Getting games into Ryujinx

Ryujinx is a Nintendo Switch emulator that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. To play games in it, you need to place game files in a folder that Ryujinx knows to look in, then tell the emulator where to find them. The process has three parts: setting up a games folder, obtaining game files legally, and pointing Ryujinx to that folder so it can display them in your library.

Game files for Switch emulators come in two formats: XCI files (which are complete game cartridge dumps) and NSP files (which are installation packages). Ryujinx can read both. The folder structure matters less than you might think — Ryujinx will search inside folders automatically — but keeping things organized saves you time later when your library grows.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a dedicated folder on your computer for game files, then point Ryujinx to it through the emulator's settings menu under Game Directories.
  • Game files must be in XCI or NSP format; Ryujinx will not recognize other file types or compressed archives.
  • You can organize games into subfolders by name or genre, and Ryujinx will find them automatically during its next scan.
  • After adding games to the folder, use Ryujinx's Rescan option to refresh the game list rather than restarting the emulator.

Creating and organizing your games folder

Start by creating a new folder somewhere on your computer where you have plenty of storage space. Many people create a folder called "Ryujinx Games" or "Switch Games" in their Documents or a dedicated external drive. The location does not matter to Ryujinx — it only needs to know the path to the folder.

Inside this main folder, you can organize games however you prefer. Some people create subfolders by first letter (A, B, C), others by genre (Action, RPG, Puzzle), and some keep everything flat in one folder. Ryujinx searches all subfolders automatically, so any structure you choose will work. If you plan to have more than 50 games, subfolders make browsing your library faster.

Make sure the folder path does not contain special characters like asterisks, question marks, or quotation marks. Windows, macOS, and Linux all have restrictions on what characters are allowed in folder names. Stick to letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and you will avoid permission errors later.

Pointing Ryujinx to your games folder

Open Ryujinx and go to the menu bar at the top. Click File, then select Settings. In the Settings window, look for the General tab on the left side. Scroll down until you see Game Directories.

Click the plus button next to Game Directories to add a new path. A file browser window will open. Navigate to the folder you created for your games and select it. Ryujinx will add that path to the list. You can add multiple game directories if you want — for example, one folder on your main drive and another on an external drive. Click Save at the bottom of the Settings window when you are done.

Close and reopen Ryujinx, or use the Tools menu and select Rescan to force the emulator to search your games folder when ready. Any valid game files in that folder will appear in your library within a few seconds.

Understanding game file formats

XCI files are direct copies of Switch game cartridges. They are typically larger (4 GB to 16 GB depending on the game) and contain everything needed to play. NSP files are installation packages — they are smaller but require Ryujinx to "install" them into its virtual system before you can play. Both formats work equally well in Ryujinx.

Some game files come compressed as ZIP, RAR, or 7Z archives. Ryujinx cannot read compressed files directly. You must extract them first using software like 7-Zip (free, on Windows and Linux) or The Unarchiver (free, on macOS) before moving them to your games folder. After extraction, you will have either an XCI or NSP file that Ryujinx can recognize.

Ryujinx will ignore any file that is not XCI or NSP format. If a game does not appear in your library after rescanning, check that the file extension is correct and that the file is not still inside a compressed archive.

Troubleshooting games that do not appear

If you add games to your folder but they do not show up in Ryujinx, the most common cause is that you have not rescanned. Go to Tools in the menu bar and click Rescan. Wait a few seconds for the scan to complete. If the games still do not appear, check three things: the file format (must be XCI or NSP), the folder path in Settings (make sure it points to the correct location), and whether the files are still compressed.

On Windows, if you see a permissions error when Ryujinx tries to scan, move your games folder to a location where your user account has full read and write access, such as Documents or Desktop. Avoid placing games in Program Files or system folders. On macOS and Linux, check that your user account owns the games folder and has read permissions.

If a game file is corrupted or incomplete, Ryujinx may fail to read it silently — it will straightforward not appear in the library. Try downloading the file again from your source. If the same file fails twice, the source may be unreliable.

Managing your game library as it grows

Once you have several games in Ryujinx, you can sort and filter them in the library view. Right-click on a game to see options like hiding it from the list, changing its display name, or opening its folder. These changes are stored locally in Ryujinx and do not affect the actual game files.

If you want to move your games folder to a different location — for example, from your main drive to an external drive — straightforward move the entire folder, then update the path in Ryujinx Settings. The emulator will find all the games in their new location on the next rescan. You do not need to re-add each game individually.

Ryujinx stores its own data (save files, settings, firmware) separately from your games folder. Backing up your games folder only backs up the game files themselves. If you want to preserve your save progress, you will need to back up Ryujinx's data folder as well, which is located in a different place depending on your operating system.

Legal sources for game files

Game files for emulators come from dumping your own physical cartridges using a device like a Raspberry Pi with custom firmware, or from downloading them from the internet. The legality of downloading game files varies by country and by copyright holder. Some publishers tolerate emulation of older games; others actively pursue legal action against distribution sites.

If you own a physical Switch game, you have the legal right in most countries to create a personal backup copy by dumping the cartridge yourself. This requires hardware and technical knowledge beyond the scope of this guide. If you do not own the game, downloading it is copyright infringement in most jurisdictions, regardless of whether you intend to pay for it later.

Ryujinx itself is legal software — it is an open-source emulator with no built-in game files. What you do with it is your responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add games while Ryujinx is running?

Yes. Add the game files to your games folder, then go to Tools and click Rescan. Ryujinx will find the new games without restarting. You do not need to close the emulator.

What if I have games on multiple drives?

Add each drive or folder as a separate Game Directory in Settings. Ryujinx will search all of them when you rescan. This is useful if you have a main drive and an external drive with different games on each.

Do I need to install NSP files before playing them?

Ryujinx handles NSP installation automatically the first time you launch a game. You do not need to do anything — just place the NSP file in your games folder and let Ryujinx manage it. The installation happens in the background.

Why is my game file so large?

XCI files are typically 4 GB to 16 GB because they contain the entire game cartridge, including all graphics, audio, and code. NSP files are sometimes smaller because they may not include all languages or regional versions. Both sizes are normal.

Can I delete a game from Ryujinx without deleting the file?

Ryujinx has a Hide option (right-click a game) that removes it from your library view without touching the actual file. If you want to permanently remove a game, you must delete the file from your games folder manually using your file manager.