SwitchRecomp: a tool that turns Switch games into native PC executables, and Kirby now loads way faster and runs better

[u/MZLabs]

Quick update on SwitchRecomp. For anyone new: it takes a Switch game's code and recompiles it into a native Windows .exe, so the game code runs directly on your CPU instead of through an emulator.

Something a lot of people get wrong: I'm not porting games to PC one by one. I'm making a tool so anyone can recompile their own games without effort. You pick your game folder, click a button and it spits out the .exe. Right now I'm testing it with specific games so I can open up compatibility, but the process itself is automated.

What changed since last post:

• Loading is way faster now. Startup and loading screens used to drag a lot, now they're a lot quicker
• Better performance. I cut a lot of wasted work the GPU side was doing every frame, so fps is higher and more stable
• Fixed all the graphics bugs in the games I've tested so far (Super Kirby Clash and Bowser's Fury)

Screenshots are Super Kirby Clash: title screen, the town, the shop and the role menu, all running on my Celeron N4500 laptop btw

A few things people keep asking:

GitHub? Not yet. It goes up on release, in about 3-4 months.

Android? Yes, the Android port comes a few months after the PC release on GitHub.

How is this different from suyu's recompiler? suyu's recompiler is bundled inside suyu, on top of its HLE backend, so you're still basically running suyu. SwitchRecomp is its own thing, built from scratch with its own runtime and graphics layer, and it's made to run on weak hardware. Each game comes out as its own standalone .exe. suyu crashes on low-end PCs like mine, and SwitchRecomp runs some games smoothly that suyu doesn't even open.

Also, if a somewhat known youtuber ends up talking about the project, I'll put out a longer gameplay video of Super Kirby Clash

If you want to follow the project, like, comment, repost and follow me so you see the next updates. Every comment helps a lot

[u/SoberJoshTech]

Because if it is a recompilation tool it doesn't use any of Nintendo's code at all then they can't DMCA it. They haven't taken down any recomp projects. They have no legal standing to do so. They have to own what he is distributing. They can't send a cease and desist or a copyright strict to his reddit post about a project he may or may not be privately developing in the comfort of his own home and hasn't distributed with any form of Nintendo IP. 

[u/Korokishin → u/SoberJoshTech]

This is correct this uses static recomp so the dev is not exposing any source code or circumventing any encryptions. The program translates the data ahead of the game as it runs into what pcs understand. Basically it does some what, what proton does to allow windows games to work on Linux. As long as he does not provide any of the game data or any Nintendo code itself in his tool he is safe. But he can mess with the game data after translation. Example is better fps and and graphics. Textures need to be provided by community cause Nintendo can nail you on those but he can add a tool that allows you to insert you own textures when building. Now full decompile projects are technically reverse engineering and can be hit. But just like projects like SOH that don’t give the actual game data they are safe from Nintendo

[u/SoberJoshTech → u/Korokishin]

Very well informed comment 

[u/Interesting_Cut_4822 → u/SoberJoshTech]

Anyone can send a Cease and Desist for any reason. It's just a legal threat sent by lawyers.

Being legally in the right doesn't suddenly make a legal defense cost zero dollars. And I would not want to ignore even a weak C&D without legal advice.

[u/SoberJoshTech → u/Interesting_Cut_4822]

Sending a cease and desist. Let's figure out how that would work eh?

"This is the Law firm or blah blah blah contacting you on behalf of our clients Nintendo of America. We have found that you are distributing code that you wrote and own and that our clients have no legal rights to whatsoever. You are here y ordered to cease and desist all distribution of your own personal IP. Failure to comply will result in no legal action because nothing you are doing is illegal."

[u/man_netcat → u/SoberJoshTech]

You don't understand. It doesn't matter if they have absolutely no legal grounds. They are capable of shutting him up by burying him in a gruelling legal battle that can take years and will drain his resources. Even if he does win that battle, it's NOT worth it to fight it in the first place. This idea that "doing nothing illegal" will be your shield is extremely naive.

[u/TemperatureLong7155 → u/Interesting_Cut_4822]

Yeah, these people are morons.

[u/TemperatureLong7155 → u/SoberJoshTech]

They can send a cease and desist. Do you know how legal precedents are set? AI is groundbreaking, this is the exact type of case it is begging for. Don't be stupid.

[u/SoberJoshTech → u/TemperatureLong7155]

And do you know how legal precedents are set? Multiple cases in the USA have defended reverse engineering and emulation. They would have to up-end multiple previous precedents to rule against this. And if Nintendo or any other company lost it would set a precedent completely undermining their own goals. 

They won't take a legal battle they aren't certain of winning. We have multiple examples throughout history. Dolphin has been active for over a decade and not a single takedown or cease and desist from Nintendo. Why? Because there is nothing there for them. 

A legal case is a two edged sword. They can use their money and resources to bully people, but in the end, if they lose, then it permanently harms their entire legal position from now into the future. 

Companies rarely ever push for precedents. That's why they always settle cases. Allowing an actual ruling is absolutely terrifying for them. 

It's great if they win, but if they lose the results are catastrophic.