Netstick 3DS

Netstick
General
Author	moslevin
Type	PC Utilities
Version	5
License	Mixed
Last Updated	2021/05/05
Links
Download
Website
Source

Netstick for 3DS is a client for Linux that allows you to connect the 3DS portable console to the PC via WiFi, which can be used as a normal game controller.

Through the client it is possible to control any Linux-based device (as well as a Raspberry Pi with Retropie) using the 3DS portable console.

Features

• Supports D-Pad, Circle Pad, C-Stick (N3DS), and all buttons, which are correctly mapped.
• Accelerometer (X/Y/Z).
• Gyroscope (X/Y/Z).
• Touchscreen.

User guide

Preparation

On the Linux host:

• Build netstickd for your supported linux device and run it (see instructions).
• Take note of the device's IP address and port.

On the 3DS console:

• Prerequisite: Netstick requires Homebrew Launcher to be installed on your 3DS; for more information, refer to 3DS Hacks Guide.
• On your host PC, edit the included config.txt, and set the server and port lines to the IP address/port of the Linux device running netstickd.
• Create a folder named /3ds/netstick-3ds on your 3DS, and copy netstick-3ds.3dsx, netstick-3ds.smdh, and your modified config.txt into it.

Running

• Launch Netstick from the Homebrew Launcher, similar to any other homebrew app.
• You should then see the 3DS indicate success connecting to the Linux host, and events routed to a device named "Nintendo 3DS" appear under /dev/input.
• Use evtest on Linux to verify that the events are processed successfully.

Configuration

The configuration file format is very simple, and consists of lines in key:value format. The supported options are described below:

• server - The IP address of the server on the local network.
• port - The port of the server on the local network.
• invert_cstick_x - Invert the values reported natively by the 3DS on the C-stick's X axis (ignored on Old 3DS).
• invert_cstick_y - Invert the values reported natively by the 3DS on the C-stick's Y axis (ignored on Old 3DS).
• invert_circle_pad_x - Invert the values reported natively by the 3DS on the Circle Pad's X axis.
• invert_circle_pad_y - Invert the values reported natively by the 3DS on the Circle Pad's Y axis.
• use_touch - Enable the touchscreen device when set to "true".
• use_accel - Enable the accelerometer when set to "true".
• use_gyro - Enable the gyroscope when set to "true".
• send_touch_event - Send a linux "touch" event (in addition to the X/Y coordinates) when the touchscreen is active.
• touch_offset - Shrink the touchscreen's surface by a number of pixels on each side, making it easier to reach its limits.
• swap_ab - Swap the a and b buttons in the joystick report (allows correct button mapping when using a 3DS as a controller for steam, etc).
• swap_xy - Swap the x and y buttons in the joystick report (allows correct button mapping when using a 3DS as a controller for steam, etc).
• use_steering_controls - Send a virtual steering-wheel axis in the gamepad report, derived from the X/Z accelerometer values.

Compatibility

Tested by the suthor on New 3DS with a Raspberry Pi 4 running netstickd.

Changelog

V5

• Added swap_ab and swap_xy config options to allow mapping of button names to other controllers (XBOX, Dreamcast, etc).
• Overhauled the codebase + documented source for easier maintainability going forward.

V4

• Support "touch offset" config option, allow a user to reduce the touchscreen's active area in order to make it easier to activate the corners.
• Wait 2s after every network error.

V3

• Adding Gyro support and Many Configuration Options.
• This release features support for the Gyro.
• Adding configuration options to support:
  • Invert C-stick X/Y.
  • Invert Circle-pad X/Y.
  • Selectively enable the accel/gyro/touch devices.
  • Disable sending key events when touch-down/touch-up occurs on the touchscreen.

V2

• Improvements and new features, including:
  • Accelerometer support (creates a separate input device on the Linux host).
  • Touchscreen support (creates a separate input device on the Linux host).
  • Update the polling rate of the gamepad to 180Hz, reducing latency by ~5ms.
  • Socket send() calls are non-blocking.

V1

• First release. Tested on New 3DS with a Raspberry Pi 4 running netstickd.

External links

• GitHub - https://github.com/moslevin/netstick-3ds
• Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/3dshacks/comments/mv5k1c/netstick3ds_updates_adding_touch_and
• Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/3dshacks/comments/mnvk3l/turn_your_3ds_into_a_wifienabled_gamepad_for_your