Earlier today, some eagle-eyed users noticed that the Ryujinx GitHub page was down. So were the download links on the official Ryujnix website. While we were holding out hope this wasn’t the case, it seems that this was in vain.
It’s been confirmed on the Ryujinx Discord that the app will no longer continue. Instead of regurgitating what was said, here’s the statement provided:
So instead of Nintendo filing a DMCA claim before attempting to sue the Ryujnx team, Nintendo apparently came to some type of agreement with gdkchan. So just like that, we’ve lost yet another Nintendo Switch emulator, as Yuzu was removed earlier this year.
Details are still fairly scarce, as we don’t know what the terms of the agreement were, besides the Ryujnx repository and downloads being deleted or taken offline. Currently, the Ryujinx website is still live, but the only link that really works is the one that takes you to the Ryujinx blog.
The timing of this is rather interesting, as Nintendo has been spreading its reach into the YouTube space. Notably, Russ from Retro Game Corps has had not one, but two strikes on his channel in as many weeks. The first of which was related to a video on the MIG Switch, and the other was a Cemu for Android showcase. Both of these channel strikes came from Nintendo. Russ joined the weekly Retro Handhelds Podcast to share a bit more about what he’s been dealing with, so be sure to check that out.
At the same time, there have been a number of leaks regarding the Nintendo Switch 2, which is expected to be released by March 2025. Recently, we’ve seen supposed CAD renders, in addition to a few new Nintendo products passing through the FCC.
Before it was taken down, Ryujnx was available for download on Windows, macOS, and Linux. However, it was also revealed that the developers were working on ports for both iOS and Android. While both of these ports technically worked, you can check out the screenshots below as to why they weren’t made publicly available.
Although things look fairly grim, the Switch emulation scene isn’t completely dead just yet. I won’t mention them here, but there are a couple of other emulators that are still in active development. Hopefully, someone will be able to pick up the mantle left by Ryujnx and create something even better.
What did you think of this article? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
This page may contain affiliate links, by purchasing something through a link, Retro Handhelds may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you.
Vote with your wallets everyone
Imagine acting like a company is the bad guy for stopping theft of their CURRENT PRODUCTS.
Ok but with what happened to Russ was just Nintendo being vindictive. He has always preached only emulating and backing up games you already physically own.
Ryujinx isn’t stealing, they want you to use your own copies, taken from your switch, that you own.
I’m not giving Nintendo the benefit of the doubt. Yuzu. Rom Sites. SHEET MUSIC sites. Palworld. The aforementioned Ross on YouTube. Now Ryujinx. Nintendo’s Legal Department has been doing a lot lately to harm game preservation.
The Switch’s motto should be
“Play it OUR way.”
Jason, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but this wasn’t even a cease and desist Nintendo did, #1 (plus, the Switch is still a current product, so of course Nintendo’s going to start cracking down on stuff like this).
#2. Nintendo is from a country where fair use copyright laws are non-existent.
#3. Yuzu bit itself in the ass with the TOTK leak, much like Ryujinx did when it was revealed someone was playing Echoes of Wisdom on it.
It’s not Nintendo harming game preservation. It’s Japanese copyright that is.
Plus, Palworld? Pocketpair didn’t even try to hide that they copied some of the creature designs from Pokémon, and their greedy nature is worse than your fictionalized version of Nintendo.