RetroArch - Emulators on Nintendo Switch

RetroArch, the cross-platform collection of emulators comes to Nintendo Switch. Still sporting great performance and various features such as save states, cheats, netplay, rewinding and much more. RetroArch is sure to transform your Nintendo Switch from a gaming powerhouse into a complete multi-platform monster, expanding its already massive game library.

This guide will show you how to setup RetroArch on your Nintendo Switch and configure cheats. Press [-] + [+] during gameplay to open the Quick Menu; here you can access useful features such as save states and screenshots.

Required Downloads:

RetroArch (Switch)

Requirements

Nintendo Switch with Custom Firmware

The RetroArch homebrew application requires a hacked switch with CFW such as Atmosphere
You cannot run homebrew applications with unhacked or stock Switch consoles
This guide assumes you have all the basic requirements to enter RCM and boot into CFW

MicroSD Card (128GB or Larger Recommended)

ROMs will be stored on the MicroSD card
128GB or more is recommended for storing games

Internet Connection

RetroArch requires an internet connection during initial setup to update certain files such as the cheats database

Installing RetroArch

Some cores such as

Extract RetroArch.7z
Copy the /switch/ folder to the root of your SD card
Copy the /retroarch/ folder to the root of your SD card
Copy retroarch.jpg to the root of your SD card
Create a folder named roms in the root of your SD card
Inside the /roms/ folder, create folders for the platforms you wish to emulate and store the ROM game files accordingly
Insert your SD card into your Switch and push your preferred payload to boot into CFW
(DO NOT USE THE ALBUM) Hold [R] and launch a game to access the Homebrew Menu with full RAM access
The Homebrew Menu is normally launched through the Album but this limits their RAM availability. Starting a game while holding [R] will launch the Homebrew Menu with full RAM access, allowing apps like RetroArch to run at their full capabilities.
Select RetroArch

Setting Up RetroArch

Go to [Main Menu] -> [Online Updater]
Select [Update Installed Cores] and wait for the process to complete
Select [Update Cheats], this can take up to 30 minutes to complete
Select [Import Content] -> [Scan Directory]
Go to the /roms/ folder on the root of your SD and select [Scan This Directory]
Once complete, your ROMs will be organised by platform and added to the RetroArch main menu
Select your ROM -> [Run] and choose the core (emulator) you wish to use if prompted

Recommended Cores:

Nintendo 64 – Mupen64Plus-Next
PSX – PCSX ReARMed
Game Boy Advance – VBA Next
SNES – Snes9x 2010
Sega – Genesis Plus GX

You can download additional cores from [Main Menu] -> [Online Updater] -> [Core Updater]

Save files and save states can be found in the /retroarch/cores/ folder on your SD card

You can improve the performance of your Nintendo Switch in RetroArch by overclocking the CPU. This is recommended if you wish to maintain high a framerate when emulating more demanding systems such as the N64 or PSX.

Simply go to [Main Menu] -> [CPU Overclock] and set your desired CPU speed

[Boost Performance (1224 MHz)] or [High Performance (1581 MHz)] is recommended for stability and battery life

You can monitor your framerate (FPS) by displaying it on-screen during gameplay

You can do this in [Settings] -> [Onscreen Display] -> [Onscreen Notifications] -> [Display Framerate]

Setting Up Cheats

RetroArch features a built-in cheat engine to create cheats by editing numerical values in the game’s memory. There is also a large database of preset game-specific cheat codes that can be downloaded in the [Main Menu] -> [Online Updater].