Super Smash Bros. Melee Returns to Nintendo Switch via Emulation The Nintendo Switch has become a hub for retro gaming, with the recent release of Super Smash Bros. Melee through an emulator allowing players to revisit the iconic fighting game. This development has sparked excitement among fans, particularly those who grew up with the GameCube, a console that, despite its technical advancements, never received the widespread acclaim it deserved. Sandwiched between the N64 and the Wii, the GameCube faced challenges in competing with its predecessors and successors, yet its library of games remains a testament to its legacy. Titles like Metroid Prime, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Resident Evil 4, and Super Smash Bros. Melee have cemented the GameCube’s place in gaming history, and now, thanks to a GitHub project, these classics are accessible on modern hardware. The breakthrough came through the Dolphin emulator, a tool that has long been used to run GameCube and Wii games on contemporary systems. Developers on GitHub have refined this emulator to run Super Smash Bros. Melee natively on the Nintendo Switch, eliminating the need for Linux or Android setups. While the game does not run at perfect performance—some stuttering occurs during stage loading due to shader compilation—the experience is largely smooth, making it a viable option for handheld gamers. This achievement is particularly significant for fans of Super Smash Bros. Melee, a title that has remained a staple in competitive gaming despite its age. The ability to play it on the Switch without relying on the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) library, which lacks the game, has been a major win for enthusiasts.#nintendo_switch #gamecube #github #dolphin_emulator #super_smash_bros_melee
GameCube and Wii Emulation on Switch Simplified with Tico's Latest Release The Nintendo Switch, known for its proprietary Horizon OS, has long been a challenge for users seeking to run GameCube and Wii titles. However, a new development from the Tico project is changing the landscape, offering a streamlined way to emulate these older systems directly on the Switch’s native environment. Tico’s latest v0.7.0 alpha release introduces experimental support for GameCube and Wii games through the Dolphin emulator core, eliminating the need for Android or Linux installations. This marks a significant shift in how retro gaming is approached on the Switch, as users can now enjoy classic titles without rebooting into alternative operating systems. Tico is a custom emulation frontend built entirely in C++ to prioritize performance and portability. Unlike traditional methods that required users to install Switchroot—a tool that brings Android and Linux to the Switch—Tico runs directly on the Switch’s native Horizon OS via Custom Firmware (CFW). This approach reduces the overhead of running a separate OS, allowing for smoother performance and a more integrated experience. The project’s primary goal is to simplify the emulation process by enabling users to launch embedded emulator cores with minimal configuration. Features like a controller-first UI and automatic game library management further enhance usability, ensuring a “zero configuration” setup for users. The latest release leverages the Dolphin emulator core, which is known for its demanding requirements. To handle the computational load, Tico’s v0.7.0 alpha automatically boosts the Switch’s Tegra X1 chip to 1,785 MHz and the GPU to 768 MHz. While Nintendo claims these settings are safe, users are advised to monitor their device’s temperature to avoid overheating.#nintendo_switch #gamecube #tico_project #dolphin_emulator #wii
Animal Crossing Gets Surprise Free PlayStation Release A surprise free release of Animal Crossing on PlayStation has sparked excitement among fans, as the game now becomes accessible to players who own the original title. This unexpected move follows the recent launch of a native PC port for the original GameCube version of the game, which was made possible through its successful decompilation. The team behind the PC port has now expanded its efforts to bring the game to additional platforms, with the PlayStation Vita being the next target. The decision to port Animal Crossing to the PlayStation Vita was driven by the hardware’s capabilities. Unlike traditional emulation methods, which often struggle with Nintendo GameCube games, the Vita’s architecture allows for a native run of the game. This approach ensures optimal performance, with the game running at full speed, accurate audio, and responsive controls. The visual improvements are also notable, as the game is presented in a 16:9 resolution—significantly better than the original 4:3 aspect ratio. This change eliminates screen stretching and maximizes the use of the Vita’s display, offering a more immersive experience. However, accessing the PlayStation Vita port requires specific steps. Players must first obtain a hacked PlayStation Vita, as the game cannot be run on a standard console. Additionally, they need a copy of the Animal Crossing PC port from GitHub, which serves as the foundation for the port. A crucial requirement is the creation of a custom ROM from the original GameCube version of the game. This process involves dumping the files from a physical copy of Animal Crossing onto a computer and converting them into a playable format.#nintendo #animal_crossing #playstation_vita #github #gamecube
