Play Nintendo Switch games on your Steam Deck | Setup Guide

Nintendo Switch Emulators

One of the best things about the Steam Deck is that it can emulate consoles from Atari all the way to Nintendo Switch.

Files you will need to run Nintendo Switch games on your Steam Deck:

Emulators:

There are currently two Nintendo Switch emulators that works great on the Steam Deck:

Ryujinx    and    Yuzu

Both are great emulators and I find myself switching betwixt the two.  Some games run great in Yuzu and others in Ryujinx so I recommend installing both on your Steam Deck.

Install Ryujinx and Yuzu Nintendo Swtich emulators

The easiest way to install both emulators and others is to use EmuDeck. This tool will give you the option to install just about every emulator onto your Steam Deck.

Firmwares

The following site hosts all version of the Nintendo Switch firmwares:

Switch Firmwares

I am currently using Firmware 15.0.1 (Rebootless Update) and it’s worked for all the games I’ve tried.

Place the firmware files in the following folders:

For Yuzu
/run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/bios/yuzu/firmware/

Switch Keys

You will need keys from the Switch for the emulators to work. A lot of people softmod their Swtich and dumps the key to use, but you can simple download both prod.keys and title.keys from Prodkeys.net

If you installed EmuDeck on your Steam Deck’s microSD, the put both the prod.keys and title.keys in the following folders:

For Ryujinx
/run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/bios/ryujinx/keys/

For Yuzu
/run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/bios/yuzu/keys/

More about running Switch games on your Steam Deck:

The Steam Deck is an upcoming handheld gaming device from Valve that has garnered a lot of attention from gamers. One of the most exciting features of the Steam Deck is its ability to run games from multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch games. In this article, we will explore how to run Switch games on the Steam Deck and what you need to know to get started.

First, it is important to note that running Switch games on the Steam Deck requires some technical know-how and is not officially supported by Valve. However, there are ways to play Switch games on the Steam Deck using emulators, which are programs that mimic the hardware of a console to run its games on a different platform.

To run Switch games on the Steam Deck, you will need an emulator such as Yuzu or Ryujinx. These emulators can run Switch games on a PC, and with a little bit of tweaking, they can be configured to work on the Steam Deck. Here are the steps to get started:

1. Download an emulator: Yuzu and Ryujinx are the two most popular Switch emulators. You can download them for free from their respective websites.
2. Install the emulator: Once you have downloaded the emulator, you will need to install it on your Steam Deck. This will involve transferring the files from your PC to your Steam Deck.
3. Configure the emulator: After installing the emulator, you will need to configure it to work on the Steam Deck. This will involve setting up the controls, graphics settings, and other options to ensure that the game runs smoothly.
4. Download Switch ROMs: In order to play Switch games on the emulator, you will need to download ROMs, which are copies of the games. You can find ROMs on various websites, but it is important to only download ROMs from reputable sources to avoid malware.
5. Load the game: Once you have downloaded the ROM, you can load it into the emulator and start playing. Make sure to configure the controls to your liking before starting the game.

While running Switch games on the Steam Deck is technically possible, it is important to note that it is not without risks. Emulators can be buggy and may not work with every game. Additionally, using ROMs that you have not purchased is illegal and can result in legal repercussions.

In conclusion, running Switch games on the Steam Deck is possible with the use of emulators. However, it is important to exercise caution and make sure you are using reputable sources for ROMs. If you are not comfortable with the technical aspects of running emulators, it may be best to stick with games that are officially supported by Valve.