How to Install Ryujinx as a Nintendo Switch Emulator for Your PC

Emulation enables tons of avenues for gaming that official platforms don’t. And emulation on PCs allows you to play games from numerous platforms straight from the comfort of your set-up.

And with PC Nintendo Switch emulation provided by Ryujinx, you’re able to boost any Nintendo Switch game to run on your PC specs, unlocking the true potential of games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. But adding Ryujinx to your PC isn’t as simple as you may think. Let’s take a look.

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What You Need to Know About Ryujinx

Before jumping into the specifics of adding Ryujinx to your PC, there are some key things you need to know about the Ryujinx emulator and emulation in general beforehand.

While one ofthe best Nintendo Switch emulators for Windows, Linux, or macOS, Ryujinx isn’t perfect and does come with a few caveats. Some of these slight flaws may prove difficult to overcome when you attempt to install Ryujinx on your PC. Overall, these caveats can be defined by the following:

MacBook and a Dell laptop running ZorinOS next to each other

Aside from the drawbacks of Ryujinx itself, emulation exists in a moral gray area. While it’s not illegal to emulate your own games, ensure that any games you do emulate are copies of games you own. As long as you own the games you emulate, you have nothing to worry about.

How to Install Ryujinx on Your PC

While there are manypros and cons of video game emulation, Ryujinx is still one of the most stable Nintendo Switch emulators available to you. This is mainly due to how unique Nintendo Switch emulation is compared to emulating other platforms.

But with that said, if you want to try Nintendo Switch emulation out for yourself and install Ryujinx, follow these steps:

Dell monitor showing Windows 10 desktop

By following these steps you should be able to launch and access the base functions of the Ryujinx emulator on your PC. However, if you want to start emulating Nintendo Switch games, there are a few more tweaks to Ryujinx you need to do beforehand.

How to Set Up Ryujinx for Nintendo Switch Emulation

Now Ryujinx is installed onto your PC, you’re ready to set up the emulator so it’s possible to start emulating Switch games. But to do so, you need to do two things within Ryujinx.

1. Ensure Prod.Keys Is Located in Your Version of Ryujinx

The first thing required to set up Ryujinx for Switch emulation is to check theprod.keysfile is available in your version of Ryujinx. To do this, follow these steps:

If it’s possible to’t see theprod.keysfile in theSystemfolder, you will need to download the file from a site likeProd Keysand copy it into the RyujinxSystemfolder.

firefox logo with yellow warning symbol

Once you’re sure theprod.keysfile is within the RyujinxSystemfolder, it’s possible to move on to the second requirement: updating the firmware of Ryujinx.

2. Install the Latest Firmware to Your Version of Ryujinx

Just like if you needed to supply your ownprod.keysfile, you will also need to separately download firmware for Ryujinx from a site likeProd Keys. But once you have your firmware downloaded and ready to go, you can follow these steps to install the firmware to Ryujinx:

The firmware will then be installed onto Ryujinx. And, with theprod.keysfile and your firmware for Ryujinx up and running, the emulator is installed, set up, and ready to go on your PC.

A photograph of two Nintendo Switch Joy Con attached to a controller adapter

Enhance Nintendo Switch Games With PC Emulation From Ryujinx

Ryujinx may be quite fiddly to install and utilize, but it still represents one of the best ways to emulate Switch games on PC. And with Ryujinx releasing constant updates, the issues with the emulator only stand to be corrected over time.

As a way to improve or enhance your Switch collection with PC gaming, Ryujinx is the perfect tool.

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