After Yuzu, in the spring of 2024, the emulation world had to say goodbye to another software, capable of running a Switch clone: Ryujinx. The software download page has been emptied of its content, while the project’s official Discord reveals that Nintendo has contacted its developer to shut it down.
“Yesterday, Nintendo contacted gdkchan (the creator of the emulator) and offered him an agreement to stop working on the project by removing all tools over which he has control. Although we are still waiting for confirmation of his decision. However “I think it is prudent to consider the final outcome of this request,” said a Ryujinx member.
Before thanking all the contributors, who especially worked on developing the software code, he also reveals what everyone was working on, in particular an iOS and Android version of the emulator that allowed Nintendo Switch games to be run (among other things) on a computer, but also on other platforms, including Steam Deck.
Contacted by The Verge, Nintendo declined to comment on this announcement, inviting media to contact the Entertainment Software Association with any questions. This group defends the interests of video game publishers in the United States.
The termination of the Ryujinx project comes as a surprise, since its creator, gdkchan, would be based in Brazil, a country where emulation is accepted. However, it is the result of a major Nintendo anti-piracy operation: emulation allows you to run games on a machine using a key that supposedly guarantees that it is a company console. This could also amount to piracy.
Although Ryujinx did not offer links to facilitate the recovery of the famous keys, they were easily found on the web.
The question of the end of Nintendo console emulators has taken an important turn with the multiplication of leaks. One of the most famous is still that of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdombut also Pokémon Legends. The two long-awaited titles were released on the web several weeks before their respective releases.
Source: BFM TV
