Abstract:
A new open source project called nxnative can convert players' own Switch games into native applications on iPhone and iPad. The entire process involves no emulators: each game's original code runs directly on Apple silicon. The same process can also generate Mac applications. "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" can now appear on the iPhone home screen as a standalone application with an icon.
Learn more:
https://github.com/seedds/nxnative
The reason why this method is feasible is that both Switch and Apple's recent devices use processors based on Arm architecture, and the game instructions themselves are compatible with the iPhone chip. For example, the recent PC port version of "Link's Awakening" built by AI does not have such inherent advantages. Code translation must be done first, because most PCs use x86 processors.
On iPhone or Mac, just replace the Nintendo-specific components. A small host program actually replaces the Switch's operating system, and the console's graphics interface is translated into Apple's Metal API, instead of using Nintendo's own graphics interface.
The tool only came to attention last weekend when tech account Techjunkie Aman posted on X. Even so, its GitHub page lists more than 60 tested games, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Metroid: Survival of Fear, and Super Mario Odyssey. With specific game updates, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild", "Tears of the Kingdom" and "Fire Emblem Combined" can even increase from 30 frames to 60 frames on Switch.
However, complete configuration requires some effort. You need to bring your own game files, a decryption key extracted from your own host, and a Mac with Xcode installed to execute the build script. The first build alone can take up to an hour.
The generated application must be installed through sideloading, which means bypassing the App Store and using tools such as AltStore or Sideloadly. The app can only run on iPhone 15 Pro and newer models, or iPads equipped with M1 and newer chips, and the system needs to be iOS 26 or iPadOS 26. The reason is that older iPhones can't handle the compressed textures used by these games. Even on supported devices, amiibo functionality and online connectivity are not available.
Building Mac apps only requires one additional command during the build process. Mac gaming YouTuber Andrew Tsai has built several apps this way and got Monster Hunter Rise running at locked 60 frames on a base M1 MacBook Air with just 8GB of RAM. He also successfully ran the console-exclusive strategy game "King of Holy Beasts" natively.
Of course, this project has nothing to do with Nintendo. Each build starts from files provided by the user themselves, so the project itself does not distribute any game data. Switch emulator Yuzu also did not distribute the game, but its developers still agreed to pay Nintendo $2.4 million in 2024 to settle the lawsuit.
A few months later, rival emulator Ryujinx went offline after Nintendo contacted its lead developer. Ironically, nxnative still relies on Ryujinx's code to complete the graphics translation of each game.
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