Yuzu - Switch Emulator
Yuzu is an open source Nintendo Switch emulator designed to bring your favorite Switch games to Windows, Linux and Android devices with enhanced graphics, smooth performance, and customizable settings.
Unlock the full potential of your favorite Nintendo Switch titles with Yuzu!
Switch Emulator
Yuzu is an open source Nintendo Switch Emulator written in C++.
Multi Platform
It is written with portability in mind, with builds available for Windows, Linux and Android devices.
About
Origins and Developments
Yuzu is a free and open-source Nintendo Switch emulator developed in C++ by the creators of the Nintendo 3DS emulator, Citra. Announced on January 14, 2018, just ten months after the Switch’s release, Yuzu initially supported only test programs and homebrew applications.
Over the years, Yuzu underwent significant enhancements:
2018: The emulator began running commercial games, marking a substantial milestone in its development.
2019: Yuzu achieved compatibility with a broader range of games, including popular titles like Super Mario Odyssey, showcasing improved performance and stability.
2020: The introduction of a Vulkan graphics backend provided better performance on AMD and Intel GPUs, enhancing the gaming experience for a wider user base.
2021: Yuzu implemented multicore CPU emulation, significantly boosting performance in CPU-intensive games.
As of March 4, 2024, Yuzu, the Nintendo Switch emulator, ceased operations following a legal settlement with Nintendo.
While existing versions of Yuzu still function, they will not receive updates or support, potentially leading to compatibility issues with newer games or operating systems. For those seeking to emulate Nintendo Switch games, alternative emulators like Ryujinx are available. However, it’s important to note that Ryujinx also faced legal challenges from Nintendo, resulting in its shutdown on October 1, 2024.
Given these developments, the landscape of Nintendo Switch emulation is currently uncertain. Users should exercise caution and stay informed about the legal and functional status of any emulation software they choose to use.
This website, Yuzu-Emulator.dev, has been created for archiving and preservation purposes. It serves to document the history and impact of Yuzu and is not affiliated with Nintendo or the official Yuzu team.
Features
Why Yuzu?
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Yuzu is designed to operate seamlessly on Windows, Linux, and Android platforms, ensuring a broad user base can enjoy Nintendo Switch games across various devices.
Extensive Game Compatibility
With continuous updates, Yuzu boasts compatibility with a vast library of Nintendo Switch titles, ensuring a wide range of games are playable with reliable performance.
Save States and Management
Yuzu offers save state functionality, allowing players to save and load their game progress at any point, providing greater flexibility and control over gameplay.
Graphics Backend Support
Yuzu supports both Vulkan and OpenGL graphics backends, providing flexibility to optimize rendering performance based on your system’s capabilities.
Multicore CPU Emulation
Yuzu leverages multicore CPU emulation to enhance performance, allowing for smoother gameplay and reduced lag in CPU-intensive titles.
Mod Support
The emulator supports game modding, allowing users to apply custom modifications to games, enhancing or altering gameplay, graphics, and more.
Resolution Scaling
The emulator offers resolution scaling, enabling games to be rendered at higher resolutions than the native Nintendo Switch output, resulting in sharper and more detailed visuals.
Local Wireless Multiplayer
Yuzu supports local wireless multiplayer, allowing users to connect and play with others over a local network, emulating the original console’s multiplayer experience.
Cheat Support
The emulator includes built-in cheat support, enabling users to modify game elements and customize their gaming experience.
Screenshots
See Yuzu in Action!
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Yuzu is a high-performance Nintendo Switch emulator that allows you to play Switch games on Windows, Linux, and Android devices. It offers enhanced graphics, customizable settings, and broad game compatibility.
Yes, Yuzu itself is legal as it is open-source software developed for emulation. However, downloading or sharing game files (ROMs) without owning the original game is illegal.
Yuzu runs on Windows, Linux, and Android, making it accessible across a range of devices.
- Operating System: Windows 10/11, Linux, or Android (64-bit).
- CPU: A modern processor with AVX2 support (e.g., Intel Core i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600).
- GPU: Dedicated graphics card supporting Vulkan or OpenGL 4.6 (e.g., NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti or AMD RX 570).
- RAM: Minimum 8 GB, 16 GB recommended.
You must own the original Nintendo Switch games. Use tools like nxDumpTool to dump your legally purchased games from your Switch console.
Yuzu supports thousands of Switch games, with many running perfectly. However, some games may have minor issues, and a small percentage remain unsupported.
Yuzu supports local wireless multiplayer for some games, but it does not support online play through Nintendo’s servers.
To enhance performance:
- Enable multicore CPU emulation in settings.
- Use the Vulkan renderer for better GPU performance.
- Update your drivers and make sure you have the latest Yuzu version.
- Adjust resolution scaling based on your hardware capabilities.
For any questions and errors related to Yuzu, utilize our Troubleshooting section.