Yuzu – Play Nintendo Switch Games

Yuzu is a cutting-edge, open-source emulator that brings your Nintendo Switch library to life on Windows, Android, and Linux systems.

Whether you’re on a desktop or a mobile device, Yuzu Emulator delivers console-quality gameplay with smooth performance across the devices.

Designed for simplicity, Yuzu’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to dive into your favorite Switch games in just a few clicks.

Unlock a whole new way to play — enjoy enhanced graphics up to 4K resolution, sync your game library, and team up with friends in multiplayer mode.

Engineered for flexibility, Yuzu runs seamlessly on a wide range of devices, so you can game without limits.

Yuzu

Why Yuzu?

Expanded Game Compatibility

01

Yuzu boasts support for a massive library of Nintendo Switch titles, including many of the newest releases. With over 4,000 games playable at various levels of stability, it’s one of the most comprehensive emulators out there. That’s a staggering lineup for any gaming enthusiast.

Seamless Save States

02

Never lose your progress again. Yuzu’s powerful save state system lets you pause and pick up your games at the exact point you left off. Whether you’re in the middle of a boss fight or exploring a new level, you can create and reload saves as often as you like — total control at your fingertips.

Multiplayer Made Easy

03

Tired of going solo? Yuzu lets you connect and play locally with friends, family, or others in your region. Enjoy cooperative gameplay or challenge others — all from your PC or Android device. It’s the multiplayer Switch experience you’ve been waiting for.

Quick and Simple Setup

04

Getting started with Yuzu is straightforward. Just follow the step-by-step setup guide, ensure your system meets the requirements, and you’re good to go. Its intuitive interface means you’ll be up and running — and gaming — in no time.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

05

Yuzu runs smoothly on Windows, Android, and Linux, making it one of the most versatile emulators available. Whether you switch devices or carry multiple ones, you’ll always have access to your Switch library without skipping a beat.

Optimized for AMD & Nvidia

06

Whether you’ve got an AMD or Nvidia graphics card, Yuzu is ready. Even without a high-end GPU, you can still enjoy lighter titles at stable frame rates. No special drivers or tweaking required — just play.

Game Save Transfers

07

Want to pick up where you left off on your Switch? Yuzu makes it easy to export your saves and load them into the emulator. Sync your progress between devices effortlessly and continue your adventure anywhere.

Flexible Key Management

08

You can input your own decryption keys within the Yuzu installation directory for game access. Please remember: keys should only be used if you have the legal right to do so. Always respect game creators and their rights.

Effortless Game Transfers

09

Need to move game files between your SD card and PC? Yuzu supports easy file transfers, including .XCI and .NCA formats. Back up your games, free up storage, or take your collection with you — safely and efficiently.

Screenshots

Captain Toad on Yuzu Emulator
Zelda on Yuzu
Pokemon on Yuzu Emu
Yuzu Emulator Android
Yuzu Emulator - Super Smash Bros
Yuzu Emulator - The Legend of Zelda

Yuzu is a sophisticated emulator that replicates the Nintendo Switch’s hardware and software, enabling users to play Switch games on platforms like PC, Android, and Linux. It essentially “tricks” your system into behaving like a Nintendo Switch, making cross-platform gaming possible.

There are two available versions of Yuzu: the standard release and the Yuzu Early Access, which is a beta version offering newer features and experimental improvements. To get started, users must supply decryption keys and firmware — both of which must be obtained legally. Game files are loaded into Yuzu using ROMs, typically in formats like NSP, XCI, or NCA.

Emulating the Switch Hardware

Yuzu emulates both the CPU and GPU of the Nintendo Switch. Since the Switch runs on Nvidia’s Tegra X1 chip, which uses ARM architecture, Yuzu has to translate ARM instructions into x86/x64 instructions that are compatible with standard PCs. This translation is no small feat, requiring extensive optimization and hardware-level emulation.

Graphically, the Switch uses a GPU based on Nvidia’s Maxwell architecture. Yuzu mimics this GPU using modern APIs such as Vulkan and OpenGL. This allows it to reproduce complex graphical processes like shader compilation, texture mapping, and dynamic lighting — all core parts of the Switch gaming experience.

