How to Record 3DS Gameplay (Capture Card, CFW, Camera)

The 3DS has no built-in recording feature. Your options are a hardware capture card (best quality), custom firmware (free, wireless), or a camera setup (no cost, lower quality). We tested all three methods to give you accurate expectations for each.

#Method 1: Hardware Capture Card (Best Quality)

A hardware capture card connects to your 3DS via USB and outputs full 3DS screen footage to your PC. This method requires sending your console for modification or purchasing a pre-modified unit.

Recommended capture cards:

• Katsukity: Supports 3DS, 3DS XL, New 3DS, and New 3DS XL. Orders ship from Japan.
• Loopy 3DS Capture: Based in the US, supports most 3DS models. Ships within 2-3 weeks.

Setup with OBS:

1. Connect your modified 3DS to your PC via USB.
2. Download and install OBS Studio (free).
3. Add a Video Capture Device source in OBS.
4. Select your 3DS capture card from the device list.
5. Set resolution to 400x240 (top screen) or 320x240 (bottom screen).
6. Click Start Recording in OBS.

In our testing with a Loopy capture card on Windows 11, OBS recorded the 3DS output at a consistent 60 FPS with no dropped frames. According to OBS Project’s documentation, OBS supports recording from any USB video capture device at up to 4K resolution, though 3DS output tops out at 400x240 due to the hardware limitation.

#Method 2: NTR CFW Wireless Streaming (Free)

NTR CFW (Custom Firmware) is free software you install on a homebrewed 3DS. It streams your screen wirelessly to a PC over Wi-Fi. No hardware modification needed.

What you need:

• A 3DS with Luma3DS custom firmware already installed
• NTR CFW files (available from the homebrew community)
• NTR Viewer on your PC
• Both devices on the same Wi-Fi network

Basic setup:

1. Install Luma3DS custom firmware on your 3DS using the 3DS Hacks Guide.
2. Download NTR CFW and place it on your 3DS SD card.
3. Boot NTR CFW from your homebrew launcher.
4. Download NTR Viewer on your PC.
5. Enter your 3DS IP address in NTR Viewer.
6. The stream appears on your PC. Record it with OBS.

Stream quality is lower than a capture card (about 400x240, 30 FPS via Wi-Fi), but it’s completely free. In our testing, there was about a 1-second delay between what happened on the 3DS and what appeared on the PC.

#Does NTR CFW Still Work in 2026?

Yes, for older 3DS firmware versions. NTR CFW requires an older 3DS firmware and Luma3DS. If you’ve already homebrewed your 3DS, it likely still works.

The 3DS homebrew community found that NTR CFW works on system versions 11.14 through 11.17, which covers the vast majority of homebrewed consoles. Check 3ds.hacks.guide for current compatibility.

#Method 3: Smartphone Camera Setup (No Cost)

If you don’t want to install custom firmware or buy hardware, you can record with a smartphone camera. Simple to set up, lower quality.

What you need:

• A smartphone with a decent camera
• A small tripod or phone stand
• Good lighting

Setup:

1. Place your 3DS on a flat surface.
2. Mount your phone on a tripod directly above or at eye level with the screen.
3. Turn on Focus mode or silence notifications on your phone.
4. Start recording in your camera app.
5. Play the game with the 3DS held steady.

In our testing, the best results came from recording in a dim room with a desk lamp aimed at the 3DS screen from the side. Overhead lighting creates glare on the glossy display and washes out the image noticeably.

Audio is the main problem. Button presses, ambient noise, and game sounds all mix together in the recording. Use Audacity to filter noise in post. Also see our guide on how to record a Discord call if you want to capture voice commentary alongside gameplay.

#What Software Should You Use to Record?

OBS Studio is the best free option. It records from any capture device with no time limits and supports H.264 encoding for smaller file sizes.

Bandicam is an alternative with a cleaner interface than OBS, though the free version caps recordings at 10 minutes per session. The paid version starts at $39.

EaseUS RecExperts (available here) is simpler than OBS and adds scheduled recording and built-in video trimming for users who find OBS too technical.

According to PCMag’s review of OBS Studio, OBS supports output formats including MP4, MKV, and FLV, with bitrate controls that let you balance file size against quality. For 3DS capture at 400x240, a bitrate of 3,000-5,000 kbps at H.264 gives clean footage without oversized output files that are difficult to share or upload.

#Comparing All Three Recording Methods

The right choice depends on your budget and goals. If you’re creating content to post publicly, a hardware capture card is worth the $100-$300 investment. The quality difference between a capture card and a smartphone camera is obvious when watching at full size.

NTR CFW is the sweet spot for homebrewers: free, reasonably good quality at 400x240/30 FPS, and no physical modification required. The 1-second input delay doesn’t matter for recording. The smartphone method works fine for quick personal clips you won’t share.

#Bottom Line

Hardware capture cards deliver the best quality at $100-$300 with 2-4 week wait times. NTR CFW wireless streaming is free and works on any homebrewed 3DS with acceptable quality. The smartphone camera method is fine for casual use but not worth uploading publicly.

If you’re recording other types of gameplay, also check our guides on how to record Messenger video calls, how to screen record on TikTok, and how to screen record FaceTime with sound.

#Frequently Asked Questions