3dSen is an emulator that turns classic 8-bit NES games into fully playable 3D experiences. It isn’t a filter or a stretch effect, but real depth, movement and perspective. This video also marked 1,000 subscribers for the channel, so thank you all.
What is 3dSen?
3dSen doesn’t just upscale graphics or apply shaders. It rebuilds the original sprites and tiles as 3D objects: platforms rise up, backgrounds have depth and characters pop out of the screen. It uses game-specific profiles that map how the 2D graphics should behave in 3D, with effects such as parallax scrolling, environmental depth (pipes in front of hills), dynamic camera controls and optional tilt and rotate views.
Where to get it
3dSen is on Steam. When we recorded this, it was on a limited 30%-off sale through June 26, 2025: 3dSen PC (non-VR) went from $14.99 to $10.49, and 3dSen VR (which includes VR and PC versions) from $24.99 to $17.49. Check Steam for current prices. Both versions support Steam Cloud, controllers, save states and full-screen play, and you need to provide your own legally obtained NES ROMs.
Who made it
3dSen is the work of Tran Vu Truc, a solo indie developer working as Geod Studio. He spent nearly a decade on it, starting in 2015 as a VR experiment. 3dSen VR launched in Early Access on Steam in 2019, 3dSen PC debuted in 2020, and version 1.0 released on June 19, 2025.
Supported games and features
With game-specific profiles, 3dSen supports a growing list of fully 3D-enhanced titles, including Super Mario Bros. 1, 2 and 3, The Legend of Zelda, Castlevania, Mega Man 2, Metroid, Contra, Excitebike and Punch-Out!! You can rotate the camera mid-game, which can even help you spot secrets. Other features:
- Save and load states
- Adjustable field of view
- A built-in game browser with box art
- Controller and keyboard support
- Dynamic lighting and animation effects
- In VR: room-scale play, motion controls and head tracking
Setup and performance
- Buy and install 3dSen from Steam.
- Load your NES ROMs.
- Launch and play.
Even mid-range systems handle it smoothly, including laptops, desktops and mini-PCs like an Intel NUC, and there are quality settings for lighting, shadows and camera depth. Not every NES game is supported in 3D. Unsupported games still load, but in basic 2D mode. The supported list is in the app and on the developer’s site.
Tips
- Use a controller. Xbox, 8BitDo and PS4/PS5 controllers all work great
- Press C to switch camera views. We loved the isometric view in Zelda
- Use clean ROM file names so auto-detection works better
- For VR, play seated first, because full scale can be disorienting
Final thoughts
3dSen is one of the most innovative takes on retro gaming we’ve seen. It’s nostalgic, exciting and surprisingly immersive, and in some games the 3D view even makes it easier to spot projectiles, enemies and hidden blocks. Which NES game would you like to see in 3D next? Tell us in the comments on the video.
