How To Add Games To Yuzu

How to Add Games to Yuzu

So, you’ve got Yuzu set up and you’re ready to play your favorite Nintendo Switch games on your computer! That’s awesome! But how do you actually get those games into Yuzu so you can start playing? It’s not as simple as just popping a cartridge in, but don’t worry, it’s not too tricky either. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, step by step, to get your games running on Yuzu. We will cover where to get your game files, how to prepare them for the emulator, and the different methods of adding them. So, let’s get started!

Understanding Game Files for Yuzu

Before we jump into adding games, it’s important to understand what kind of files Yuzu needs. You can’t just use any old file; it has to be a specific format that the emulator can read. Let’s talk about the common file types you’ll encounter:

XCI Files

XCI files are essentially direct backups of your Nintendo Switch game cartridges. Think of them as digital copies of your physical games. They contain all the game data, just like what’s on the game card. Yuzu can handle these files very well.

NSP Files

NSP files are like the digital download version of a Switch game. If you have bought games through the eShop, they will usually be in this format. They also contain all the game information, like XCI files, and they work just fine with Yuzu.

Game Updates and DLC

Sometimes, games receive updates that improve the game or add new content (DLC). These updates and DLC come in the same NSP format as the games themselves. You’ll want to install these separately to keep your games up to date and have the full experience. We’ll cover adding these soon!

Keys and Firmware

Another crucial point before we begin is that Yuzu will also need what are referred to as “keys” and “firmware”. These aren’t game files, but necessary files that Yuzu needs to run your games. The keys and firmware files are unique to the Nintendo Switch system. You cannot obtain these from the Yuzu team. You need to extract these from your own Nintendo Switch system, if you do have one. We will not cover the methods of extraction in this article but will mention their necessity. Please note that the legalities of this process vary and you must be mindful of your local laws.

Acquiring Your Game Files

This is a very important point. We must emphasize that you should only add games to Yuzu that you have legally obtained. That could be from the game cartridge that you own, or downloaded from the eShop to your console, and then copied over. The method you use is up to you. The method of obtaining games through an unofficial third-party is illegal.

Here’s a list of options available to you.

• Ripping From Your Own Game Cartridges: If you own the physical games, you can use special tools to create backups of them as XCI files. This requires a Nintendo Switch that has been modified, and software on your computer. Again, we will not provide a tutorial for this process as it will vary depending on the method you use.
• Copying from your Nintendo Switch: If you own a digital copy of a game, you can copy this over to your computer from your switch. Again, this requires a modified switch and software on your computer, but once more we will not provide a tutorial for this process.

Remember, it’s essential to respect copyright laws and only use games you have purchased or own legally.

Preparing Your Game Files

Before loading any game into Yuzu, you should make sure that your games are in the correct formats mentioned earlier, either XCI or NSP. If you have a game in a compressed archive file format such as .zip or .rar, then you will need to extract this to reveal the underlying XCI or NSP file. This may require using software such as 7-Zip or WinRAR. Once your files are in the correct format, you’re ready to add them to the emulator.

Methods of Adding Games to Yuzu

Now that you know all about game files and where to get them, let’s actually add them to Yuzu. There are a few ways you can do this, and we’ll cover the most common ones.

Using the “Add New Game Directory” Option

This is the most straightforward and common way to add your games. Here’s how it works:

1. Open Yuzu: Start the Yuzu emulator on your computer.
2. Find the “Add New Game Directory” Button: Look for a button, usually at the top of the Yuzu interface, that says something like “Add New Game Directory.” Click this button.
3. Choose Your Games Folder: A file explorer window will open. Navigate to the folder on your computer where you have your game files (XCI or NSP files) stored. Select this folder.
4. Confirm and Wait: Click the “Select Folder” button (or similar). Yuzu will now scan the folder you selected for game files. This might take a few seconds, or even minutes, depending on how many games you have. Once it’s done, you should see the games displayed in the Yuzu game list.

That’s it! Your games should now be listed in Yuzu. You can repeat the process to add more game folders.

