Best Yuzu emulator games in 2025
Yuzu is a free, open-source Nintendo Switch emulator that lets gamers play Switch titles on PC. Yuzu games simply mean Switch game files (dumps of cartridges or eShop titles) run through Yuzu. The appeal is huge – you can run your favorite Switch games at higher resolutions, smoother framerates, and even apply fan mods. For example, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be played on PC at 4K or beyond, breathing new life into its scenery (see the Master Sword display above).
Yuzu’s advanced graphics scaling and multi-core support mean many games run much better than on original hardware. Community benchmarks now show top games like Tears of the Kingdom cruising at native 60 FPS, and classic titles easily hitting 60+ FPS on modern PCs. This high performance and broad compatibility have made Yuzu emulator games extremely popular among gamers who want Switch experiences on powerful hardware.
Top Yuzu Emulator Games
The Switch library is enormous, but many of the biggest titles run spectacularly on Yuzu. Below are some fan-favorites and must-try games, with their genre, gameplay highlight, and how they fare on Yuzu. (Performance will vary by your PC, but the compatibility rating is from the official Yuzu database or community feedback.)
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
(Action-Adventure RPG)
The latest Zelda epics come to PC as one of Yuzu’s flagship titles. Community reports and recent Yuzu builds confirm TotK runs at full speed (4K/60fps) on high-end PCs. Gameplay is identical to the Switch: massive open-world exploration, puzzles, and boss fights. Yuzu’s “Project A.R.T.” scaling makes Hyrule look crisp at higher resolutions, and virtually all in-game content works flawlessly. (Some users enable a 60fps cheat for a smoother feel, but even without tweaks TotK is impressively solid.)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
(Action-Adventure RPG)
This fan-favorite prequel is rated Great on Yuzu. You’ll experience BOTW’s gigantic world fluidly; many players easily hit ~60fps at 1080p or higher. With Yuzu’s resolution scaler, BotW can look even better than on Switch. Minor graphical quirks or frame spikes are rare, and all main story and DLC content is playable. (Image above shows the Master Sword shrine; Yuzu handles the game’s lush visuals with ease.)
Super Mario Odyssey
(3D Platformer)
Mario’s globe-trotting sandbox runs Great on Yuzu. Players report solid 60 FPS gameplay at native or supersampled resolutions on good rigs. The game’s vibrant worlds and Cappy mechanics feel just like the console, and Yuzu compatibility is excellent. Expect Odyssey to look gorgeous and run smoothly; only very minor texture bugs have been noted, nothing that impacts play.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
(3D Platformer)
Both games in this bundle are Perfect on Yuzu. You can enjoy cooperative 3D World or the single-player Bowser Fury at high framerates. This title rarely has any glitches in Yuzu, so you get the full Mario experience – all stages, power-ups, and Bowser fights – just as on Switch. Many players run it at 60fps with higher-than-original resolution thanks to Yuzu’s rendering options.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
(Racing)
Ranked Okay (meaning playable with some issues), but in practice MK8D runs very well on Yuzu. Lap racing with friends (AI or local) is buttery-smooth on decent hardware. Gamers report stable 60fps in most modes, though very heavy graphical areas (like 8-player races) may dip slightly on older PCs. All tracks and characters work; only a few minor lighting or shadow bugs exist. Overall, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe feels excellent and captures that kart racing fun on PC.
Mario Tennis Aces
(Sports/Tennis)
This arcade tennis game is Perfect on Yuzu. Matches run at a steady 60 FPS, even on mid-range systems, so swings and volleys feel responsive. There are no major issues reported, and all gameplay modes work. If you love competitive Mario sports, Aces on Yuzu delivers textbook performance (and you can upscale to 4K or add anti-aliasing for a sharper view of the courts).
Mario Golf: Super Rush
(Sports/Golf)
Officially rated Okay, Super Rush is playable from tee-off to the final hole. Expect around 60 FPS golf swings on good PCs, with only some minor graphical glitches. The Yuzu community notes “major graphical or audio glitches” are present but generally non-breaking. In other words, you can complete rounds and enjoy all courses and golf modes, though the occasional pop-in or texture bug may show up. Performance is solid – multi-hole tournaments run smoothly – and it’s one of Yuzu’s better-handling sports titles.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
(Fighting)
The ultimate crossover fighter is playable on Yuzu (rated Okay). On a strong PC, Smash Ultimate runs close to 60fps in most situations. Some users report having to tweak settings (e.g. higher render resolution or GPU accuracy) to avoid rare crashes or performance hiccups, but overall compatibility is good. All characters and modes work – you can smash with Mario, Link, Kirby, and co. The “Okay” rating reflects that you may see minor flickers or quirks, but nothing prevents full playthroughs.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
(Strategy/RPG)
Tactical battles run Great on Yuzu. Expect smooth gameplay at around 30-60 FPS, even on large 20v20 maps. Unit animations, voice lines, and menus function perfectly. This means you can complete the entire campaign without major slowdown. Three Houses had minimal emulation issues, so fans can enjoy its deep story and strategy on PC just like on console. (The Engage sequel similarly runs well, often reaching full speed with no glitches.)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
(Fighting)
The ultimate crossover fighter is playable on Yuzu (rated Okay). On a strong PC, Smash Ultimate runs close to 60fps in most situations. Some users report having to tweak settings (e.g. higher render resolution or GPU accuracy) to avoid rare crashes or performance hiccups, but overall compatibility is good. All characters and modes work – you can smash with Mario, Link, Kirby, and co. The “Okay” rating reflects that you may see minor flickers or quirks, but nothing prevents full playthroughs.
