Best Nintendo Switch Emulators for PC [Requirements & Download]
You can play 3500+ games with an emulator
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Key notes
- Given its compatibility and performance, Yuzu remains the best Nintendo Switch emulator for PC.
- Keep reading to find out the other top-rated emulators!
Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular handheld consoles ever released, with approximately 130 million units sold worldwide. But many don’t want to be limited to the console and want to play Nintendo Switch games on another device. For PCs, a Nintendo Switch emulator comes to the rescue!
There are also Nintendo Switch emulators for Android, namely, Yuzu and Skyline.
Can I play Nintendo Switch on PC?
Even without any emulator, you can cast the Switch’s screen to a PC or a TV and enjoy seamless gameplay. You will need a compatible HDMI cable or screen mirroring software for this.
What are the best Nintendo Switch emulators for PC?
Yuzu – Best in the segment
Yuzu is one of the most popular free Nintendo Switch emulators for PCs. It is an experimental open-source emulator from the developers of Citra and is available for all three: Windows, Linux, and Android.
Given that Yuzu is written in C++, you get enhanced compatibility across operating systems, but the number of games it can run is limited. Even for the games that run on Yuzu, a few are offering a barely playable experience.
Remember, Yuzu builds are actively maintained, meaning the developers will polish out any inconsistencies or misconfiguration. Besides, if you witness slow loading or poor performance, switch to Vulkan in the Graphics settings or update the graphics driver.
Key features of Yuzu:
- 1872 playable games (counting those rated Perfect, Good, and Okay)
- Ability to save settings for individual games
- Works for Windows, Linux, and Android
⇒ Get Yuzu
Ryujinx – Compatible with maximum games
Ryujinx remains the most compatible Nintendo Switch emulator for PC when it comes to games. It can run over 3400 games, a significant figure by any standard, though not all of these offer the same performance. However, there’s minimal loss of FPS in comparison to other emulators.
Written in C#, Ryujinx is also an open-source emulator available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Besides, Ryujinx is best for users with little technical acumen since it offers a simple user interface and allows easy game setup and loading.
For support, you can join the Ryujinx’s Discord server. Also, check the list of compatible games on Ryujinx and verify whether the one(s) you want to play exhibits any issues.
Key features of Ryujinx:
- 3400+ playable games (4,050 tested)
- User-oriented functioning
- Open-source
- Compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS
⇒ Get Ryujinx
NSEmu – Ideal for new users
NSEmu is an open-source Nintendo Switch emulator specifically for the Windows operating system. Remember, the emulator is still under development, and a few features and functionalities are presently missing.
But as for performance, NSEmu gives stiff competition to accomplished products in the space. The seamless functioning and easy-to-understand interface have made NSEmu one of the most popular options, especially among newcomers.
Besides, if you can understand the intricacies of gaming and emulators, you can contribute to the under-development project.
Key features of NSEmu:
- Open source
- Excellent graphics and sound
- Seamless, lag-free performance
- Offers user-oriented options such as rendering quality, anti-aliasing, and shading
⇒ Get NSEmu
These are our recommendations for the best, most user-friendly Nintendo Switch emulators for PC. Remember, performance issues with specific games are typical for emulators, and you must choose the right one compatible with the title.
Besides, if you don’t want to download an emulator, play Nintendo Switch games online, which can be a great way to play games when you are stuck with error code 2122-2503 on Nintendo Switch.
If you are looking for emulators for other Nintendo versions, like Nintendo 3DS emulators, we have a guide for you. Or if you are looking for multiple options in a single software, consider using an all-in-one emulator.
Comment below for any queries or to share your favorite Nintendo Switch emulator.
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