Multiplayer

Citra Emulator includes a powerful multiplayer system that allows you to play Nintendo 3DS games online with friends. Instead of being limited to local wireless on a real 3DS, Citra sends the game’s wireless communication through the internet using a custom server–client system.

And the best part about the Citra multiplayer is that, unlike other traditional emulator netplay, you don’t have to worry about Desyncs, Save syncing, Matching game states, and lag caused by shared emulation.

Each player runs their own emulated 3DS, and Citra handles the communication between all connected players through a multiplayer room.

How Citra Multiplayer Works

Citra uses a room-based system:

  1. You join a multiplayer room.
  2. Your Citra connects to the host.
  3. Your game shares its wireless data.
  4. Citra forwards that data to other players in the room.

This makes multiplayer smooth, simple, and more stable than classic emulator netplay.

Hosting Rooms in Citra

1. Join a Public Room (Recommended)

If you only want to play with friends, you don’t need to create a room.Just open Multiplayer → Public Room Browser and join a room from the list.

(Note: Public rooms were discontinued after April 2024, depending on Citra versions.

2. Create a Temporary Room (Easy Method)

You can also quickly host your own room directly in Citra:

Go to: Multiplayer → Host Room

  • The room shuts down automatically when you close Citra
  • You must enable port forwarding if players are not on the same Wi-Fi network

This method is great for private sessions with friends.

3. Host a Dedicated Room (Advanced Method)

If you want a permanent room that runs 24/7, here’s what you must know:

  • Rooms act as servers so your computer must stay online
  • A stable high-speed internet connection is required
  • Public rooms can transfer over 1 TB of data per month
  • Home PCs aren’t ideal due to constant uptime and bandwidth needs

Best solution: Use a VPS server from providers like:

These servers stay online 24×7 and provide cleaner connections for large multiplayer rooms.

Port Forwarding (Important for Hosting)

Most home routers use a single public IP for every device on your network. As a result, outside users cannot access your server unless you manually open the required ports.

To host a Citra room, you need to:

  • Log in to your router
  • Locate the Port Forwarding section
  • Open the specific ports Citra requires
  • Bind them to the device running Citra

Every router is different, so check your router’s manual or website for instructions.

Port Forwarding on VPS Servers

VPS servers also block ports by default for security (called Security Groups or Firewall Rules).

To make multiplayer work:

  • Open your VPS dashboard
  • Enable the ports you want to use
  • Apply the rule
  • Restart the server if needed

Once the ports are open, your Citra multiplayer room will work for everyone who connects.

Conclusion

Citra’s multiplayer system makes it easy to play Nintendo 3DS games online with friends. Whether you join a public room, host your own temporary room, or run a full dedicated server, the setup is flexible and beginner-friendly. Advanced users can fully customize their multiplayer environment with VPS hosting and port forwarding for the best possible experience.