Ryujinx

Ryujinx is a highly capable emulator that can recreate gaming software developed for the Nintendo Switch hybrid console directly on monitors of gaming PCs.

This open-source project has managed to grow from humble beginnings in 2018 when it managed to run its first commercial game, into a fully optimized emulator that can handle even the newest gaming releases for the Nintendo Switch console.

Today, after several years on the market, Ryujinx features wide compatibility with thousands of gaming titles, of which over two and a half thousand are marked as playable.

Main features

Ryujinx is distributed online as an automated installer that can be easily deployed on any modern gaming desktop or laptop PC. It features a streamlined dashboard that can easily manage hundreds of installed game ROMs that can be transferred to a PC from any jailbroken Nintendo Switch console that supports starting of homebrew apps.

This includes both ROMs of digital games downloaded from official Nintendo servers and the gaming apps transferred directly from the physical mini cartridges.

The user interface of Ryujinx is extremely simple, enabling users to quickly add games, browse all available games, manage their profiles, and take control over all aspects of their gaming experience via the integrated Settings menu.

There they can manage their gaming inputs (with full control for both keyboard and gamepad controls), set various system features (console time and region, audio rendering, expanded DRAM management, set display aspect ratio, size, and anisotropic filtering levels), and set all the necessary game directories.

The gameplay experience using this highly capable emulator can range from perfect to unplayable. However, since this app has received numerous optimizations for the reproduction of modern popular titles, it can still be used to experience the incredible variety of Nintendo Switch titles with transformative visual and flexible game controls.

It supports both recreations of gaming titles in their original 720p visuals and maxing out rendering at 4K+ resolutions and high framerates that are impossible to get on this popular Nintendo gaming console.

How to Use

• Download & Install Ryujinx – Get the latest version from the official website or FileHorse.com and install it on your PC.
• Obtain Firmware & Keys – Dump the necessary files from your Nintendo Switch and place them in the correct Ryujinx folders.
• Configure Settings – Open Ryujinx, go to Settings, and adjust graphics, controls, and system preferences for optimal performance.
• Add Games – Place your legally obtained game files (.XCI or .NSP) into a designated folder and add them to Ryujinx’s game list.
• Set Up Controls – Configure keyboard, mouse, or controller inputs under the Input Settings menu.
• Optimize Graphics – Adjust resolution, Vsync, and other graphical settings to improve performance.
• Run a Game – Double-click on a game from the list to launch and start playing.
• Apply Updates & DLCs – Right-click a game, select "Manage Title Updates/DLCs," and install the respective files.
• Use Cheats (Optional) – Enable cheat codes by placing mods in the proper Ryujinx directory.
• Save & Load States – Use the built-in save system or in-game save features to store progress.

Alternatives

Yuzu – Fast and popular Nintendo Switch emulator.

RPCS3 – PS3 emulator with high compatibility.

Cemu – Wii U emulator with Switch game compatibility.

Dolphin – GameCube and Wii emulator with HD support.

Xenia – Xbox 360 emulator with growing game support.

PPSSPP – PSP emulator with enhanced graphics options.

PCSX2 – PlayStation 2 emulator with upscaling support.

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 1803 (Redstone 4).
• CPU: A modern 64-bit x86 processor.
• RAM: At least 8 GB.
• Graphics: A GPU supporting OpenGL 4.5 or Vulkan 1.2, with up-to-date drivers.

Recommended Specifications:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or equivalent.
• RAM: 16 GB DDR4.
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or equivalent.

PROS

• Accurate Nintendo Switch emulation
• Regular updates and improvements
• Large compatibility with Switch games
• Customizable graphics and performance settings
• Active community and support

CONS

• Possible performance limitations on lower-end hardware
• Potential for bugs and stability issues
• Dependence on game ROMs and firmware backups

Overall

Ryujinx is 100% free and is developed in a fully open-source environment. The standalone PC client is optimized for all modern versions of Windows OS and is also available for Linux and macOS.