Report: 3dSen Profiles 3dSen profiles are the "architectural blueprints" that allow the 3dSen emulator to transform flat 2D NES ROMs into interactive 3D voxel dioramas. Unlike standard emulation, which simply replicates the original hardware, 3dSen requires these handcrafted profiles to manually re-group and extrude game tiles into three-dimensional environments. Official vs. Community Profiles
Official Profiles: Included with the base emulator, these are developed by the creator, geod, and serve as high-quality benchmarks. Titles like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid have polished, built-in profiles.
Community Profiles: Users can create and share their own profiles using the free 3dSen Maker tool. There is a dedicated Community Profile Repository on itch.io where fans upload completed profiles for games not yet officially supported. Profile Ecosystem Statistics 3dSen PC on Steam
In the context of the 3dSen emulator (available for PC and VR), profiles are custom data files that define how a classic 2D NES game is converted into a 3D voxel diorama. Unlike standard emulators that just run a ROM, 3dSen requires these profiles to tell it how to "pop" specific 2D sprites and backgrounds into 3D shapes in real time. Core Functionality
Voxelization: Profiles segment 2D tiled images from the NES ROM into shapes, voxelize them, and position them in 3D space.
Parameter Control: They contain hard-coded parameters for a specific ROM, such as the thickness of objects (e.g., car wheels vs. helicopter blades) and specialized effects like real-time shadows or animated skyboxes.
File Format: Profiles are saved as .3dn files. For the emulator to load them automatically, the .3dn file must have the exact same name as the corresponding .nes ROM file and be placed in the /3dn subfolder. Library and Availability 3dsen profiles
, a "profile" is a specialized data file (with a extension) that contains the instructions for the emulator to transform a specific 2D NES ROM into a 3D environment. Required Components for a 3dSen Profile
A complete and "proper" profile package—especially when sharing in communities like the 3dSen Maker itch.io forum —typically includes the following content:
: This is the core profile containing the voxelized 3D shapes, positions, and parameters for the game's graphics. Naming Convention : The profile file have the exact same name as your ROM (e.g., SuperMarioBros.nes paired with SuperMarioBros.3dn ) for the emulator to pair them automatically. Lua Scripts
: Advanced profiles use Lua scripts to customize shape parameters, create special effects, or handle complex layering that basic voxelization cannot solve. Profile Image (Screenshot)
: In the 3dSen UI, a screenshot is used as the profile's visual thumbnail. You can set this by hitting the
button during gameplay and right-clicking the resulting image. Custom Skyboxes (Optional) Report: 3dSen Profiles 3dSen profiles are the "architectural
: Users often include specific background images or "skyboxes" to enhance the 3D diorama effect. Documentation & Gameplay Video : If you are uploading to the Profile Repository
, proper etiquette requires a description of the profile, a download link, and a short gameplay video demonstrating the 3D effects. Where to Find & Manage Profiles Built-in Profiles
: 3dSen comes with over 100 handcrafted profiles for classics like Super Mario Bros The Legend of Zelda 3dSen Maker
: This is the specialized version of the emulator used to create and edit these profiles manually. Community Repositories
: You can find fan-made profiles for homebrew games or less common titles on the 3dSen Maker itch.io forums or the 3dSen Steam Community Are you looking to create your own profile from scratch, or are you trying to fix a profile for a specific game?
For power users, the real art is profile merging. Say you love the depth mapping from User A's profile (great terrain) but prefer the lighting and camera angles from User B's profile (dramatic shadows). Advanced: Merging and Morphing Profiles For power users,
Because profiles are text-based JSON files, you can open two profiles side-by-side. Copy the "camera" object and "lighting" array from Profile B into Profile A. Warning: Do not copy the "tile_map" section, or you will corrupt the level geometry.
This "Frankenstein" method allows you to build the ultimate 3DSen experience for games like Final Fantasy or Metroid.
This is the motherlode. Within the Discord, look for channels named #profile-sharing or #community-presets. Users upload profiles daily for obscure Japanese Famicom disks and popular Western releases. Look for pinned messages containing "Master Profile List."
A typical .3dsenprofile file (JSON-based) contains:
The ultimate flex for a 3DSEN enthusiast is building a physical profile player. Since 3DSEN runs on PC, some modders have gutted old CRT televisions and mounted small OLED panels inside, running the emulator through a Raspberry Pi.
They then load a specific profile—say, Mega Man 2—and play it on a screen that looks like a window into a tiny, mechanical toybox. The scanlines of the CRT blend with the voxel edges, creating a visual texture that feels like a 3D movie from 1989.
Best for: Low-end hardware, laptops, or battery saving.