Hyjinx
Hyjinx is a free, open-source Nintendo Switch emulator for Linux, macOS and Windows.
What Hyjinx is
Hyjinx is a free, open-source Nintendo Switch emulator for Linux, macOS and Windows. Written in C#, it is based on Ryujinx, and development began in January 2025 after Ryujinx ceased development. The project says a PC needs at least 8 GiB of RAM; less may lead to poor gameplay or crashes. Graphics support includes OpenGL 4.5 or later, Vulkan and Metal through MoltenVK, with options such as resolution scaling, anti-aliasing, shader caching and FSR scaling filters. Audio output works, but microphone input is not supported. Controls include keyboard, mouse, touch, JoyCons and nearly all controllers; dual-JoyCon motion input requires DS4Windows or BetterJoy. The graphical interface can manage downloadable content, and the emulator supports romfs, exefs and runtime mods such as cheats. A profile-based translation cache is enabled by default, with performance improvements beginning after a game reaches its title screen at least twice. Automated main-branch builds are produced for each commit and may be unstable or broken. The project says it cannot directly decrypt protected content and is independent of Nintendo.
Good
- Free and open-source
- Supports Linux, macOS and Windows
- Graphics options include resolution scaling and anti-aliasing
- Supports keyboard, mouse, touch and nearly all controllers
- GUI can manage downloadable content
Watch out
- Requires at least 8 GiB of RAM
- Microphone input is not supported
- Automated builds may be unstable or broken
- Dual-JoyCon motion input requires extra software
Who it suits
It may suit people looking for an open-source Switch emulator on Linux, macOS or Windows who meet the stated memory requirement. Users who need microphone input or stable automated builds should note those limits.
Verdict
Hyjinx offers graphics, controller and mod support across three desktop platforms. Its stated memory requirement and potentially unstable automated builds are key considerations.
The facts
Each one read from Hyjinx's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Affiliation
- The project states that it is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nintendo.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Audio
- Audio output is supported, while audio input through a microphone is not supported.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Builds
- Builds are compiled automatically for each commit on the main branch, and the project warns they may be unstable or broken.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Settings can be changed through the graphical interface or manually in Config.json in the user folder.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Controls
- Input support includes keyboard, mouse, touch, JoyCons, and nearly all controllers; dual-JoyCon motion input requires DS4Windows or BetterJoy.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Development
- Hyjinx development began in January 2025 after Ryujinx ceased development.checked 7 Oct 2026
- DLC and mods
- The GUI can manage downloadable content and supports romfs, exefs, and runtime mods such as cheats.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Graphics
- The GPU emulator supports OpenGL 4.5 or later, Vulkan, and Metal through MoltenVK, plus six listed graphics enhancements.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Independence
- The project says it is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nintendo.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Input
- The emulator supports keyboard, mouse, touch, JoyCon, and nearly all controllers; dual-JoyCon motion controls require DS4Windows or BetterJoy.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project says it uses AmiiboAPI for Amiibo emulation and ldn_mitm for one available multiplayer mode.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations and components
- The project credits LibHac for its file system, AmiiboAPI for Amiibo emulation, and ldn_mitm for an available multiplayer mode.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Intended goals
- The project aims to provide accuracy, performance, a user-friendly interface, and consistent builds.checked 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The project says it uses customized MIT license terms and also includes code under BSD and LGPLv3 licenses.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Load-time cache
- A profile-based persistent translation cache is enabled by default and its performance improvements begin after the game has been launched to the title screen at least twice.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Memory requirement
- The README says a PC needs at least 8 GiB of RAM and warns that less may cause poor gameplay or crashes.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Mods and downloadable content
- The graphical interface can manage add-on or downloadable content, and the emulator supports romfs, exefs, and runtime mods such as cheats.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Hyjinx is an open-source Nintendo Switch emulator written in C# and based on Ryujinx.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Project history
- Hyjinx development began in January 2025 after Ryujinx ceased development.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Protected content
- The emulator is described as unable to directly decrypt protected content, as part of the project's stated DMCA-compliance goal.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The releases page lists version 0.3.0-preview.174 as a pre-release, dated September 30, 2026.checked 7 Oct 2026
- System requirement
- The project says a PC needs at least 8 GiB of RAM to run the emulator.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2025checked 28 Sep 2026
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