● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 positive
Wine-NX Custom Firmware Enables Classic Windows Games on Nintendo Switch
Key points
- Wine-NX ports Wine 11 to Nintendo Switch's Horizon OS.
- Need for Speed Underground 2 runs at 20-45 fps on overclocked CPU.
- Quake III Arena achieves 37 fps at 1280x720 resolution.
- Requires an unpatched or hardware-modded Nintendo Switch console.
Classic Windows Games on Switch
Retro gaming enthusiasts can now play several classic Windows titles on the Nintendo Switch using a new custom firmware solution. A video demonstrates Need for Speed Underground 2 running on the device, with forum reports indicating Quake III and OpenTTD are also playable. WarCraft III is also nearing full compatibility.
Performance Details
Need for Speed Underground 2 runs at approximately 20–45 frames per second (fps) with default detail settings when the Switch CPU is overclocked. OpenTTD achieves up to 60 fps, while Quake III Arena runs at around 37 fps at 1280 x 720 pixels. WarCraft III currently supports menus, campaigns, and cutscenes.
How Wine-NX Works
Wine-NX is a port of Wine 11 adapted for the Switch's native Horizon OS. It functions as a homebrew package in the NRO format, enabling it to execute Windows programs and games. The system uses Box64's ARM64 dynarec for x86 code translation and Mesa 20.1's nouveau driver for graphics. It supports audio, touchscreen input, and Switch controllers can emulate mouse, keyboard, or Xbox 360 controllers.
Hardware Requirements
To utilize Wine-NX and run Windows PC games, users must have a Nintendo Switch console capable of booting custom firmware and running homebrew NROs. This restricts compatibility to older, unpatched Switch models or those equipped with a hardware modification.
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Reporting from
A custom firmware solution called Wine-NX now allows several classic Windows games, including Need for Speed Underground 2, Quake III, and OpenTTD, to run directly on modded Nintendo Switch consoles. This development expands the gaming library for Switch owners with compatible hardware, leveraging Wine 11 and Box64 for x86 code translation.