Nintendo Switch 2 emulators: Difference between revisions

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| Disguise peripheral support through Passthrough<br/><small>Tricking the software into think that the original controller was connected even those identify themselves with different device IDs. When a game tries to identify a connected 'nearly the same internally' controller, emulator will tell it that the equivalent original controller is connected instead, allowing it to work.</small>
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Revision as of 13:39, 1 July 2025

Nintendo Switch 2
The Switch 2 in both forms: handheld (top) and docked (bottom)
Developer Nintendo
Type Hybrid video game console
Generation Ninth
Release date June 5th 2025
Predecessor Nintendo Switch
Emulated ✗
For emulators that run on the Switch 2, see Emulators on Nintendo Switch 2.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is a ninth-generation hybrid video game console by Nintendo released in 2025. First revealed in a trailer released on January 16, 2025, it is the successor to the Nintendo Switch, and it is Nintendo's first console to use a standardized numbering system to differentiate it from its predecessor (much like Sony's PlayStation family of home consoles). Like its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch 2 uses a pair of detachable Joy-Con as its controllers and can be played on the TV by placing it in the dock or in handheld mode by taking it out. The Nintendo Switch 2 is slightly larger than the original Nintendo Switch, and its Joy-Con are connected directly to the sides of the console via gendered plugs rather than vertical slide locks. Additionally, the Joy-Con, when disconnected from the console, can be turned on their sides and moved around on a flat surface, akin to a computer mouse. The console also features an extra USB-C port at the top, and its kickstand extends across almost the full width of the console; the angle at which it is reclined can be adjusted. In a similar fashion to the Wii and Wii U, it is backwards compatible with most physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.

It uses a custom SoC designed by Nvidia, supports up to 4K at 60 Hz in docked mode or 1080p at 120Hz in handheld mode with variable refresh rate (VRR) and HDR10, has 256GB of faster storage compared to its predecessor, and a microphone for the new GameChat group calling feature as well as for games that support it.

Emulators

Name Platform(s) Latest version Hardware features
and peripherals 		Enhancements Compatibility License Active Recommended
x86
Pound Windows Linux macOS git
Early WIP stage. 		✗ ✗ ? GPLv2 (Copyleft) ✓ ✗
oboromi Windows Linux macOS git
Early WIP stage. 		✗ ✗ ? MPL 2.0 (Copyleft) ✓ ✗


Given what happened with Yuzu and Ryujinx, it's probable that Nintendo will be just as aggressive against potential Switch 2 emulators, so don't get too excited about the possibility of a feature-rich emulator soon after release.

Hardware features and peripherals

Name Emulator name
Switch 2 HOME Menu
Mii Editor
Nintendo Classics
Cloud-based titles[1][2]
Switch titles
Amiibo
Nintendo Labo
Microphone
Connectivity Nintendo Switch Online
Local Wireless Play / GameShare
LAN Play
Smart Device Mode, Zelda Notes and Nintendo Switch App
Controllers[N 1] Native Dual Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controller 2 Support
Native Dual Joy-Con 1 and Pro Controller 1 Support
Nintendo GameCube Controller (via USB adapter)
Wii U USB Microphone (wired & wireless)
Ring-Con
Poké Ball Plus
USB Keyboard & Mouse
Inputs IR Motion Camera support for Joy-Con 1[1]
HD Rumble
Motion Controls (Gyro)
Touchscreen
Joy-Con 2 Mouse Mode[3]
  1. ↑ See PCGamingWiki: Joy-Con and Switch Pro Controller pages for more information about these controllers and PC connectivity/compatibility.

Connectivity

Nintendo Switch 2 Local play games are divided into two groups; games with Local Wireless support, and games with LAN support. There are different requirements and rules for the two types. The difference is that Local Wireless is ad-hoc Wi-Fi between Switch radios. LAN is when the switches are joined to the same Wi-Fi access point.

Using these technologies, one of the Switch 2's new features revealed is 'GameShare', a new way to play select games with your pals across multiple systems. GameShare lets you play multiplayer titles locally across different systems, with only one of you needing to have the game installed. This feature is available between Switch 2 systems and from Switch 2 to 'Switch 1' systems.[4]

Nintendo Switch Online
Main article: Nintendo Switch Online

For more information about other revive projects see Preservation projects page. You can play some of the online multiplayer capable Switch titles using revival private servers.

