One of the major appeals for Nintendo’s latest console, the Nintendo Switch, is its hybrid aspect. With the ability to seamlessly switch between docked mode for a home console experience and handheld mode for an on-the-go experience, this unique feature of the Switch sets it apart from other consoles.
While it boasts a healthy library of new, first- and third-party titles, nostalgia inevitably hits every gamer, pushing them to go down memory lane and play some cherished games from their childhood. But you might not want to dust off your console for only one playthrough or your retro console might not even be functional or accessible in the first place.
Thankfully, with emulators, you can play those retro games and the latest ones from a single console. With its hybrid feature, the Switch allows you to play games of yesteryear from the comfort of your home or wherever your feet take you! Of course, there are purists who’ll look for faithful audiovisual recreation when it comes to emulation but if you aren’t as nitpicky, there are some software out there that offer decent level of playabilty or are simply an impressive feat to experience on the Switch.
Here’s our favourite emulator picks for the Nintendo Switch that get you straight to playing your retro games. If you’re wondering whether your console is able to run those homebrew software and how to do so, check out our dedicated Switch forum for more information.
1. One emulator to play them all: RetroArch
RetroArch is among the most famous software for emulators out there. This multi-system frontend serves as a one-stop-shop for retro games emulation on various platforms ranging from Android through the Raspberry Pi to the Nintendo Switch, of course. For the latter, RetroArch supports over 50 systems. Libretro, the creators of RetroArch, have a nice how-to video to help you get started:
We also have an official RetroArch Switch thread on GBAtemp if you’d like to join the discussion.
While RetroArch serves as an all-in-one option with downloadable cores for each system you wish to emulate, there are also standalone software should you prefer those. You can in fact look for the cores that RetroArch uses and find compatible Switch versions. The following options refer to such standalone homebrew apps that are worth looking into should these fit your needs.
2. Point-and-click fun: ScummVM
Once upon a time when games came in something called floppy discs, a company by the name of LucasArts made point-and-click games with a distinct type of humour. ScummVM was developed to emulate these LucasArts games and grew to support those from other companies like Revolution Software and Adventure Soft. My personal favourites to play on ScummVM are the Monkey Island games, which I highly recommend if you haven’t tried any yet!
As for the Switch version of ScummVM, GBAtemp member @cpasjuste ported it and it’s pretty much completed with good framerate and touchscreen support. He made a video of the emulator running on the console, as well as a GBAtemp discussion thread:
3. SEGA's last on Nintendo's latest: reicast
SEGA’s final console is playable on Nintendo’s latest console. Yes, thanks to @davidgf, reicast, the Dreamcast emulator, works on the Switch. It’s still in Alpha version, with davidgf mentioning that he rushed the release, so expect it to be rough around the edges with some bugs.
There’s also the Flycast emulator available as a RetroArch core if you’re looking for a more up-to-date Dreamcast emulator but reicast is the standalone emulator should you be looking for one.
If you want to get started, we have a dedicated Switch thread complete with a how-to guide and a download link.
4. Sony's handheld lives on the Switch: PPSSPP
Sony might have forgotten about its line of handhelds but the PSP lives through emulators! @m4xw developed a standalone PPSSPP based on his libretro port. It’s still in Beta version but is getting regular updates, with the changelog available via the GBAtemp thread. You can also access the download link and installation instructions via the same link.
5. Sharing our namesake: mGBA
Well this list couldn’t possibly be complete without a dedicated GBA emulator, we’re on GBAtemp afterall! One of the most accurate GBA emulators out there, mGBA, is available on the Switch. The official Switch port along with the changelog is available here and you can join the GBAtemp discussion thread here.
Bonus! - A 3DS emulator is coming to a Switch near you
While it’s technically not publicly available, a 3DS emulator for the Switch is indeed in the works! It is based of the popular 3DS emulator Citra and the developer, fellow GBAtemp member @m4xw shared his progress earlier this year on Twitter:
Citra running natively with dynarec, under Horizon, on Nintendo Switch!
— m4xw (@m4xwdev) May 25, 2020
Lot's of bugs still need to be squashed and it needs to be rebased onto the recent release.
Frame deviation still is huge, looking into that should probably give a indicatior for current performance issues. https://t.co/fhHbEdKIP8 pic.twitter.com/LIIbMT5AIk
It’s probably only a matter of time before you can play games from all of Nintendo’s handheld consoles on a single handheld! We’ll be sure to keep you updated as soon as we learn more. In the meantime, you can join the ongoing discussion thread here.
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As we come to a close to this article, we hope you liked it and are keeping an eye on developments regarding emulators on the Switch! Which ones are your favourites?
