How to Play Nintendo Switch and 3DS on PC in 2025: What’s Working Now

Still dreaming of playing The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, or Animal Crossing, but don’t have a console? You can still run your favorite Nintendo Switch games on Windows using emulators. But in 2024, things changed drastically — the most popular emulators for Nintendo Switch and 3DS — Yuzu, Citra, and Ryujinx — were officially shut down following legal action from Nintendo. Their websites, GitHub repositories, and distribution channels were taken offline. However, interest in running these games on PC remains. So, how can you play Nintendo Switch and 3DS on PC? In this article, we explain what’s left, which forks have emerged, and whether it’s even worth trying in 2025.

Why Were Yuzu, Citra, and Ryujinx Shut Down?

In 2024, the Yuzu and Citra teams announced the closure of their projects. The reason: lawsuits from Nintendo related to circumventing protections and distributing games outside of licensed hardware. The developers admitted that despite good intentions, their projects had become a platform for piracy.

In October of the same year, Ryujinx also ceased development following direct contact from Nintendo. Its source code and download pages were removed. As of May 2025, all three major Switch and 3DS emulators are officially discontinued.

Are There Any Alternatives?

Unofficial forks of Yuzu and Ryujinx have appeared on GitHub. Some builds are actively maintained and can run popular games. However:

• They have no official support;
• They require manual setup and understanding of firmware and keys;
• They can be unstable or unsafe (especially when downloaded from unofficial sites).

Still, the community remains active, and development continues thanks to enthusiasts.

What You Need to Run Emulator Forks

• A PC with Windows 10/11 (64-bit);
• An Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 or better CPU;
• A GPU supporting Vulkan or OpenGL 4.5;
• prod.keys files and firmware from your own console (legally required);
• A Ryujinx or Citra fork downloaded from GitHub (check Reddit or Discord for current builds).

Where to Find Forks and Guides

• GitHub — search for “Yuzu fork” or “Ryujinx unofficial”
• Reddit /r/emulation — discussions and links to active builds
• Discord and Telegram — unofficial communities with setup guides

Can You Play New Releases?

Not always. Older games work better — like Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Pokémon Sword/Shield. Newer titles often require updated firmware and emulator builds. Some are playable with custom patches, but performance may vary.

What About the 3DS?

The official Citra project is closed. But several fan-made forks exist — for example, Citra Enhanced. These work with most older 3DS games and support 3D effects, shaders, and save states. You can find them on GitHub or forums.

Risks and Legal Issues

You may only use firmware and key files if you own a physical console. Downloading games from the internet is a copyright violation. Nintendo actively fights piracy, especially after major game leaks. Users must understand that the gaming industry relies on the commercial success of developers. No one will make great games forever for free — piracy always harms creators and slows progress.

What to Use Instead?

If emulation seems too complex, there are alternatives:

• An original Nintendo Switch console (used or new);
• Cloud gaming services (such as console streaming);
• Retro emulators: ScummVM, FormatFactory (for converting gameplay video), or disabling startup apps to boost PC performance.

So, Can You Still Play Nintendo Switch and 3DS on PC?

Yes — but it’s tricky. Official emulators are gone, and remaining forks require technical knowledge and care. Still, the scene survives thanks to the community. If you’re ready to invest some time and learn, it’s possible. If you want an easier solution — consider getting a console or using legal services.

If you follow emulator news or use a fork — share your experience in the comments. We’ll update this article as stable solutions appear.