'They can never kill emulation': Players vexed as Nintendo continues its siege on Switch emulation, handing DMCAs to various emulators on GitHub
PC Gamer
by Justin Wagner February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Nintendo continues its legal campaign against Switch emulation, sending DMCA takedown notices to various emulators hosted on GitHub. The move has sparked frustration among players and developers, as popular projects like Yuzu, Ryujinx, Eden, and Citron have been targeted. Despite the shutdown of some platforms, others remain unaffected for now, with developers shifting their repositories to self-hosted sites to avoid potential takedowns.
The situation reflects Nintendo's ongoing efforts to protect its intellectual property, particularly in the Switch ecosystem. Legal actions against emulators have precedent, with Yuzu facing a lawsuit in 2024 and Ryujinx being discontinued after similar pressures. While developers like maufeat from Eden acknowledge the challenges, they emphasize that emulation remains a vital tool for gaming preservation and accessibility.
Nintendo's actions highlight a broader tension between intellectual property rights and user freedoms. Emulation allows players to enjoy older games on modern hardware and supports modding communities, which many gamers value. However, Nintendo's crackdown raises concerns about limiting access to these tools, potentially stifling innovation and creativity in the gaming space.
For readers interested in gaming, this issue underscores the importance of understanding the legal landscape surrounding emulation. While copyright law often favors content creators, the role of emulators in preserving gaming history cannot be ignored. As Nintendo continues its siege on Switch emulation, the broader implications for gaming culture and digital rights remain a
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/14/2026