Octopath Traveler
(JRPG)
This beautiful sprite-based RPG is rated Great. It runs flawlessly on Yuzu, often at full speed (60 FPS) on modern PCs. Expect perfect compatibility – all eight characters, jobs, and battle systems work without issue. Octopath’s charming graphics and music shine even brighter when upscaled. It’s one of the benchmarks of Yuzu’s compatibility, delivering an experience indistinguishable from the Switch version.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
(RPG)
These open-world Pokémon titles are extremely popular and work very well on Yuzu. Community testing reports that with proper settings (like shader cache and texture compression), Scarlet/Violet run around 30–45 FPS in towns and battles on a solid gaming PC. While not yet officially rated, players find the games fully playable – all gym battles, NPCs, and legendaries are intact. The frame rate is locked at 30 in-game, so Yuzu can often run it at a smooth locked rate with minimal stutter. In short, Scarlet/Violet on Yuzu feel nearly native (and they look better at higher resolutions!).
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
(RPG)
The HD remakes of the Sinnoh classics run with an Okay rating. This means the games are fully playable but may have a few graphical oddities (like flickering water or map glitches). In practice, most of the game runs at near-60 FPS on decent hardware. Trainers, battles, and cutscenes all work. Yuzu users report smooth exploration of Sinnoh’s routes and caves, though some rare texture bugs can be worked around. Overall you can complete the adventure from Pallet Town to the Elite Four with only minor hiccups.
Metroid Dread
(Action-Adventure)
Dread is rated Great and runs exceptionally well. On a good PC, expect full 60 FPS gameplay in this fast-paced shooter. Samus’s transitions and boss fights are fluid, and the tight platforming is fully intact. There are virtually no compatibility issues reported – Yuzu nails Dread’s performance. The only limitation is that Dread only runs at 720p on Switch, so on PC it often looks a bit blurrier unless you enable internal upscaling, which Yuzu supports. Still, fast framerates and complete functionality make Dread a top choice for emulation.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
(Action RPG)
This 3DS port runs Great on Yuzu. Expect full-speed monster-hunting fun (30–60 FPS) on PC. All 3DS content is present (including fan-made maps), and hunts play smoothly. This title predates the Switch, but Yuzu handles it surprisingly well. Later entries like Monster Hunter Stories 2 are also Great. (By contrast, the more recent Switch Monster Hunter Rise is currently only at the title screen in Yuzu, see below.)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
(JRPG)
Rated Okay, Xenoblade 2 is playable from start to finish. Most of the game runs at ~30 FPS on strong PCs; main story battles and open-world areas are smooth. A few graphical glitches or minor freezes may occur (hence the “Okay” rating), but these generally don’t stop progress. All cutscenes and DLC are accessible. For fans of massive JRPG stories and combat, Yuzu provides a nearly complete Xenoblade 2 experience, only hindered by occasional texture bugs that tend to be rare.
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
(Action-RPG)
This side-story of the Ys series is rated Great. The fast-paced combat and exploration of the Canaan Islands run flawlessly, usually at 60 FPS or higher. All story elements and voice tracks work. Yuzu’s high compatibility means you’ll see no slowdown in any boss fight or dungeon. It’s a shining example of how even ported action-RPGs can reach native performance on Yuzu.
Super Mario Maker 2 + NSO
(Platformer/Construction)
The Switch Online version (which includes online course features) is Perfect on Yuzu. You can play user-created levels and the bundled campaigns without any issues. Performance is rock-solid at 60fps, so you can focus on designing and running through Mario courses. Every 2D power-up and online feature works seamlessly. (Its sequel Maker 3 on NSO would presumably fare similarly.)
Super Mario Party Superstars
(Party)
This party compilation runs with an Okay rating. In practice, you can play all minigames and boards, and Yuzu maintains playable performance. Some graphical glitches or occasional hangs may appear, but local multiplayer sessions proceed normally. If you enjoy couch co-op games like Mario Party, Yuzu will let you play most of Superstars’ content on PC (just watch out for a rare freeze or texture bug).
