Hyjinx
What it is
Hyjinx is a free, open-source Nintendo Switch emulator for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Written in C#, it is based on Ryujinx, with development beginning in January 2025 after Ryujinx ceased development. The project says a PC needs at least 8 GiB of RAM; less memory may cause poor gameplay or crashes. Graphics support includes OpenGL 4.5 or later, Vulkan, and Metal through MoltenVK, plus resolution scaling, anti-aliasing, shader caching, and FSR scaling filters. Audio output works, but microphone input does not. Controls include keyboard, mouse, touch, JoyCons, and nearly all controllers; dual-JoyCon motion input requires DS4Windows or BetterJoy. The graphical interface manages downloadable content and supports romfs, exefs, and runtime mods such as cheats. A profile-based translation cache is enabled by default, with improvements after a game reaches its title screen at least twice. Automated main-branch builds may be unstable or broken. The project says it cannot directly decrypt protected content and is independent of Nintendo. Version 0.3.0-preview.174 is listed as a pre-release dated September 30, 2026.
For and against
For
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Supports OpenGL, Vulkan, and Metal
- Broad keyboard and controller input
- Downloadable-content and mod management
- Persistent translation cache enabled by default
Against
- At least 8 GiB of RAM is required
- Microphone input is unsupported
- Automated builds may be unstable or broken
- Dual-JoyCon motion needs additional software
The verdict
Hyjinx offers broad platform, graphics, input, and mod support in a free open-source package. Its memory requirement, unsupported microphone input, unstable automated builds, and protected-content limitation are important considerations.
Who it suits
It suits PC users seeking an open-source Switch emulator with broad graphics APIs, controller support, downloadable-content management, and mod handling. Users should be comfortable with potentially unstable automated builds and the stated memory requirement.
On the record
- Affiliation
- The project states that it is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nintendo.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Audio
- Audio output is supported, while audio input through a microphone is not supported.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Settings can be changed through the graphical interface or manually in Config.json in the user folder.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Controls
- Input support includes keyboard, mouse, touch, JoyCons, and nearly all controllers; dual-JoyCon motion input requires DS4Windows or BetterJoy.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Development
- Hyjinx development began in January 2025 after Ryujinx ceased development.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- DLC and mods
- The GUI can manage downloadable content and supports romfs, exefs, and runtime mods such as cheats.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Graphics
- The GPU emulator supports OpenGL 4.5 or later, Vulkan, and Metal through MoltenVK, plus six listed graphics enhancements.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Independence
- The project says it is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nintendo.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Input
- The emulator supports keyboard, mouse, touch, JoyCon, and nearly all controllers; dual-JoyCon motion controls require DS4Windows or BetterJoy.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project says it uses AmiiboAPI for Amiibo emulation and ldn_mitm for one available multiplayer mode.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Intended goals
- The project aims to provide accuracy, performance, a user-friendly interface, and consistent builds.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The project says it uses customized MIT license terms and also includes code under BSD and LGPLv3 licenses.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Hyjinx is an open-source Nintendo Switch emulator written in C# and based on Ryujinx.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
