emulator: Panda3DS
type: standalone + libretro
core_classification: official_port
core_name: panda3ds_libretro
source: "https://github.com/panda3ds-emu/panda3ds"
upstream: "https://github.com/panda3ds-emu/panda3ds"
profiled_date: "2026-03-24"
core_version: "Git"
display_name: "Nintendo - 3DS (Panda3DS)"
cores: [panda3ds]
systems: [nintendo-3ds]

notes: |
  HLE 3DS emulator. Most games run without system files.
  Encrypted ROMs need AES keys in sysdata/aes_keys.txt, and seed-encrypted
  titles (9.6+) also need sysdata/seeddb.bin.
  DSP firmware is loaded from the game itself (HLE/LLE/Null modes via core
  option panda3ds_dsp_emulation). System archives (shared font, bad word
  list, country list, mii data) are compiled into the binary via cmrc.
  The libretro core uses the save directory, not RetroArch's system
  directory. Files go under <save_dir>/Emulator Files/sysdata/.
  The .info declares firmware_count=0. is_experimental = true.

files:
  - name: "aes_keys.txt"
    path: "Emulator Files/sysdata/aes_keys.txt"
    load_from: save_dir
    description: "AES encryption keys for decrypting encrypted ROMs"
    required: false
    source_ref: "src/emulator.cpp:229,237-238, src/core/crypto/aes_engine.cpp:13-92"
    note: |
      Loaded at ROM load time from appDataRoot/sysdata/aes_keys.txt.
      In libretro mode, appDataRoot = <save_dir>/Emulator Files/.
      Contains key slot entries (generator, keyX, keyY, normalKey).
      Only needed for encrypted .3ds/.cci/.cxi/.app files.
      Decrypted dumps work without this file.

  - name: "seeddb.bin"
    path: "Emulator Files/sysdata/seeddb.bin"
    load_from: save_dir
    description: "Seed database for seed-encrypted games"
    required: false
    source_ref: "src/emulator.cpp:230,241-242, src/core/loader/ncch.cpp:78-93"
    note: |
      Used for titles with seed encryption (firmware 9.6+).
      Placed alongside aes_keys.txt in the sysdata directory.
      Without it, seed-encrypted titles fail to load with a warning.