I have compiled this list according to popularity and my personal preference, if you have any suggestions or tips, let me know in the comments below.
How to Install Games in Yuzu
Getting your Switch games into Yuzu is surprisingly easy. First, make sure you have the required Switch system keys (you must dump the prod.keys and title.keys from a console you own, and place them in Yuzu’s keys folder). Then dump your Switch game files (in NSP or XCI format) from cartridges or digital purchases you legally own. Once you have the keys and dumps ready, import them into Yuzu as follows:
In Yuzu’s main window you’ll see “Double-click to add a new folder to the game list.” Double-click (or use File > Load Folder) and select the folder containing your dumped games. Yuzu will scan the folder and list all your Switch titles in its library.
- Prepare your Switch keys. Make sure Yuzu has the latest prod.keys and title.keys from your own Switch (Yuzu won’t run games without them).
- Obtain game files. Use a legal method to dump your Switch game cartridges/ downloads to NSP or XCI files, and place them in a folder on your PC.
- Add the game folder to Yuzu. In Yuzu, double-click the window (or go to File > Load Folder) and select the folder with your games. Yuzu will auto-detect all the games and show them in the list.
- Install updates/DLC (optional). If you have game updates or DLC in NSP format, use File > Install Files to NAND… and select those NSPs. Yuzu will integrate updates and DLC so games run with all the latest content.
Now you can simply double-click a game in Yuzu’s library to launch it. iF you need more information about downloading, checkout Yuzu Emulator Downloading Page.
Tip: Run Yuzu in “Experimental” or “Early Access” mode for the latest performance fixes, and enable Vulkan or OpenGL GPU rendering in Emulation > Configure for best results.
Partially Supported Games on Yuzu
Some Switch titles are only partially playable on Yuzu due to bugs or missing emulation features. You can often get into these games, but expect glitches or crashes. Here are five notable examples:
- Luigi’s Mansion 3 (Adventure/Horror) – In Yuzu, this game is rated Bad. That means it does boot but has major issues. Players report that most of the game never really renders properly – environments and ghosts may not appear correctly, and the game can crash in some areas. In short, Yuzu cannot reliably play Luigi’s Mansion 3 yet; key visual elements are missing or broken. Until emulation improves, this one is largely unplayable (though the title screen and menu do load).
- Monster Hunter Rise (Action RPG) – This title is currently at Intro/Menu status. You can start the game, but it gets stuck at the very first loading screen or intro. In other words, Rise boots to the menu but you cannot actually load into hunts. Major graphics systems in Rise are not yet emulated in Yuzu, so there’s no gameplay beyond the logo screen. The community expects fixes in future builds, but as of 2025 you can’t go on any hunts in Rise.
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Action RPG) – Also Intro/Menu. Yuzu boots into Legends up to the title/intro (where the Pokémon appear on screen) but then freezes. This means you can admire the beautiful opening cutscene a bit, but cannot move your character in the actual game world. All of the new mechanics (like real-time catching) aren’t accessible yet. As with Rise, this points to a missing system call in Yuzu. Arceus on Yuzu is essentially unplayable beyond the introduction.
- Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (RPG) – These are rated Okay. This means they are mostly playable. In practice, you can play the entire Sinnoh adventure, but you will see graphical oddities. For example, some screens flicker or certain Pokémon models may not fully load at times. However, battles, menus, and exploration all work. The frame rate hovers around 60 FPS, so performance is smooth. In short, BDSP runs end-to-end on Yuzu, but expect to encounter a few weird texture bugs or missing effects in places (e.g. some gym animations or map sprites).
- Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (JRPG) – As noted above, this is Okay. It falls here because while it can be played through, there are glitches. Some NPCs or background objects may not appear, and very rarely the game may freeze during certain sky or fog effects. Still, you can complete the game. Most story cutscenes play, and combat is functional. This means Xenoblade 2 is technically playable on Yuzu – but with graphical quirks (and its massive world occasionally hiccups). If you encounter a crash, saving and restarting usually works as a workaround.
Each of these partially-supported titles has major bugs right now (missing rendering, crashes at load, etc.), so they aren’t recommended for casual play. But the Yuzu team and community are continually improving compatibility. Always check the latest Yuzu compatibility reports and use the most recent build for any fixes.
Overall, Yuzu’s compatibility list grows every year. By 2025, most of Nintendo’s top Switch games are fully playable or very close to it. As Yuzu evolves, you can expect even more titles to reach “Perfect” status. In the meantime, the titles above give a great sampling of what works today – and they run on PC with breathtaking graphics and framerates that truly showcase what emulation can offer.
Sources: Official Yuzu compatibility data and community test reports, along with user performance findings (e.g. high framerate reports). These games were chosen for their popularity and proven Yuzu performance as of 2025.