Enhancements

Name Emulator name
(N/A)
Graphics Resizable Internal Resolution
Texture Replacement
Ultrawide hack
Widescreen already supported on the Switch 2 system.
But there is no support by system for render games in other ratios such as ultrawide 21:9 or super ultrawide 32:9.
Ray-tracing
(DXR, VRT and MRT) 		Ray-tracing already supported on Switch 2.[5]
But there are ways to improve path-tracing implementation even further like increasing ray length or more rays per light source etc.
Pre-rendering AA
(MSAA, SSAA)
Super-resolution techniques
(DLSS, XeSS and FSR 2+) 		DLSS is gonna be supported on Switch 2.[6] FSR 3 is probably gonna be supported on Switch 2.
RTX Remix Implementing RTX Remix technology in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future.
Performance Overclock
Internal Framerate Hack
Frame generation technologies
(LSFG, DLSS-G, XeSS-FG and AFMF) 		AFMF is (technically) probably gonna be supported on Switch 2. Nvidia doesn’t mention which version of DLSS will be supported on the Switch 2, nor whether there will be any frame generation capabilities.
Rendering latency reduction technologies
(LatencyFleX, Reflex, Xe-LL and Anti-Lag+) 		While most emulators offer frame pacing or framebuffer latency control options, implementing rendering latency reduction technologies isn't currently feasible. This is likely doesn't offer enough benefits to justify the development effort.
Post-Processing Post-rendering AA
(FXAA, TXAA, and MLAA/SMAA)
Post-rendering scaling
(Sharp bilinear, Lanczos and FSR 1) 		FSR 1 is probably gonna be supported on Switch 2 just like previous generation.
Filters
AI-powered filter compatible
(Freestyle)
Shader Chain
Inverse tone mapping compatible Switch 2 is already has HDR10 capability.
TAS features Macros/Scripts/Lua
Rewind
Fast-Forward/Turbo Speed
Savestates
Movie recording/playback
Quality of life Pause/Resume Emulation
Variable Refresh Rate compatible Switch 2 is already supports variable fresh rate through Nvidia G-Sync in handheld mode.
Built-in Custom resolution/CRTSwitchRes
For using this on Windows OS you need CRT Emudriver.
Another option is using EDID editor tool such as "Custom Resolution Utility". 		N/A
Eighth gen home consoles and beyond only have digital video output anyway.
Streamable compression format
Built-in save manager
Built-in mod editor and manager
Built-in Cheat Manager
Built-in Patch Manager
Per-Game Profiles
Command Line Options
Big Picture Mode
Automatic Updater
Portable and Stealth
Useful enhancement feature for non-personal computer use or plug-and-play scenarios. However, it still requires necessary prerequisites and dependencies for your operating system.
Controls Mouse Injector Compatible
Input lag-mitigating technique
Turbo button
Real peripheral support (Passthrough)
Ability to passthrough USB HID devices or Bluetooth adapter for emulated system.
Disguise peripheral support through Passthrough
Tricking the software into think that the original controller was connected even those identify themselves with different device IDs. When a game tries to identify a connected 'nearly the same internally' controller, emulator will tell it that the equivalent original controller is connected instead, allowing it to work.
Misc RetroAchievements
EmuVR support Exclusive to libretro cores. So there is no support at the moment.
AI Service
With the help of OCR and other techniques, the AI service can provide a live translation of a game, or text-to-speech capabilities for the visually impaired among other things, either on demand or automatically. 		Exclusive to libretro cores at the moment. So there is no support.
Free Look
Free Look is an enhancement feature that allows manipulation of the in-game camera. 		While freecam would be technically possible, it will require per-game patches.
Said patches would require a significant amount of time to reverse the game's engine, which means that only someone talented with enough dedication to a single game could do it.
Debug Features


Emulation issues

The Switch 2's custom CPU, unlike the vulnerable Tegra X1 with pre-existing exploits, is likely built with stronger security measures. The hacking scene is in disarray, with Nintendo aggressively targeting emulators like Yuzu and Ryujinx, and their forks being quickly shut down. This hostile environment complicates homebrew development. Even if a Switch 2 emulator emerges in a few years, it will likely be tightly controlled within private communities, limiting accessibility.

See GBATemp thread for rumors about Switch 2 exploitability.

Nintendo(edit)

  1. ↑ JoyCon 2 lacks support for IR camera, an original JoyCon pair must be used for games that supports it.
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