The Nintendo Switch emulator has appeared on Google Play – but not for long?
By ForGeeks
The Eden — Nintendo Switch emulator for Android has been unexpectedly released on Google Play. Users can now run games from the console directly on their smartphone, although such projects are always teetering on the edge of legality and are often the subject of complaints from Nintendo.
What’s known about Eden
The Eden emulator first appeared in May on GitHub and has been updated regularly since then. Versions are available not only for Android, but also for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The latest update on Google Play is dated August 19, 2025.
The app doesn’t show up in a simple search for the word «emulator» in the app store — it was spotted by Android Authority journalists.
Why this could be a problem
Nintendo is known for its tough stance on emulators and fan projects. The company has previously blocked Switch emulators and sought their removal from app stores. That’s why Eden’s fate on the Google Play Store is in question: it’s unclear how long the app will remain in the official store.
Nevertheless, the development community continues to work on similar projects. Emulation remains an important topic — it allows you to run older games that aren’t available on modern platforms and helps preserve your digital legacy.
Emulation as part of game preservation
According to enthusiasts, projects like Eden not only allow Switch games to be played on a smartphone, but also play a role in archiving video games. With more and more releases coming out only in «digital», the issue of preserving old games and consoles is becoming especially pressing.
