Retro gaming enthusiasts with a Nintendo Switch can now dive into a selection of classic Windows games, thanks to an innovative project called Wine-NX. A recent video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) showcased a remarkably smooth gameplay session of the popular title Need for Speed: Underground 2 running on Nintendo’s hybrid console.
The Wine-NX project, detailed on its forums, is an experimental software that translates x86 code to run Windows applications on the Switch’s native Horizon OS. It leverages Box64, an ARM64 dynamic recompilation tool, to enable this compatibility. Graphics rendering is handled by the Mesa 20.1 nouveau driver, and the project supports audio, touchscreen input, and Switch controllers can emulate mouse/keyboard or function as Xbox 360 controllers.
Performance and Supported Titles
Contrary to the notion that the Switch’s hardware is underpowered, older PC games appear to be well-suited for its capabilities. The video displaying Need for Speed: Underground 2 showed a status panel indicating CPU and GPU usage. According to forum posts, with the CPU overclocked, the game achieves frame rates between 20 and 45 FPS on default settings during races.
Beyond the racing classic, Wine-NX is reported to run other titles smoothly. OpenTTD (Transport Tycoon Deluxe) has been seen reaching up to 60 FPS. Additionally, Quake 3 Arena is said to run at approximately 37 FPS when using a 1280×720 resolution.
The development team is also nearing completion for Warcraft 3. Current progress indicates that the game’s menus, campaigns, and cutscenes are playing correctly, marking a significant milestone for the project.
How It Works
Wine-NX is essentially a port of Wine 11 to the Switch’s native operating system, Horizon OS. It is distributed as a custom program package in NRO format, which the Horizon system recognizes. The core of its functionality lies in the Box64 ARM64 dynamic recompiler, which translates the original x86 code from Windows programs into a format the Switch can execute.
Compatibility Requirements
It’s important to note that not all Nintendo Switch consoles can run Wine-NX and Windows PC games. The console must be capable of running custom firmware and unsigned NRO programs. This typically means that only early, unpatched models of the Switch or units that have undergone hardware modification can load and run this software.
Despite being in its early stages, the Wine-NX project demonstrates significant potential for breathing new life into classic PC gaming experiences on a portable platform. As development continues, more Windows titles may become playable on the Nintendo Switch, offering a unique way for fans to revisit beloved games.
