Want to play Nintendo Switch games on your PC (Windows/Linux)? You’re in the right place! Since many Switch emulators have slowed down or stopped development, Citron Emulator is currently the best option with active updates. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to set up and use the Citron Emulator on your Windows or Linux system, so you can enjoy your favorite Switch titles right from your computer.
Table of Contents
Steps to Set Up and Use Citron Emulator on PC
Follow these simple steps to get started with the Citron Emulator and begin playing your favorite Nintendo Switch games on your PC:
1. Download Games (NSP, XCI ROMs)
Before setting up the Citron emulator, you’ll first need to download the ROM files for your desired games. All Nintendo Switch emulators, including Citron, support games in NSP/XCI format, and you can easily find and download these ROMs using the link provided below.
2. Setting Up Citron Emulator
Step 1: Download and extract the Citron Emulator file for your system using the button below.
Step 2: After extraction, double-click the ‘citron.exe‘ file to run the emulator.
Step 4: Upon launching the emulator, you may encounter an error message stating:
“Derivation Components Missing” or “Encryption keys are missing.”
Don’t worry, this is normal! The emulator requires encryption keys (prod.keys) to function properly. Click the button below to access our guide on fixing this issue.
Step 3: Once you’ve added the ‘prod.keys‘, the encryption keys issue will be resolved. Now, you’re ready to proceed to the next step: adding the Nintendo Switch firmware.
3. Adding Game Directory
Now it’s time to add the directory where your game files are stored so the emulator can detect them.
Step 1: Launch the Citron Emulator. On the main screen, you will see a message stating, ‘Double-click to add a new folder to the game list. Double-click on the screen to proceed.
Step 2: Navigate to the folder where your XCI or NSP game files are stored. For example, I have saved “The Legend of Heroes Trails through Daybreak II [0100F6701FED4000][v0][US].xci” file in a folder named “ROMs,” so I’m selecting it.
Step 3: Once the folder is selected, all games in that directory will appear on the main emulator screen. In my case, “The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II” will be listed.
4. Launch the Game
That’s it! Once you’ve followed the steps, simply double-click on your chosen game, and you’re good to go. Dive into your favorite Nintendo Switch games and enjoy playing them right on your PC.
It’s a great feeling to have such an amazing Nintendo Switch library of games at your fingertips, ready to play whenever you want, without needing a console.
Final thought
Using the Citron Emulator makes playing Nintendo Switch games on your PC a breeze. With just a few simple steps, you’re set to enjoy an amazing gaming experience without needing the actual console. Whether it’s for nostalgia or trying out new titles, this guide has you covered. If you found it helpful, feel free to share it with friends who might want to try this too!