Everything About Folium 3DS Emulator: Coming Soon To iOS?

Apple’s recent decision to allow emulators on iOS has ushered in a new era of emulation, allowing millions of users to revisit their favorite childhood games. While the Delta emulator supports a wide array of consoles, including Gameboy, NES, and SNES, it lacks compatibility with one very popular console: the Nintendo 3DS. This console holds a special place in the hearts of many teenagers today, featuring beloved titles such as The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Run 3D. To address this gap, the Folium 3DS emulator is set to make its debut on the iOS App Store, with beta testing already underway. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

What is the Folium 3DS Emulator?

As stated in our list of emulators coming soon to iOS, Folium stands out by supporting some of the most sought-after consoles, including the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS, with ongoing development for PS1, PS2, and Sega Genesis compatibility.

X user SnowLatch recently showcased the Folium 3DS emulator in action, demonstrating its ability to run games like Mario Kart 7. While the prospect of playing such titles is definately enticing, there are limitations to consider, particularly with newer games. For example, to experience these games at their full resolution and frame rate, users may require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer model due to the sheer amount of computing required. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Folium emulator may be a paid application, priced at approximately $4.99.

Footage of upcoming Nintendo 3DS emulator "Folium" running on iPhone 15 Pro. It should release soon.

You'll only be able to run 3DS games at full speed on iPhone 15 Pro or newer, older models won't be able to get achieve full speed.

pic.twitter.com/rf7NmbH1tc
— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) April 29, 2024

Moreover, while an exact release date remains uncertain, the Folium 3DS emulator could become available on the App Store as early as this month.

Nintendo is a threat!

At this point, it’s no secret that Nintendo poses a significant challenge to emulator developers on iOS, given its track record of filing lawsuits against such platforms. But you might wonder, are emulators inherently illegal? The answer is no. While emulators themselves are legal, the distribution of illegally downloaded ROMs from the internet is not. Considering Nintendo’s recent legal action, including a $2.4 million lawsuit against Yuzu, there’s a possibility that the company may take a similar stance when Folium eventually launches on iOS.