Azahar on Retroid Pocket Duo: setup and settings
Open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator based on Citra.
- Systems
- Nintendo 3DS
- Stable release
- 2126.2Oct 8, 2026
- Newest checked release
- Preview · 2127.0-alpha4Nov 1, 2026
- Two-screen support
- Not confirmed
- Duo support
- Not confirmed yetAndroid builds are available.
On this page
Release notes
Alpha 4 adds Android per-game settings, ADPF CPU-work hints and latency changes, plus revised disable-right-eye heuristics. It is still a preview, and its performance example was not run on a Duo.
Recent reports
Individual reports; versions and hardware may differ.
Pretendo documents online setup for official Azahar builds using a homebrewed 3DS/2DS, Artic Setup Tool and Nimbus. Required online LLE modules disable save states. The guide uses desktop menus; this is documented setup, not a completed Android or Duo test.
Source ↗A Retro Game Corps review slide lists Duo battery life at 50% brightness and volume: Shadow of the Colossus in NetherSX2 Classic at 2x, 3 hours 2 minutes; Pokemon Ultra Sun in Azahar at 3x, 3 hours 42 minutes; TimeSplitters 2 plus YouTube in Dolphin at 2x, 5 hours 33 minutes; Phantom Hourglass in WatermelonDS at 4x, 6 hours 40 minutes; Golden Sun in RetroArch with Simpletex and run ahead, 16 hours 40 minutes. An owner says the 3DS test used fast forward and estimates 4 to 5 hours in normal play.
Alpha 4 adds Android per-game settings, ADPF CPU-work hints and latency changes, plus revised disable-right-eye heuristics. It is still a preview, and its performance example was not run on a Duo.
Source ↗From Duo reviews
Reported settings and results. A tested build may differ from the latest release.
Retro Game Corps settles on 2× resolution in Azahar to reduce stutter and avoid repeatedly changing global settings. Higher resolutions work for some games but leave less headroom.
- resolution scale
- 2×
- graphics driver
- custom Turnip; exact tested build not stated
More detail
- Azahar had no per-game settings when the video was made; newer builds may differ.
TechDweeb describes 2× resolution as the practical sweet spot in Azahar and says 3× looks better but is less consistent.
- resolution scale
- 2×
One host describes several app and screen-focus glitches on a review unit, including Azahar failing to load, and says a factory reset mostly restored normal behavior.
More detail
- The host guesses their DroidDeck setup caused it.
OJAYSAN names WatermelonDS for DS and Azahar for 3DS in their initial setup. No build numbers or detailed performance results are given.
Cloud Gaming France selects Vulkan, sets Azahar to 3× resolution, enables the second screen, and installs Turnip Duo 5.1 through driver management.
- renderer
- Vulkan
- resolution scale
- 3×
- second screen
- On
- graphics driver
- Turnip Duo 5.1
More detail
- The exact Azahar version is not given.
In a short Super Mario 3D Land test, Cloud Gaming France reports a solid 60 fps at 3× and also tries 4× successfully in the shown area.
- resolution scale
- 3×, then 4×
- renderer
- Vulkan
- graphics driver
- Turnip Duo 5.1
More detail
- Only one area was shown, in a brief first look.
Show 12 more from reviews
Retro Game Corps demonstrates an Azahar 3DS profile using Vulkan, asynchronous shaders and 3× resolution, with the “Disable right eye rendering” and “Hardware shaders” options switched off as the baseline. The reviewer says some games need hardware shaders enabled manually; Azahar had no per-game shader setting when the video was made.
- renderer
- Vulkan
- asynchronous shaders
- On
- resolution scale
- 3×
- disable right eye rendering
- Off
- hardware shaders
- Off
More detail
- The narrator calls the driver Turnip 2; the exact package and Azahar build are unknown. The description links Turnip Duo 5.1, which may not be the version used.
The reviewer shows Mario Kart 7 running in the video’s 3× Azahar profile and does not call out a problem in this short clip.
- resolution scale
- 3×
- hardware shaders
- Off
More detail
- The emulator and driver builds are unknown.
The reviewer describes Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS as a heavier title and shows it in the 3× Azahar profile, with no build or frame rate given.
- resolution scale
- 3×
- hardware shaders
- Off
More detail
- Only a short clip was shown.
For Super Mario 3D Land, the reviewer recommends enabling hardware shaders in the 3× profile to gain fast-forward headroom; the base profile without them is described as near full speed but with little headroom.