Memory, Input & Filesystem Emulation

Beyond the core hardware, Yuzu also emulates:

  • Memory management, replicating the way the Switch handles system and video RAM.
  • Controller input, allowing users to map Joy-Con or Pro Controller behavior to a keyboard, mouse, or gamepad.
  • Filesystem handling, so it can recognize and load games as if they were installed through the Switch OS.

This also extends to interpreting game files in the formats originally used by the console, like NSP, XCI, and NCA.

Overcoming Emulation Challenges

Creating Yuzu wasn’t without its hurdles. One major challenge was converting the Switch’s ARM-based software environment to x86 — the architecture used by most modern PCs. Yuzu’s team had to reverse-engineer how the Switch OS (codenamed “Horizon”) worked, and replicate it closely enough to run games smoothly.

To improve compatibility, Yuzu also includes real-time logging and filtering to detect issues, as well as custom patches and fixes for individual game titles. Additionally, it handles shader translation and caching, ensuring visual assets are processed just like they would be on the original hardware.

In a Nutshell

Yuzu is more than just a program — it’s a full simulation of the Nintendo Switch ecosystem. By recreating the system’s architecture and behavior, Yuzu allows users to enjoy their Switch game library on a wide range of devices — all while benefiting from enhancements like higher resolutions, customizable controls, and improved performance.

1. Cross-Platform Compatibility

Play Nintendo Switch games on Android, Windows, and Linux with ease — your favorite titles, wherever you are.

2. Enhanced Visuals with Resolution Scaling

Boost in-game graphics by scaling resolution, giving you sharper, more vibrant visuals beyond native Switch quality.

3. Multiplayer Connectivity

Jump into multiplayer sessions and play online with friends — no more flying solo.

4. Game Save Export

Back up your game progress by exporting save files, so you can continue from where you left off on any device.

5. Graphics API Support (Vulkan & OpenGL)

Improved rendering and higher frame rates thanks to support for Vulkan and OpenGL — optimized performance for every game.

6. Full Modding Support

Customize your games with mods — change visuals, tweak gameplay, or even enable cheat codes.

7. Wide Game Compatibility

Supports over 100+ Nintendo Switch games with increasing compatibility every update.

8. Steam Deck Support (Unofficial)

Yes, Yuzu can run on the Steam Deck — enjoy Switch gaming in handheld PC mode.

9. Controller Flexibility

Play using your favorite controller — Xbox, PlayStation, or others with ease.

10. Lightweight & Portable

Small footprint and easy to carry — Yuzu runs smoothly even on modest setups.

Yuzu System Requirements

To get the best performance out of Yuzu, your device should meet the following hardware and software specifications:

CPU Requirements

  • Minimum:
    • Intel Core i5
    • AMD Ryzen 3
    • Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (for Android)
  • Recommended:
    • Intel Core i5 (11th Gen or newer)
    • AMD Ryzen 5 or higher
    • Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 or newer (for Android)

Memory (RAM)

  • Minimum:
    • 8 GB (for Windows, Linux, and Android)
  • Recommended:
    • 16 GB for smoother gameplay and multitasking

Graphics (GPU)

  • Minimum:
    • Intel HD Graphics 4400 or UHD 730 (Windows/Linux)
  • Recommended:
    • Nvidia GTX 1650
    • Intel Iris Xe
    • Adreno 740 (for Android) or better

Graphics API Compatibility

  • Your GPU must support:
    • OpenGL 4.6 or
    • Vulkan 1.1

Operating System Support

  • Windows:
    • Windows 10
    • Windows 11
  • Linux:
    • Most modern distributions supported
  • Android:
    • Devices with ARM64 architecture and compatible SoCs

Legal Disclaimer & Important Notice

In early 2024, Nintendo of America filed a lawsuit against the creators of Yuzu, Tropic Haze LLC, resulting in a legal settlement of $2.4 million USD. As part of the agreement, the original developers were required to cease development, take down all related services, and destroy any existing Yuzu-related data.

