Nintendo Switch games on Xbox Series X

Nintendo Switch games are beginning to run on the Xbox Series X through an experimental emulator. This is made possible by Microsoft's developer mode, which allows the execution of programs not distributed on the Xbox Store, particularly in the form of UWP applications.

Experimental emulator showcases Switch titles

A video and several screenshots shared by Windows Central show Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond starting on Xbox Series X. The project remains experimental, and its performance still needs to be verified.

Developer mode used for testing

Developers are using the console's developer mode, officially intended by Microsoft for testing applications. To try this experience at home, one must switch to developer mode and leave the environment in which one usually launches Xbox games. The project remains poorly documented, especially regarding how to access the emulator and use it.

Switch emulator follows PS5X project

The arrival of a Switch emulator follows that of PS5X, an experimental port of KytyPS5 by Devran Cosmo Uenal. The latter had succeeded in launching GEX Trilogy, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and Quake II. In this first demonstration, the performance was modest, with approximately 25 to 45 frames per second on certain sequences of Quake II and passages under 20 frames per second.

Challenges in adapting graphics interfaces

One of the obstacles lies in the differences between the graphical interfaces. Emulators designed to use Vulkan on PC must be adapted to DirectX 12 on Xbox, which significantly complicates their port.

Xbox Series X hosts multiple emulators

Microsoft's console already hosts several major names in emulation, including RetroArch, Dolphin, PPSSPP, and XBSX2. These emulators work on Xbox Series X|S in developer mode with varying levels of maturity depending on the machines and games.

Emulation legality and limitations

Emulation itself is not illegal, but this does not authorize the free download of commercial games, BIOS, or encryption keys required by certain systems. The Switch represents an additional step with much more recent games and technical constraints that are more demanding.

Developer mode is separate from retail mode

The developer mode is a separate environment from the "retail" mode (that of Xbox Store games), used to test and deploy applications without going through the public validation chain. It allows the execution of manually installed software, which makes it possible to launch emulators not distributed on the store.

UWP application model on Xbox

UWP (Universal Windows Platform) is a Windows application model designed to function on several Microsoft devices with the same API base. On Xbox, many tools and developer mode emulators are packaged in UWP because it is the most direct way to run a "Windows-type" application on the console.

Vulkan and DirectX 12 differences

Vulkan and DirectX 12 are two low-level graphics APIs that give fine control of the GPU, but with concepts, tools, and behaviors that do not perfectly overlap. A modern emulator often relies on shaders, memory management, and synchronization very specific to the targeted API, which makes a "simple switch" impossible.