Drag and Drop Method

Another easy way to add games is through the drag-and-drop method. It’s quick and simple. Here’s how:

1. Open Yuzu: Just like before, start the Yuzu emulator.
2. Locate Your Game File(s): Open the folder that contains your game files.
3. Drag and Drop: Now, click on the game file(s) you want to add (either XCI or NSP files), and while still holding the mouse button, drag them over to the Yuzu game list window, and then release the mouse button.

Yuzu should then add these games to the game list. This method works just as well as the ‘Add New Game Directory’ option, so feel free to use whichever method you prefer.

Adding Game Updates and DLC

Once you have your base game installed, you may want to add updates and DLC. Here’s how to do that:

1. Right-Click the Game: In the Yuzu game list, find the game that you want to add updates or DLC to. Right-click on that game.
2. Select “Install Files”: From the menu that appears, select the option that says “Install Files” (or similar).
3. Navigate to Update/DLC Files: A file explorer will open. Navigate to where your update or DLC files are located (they will be in .nsp format).
4. Select File(s): Select the .NSP update and/or DLC file(s) that you want to install, and then click the open/install button.
5. Wait for Installation: Yuzu will now start the installation process. This may take a little while to complete, depending on the size of the files.

When the installation is done, your game will now have the new update and/or DLC content. Please ensure that your updates are compatible with the base game that you own.

Managing Your Game Library

Once you have a good number of games added, you’ll want to keep things organized. Here’s a few things you can do to manage your library:

Renaming Games

Sometimes, game file names might be confusing. To rename a game in the Yuzu game list, you can right-click on the game and select “Rename”. Enter the new name, and the game will be renamed. This is useful to keep the games organised.

Sorting Games

You can click on the heading in the list, e.g. Name, Location, Title ID etc, to sort your games according to your preferences. This is especially useful if you have lots of games, and are looking for a specific one.

Removing Games

If you want to remove a game from the Yuzu list, you can simply right-click it, and then select the ‘Remove’ option. This will remove the game from the list, but will not delete the game file itself from your computer.

Game Compatibility

It’s important to know that some games may not work perfectly with Yuzu, or may not work at all. This is still a developing emulator, and compatibility is improving all the time. Some games may run with graphics glitches, bugs, or performance issues. If a game is not running well, you may need to check the Yuzu forums or community pages to see if anyone has come up with any specific fixes for that particular game, or to see if it is just not compatible with the emulator.

Backup your games

It may be a good idea to make backups of your games on external storage devices, in case your main storage device fails.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things might not go smoothly. Here are some common issues and how to address them:

Game Not Showing Up

If your game doesn’t appear in the Yuzu game list after adding the folder, make sure the game files are in the correct .XCI or .NSP format. Also ensure that you have selected the folder containing your game files, and not a folder containing the folder. If the files are correct, try restarting Yuzu, and re-add the folder.

Game Crashes

If a game crashes while running, check the minimum or recommended system requirements, and ensure your computer matches or exceeds these. Ensure your graphics card drivers are up to date. If crashes still occur, then check on community pages to see if there are any known solutions for that particular game. As Yuzu is still a developing emulator, you might find that some games are simply unstable for now.

Slow Performance

If games run slowly, you might have to change the emulation settings. Try turning on the V-Sync option. Ensure that your computer meets the recommended specifications for the game, and ensure your drivers are up to date. You can try turning down the graphics settings, such as the resolution, for improved performance.

Missing Keys or Firmware

If you get a warning about missing keys or firmware, you will need to provide the correct “keys” and “firmware” files that you obtained from your own Nintendo Switch. Again, we will not provide details on how to obtain these. Please ensure that the files are placed in the correct folder. Please note, that if you get a warning that the keys and firmware versions do not match, you will have to obtain a matching set of both files, as using incompatible versions may cause the emulator to malfunction.

Remember that you can always check the Yuzu website and forums for more up to date information, or to ask the community for help.

Adding games to Yuzu can be a fun and rewarding experience. By following these steps and understanding how the emulator works, you’ll be able to enjoy your Nintendo Switch games on your computer. Remember to always obtain your games legally. Keep your emulator and files updated, and always make backups. Have fun, and enjoy playing your games!