It is critical to understand and respect copyright law. You must own a physical or digital copy of any game you intend to emulate. Downloading or using ROMs without explicit written permission from the copyright holder is illegal and not condoned. Always ensure you have the proper rights and authorization to use such files before proceeding with any form of emulation.

About This Site

Yuzu-Emulator.pro is an independently run fan site, created strictly for educational, archival, and informational purposes.

We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Tropic Haze LLC, Nintendo, or any of the original Yuzu developers.

We do not host Yuzu emulator files, game ROMs, or any pirated content.

All references and links shared are to publicly available resources found elsewhere on the internet.

As Yuzu has been officially discontinued, there will be no future updates, features, or active support.

We strongly oppose software piracy. Piracy harms developers, the gaming industry, and undermines legitimate efforts in game preservation and accessibility. If you choose to emulate, please do so legally and responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our comprehensive FAQ section. Here, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions asked by users — from general inquiries to troubleshooting tips. Whether you’re just getting started or facing specific technical issues, this guide is designed to help you find the information you need quickly and easily.

What is Yuzu?

Yuzu Emulator Pro is an open-source Nintendo Switch emulator developed by the creators of Citra. Written in C++, it’s built with cross-platform support in mind and is available for Windows, Linux, and Android. It can run many commercial games with varying performance and compatibility.

Yes, Yuzu itself is not a virus or malware. However, it’s important to:

  • Only download Yuzu from trusted sources or official archives.
  • Avoid any “updated” or “recent” versions since Yuzu is no longer being developed.
  • Always scan files with antivirus software before installation.

Yuzu is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2 (GPLv2) or any later version. For more details, consult the project’s license documentation.

Yuzu runs on:

macOS is no longer supported due to the deprecation of OpenGL by Apple.

Yes. Yuzu is completely free and open-source. While a Yuzu Early Access version previously required a donation for early feature access, the standard build was always free.

Yuzu is no longer in active development following a legal settlement with Nintendo. No updates or support are provided, and official download links have been removed.

However, if you already have a working version installed, it should continue to function on your device. If you uninstall it, you may not be able to recover it.

Issue: Yuzu fails to start or throws a platform plugin error, typically related to failed or broken installations.

Fix:

  1. Close all Yuzu windows and installer processes.

  2. Press Win + R, type %localappdata%, and hit Enter.

  3. Locate and delete the yuzu folder.

    ⚠️ Ensure no Yuzu-related apps are running in the background.

  4. Re-run the installer to perform a fresh installation.

Possible Cause #1: A corrupt configuration file.

Solution:

  1. Press Win + R, type %appdata%\yuzu\config, and press Enter.

  2. Delete the qt-config.ini file.

    ⚠️ This will reset your global Yuzu settings. Reconfigure as needed afterward.

Possible Cause #2: Conflicting screen recording software.

Apps known to cause issues include:

  • Reshade

  • GShade

  • Bandicam

  • Action!

  • Screenrec

  • Overwolf (avoid if possible)

If you must keep Reshade or GShade installed, disable Vulkan injection globally on Windows.

✅ Recommended Alternatives:

  • OBS Studio

  • Radeon ReLive

  • NVIDIA ShadowPlay

  • Xbox Game Bar (Windows)

Cause: Shader caching process is underway.

Explanation:
Shaders control visual elements in games. Since PCs can’t run Switch-native shaders directly, they must first be translated — which takes time and causes:

  1. Stuttering during gameplay when new shaders load.

  2. Long startup times due to loading or rebuilding precompiled shader caches.

🧠 Tip: The more you play, the smoother performance will get as shaders are cached.

🛠️ Additional Notes:

  • Shader cache resets can occur after Yuzu updates or GPU driver changes.

  • Vulkan and OpenGL use separate shader caches.

    • For example, NVIDIA users can use GLASM to reduce stutter and switch to GLSL for better performance.

⚠️ Important: Do not share or download shader caches online — they may contain proprietary game data and are considered piracy.

  • Installing updates or DLCs is straightforward. Click on File > Install Files to NAND from the top-left menu of the emulator window, and choose the file you want to install.

