New Nintendo Switch Emulator for Android Hits Google Play Store

It's now easier for Android users to try out Nintendo Switch games on their smartphones, but given Nintendo's history, the question is how long this will last. Eden emulator, a fork of the famous Yuzu project, has officially landed in the Google Play catalog, eliminating the need to manually download and install the app from third-party websites.

The current store version isn't the latest build, but the developers have promised an update is coming soon. Eden is still in its early stages, as its version number suggests, but this release already includes noticeable improvements. The devs have squashed several bugs and boosted overall performance, which should translate to a smoother framerate in supported games.

One of the key new features is claimed compatibility with Hollow Knight: Silksong, which could draw extra interest from the indie game community. However, there's a downside to being on the official Play Store. The project's high visibility is likely to attract attention from Nintendo itself, a company known for its aggressive protection of intellectual property. The fate of the previous Yuzu emulator, which was shut down following a lawsuit, serves as a stark warning for projects like this.

For now, Project Eden isn't in the crosshairs of the Japanese gaming giant, and most players have a chance to try out Switch titles on their phones. That said, users should keep in mind the emulator's experimental status and the potential risks involved.

Eden's arrival on the official app store is part of a larger trend. The power of modern smartphones is growing so rapidly that users can now carry not just a Switch, but consoles from previous generations in their pockets. There are already somewhat functional emulators for systems like the PS3, a feat that seemed like an impossible goal for mobile devices not long ago.