Panda3DS, one of the remaining 3DS emulators for home computers, may be headed to iOS.
Over on the official Panda3DS Twitter, the development team shared a single screenshot showing the app being currently developed and run through an iOS Simulator in Xcode.
Panda3DS iOS Development
The development of the app is otherwise unknown, but the photo shared of the app in what appears to be a functional state suggests development is well underway.
iOS Emulation Scene is Scarce
On iOS, the emulation scene is drastically less populated than what is typically available on Android. Android has allowed emulators on the Google Play Store for as long as we can remember whereas Apple has only allowed them on the App Store since April 2024.
One of the most beloved emulators for mobile devices, Delta, focuses on emulating Nintendo consoles, but before it was allowed to officially exist on the App Store, users would have to rely on the developer’s Alt Store app or sideloading the app via other means.
With Panda3DS coming to iOS, it introduces a new option for users to emulate the console and rely on the power of Apple’s own A-series processors to hopefully reach acceptable compatibility levels with different 3DS titles.
For reference, but not to compare, check out the video above from Russ of Retro Game Corps to see why the M4 Mac Mini is currently regarded as one of the most powerful emulation devices on the market relative to its small size and $599 starting MSRP.
iOS Performance Speculation
The strongest iOS device available at the time of writing is the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro also features the M4 chip found in the current Mac Mini, but the iPhone and iPad Mini use either the A16 or A17 on current models.
The processors inside of these devices should allow for Metal integration for the eventual release of Panda3DS. Outside of any potential headache involved with touchscreen controls and having to deal with two screens, the emulator should run exceptionally well on any device capable of running iOS 18.
Developing for iOS is different than other platforms, mostly proprietary, and relies on dedicated development as opposed to simply “porting” code from one platform to another. Without factoring in sales, it’s the primary reason most iOS apps remain exclusive to iOS. Panda3DS coming to iOS could showcase the power of the phones many carry in their pocket every day.
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