- resolution scale
- 3×
- hardware shaders
- On
- reported fast forward
- about 250%
More detail
- The Azahar and driver builds are unknown.
The reviewer reports that enabling hardware shaders makes Pokémon appear as outlines in Pokémon Ultra Sun; disabling the option avoids that visual issue but reduces fast-forward headroom.
- resolution scale
- 3×
- hardware shaders
- Off
- reported fast forward
- about 150–200%
More detail
- The Azahar and driver versions are unknown.
The reviewer reports Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D at about 75% speed with hardware shaders off, then near full speed with the option on; fast-forward reaches roughly 250% in the demonstrated section.
- resolution scale
- 3×
- hardware shaders
- On
- reported fast forward
- about 250%
More detail
- The video says settings must be changed by hand because this Azahar build has no per-game hardware-shader setting. The exact software builds are unknown.
Pilotwings Resort and Kirby: Planet Robobot run close to full speed in Azahar, with occasional hiccups while shaders compile. The MrPurple and Turnip Duo drivers give similar performance, and the only change needed was a single large top-screen layout.
- source
- Azahar GitHub
Metroid: Samus Returns at 4× in Azahar held around 30 to 31 fps on the stock Qualcomm driver, against 27 to 28 fps with Mr. Purple's T30.
- internal resolution
- 4×
- renderer
- Vulkan
Super Mario 3D Land at 3× dropped regularly from 60 to around 45 fps on the stock driver. Mr. Purple's T30 made the dips less frequent without removing them.
- internal resolution
- 3×
- renderer
- Vulkan
Mario Kart 7 held a consistent 60 fps at 3× in Azahar.
- internal resolution
- 3×
- renderer
- Vulkan
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D looks and performs well at 4× in Azahar, and dash names it a standout recommendation.
- internal resolution
- 4×
- renderer
- Vulkan
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and Luigi's Mansion 2 are demanding enough that dash suggests lowering resolution, perhaps to 2×. Occasional shader compilation stutter remains.
Version and support notes
The newest release is an alpha, so check the release page if you want a stable build.
Sources
- github.com · source 1
- azahar-emu.org · source 2
- github.com · source 3
- github.com · source 4
- Azahar stable release
- github.com · source 6
Game notes using this tool
3DSMario Kart 7Regular Duo reviews and an earlier Duo Lite test give different results, so check the hardware, emulator and driver on each short clip below.Pocket Duo and Duo Lite
3DSSuper Mario 3D LandReviewers report smooth play around 3×, and a written review saw drops to around 45 fps on the stock driver. 4× worked in the areas shown but could stutter in one video.Pocket Duo
3DSPokémon Ultra SunThe regular Duo test reports a hardware-shader tradeoff at 3×: leaving it off avoids outlined Pokémon but limits fast-forward. An earlier Duo Lite test on a GammaOS beta used 2× for more headroom.Pocket Duo and Duo Lite
3DSDonkey Kong Country Returns 3DA regular Duo test reports near-full-speed play at 3× after enabling hardware shaders. An earlier Duo Lite test on a GammaOS beta reports acceptable gameplay at 2×, with slower menus or scenes. Both cover a short stretch of play.Pocket Duo and Duo Lite
3DSSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DSAn earlier Duo Lite test reports unstable performance, with only occasional bursts of 60 fps. A later regular Duo video shows a short 3× Azahar clip without a frame rate. Emulator and driver builds are unknown in both.Pocket Duo and Duo Lite
3DSMetroid: Samus ReturnsAt 4× in Azahar, one Duo review held around 30 to 31 fps on the stock Qualcomm driver and 27 to 28 fps with Mr. Purple’s T30, so the stock driver did slightly better here.Pocket Duo
3DSThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DOne Duo review found it looks and performs well at 4× in Azahar and named it a standout game to try on the Duo.Pocket Duo
Card screenshots come from Libretro, not from a Duo.
Other games Azahar could help run
These notes cover the same system but don't say they used Azahar, so results may differ.
