Nintendo isn't going to be thrilled about Switch 2 games running on Apple hardware

Nintendo Switch games can now be played on Mac computers, thanks to a tool called Nxnative. The tool, which functions similarly to Wine, a software that enables Windows applications to run on other operating systems, allows for the compatibility of around 85 Switch games on Mac. These include popular titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age.

There is also a Mac app named NX2Apple that simplifies the process, although it is considered a separate project.

To use Nxnative, users must either build an unsigned IPA or .app file for each game using command line tools such as Xcode 27.1 and Homebrew, or manually dump their own Switch games. Seedds, the creator of Nxnative, explains that most games run at similar performance levels to the original Switch, typically around 30fps. However, some games may exhibit graphics or performance issues, as evidenced by a video by YouTuber Andrew Tsai.

Nxnative operates by leveraging the Arm-based chips found in both Nintendo Switch and Apple devices, running parts of the Switch game code on the Mac itself. However, certain sections of the code still require rewriting. This approach reduces the hardware overhead required to play Switch games smoothly, setting Nxnative apart from traditional emulators, like Astris.

The tool incorporates elements from various other projects, such as Ryujinx's shader translator and Yuzu's Maxwell instruction encodings, as well as a cross-check for kernel behavior. Additionally, Nxnative was recently utilized to get the Switch 2 title Mario Kart World running on a Mac.