Astris vs MeloNX

Astris is a Nintendo Switch 1 emulator based on Ryujinx for Apple silicon Macs. The project README specifies macOS 15 or later, and the repository distributes binaries with releases also published on Codeberg. It is free and open source under the MIT license. Astris supports resolution scaling, motion controls, and Vulkan and Metal graphics APIs. Releases describe drag-and-drop addition of game updates, DLC, and mods, plus a cache intended to speed scanning of external drives. An option can disable host V-Sync to reduce presentation delay, with possible screen tearing. Release 1.0.23 adds per-game graphical enhancement settings in the Game Overlay on macOS 26 or later, and includes a possible MoltenVK out-of-memory crash fix and controller launch-input fixes. The same release lists compatibility fixes for several named games and updates KosmicKrisp and MoltenVK. The project is owned by V380-Ori and states it is unaffiliated with Nintendo.

MeloNX is a free, open-source Nintendo Switch emulator for iPhone and iPad, based on Ryujinx and licensed under GPLv3. It needs JIT to run but does not require a jailbreak. The recommended installation uses PlumeImpactor to sideload its IPA, with SideStore as an optional on-device method. The maker recommends iPhone 15 Pro or newer and certain iPad Pro and iPad Air models; listed minimum-compatible devices are iPhone 6s with a paid developer account and iPhone 12 with a free developer account. Users add encryption keys and firmware through the in-app picker, while commercial games require legally dumped firmware, keys and purchased games. Audio output works, but microphone input does not. Controls include keyboard, touch, JoyCon and nearly all MFI controllers; JoyCon motion is unavailable due to an iOS limitation. DLC and updates are supported, mods are unsupported, and graphics use Metal through MoltenVK.