To stream 3DS gameplay to your PC, you’ll need to use some form of emulator or capture card. Here are the methods you can use:
1. Using a Capture Card (Hardware Method)
A capture card is the most reliable method for streaming 3DS gameplay to your PC. It involves using a physical device to capture the video and audio output from the 3DS and send it to your PC.
Steps:
1. Purchase a 3DS Capture Card:
– You will need to buy a custom 3DS with a built-in capture card. These are often sold by third-party vendors (such as 3dscapture.com). Note that you can’t add a capture card to a standard 3DS yourself unless you have advanced technical skills.
2. Connect the Capture Card to Your PC:
– After purchasing the 3DS with the capture card, connect the provided cables (USB or HDMI) from the 3DS to your PC.
3. Install the Necessary Software:
– Most 3DS capture cards come with software to stream or capture the gameplay. Make sure to install any drivers or applications provided by the manufacturer.
4. Use Streaming Software:
– Open the capture software on your PC, or use third-party software like OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) to capture the video feed from the 3DS.
– Set OBS or any other streaming software to capture the window or the device connected to your PC.
5. Start Streaming:
– Once everything is connected and set up, you can start streaming to platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or simply record the gameplay on your PC.
2. Using an Emulator (Software Method)
If you’re looking to stream 3DS games without a physical capture card, you can use an emulator like Citra. Keep in mind that this method doesn’t use your actual 3DS hardware, but instead allows you to play 3DS games on your PC through software emulation.
Steps:
1. Install the Citra Emulator:
– Go to the Citra official website (https://citra-emu.org/) and download the emulator for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
2. Obtain 3DS Game Files:
– You’ll need the ROMs of 3DS games you want to stream. Note that downloading ROMs for games you do not own is illegal, so make sure to dump your own 3DS games.
3. Configure Citra Emulator:
– Set up the emulator by following the on-screen instructions. Citra allows you to configure various settings to optimize the performance and resolution for your system.
4. Set Up Streaming Software:
– You can use OBS, XSplit, or any other streaming software to stream your Citra gameplay.
– In OBS, select Citra as a source, either through window capture or game capture mode.
5. Stream Your Gameplay:
– Once everything is set up, you can start streaming your gameplay to platforms like Twitch or YouTube.
Considerations:
– Legal Issues: While using Citra is legal, you must ensure that you are using ROMs from games you legally own. Streaming and distributing ROMs for games you do not own is illegal in many regions.
– Performance: Emulating 3DS games on a PC can be resource-intensive. Make sure your PC meets the minimum system requirements for running the emulator smoothly.
Conclusion
Using a capture card is the most straightforward method for streaming 3DS gameplay to a PC if you want to use your actual 3DS console. However, using an emulator like Citra is an alternative if you prefer playing games directly from your PC. Both methods require different setups, and the choice depends on whether you want to stream from physical hardware or emulated software.
