Yuzu and Citra Emulation Software Halt Support Following Nintendo Settlement
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Published on: March 05, 2024
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Yuzu and Citra Emulators Discontinue Support After Nintendo Legal Settlement
Nintendo’s persistent protection of its intellectual property has once again led to significant moves in the world of video game emulation.
On March 4, 2024, the developers behind Yuzu, one of the most prominent Nintendo Switch emulators, confirmed they would permanently cease support for both Yuzu and Citra — the latter being a widely-used emulator for Nintendo 3DS games.
This decision follows a substantial legal settlement with Nintendo of America, bringing an official end to two major platforms in the Nintendo emulation community.
Background: Nintendo’s Stance on Emulation and Recent Developments
Yuzu, developed by Tropic Haze and its lead developer Bunnei, allowed users to play Nintendo Switch games across Windows, Linux, and Android devices.
With the popularity of Nintendo Switch titles surging since the system’s 2017 launch, emulation software like Yuzu garnered attention from communities interested in preservation and accessibility.
However, on February 26, 2024, Nintendo of America filed legal action against Tropic Haze, alleging facilitation of widespread piracy of its proprietary software.
While initial reports indicated a court trial, it has since been clarified that both parties reached a private settlement, avoiding judicial proceedings.
As part of this agreement, Tropic Haze must relinquish the Yuzu domain and remit $2.4 million to Nintendo.
In addition, support for Citra, their 3DS emulator, will also be discontinued immediately.
Tropic Haze’s Response to the Settlement
In a public statement regarding the resolution, Tropic Haze emphasized that their projects were started out of a genuine appreciation for Nintendo’s consoles and games, not with the intention to cause harm.
Recognizing the legal and ethical challenges posed by emulation, they acknowledged: "We now understand that our projects, by circumventing Nintendo’s technological protection measures, inadvertently enabled extensive software piracy."
Industry Impact and Ongoing Debate Over Emulation
The removal of Yuzu and Citra from public support marks a pivotal moment for emulation enthusiasts and game preservation advocates.
The debate over emulation remains contentious in the gaming industry.
Supporters argue that emulation plays a vital role in ensuring the longevity of classic games, especially as digital storefronts close and original hardware becomes obsolete.
Conversely, companies like Nintendo contend that they must enforce intellectual property rights to prevent unauthorized distribution and piracy.
With the outcome of this settlement, Nintendo reaffirms its ongoing commitment to safeguarding its software and hardware platforms, including the Nintendo Switch and 3DS.
As of now, neither Yuzu nor Citra will be available or supported moving forward, signaling a significant shift in the emulation landscape.
For more updates on legal actions related to emulation software, Nintendo hardware, and the latest developments in the gaming industry, stay tuned to our Nintendo news section.
