If you want to play Nintendo Switch games on your PC or Android device, you need to use an emulator. The problem is there are so many out there that it’s hard to pick one that will meet your needs. There are six that you should seriously consider.
But keep in mind that while these emulators have their advantages, they also come with their own shortcomings. Please pay close attention to the description of each of the Nintendo Switch emulators below and try to fit their pros and cons with your situation and hardware configuration.
Yuzu Emulator
When it comes to Nintendo Switch emulators for PC, this is probably the most popular out there, at least when measured by downloads. It’s easy to see why. It allows you to play most Switch games currently in publication.
Among its advantages, the Yuzu emulator has the least number of bugs. It supports Windows and Linux systems. It features an excellent performance rate. Just how excellent? Well, you can play 4x resolution with a properly set up PC with no problem.
It supports AMD and Nvidia graphics card configurations. It is also 100% free. That’s right, this open-source software is fully complimentary, and you can download it anytime you want. On top of all of that, it is consistently being updated despite the fact it’s free. You don’t have to worry about security issues, bugs, and other vulnerabilities.
What are its downsides? Well, you need to have some sort of tech know-how, or at least you can figure out instructions fairly quickly. If you’re not very tech-savvy, it’s going to be hard to set up. It also has limited controller support.
And if your PC is lower-end, you probably should not even bother with this emulator. There are probably lower-grade Nintendo Switch emulators available that you should try.
Ryujinx
Among the Nintendo Switch emulators out there, this one is very easy to use. It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Most of its users say that its performance is the very best in the game.
It runs major Nintendo games at 60 FPS. Think about that amazing performance. On top of all of that, this product features an easy-to-use and simple interface. It can support 1,000 different games. It is also the best option for Mac users and has a built-in scaling system for different resolutions.
The downside? Well, its main disadvantage is that some games are laggy on the software. Also, it takes some getting used to if you’re fairly new. It’s pretty straightforward to use, but you still have to get used to it.
Cemu Emulator
If you’re looking to play Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and GameCube games consistently with dependable quality, you might want to consider the Cemu emulator. Its main claim to fame among different Nintendo Switch emulators out there is its reliability.
How can it fail when it’s being updated almost constantly. On top of that, new features are always being added. Its performance is constantly being monitored and improved. It enables you to play games at 1080p and 60 FPS.
It offers a wide range of graphic packs rendering quality resolution enhancements, anti-aliasing, and shading.
What are the downsides of this emulator? Well, it is very complicated to set up. When you try to use it with different controller configurations, you might get a headache. It is also limited to Switch games.
There are many other Nintendo Switch emulators out there that don’t just support Switch games. They also support many other games on other platforms.
Among the different Nintendo Switch emulators out there, the Egg NS emulator stands out. It produces a unique control experience. First, it offers an amazing combination of performance, stability, and compatibility.
Indeed, it supports many games out there on different platforms. It’s also easier to understand because it supports many languages. Its interface is easy to navigate. When it comes to actual gameplay, it doesn’t suffer from any lags or distortions. Overall, it features excellent graphics.
Egg NS Emulator
With all that said, though, the downside to the Egg NS emulator is that it can be very complicated to use for newbies. If you’re going to use it on your phone, you need a powerful chipset, and it will work only on select phone models.
Android Nintendo Switch Emulator
If you’re looking for the best high-end Android Nintendo Switch emulator, try this. Keep in mind that there are many mobile APKs out there that are very dodgy. Some can even hijack your phone. Be very careful about it.
This is one of the better emulators out there. The downside is that it may not run all games properly on your mobile phone. It currently supports 81 playable titles from Nintendo Switch. Its main claim to fame is it runs the Pokemon titles very smoothly.
The downside? Well, many users report frequent crashes. It also violates MIT open software license, so there might be legal issues with using this software. Some have also claimed that some of its code is lifted straight from the Yuzu emulator.
To say that this is a shady emulator among the different Nintendo Switch emulators out there is an understatement.
Finally, there’s the Skyline Emulator. This is an open-source emulator for your Android phone. It is brand new, and that’s its main downside. It’s still under development so expect a lot of crashes and bugs.