How to Play Switch Games on the ASUS ROG Ally (With Pictures)

Planning on playing Switch games on the ASUS ROG Ally? Below is everything you need to know, complete with pictures, to learn how to get them running on the Ally. 

Before We Start

Normally I’d suggest going with EmuDeck, the one-for-all installer of popular emulators for all of your emulation needs. Not today, though.

I’ve got a detailed guide to getting EmuDeck up and running on the Ally but I do need to point out, EmuDeck on the ASUS ROG Ally is a paid app currently. I know, it sucks, but that’s the deal. 

For that reason, I can’t recommend EmuDeck at the moment, and will instead be focusing on getting the standalone version of Yuzu up and running.

Step 1: Download Yuzu 

You now have a choice to make: Do you want the standard, stable release of Yuzu or do you want the early access build which features a host of improvements and experimental features?

If you’re playing older Switch games, the standard version will be fine. If you’re playing stuff that’s harder to emulate, though, I strongly recommend getting the early access version.

Both options are below. Once you’ve made your decision, click on the link below to grab the version that’s right for you. Personally, I’d go with the early access version as that has more options for tweaking performance, but the choice is yours.

• Download the stable Yuzu.
• Download the early access version of Yuzu.

Step 1: Install Yuzu

Once you’ve downloaded the Yuzu file head into the Windows file explorer (the yellow folder icon) and head into the Downloads folder.

Inside you should see the file we just got. It’ll be zipped, so let’s unzip it now. To do this, use the right trigger to click on the file, then from the menu that opens click on Extract All.

This will extract Yuzu and all its files to its own folder.

Step 3: Run Yuzu

Now we’ve got Yuzu extracted, we need to run it for the first time. If you’ve gone with the stable release, you may not have the above pop-up. But if you’ve downloaded the early access version, you definitely will. Let’s dig in.

Open up the Yuzu folder until you see the screen above. Inside is a file named “Yuzu” (1.). Shocking, I know. Click on that file twice and it’ll open.

If you get the pop-up shown above, just click on “More info” then “Run anyway” (2.). The reason this happens is because Yuzu isn’t a signed app, so Windows automatically panics and worries it’s a virus. It’s not, though, and so long as you’ve downloaded it from the links in this article, you’ll be safe. 

Don’t ever download it from a random website, though. That’s a massive risk you don’t want to take.

Step 4: Configuring Yuzu so it Works

After you’ve clicked twice on the Yuzu icon, the app will open. As of right now, Yuzu won’t be able to do much, so let’s fix it. 

Before we get into this, a quick word. To play Switch games you need both the Prod Keys and Title Keys. Due to obvious reasons, I won’t be telling you where to get them because of legal reasons. I can, however, direct you to the Yuzu website which has a detailed guide on how to rip them yourself from your actual Switch.

Once you’ve got them somewhere safe, at the top of the Yuzu window click on File.

From the next menu that drops down click on Open Yuzu Folder. It is possible to find this folder through Windows file explorer, but I found that long-winded compared with this method. Anything for an easier life, eh?

Step 5: Install the Prod Keys and Title Keys on the ROG Ally

The above screenshot shows what will happen when you hit Open Yuzu Folder. 

See that big arrow pointing to the Keys folder? Inside is where you place both the Prod Keys and Title Keys.

Once the keys are in the right folder close down Yuzu and reopen it. When it reopens, click anywhere twice and you’ll be able to point Yuzu to your Switch games folder.

After that’s complete, all your game dumps will show up inside of Yuzu. 

Bonus Tip: Remember when you clicked File then Open Yuzu Folder? If you need to install any game updates, you can use File and then Install to Nand to get them working in Yuzu.

Step 6: Set Up the ROG Ally Controller in Yuzu

Yuzu is now fully installed, but there’s one thing left to do: Get Yuzu working with the ASUS ROG Ally controls. 

This is easy, don’t worry. And you don’t need to map anything. 

Click on Emulation (1.) from the top bar (like how you’d click File) then open Configuration (2.). A new window will now open.

Next, click on Controls. Under “Device Input”, hit that drop-down box and select the profile marked “Xbox 360 Controller 0”. To test this out, use the ASUS ROG Ally’s left menu button to switch the controls over to Gamepad, and when you move the sticks Yuzu will now react to the inputs. 

When you’re done, switch the Ally controls back over to Desktop, click on OK, and you’re now completely finished and safe to go off and play Switch games on the ASUS ROG Ally.

Yuzu Best Settings for the ASUS ROG Ally

Above are the settings I’ve been testing Yuzu with. I do have some notes, though. 

For a start, every game will perform differently. Some will run great, others will plod along slowly like a tired tortoise. If a game completely dies, switch over to the early access build of Yuzu. That’s because, as mentioned, the early access build has more options and allows you to apply custom settings the base version doesn’t have.

This is especially great when it comes to running the newer, more elf-like open-world games that won’t work well on the stable Yuzu build.

That’s it! If you’re interested in learning more about what the Ally can do, here’s what you need to know about setting up gaming in docked mode, and if you’ve ever wanted to mod Skyrim, I’ve got a guide for that.

Alternatively, if you want to take your ASUS ROG Ally to the next level, the XG Mobile turns the handheld into a PC powerhouse.