emulator: Panda3DS
type: libretro
core_name: panda3ds_libretro
source: "https://github.com/panda3ds-emu/panda3ds"
profiled_date: "2026-03-18"
core_version: "Git"
display_name: "Nintendo - 3DS (Panda3DS)"
systems: [nintendo-3ds]

notes: |
  Panda3DS is an HLE 3DS emulator. Most games run without any 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 (not from disk), with HLE/LLE/Null
  modes selectable via core option panda3ds_dsp_emulation.
  System archives (shared font, bad word list, country list, mii data) are
  compiled into the binary from citra_system_archives headers.
  The libretro core does NOT use RetroArch's system directory. It stores data
  under the save directory in "Emulator Files/sysdata/".
  The .info file declares no firmware entries, so RetroArch will not check
  for any system files.
  Experimental core: is_experimental = true in the .info file.

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

  - name: "seeddb.bin"
    path: "Emulator Files/sysdata/seeddb.bin"
    description: "Seed database for seed-encrypted games"
    required: false
    source_ref: "src/emulator.cpp:230,241-242, src/core/loader/ncch.cpp:77-93"
    notes: |
      Required for titles using seed encryption (firmware 9.6+).
      Must be placed alongside aes_keys.txt in the sysdata directory.
      Without it, seed-encrypted titles will fail to load with a warning.