  • Once the installation is complete, the content should appear automatically. You’ll see the installed update or DLC listed in the Add-ons column next to the corresponding game in your library.
    To turn specific updates or DLC on or off, simply right-click the game in your library, go to Properties, and check or uncheck the items you want to enable or disable.

To uninstall any game updates or DLCs, right-click the game from your library and select Remove. You’ll then see options to delete or uninstall the associated updates and downloadable content.

If Yuzu shuts down when starting a game and you’re using Nod32 ESET Antivirus, try uninstalling the antivirus and rebooting your system. Alternatively, you can add Yuzu to the HIPS exclusions list in the antivirus settings. This software is known to conflict with emulators like Yuzu.

To load a save file into your game, right-click the game in your Yuzu game list and choose Open Save Data Location. Then, pick your profile in the Profile Selector window.

Once the save directory opens, copy and paste your game’s save file into the displayed folder.

Yuzu supports GameCube adapters through the libusb protocol. This setup works out-of-the-box on Linux, but Windows users need to install a compatible driver using a tool called Zadig.

To install the driver with Zadig:

  • Plug in your GameCube adapter (make sure the Mayflash adapter is set to Wii U mode).
  • Launch Zadig and select Options > List All Devices.
  • Find and select WUP-028 from the dropdown (it should show USB ID: 057E 0337).
  • If it’s missing, reconnect the adapter or try using a different USB port—especially the black USB cable.
  • In the right-hand column, choose WinUSB and click Replace Driver. Confirm any prompts.
  • Once you see the success message, close Zadig and move on to configuring the controller within Yuzu.

Due to the Switch’s complex input system, configuring controls may vary based on the game.

  • Open Yuzu Settings, then go to the Controls tab.
  • Make sure Connect Controller is checked.
  • From the dropdown, choose Pro Controller (usually the default option).
  • Under Input Device, select the hardware you plan to use.
  • If using a controller, the button mappings should populate automatically.
  • If using a keyboard, you can click the Defaults button to apply standard keybindings.
  • Modify any mappings to your preference.
  • Repeat the setup for any additional players.
  • Click OK to save and apply the settings.

You can follow platform-specific build guides to compile Yuzu on your system. Choose from the following:

  • Linux
  • Windows
  • Android
  • macOS

Each guide walks you through the process step-by-step, based on your OS.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Games Fail to Launch — “WerFault.exe – Application Error”

Cause: Yuzu is running out of available system memory (RAM).
Solution: Increase the size of your Windows pagefile to allow more virtual memory allocation.

Yuzu Error — “VCRUNTIME140_1.dll” or “MSVCP140_ATOMIC_WAIT.dll Not Found”

These errors are related to missing Microsoft Visual C++ dependencies.
Solution:

  • Download the latest supported Visual C++ Redistributables:
  • Microsoft Visual C++ Downloads
  • Under Visual Studio 2015, 2017, and 2019, select and install the x64 version.

Error: “Broken Vulkan Installation Detected”

Cause:

This error indicates that Vulkan failed to initialize during the previous Yuzu launch.

Solution:

Try the following steps:

  • Update your graphics drivers to the latest version available from your GPU vendor.
  • Remove or update any potentially conflicting screen-recording or overlay software (e.g., MSI Afterburner, Discord overlay).
  • Verify Vulkan installation:
    Go to Emulation > Configure > Graphics and click on “Check for Working Vulkan”.

Error: “Unable to start application: Os { code: 2, kind: NotFound, message: ‘The system cannot find the file specified.’ }”

Cause:

This is typically caused by your antivirus software (especially Avast or AVG) falsely flagging and removing Yuzu’s executable file.

Solution:

  1. Confirm the false positive using a trusted online malware scanner like VirusTotal.
  2. Temporarily disable or uninstall your antivirus software. (⚠️ Ensure you reboot your PC after uninstalling.)
  3. Clean up residual files if Yuzu is no longer updating or launches with a Qt platform error:
    • Remove any leftover Yuzu installation folders manually.
    • Reinstall Yuzu cleanly from a trusted source or archive (if legally obtained).