Nintendo Switch 2 emulators
| |
| |
| 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 |   
|
git Early WIP stage. |
✗ | ✗ | ? | GPLv2 (Copyleft) | ✓ | ✗ |
| oboromi |
|
git Early WIP stage. |
✗ | ✗ | ? | MPL 2.0 (Copyleft) | ✓ | ✗ |
nintendo shut down emulations of their game systemes
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] | |||
- ↑ 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. |
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| 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) |
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| 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) |
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| 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) |
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| 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. |
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| Controls | Mouse Injector Compatible | ||||||||||
| Input lag-mitigating technique | |||||||||||
| Turbo button | |||||||||||
| 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.
- ↑ JoyCon 2 lacks support for IR camera, an original JoyCon pair must be used for games that supports it.