Suyu Static Recompilations Could Change Nintendo Switch Emulation Forever?

Summary of Tech/Product Concepts and Findings (Suyu Static Recompilation on Nintendo Switch)

What’s new

The video discusses a recent Suyu update that can export/convert Nintendo Switch games into “static recompilations” designed to run on PC more natively than traditional emulation.

Related concept: recompilation

“Recompilation” is described as running console games natively on PC, typically with fewer hacks/workarounds than conventional emulation. It may also enable improvements beyond normal emulation. However, the video notes that some recompilers rely heavily on AI tooling, which can sometimes result in performance that’s worse than emulators.

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How the Feature Works (Guide/Tutorial)

Export flow

Export is performed in Suyu via:

• File → Export

Input options

You can export in one of two ways:

• Export a game already present in your library, or
• Point to another game stored anywhere on your PC.

Updates behavior

When exporting an update:

• It’s installed into the NAND
• If it’s already installed, you can select it again

Output controls

Key export/output settings include:

• Output path
• An optional Target option to add the game to Steam (the creator is unsure if support exists on other platforms)

CPU backend choice (key setting)

A CPU Backend option is presented as the most important choice. In the creator’s testing:

• Only Suyu’s “DynamIRC” worked reliably.
• Other modes either failed to open games or didn’t function properly.

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Testing/Results and Limitations (Review/Analysis)

Core conclusion

The “static recompilation” feature does not deliver a major miracle compared to emulators.

Shader compilation remains problematic

• Shader compilation is worse than in other solutions (the video compares unfavorably to Eden).
• Stutters occur while shaders are compiling.

Compatibility issues

• Some games fail during the conversion process.

Save handling complications

Saves can be kept, but they may be assigned to the old user, requiring:

1. Launching the game to create a new user
2. Manually moving save files afterward

Additionally:

• The full NAND structure is copied into the exported/created installation.

Install size increase

Converted games take significantly more disk space, for example:

• Super Mario Odyssey:
  • Switch ROM: < 5 GB
  • Converted: ~12–14 GB
• Bayonetta 3:
  • ~12 GB including updates
  • Converted: ~14 GB
• Donkey Kong Country Returns HD:
  • Converted: at least ~4 GB more

Performance/graphics observations by game

• Bayonetta 3
  • Slight visual improvement reported
  • Shader stutter remains
  • No mention of improvements like anti-aliasing
• Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
  • Looks better to the creator
  • Fewer issues overall (less stuttering/visual problems)
• Pokémon Legends Z-A
  • Similar problems to Eden:
    • Missing objects (foliage, streetlights, trees)
    • Flickering
    • Sometimes behavior resembling “invisible wall”
• Mario Kart 8
  • “Solid performance” and good visuals are claimed
  • YouTube compression/recording makes assessment harder
  • Shader compilation issues weren’t observed by the creator
• Super Mario Odyssey
  • Motion controls were expected to work via SDL controller/motion behavior
  • Slowdowns during shader compilation reduced FPS (e.g., from ~locked 60 to ~44 early on)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
  • Maintains ~60–70 FPS in Kakariko Village benchmarks
  • The creator disputes online claims of 120 FPS without proof
  • FPS below ~40–50 is characterized as generally “good” given the engine’s current optimization state
  • Nearby-area testing showed similar averages

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Developer/Other-Emulator Context (Analysis)

• The creator discussed recompilers with the developer of Nexium:
  • The “best recompilers” reportedly don’t work
• A source referred to as GordoFriki tested other modes:
  • A hybrid mode reportedly converts as much as possible to code and performed better than JIT mode
  • The “fully native” mode reportedly fails: the game closes instantly in testing
• The video suggests waiting to see whether:
  • More mature emulation developers build on this code, or
  • A fork improves it

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Practical Advice Given

The creator recommends testing on your own games because:

• Not every title converts successfully
• Visual improvements are inconsistent and sometimes resemble emulator results

A link to the fork is promised in the comments.

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Main Speakers/Sources

Primary speaker

• The video’s narrator/creator (author of the testing script and analysis)

Referenced sources/developers

• GordoFriki (cited for emulation news and testing recompilation modes)
• Developer of Nexium (discussed recompilation evaluation)
• Mentioned projects: Suyu, Eden, RexGlue, and Nexium

Channel focus

• GordoFriki’s channel is highlighted as a recommended source for emulation news.