Nintendo has been targeting emulators for several years, but a surprise awaits Android users. Eden, a Switch emulator, has quietly appeared on the Play Store since at least August 19.
Eden is thus the first Switch emulator available on Android, even as Nintendo continues to crack down on such software. Its appearance went somewhat unnoticed, especially considering that the Kyoto-based company has already shut down Yuzu and Ryujinx, the most popular emulators. Several projects have attempted to fill this gap using certain functionalities, but none had dared to venture onto the Play Store—until Eden.
An Emulator Switch Appears on the Play Store for Android
An user discovered Eden on the Play Store at this address. The application has been using a v0.0.3-rc3 version since August 20. The team has since released the stable version v0.0.3, but without any updates on the Play Store. Eden requires a minimum of Android 11 to function. However, there’s more: users must provide their own keys, “prod”, firmware, and ROM files to play. This process is not accessible to everyone and carries somewhat delicate legal implications.
More and more powerful Android devices have what it takes under the hood to handle Switch emulation. However, keep in mind that a high-end smartphone is needed, with technologies like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor.
The future of Eden on the Play Store remains uncertain. There is a high likelihood that this news will reach Nintendo, especially since it has been discussed in the press and on Reddit. It is very possible that the Kyoto company may take legal action to thwart this emulator, unless Google steps in to avoid potential troubles.
This is, nonetheless, an impressive achievement: developing and making a Switch emulator available on an official store like the Play Store. A native application that can be found on millions of devices around the world, regardless of the manufacturer.
At the moment, there is no sign of Eden on iOS, and it’s unlikely it will ever arrive. Apple is very strict in its application selection process, and it is hard to imagine a Switch emulator slipping through without being caught by moderation teams.