Monster Hunter 4GOne reviewer found the game stuttered at 4× after reusing another game’s profile, then improved at 3×. The emulator and driver are not named.Pocket Duo
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s MinionsOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, the game hard-locked after leaving fast-forward. The reviewer says the issue is still being worked on.Pocket Duo Lite
Senran Kagura 2: Deep CrimsonOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, 2× shows some flickering. Controls then appear stuck after a Circle Pad Pro option is changed, and the reviewer is unsure whether the emulator crashed.Pocket Duo Lite
Shin Megami Tensei IVOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, the reviewer reports good speed at 2× with fast-forward headroom, though much of the short stretch shown is opening dialogue rather than combat.Pocket Duo Lite
Nano Assault EXOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, the reviewer reports 60 fps at the default 2×, with a brief rendering disturbance that clears. Only early gameplay was shown.Pocket Duo Lite
Kid Icarus: UprisingOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, the reviewer calls it playable but reports slowdown later in the sequence. A stand helps with the original touch controls; no control mod is installed.Pocket Duo Lite
Fire Emblem Fates: BirthrightOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta at 2×, repeated black flickering is distracting enough that the reviewer questions the experience, and fast-forward headroom does not fix it.Pocket Duo Lite
Project X ZoneOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, the one short battle shown runs well, without the flickering seen in the earlier Fire Emblem test.Pocket Duo Lite
Show 14 more
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon LegacyOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, the reviewer reports slowdowns in the flight footage and suggests trying 1×, which is not tested.Pocket Duo Lite
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow WarsOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, the footage shows persistent rendering corruption even though the reviewer says speed looks fine, and they question whether it is playable.Pocket Duo Lite
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of FateOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta at a confirmed 1×, the reviewer describes the opening as only partly playable and still demanding.Pocket Duo Lite
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic GamesOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta at 2×, the reviewer plays brief running and judo events. No frame rate or overall verdict is given.Pocket Duo Lite
Tetris UltimateOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, the reviewer plays a short session and praises the D-pad for repeated inputs. No frame rate or latency figures are given.Pocket Duo Lite
Story of Seasons: Trio of TownsOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, the reviewer reports good speed but sees the lower-screen interface disappear around fast-forward changes, then return. The cause is unclear.Pocket Duo Lite
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of ValentiaOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, a very brief test shows flickering similar to the earlier Fire Emblem test. It is too short to judge the whole game.Pocket Duo Lite
Dead or Alive: DimensionsOn a Duo Lite running the GammaOS Nano 1.5 beta, the reviewer plays several short fights and reports a good result. The resolution is not stated.Pocket Duo Lite
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3DResident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D remains a poor experience in this Lite test from before GammaOS. The reviewer first misnames the driver and corrects it, tries an unnamed Turnip build, then selects the system driver; the final test still struggles. The Azahar variant, build and resolution are unknown.Pocket Duo Lite
Resident Evil: Revelations (3DS)Resident Evil: Revelations hard-crashes during this earlier Lite 3DS stream. The reviewer also says its fps counter is not working, so no reliable frame rate is available.Pocket Duo Lite
Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s TreasureRhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure runs at a reported roughly 25 fps on Lite with the system GPU driver. The reviewer cannot play the rhythm section reliably because timing is off; no working setup is shown.Pocket Duo Lite
Pokémon XPokémon X gets a positive verdict in a short test on Lite’s GammaOS preview, with shader-compilation stutter and occasional graphical issues reported. The Azahar Nano menu shows 2× with dynamic resolution On, so it was not a fixed 2× throughout.Pocket Duo Lite
Fire Emblem AwakeningFire Emblem Awakening’s opening and tutorial battle get a positive verdict on Lite’s GammaOS preview, with some dips. The reviewer had already run the game once to compile shaders, so a first launch may run worse.Pocket Duo Lite
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark MoonLuigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon remains a poor result in the Lite GammaOS preview. The reviewer lowers resolution to Native (1×) and disables dynamic resolution, then reports little improvement, and it is still not playable.Pocket Duo Lite
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Reviews covering this tool
The new Dual Screen to get: Retroid Pocket DuoWULFF DEN · Review
BIG Driver Updates for the Retroid Pocket DuoRetro Game Corps · Setup tip
The Dual-Screen Handheld We’ve Been Waiting For?OJAYSAN · First impressions
Retroid Pocket Duo : premières impressions après déballageCloud Gaming France · First impressions
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Retroid Pocket DUO Review: Mid-game (+ Odin 3 Portal thoughts)Retro Handhelds · Review discussion
Retroid Pocket Duo In-Depth ReviewRetro Game Corps · Review
The Duo We Wanted // RETROID POCKET DUO REVIEWTechDweeb · Review
Hands on With The Retroid Pocket Duo; A Little More Magic This TimeGardiner Bryant · Review