Kasumi mod lets you play PC games on Nintendo 3DS via GeForce Now
A new way to experience modern gaming on legacy hardware has emerged: Kasumi, an unofficial open-source NVIDIA GeForce Now client, has appeared on GitHub. Designed for Nintendo 3DS, 3DS XL, and 2DS XL consoles, this mod allows users to stream AAA PC titles on the dual-screen handheld via the cloud.
Functionality and RTX Support
The core mechanism of Kasumi relies on the console acting as a video decoder and input handler, while the heavy lifting is performed by NVIDIA's servers. This setup allows access to the full suite of RTX technologies, including DLSS, frame generation, and Reflex, provided that third-party libraries like Steam, Epic Games Store, or Ubisoft Connect are linked to the GeForce Now account.
However, the hardware's limitations dictate the visual experience. The video stream is capped at 960×540, which is downscaled to the 3DS's 400×240 display. To maintain stability, the developer has intentionally limited the frame rate to 30 fps and the bitrate to approximately 1 Mbps. This is a practical necessity: the 3DS is built for 30 fps video, and its 2.4GHz Wi-Fi adapter tends to experience packet loss at bitrates exceeding 1.2 Mbps.
Controls and Connectivity
To make the experience playable, Kasumi includes several tailored features:
- Customizable Input: Users can configure per-game button mapping and utilize the gyro for aiming.
- Touchscreen Integration: The bottom screen provides virtual L3 and R3 buttons for games requiring stick clicks.
- Latency Management: To mitigate measured server latencies of 60–80 ms, the mod implements a 1–2 frame buffer to smooth out playback.
Notably, the mod supports the free tier of GeForce Now, including the waiting queue and the one-hour session limit. The console even uses notification lights to alert the user when their turn in the queue arrives. As this is an unofficial homebrew application still in active development, users should expect some rough edges, and games requiring exclusive mouse and keyboard input may remain unplayable.