Nintendo just DMCA’d every Switch emulator (again), but it’s not over yet
Source: Android Authority
TL;DR
- Nintendo sent DMCA notices to every Switch emulator hosted on GitHub.
- The repositories are still online but are likely to be taken down soon.
- Active projects continue on non‑GitHub hosts, though they may become harder to locate.
Recent DMCA Action
Nintendo filed a DMCA notice that targets all Nintendo Switch emulators and forks on GitHub, including:
- Eden
- Citron
- Kenji‑NX
- MeloNX
The notice also lists inactive projects such as Sudachi and Skyline. As of writing, the repositories remain accessible, but removal is expected.
Where Development Is Moving
While GitHub pages may disappear, many emulators have already duplicated their codebases to private servers or alternative hosting platforms. This makes a complete takedown difficult, though it can increase the risk of users encountering unofficial, potentially unsafe sources.
- Citron – official site:
- Eden – official site:
- Kenji‑NX – repository:
Nintendo’s Legal Position
Nintendo’s claims focus on the circumvention of technological protection measures (TPMs) built into the Switch console, such as cryptographic keys required to decrypt game data. Key points:
- Emulators do not bundle console keys or firmware; users must extract these from their own hardware.
- Nintendo argues that Switch games may only be legally played on official hardware.
- No ROMs or instructions for obtaining copyrighted content are provided by the emulators.
The earlier Yuzu case settled out of court without a definitive ruling on the legality of emulation, leaving Nintendo’s arguments largely untested in court.
Outlook
This is not Nintendo’s first attempt to target emulators on GitHub, and many projects have prepared for potential shutdowns by mirroring their repositories elsewhere. While the crackdown may make legitimate emulators harder to find, it also raises concerns about users turning to unverified sources that could contain malware.
The situation remains fluid, and the broader impact on Switch emulation will become clearer as Nintendo’s actions progress.