What Citra is and why you'd connect a mic

Citra is a Nintendo 3DS emulator — software that lets you play 3DS games on your computer. Most 3DS games don't use a microphone, but a few do: games like Brain Age, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, and some rhythm games have features that listen for your voice or sounds. If you want those features to work while playing through Citra, you need to tell the emulator which microphone on your computer to use.

The process is straightforward: you pick an input device in Citra's settings, test it to make sure it's working, and then launch your game. Citra supports any microphone your computer already recognizes — a built-in laptop mic, a USB headset, or a standalone microphone plugged into your audio jack.

Key Takeaways

  • Citra's microphone feature only works in games that actually use it, and many 3DS games do not.
  • Your computer must already detect your microphone in Windows, macOS, or Linux settings before Citra can use it.
  • You enable microphone input in Citra through the Controls menu, not through a separate audio settings panel.
  • Testing your mic inside Citra before launching a game will show you whether the emulator is receiving sound correctly.

Check that your microphone works on your computer first

Before you open Citra, verify that your computer recognizes your microphone. This step saves time because if the mic doesn't work here, it won't work in Citra either.

On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in your system tray (bottom right corner), select "Open Sound settings," then scroll down and click "Volume and device preferences." Under "Input," you should see your microphone listed. Click the microphone name and speak — you should see the input level bar move. On macOS, open System Preferences, go to Sound, click the Input tab, and select your microphone from the list. Speak and watch the input level meter respond. On Linux, the process varies by desktop environment, but you can test through PulseAudio Volume Control or ALSA Mixer.

Open Citra and navigate to the Controls settings

Launch Citra and open the main menu. Look for "Emulation" at the top, then click "Configure" (or look for a settings icon, depending on your Citra version). A window will open with several tabs on the left side.

Click the "Controls" tab. You'll see options for mapping buttons and inputs. Scroll down until you find a section labeled "Microphone" or "Mic Input." This is where you tell Citra which microphone to listen to. The exact wording and location can shift slightly between Citra versions, but it's always in Controls.

Select your microphone from the dropdown menu

In the Microphone section, you'll see a dropdown menu (a box with a downward arrow). Click it to see all the audio input devices your computer recognizes. Your microphone should appear in this list — it might be labeled "Microphone," "Built-in Microphone," "USB Audio Device," or the brand name of your headset.

Select the microphone you want to use. If you have multiple input devices and you're not sure which one is your mic, you can test each one. After you select one, click "OK" or "explore" to save the setting. Citra will remember this choice the next time you open it.

Test the microphone inside Citra

Some versions of Citra include a microphone test button right in the Controls settings. Look for a "Test Microphone" button near the dropdown menu. Click it and speak into your mic — you should see a visual indicator (often a bar or waveform) respond to your voice. If nothing happens, go back and check that you selected the correct device in the dropdown.

If your Citra version doesn't have a test button, you can skip this step and launch a game that uses the microphone instead. Games like Brain Age will give you when ready feedback if the mic is working — the game will respond to your voice or sounds.

Launch a game and test the microphone feature

Open a 3DS game that uses microphone input. Brain Age, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team DX, and certain rhythm games all have mic features. Start the game and navigate to the feature that requires voice input — usually a menu option or a specific game mode.

Speak or make a sound into your microphone. The game should respond: it might record your voice, detect that you made a sound, or register a command. If nothing happens, go back to Citra's Controls settings and double-check that the correct microphone is selected. If you recently plugged in a new mic, restart Citra to make sure it detects the new device.

Troubleshooting if the microphone isn't working

If you've selected a microphone in Citra but the game still doesn't respond, start by checking your computer's sound settings again. Make sure the microphone is not muted and that its volume level is not set to zero. Some computers have a physical mute switch on the microphone itself — check that it's not engaged.

Next, try selecting a different input device from Citra's dropdown menu, even if you're sure you picked the right one. Sometimes the device list includes duplicate entries or devices that are no longer connected. If you're using a USB microphone, try unplugging it and plugging it back in, then restarting Citra. If you're using a built-in microphone and it still doesn't work, check whether your operating system has privacy settings that block microphone access — on Windows and macOS, apps sometimes need explicit permission to use the mic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all 3DS games use the microphone?

No. Most 3DS games don't use a microphone at all. Only specific games have features that listen for voice or sound input. If a game doesn't have a microphone feature, Citra's mic setting won't affect it. Check the game's manual or online documentation to see whether it supports microphone input.

Can I use a wireless microphone with Citra?

Yes, as long as your computer recognizes it. Wireless mics that connect via USB or Bluetooth will appear in your computer's audio input list, and Citra can use them the same way it uses wired mics. Make sure the wireless mic is powered on and paired with your computer before you launch Citra.

Why does Citra show my microphone in the dropdown but the game doesn't hear me?

The most common cause is that your microphone is muted or set to very low volume in your computer's sound settings. Check Windows Sound settings or macOS Sound preferences and make sure the microphone is unmuted and the input level is not at zero. You can also try restarting Citra after adjusting these settings.

What if my microphone doesn't appear in Citra's dropdown at all?

Your computer isn't recognizing the microphone. Plug it in again, restart your computer, and check your operating system's sound settings to confirm it appears there. If it doesn't show up in your computer's settings, Citra won't see it either. You may need to install drivers for the microphone or troubleshoot the hardware connection.

Can I use a headset microphone instead of a standalone mic?

Yes. Any microphone your computer recognizes can be used with Citra, including the mic built into a gaming headset or a USB headset. Select it from the dropdown menu in Citra's Controls settings the same way you would a standalone microphone.