to change server IP and port
• Default port: 8888

PC

• Listens on all interfaces on port 8888
• Debug mode: python pc.py --debug

Building from Source

Requirements

3DS Application

• DevkitPro and DevkitARM
• 3DS development libraries (libctru)
• Make utility

PC Application

• Python 3.6+
• Windows: ViGEmBus driver
• Linux: uinput module and headers

Building 3DS Application (not that you care lol)

1. Install DevkitPro with 3DS support

   # Windows: Download from https://devkitpro.org/wiki/Getting_Started
   
   # Linux/macOS
   wget https://apt.devkitpro.org/install-devkitpro-pacman
   chmod +x ./install-devkitpro-pacman
   sudo ./install-devkitpro-pacman
   sudo dkp-pacman -S 3ds-dev
   

2. Install CIA building tools (makerom and bannertool)

   # Windows
   # Download makerom and bannertool from:
   # - makerom: https://github.com/3DSGuy/Project_CTR/releases
   # - bannertool: https://github.com/Steveice10/bannertool/releases
   # Add both to your PATH
   
   # Linux/macOS
   git clone https://github.com/3DSGuy/Project_CTR.git
   cd Project_CTR/makerom
   make
   sudo cp makerom /usr/local/bin
   
   git clone https://github.com/Steveice10/bannertool.git
   cd bannertool
   make
   sudo cp output/*/bannertool /usr/local/bin
   

3. Set environment variables (if needed)

   export DEVKITPRO=/opt/devkitpro
   export DEVKITARM=${DEVKITPRO}/devkitARM
   

4. Clone repository

   git clone https://github.com/icicle1133/3ds-controller.git
   cd 3ds-controller
   

5. Build application

   # For 3DSX file
   make clean
   make
   
   # For CIA file
   make cia
   

6. Output files:

   • 3ds_controller.3dsx (Homebrew format)
   • 3ds_controller.cia (CIA format for installation via FBI)

Development Setup

Windows

1. Install Python 3.6+
2. Install packages: pip install vgamepad
3. Install ViGEmBus driver
4. Run: python pc.py

Linux

1. Install dependencies: sudo apt-get install python3-dev libudev-dev
2. Install packages: pip install python-uinput
3. Load uinput: sudo modprobe uinput
4. Run: sudo python pc.py

Project Status

TO-DO

• Add ability to save multiple server configurations
• Add multiple device connections for local multiplayer
• Re-add keyboard/touchscreen support like CTurt's 3ds Controller had.

License

This project is protected by the PolyForm Noncommercial License