Ryujinx Classic
Ryujinx Classic is a free Nintendo Switch emulator project intended to revive the original Ryujinx.
What Ryujinx Classic is
Ryujinx Classic is a free Nintendo Switch emulator project intended to revive the original Ryujinx. It aims to improve the codebase, add quality-of-life changes, and support newer Nintendo Switch firmware and software. The C# source is available under the MIT license for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Graphics support includes OpenGL 4.5+, Vulkan, and Metal through MoltenVK, with resolution scaling, anti-aliasing, and disk shader caching among its options. Input includes keyboard, mouse, touch, JoyCon, and nearly all controllers; microphone input is not supported. The emulator can manage downloadable content and supports romfs, exefs, and runtime mods. The project has no automated build yet, so users must build it themselves. Its README recommends at least 8 GiB of RAM and preferably an NVIDIA GPU, noting that lower specifications may cause poor performance or unexpected crashes. Audio output is supported, while microphone input is not.
Good
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- MIT-licensed C# source is available.
- Supports OpenGL, Vulkan, and Metal graphics APIs.
- Offers resolution scaling and multiple input options.
Watch out
- No automated build is provided; users must build it.
- Microphone audio input is unsupported.
- README recommends at least 8 GiB of RAM.
- Lower specifications may cause poor performance or crashes.
Who it suits
Ryujinx Classic may suit technically comfortable users looking for a Nintendo Switch emulator on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Building it themselves and meeting the stated system recommendations are important considerations.
Verdict
Ryujinx Classic has broad graphics and input support, but it currently requires users to build the emulator themselves. Consider the listed hardware guidance and the lack of microphone input before proceeding.
The facts
Each one read from Ryujinx Classic's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audio
- Audio output is fully supported, but audio input through a microphone is not supported.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Build availability
- Ryujinx Classic does not yet provide an automated build, so users must build the emulator themselves.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Build targets
- Build instructions show Windows win-x64 and allow runtime identifiers such as linux-x64 and linux-arm64; macOS terminal instructions are also provided.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Codebase
- The project says it aims to improve the codebase.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Compatibility
- As of May 2024, Ryujinx had been tested on approximately 4,300 titles; over 4,100 booted past menus into gameplay, with roughly 3,550 considered playable.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Configuration
- Settings such as logging and controller remapping can be changed through the graphical interface or the Config.json file.checked 30 Sep 2026
- CPU emulation
- The ARMeilleure CPU emulator supports most 64-bit ARMv8 instructions and some ARMv7 and older instructions, with partial 32-bit support.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Created
- GitLab lists the project creation date as May 04, 2026.checked 30 Sep 2026
- DLC and mods
- The emulator manages downloadable content through its GUI and supports romfs, exefs, and runtime mods such as cheats.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Firmware and software
- The project says it aims to add support for newer Nintendo Switch firmware and software.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Graphics
- The GPU emulator supports OpenGL 4.5+, Vulkan, and Metal through MoltenVK, with resolution scaling, anti-aliasing, scaling filters including FSR, anisotropic filtering, aspect-ratio adjustment, and disk shader caching.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Input
- Input support includes keyboard, mouse, touch, JoyCon, nearly all controllers, and native motion controls in most cases; dual-JoyCon motion requires DS4Windows or BetterJoy.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Language
- GitLab lists C# as a project topic.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Open source
- The emulator is written in C#, and Ryujinx Classic is available under the MIT license.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Performance cache
- Ryujinx includes an optional Profiled Persistent Translation Cache that caches translated functions to reduce game load times after initial launches.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Product
- Ryujinx Classic is described as a Nintendo Switch emulator.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Project aim
- The project aims to revive the original Ryujinx project.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Project topic
- GitLab lists emulator as a project topic.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Ryujinx Classic is a Nintendo Switch emulator intended to revive the original project through codebase improvements, quality-of-life enhancements, and support for newer Nintendo Switch firmware and software.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Quality of life
- The project says it aims to add quality-of-life enhancements.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Users can request support or submit contributions and suggestions by opening a GitLab issue, reviewing the FAQ, or subscribing to the project's YouTube channel.checked 30 Sep 2026
- System requirements
- The README recommends at least 8 GiB of RAM and preferably an NVIDIA GPU; systems below these requirements may have poor performance or unexpected crashes.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Third-party components
- The project credits LibHac for its file system, AmiiboAPI for Amiibo emulation, ldn_mitm for a multiplayer mode, and ShellLink for Windows shortcut generation.checked 30 Sep 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2026checked 28 Sep 2026
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