There are many emulators for past consoles that are no longer current technology. This emulator is one exception, since the Nintendo Switch is still supported by the company.
Of course, this program requires a decently good video card to handle the graphics.
Requirements
As with all programs, there are hardware requirements to run it.
Installation
Let's get this program installed. You'll want to update your repository package list with: 'sudo apt update'. Once you update the package list, you can upgrade all of your packages in Ubuntu to be sure you are up to date on all system software.
Before getting the main software, let's set up the system dependencies.
NOTE: The Linux version of the software has different dependencies for Ubuntu, Fedora or Arch Linux. And to be aware, there is software for Windows and macOS as well.
For Ubuntu, you need:
If your Ubuntu version has a fit with the file 'libsdl2-2.0-0', then use 'libsdl2-2.0' instead.
For Arch Linux, use:
For Fedora, use the command to install dependencies:
After you install the dependencies, you can download the program from 'https://ryujinx.org/download'. Be sure to get the proper architecture. There is Linux for the general 64-bit system (x86_64) or the ARM 64-bit system.
Extract the folder where you want to run it from on your system. Within this folder is another named 'publish'. In the 'Publish' folder is a file named 'Ryujinx.sh'. Run this file from a terminal, if needed. You need to run the file initially to set up the folder structure. There are more dependencies we need to get the program to work, but we are still getting ready.
Once 'Ryujinx' starts, you’ll get a message, like in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1
You can select either to perform the change until the next restart or permanently. This is up to you. This is a setting for the amount of memory that a process can map and use. Mainly, this is for games, so if you have other games that are sluggish or not working properly, you’ll want to make this permanent.
After you make a choice, you’ll see Figure 2.
FIGURE 2
We can get to the Product Keys soon. We need to finish the folder structure.
Depending on the version that was available to download, you might see something like Figure 3 to download an update.
FIGURE 3
You should now be at the 'Ryujinx' program screen, which is empty. So, now we need two more dependencies:
NOTE: Other people have been kind enough to download their files on the Internet. If you look around, you should be able to find them.
Once you have the files, you need to open the Ryujinx program and select 'Files'. From the drop-down menu, select 'Open Ryujinx Folder'. A window should open for your File Manager and already be in the folder '~/.config/Ryujinx/'. Open the folder named 'System' and place the 'keys' in this directory. Close the folder when done.
Now, click on 'Tools', 'Install Firmware' and then select 'Install a firmware from XCI or ZIP'. Once the file selection window opens, locate the 'Firmware' file you downloaded. When prompted, click on 'Yes' to install the Firmware. Ryujinx will alert you that the Firmware installation was successful, so click 'OK'.
Everything should be ready now.
Running a Game
On the 'Ryujinx' website, you can find information on getting your game ROM from your Switch games. Once you have these, you can compress them as RAR files to save some space, or leave it as an NSP file.
Place the file in a folder that is easily accessible. In 'Ryujinx', click on 'File' and select 'Load Application'. From the pop up window, find and choose the game file. Once selected, the game should start, as shown in Figure 4.
FIGURE 4
Suggestions
It is definitely best that you own a Switch and all the games you play; you own the game. There are free games that you can download to the Switch from the Store.
There can be legal issues for downloading a game you do not own since the emulator is for a console that is still actively being supported.
Use an actual Switch controller instead of using the keyboard. The controllers should be easier than the keyboard.
Conclusion
Most systems, especially gaming systems, have better hardware than the actual Switch console. You may get better performance from the emulator.
Try this emulator out and if needed, just play the free games. Most of them have a lesser amount of hardware requirements, so these run better on systems that have minimum specs.
Of course, this program requires a decently good video card to handle the graphics.
Requirements
As with all programs, there are hardware requirements to run it.
- At least 8GB RAM, preferably more
- Video card supporting Vulkan or OpenGL 4.5+
- Switch keys and either dumped firmware or untrimmed XCI
- Dumped Nintendo Switch game
- 64-bit Ubuntu
- Dependencies: libsdl2-2.0-0 (libsdl2-2.0) libsdl2-dev libalut-dev
Installation
Let's get this program installed. You'll want to update your repository package list with: 'sudo apt update'. Once you update the package list, you can upgrade all of your packages in Ubuntu to be sure you are up to date on all system software.
Before getting the main software, let's set up the system dependencies.
NOTE: The Linux version of the software has different dependencies for Ubuntu, Fedora or Arch Linux. And to be aware, there is software for Windows and macOS as well.
For Ubuntu, you need:
Code:
sudo apt install libsdl2-2.0-0 libsdl2-dev libalut-dev -yIf your Ubuntu version has a fit with the file 'libsdl2-2.0-0', then use 'libsdl2-2.0' instead.
For Arch Linux, use:
Code:
sudo pacman -S sdl2 openalFor Fedora, use the command to install dependencies:
Code:
sudo dnf install SDL2-devel openal-softAfter you install the dependencies, you can download the program from 'https://ryujinx.org/download'. Be sure to get the proper architecture. There is Linux for the general 64-bit system (x86_64) or the ARM 64-bit system.
Extract the folder where you want to run it from on your system. Within this folder is another named 'publish'. In the 'Publish' folder is a file named 'Ryujinx.sh'. Run this file from a terminal, if needed. You need to run the file initially to set up the folder structure. There are more dependencies we need to get the program to work, but we are still getting ready.
Once 'Ryujinx' starts, you’ll get a message, like in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1
You can select either to perform the change until the next restart or permanently. This is up to you. This is a setting for the amount of memory that a process can map and use. Mainly, this is for games, so if you have other games that are sluggish or not working properly, you’ll want to make this permanent.
After you make a choice, you’ll see Figure 2.
FIGURE 2
We can get to the Product Keys soon. We need to finish the folder structure.
Depending on the version that was available to download, you might see something like Figure 3 to download an update.
FIGURE 3
You should now be at the 'Ryujinx' program screen, which is empty. So, now we need two more dependencies:
- The Product Keys
- Firmware
NOTE: Other people have been kind enough to download their files on the Internet. If you look around, you should be able to find them.
Once you have the files, you need to open the Ryujinx program and select 'Files'. From the drop-down menu, select 'Open Ryujinx Folder'. A window should open for your File Manager and already be in the folder '~/.config/Ryujinx/'. Open the folder named 'System' and place the 'keys' in this directory. Close the folder when done.
Now, click on 'Tools', 'Install Firmware' and then select 'Install a firmware from XCI or ZIP'. Once the file selection window opens, locate the 'Firmware' file you downloaded. When prompted, click on 'Yes' to install the Firmware. Ryujinx will alert you that the Firmware installation was successful, so click 'OK'.
Everything should be ready now.
Running a Game
On the 'Ryujinx' website, you can find information on getting your game ROM from your Switch games. Once you have these, you can compress them as RAR files to save some space, or leave it as an NSP file.
Place the file in a folder that is easily accessible. In 'Ryujinx', click on 'File' and select 'Load Application'. From the pop up window, find and choose the game file. Once selected, the game should start, as shown in Figure 4.
FIGURE 4
Suggestions
It is definitely best that you own a Switch and all the games you play; you own the game. There are free games that you can download to the Switch from the Store.
There can be legal issues for downloading a game you do not own since the emulator is for a console that is still actively being supported.
Use an actual Switch controller instead of using the keyboard. The controllers should be easier than the keyboard.
Conclusion
Most systems, especially gaming systems, have better hardware than the actual Switch console. You may get better performance from the emulator.
Try this emulator out and if needed, just play the free games. Most of them have a lesser amount of hardware requirements, so these run better on systems that have minimum specs.
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