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Astris

Free#10 of 20 in Nintendo Switch Emulators

Astris: A library-focused Switch 1 emulator for Apple silicon Macs running macOS 15 or later. Ranked #10 of 20 in Nintendo Switch Emulators by our editors (7.6/10); pricing: Open source; best for mac users wanting library-focused emulation.

7.6/10Editor score

Visit Astris

Astris7.6 Visit Astris

At a glance

Editor score
7.6 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Mac users wanting library-focused emulation
Paid from
Free
Supported platforms
macOS
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Automatic library updates with DLC selection
- Controller and keyboard mapping with calibration options
- NSZ, NCA, NSP, and XCI format support
Where it doesn't
- Limited to Apple silicon Macs
- Requires macOS 15 or later
- Controller compatibility may vary for motion controls

Our verdict on Astris

Astris is a Nintendo Switch 1 emulator based on Ryujinx, distributed for Apple silicon Macs running macOS 15 or later. It is aimed at Mac users who want a library-centered way to organize and run compatible Switch titles, with user profile selection, controller mapping, keyboard mapping, and support for multiple game formats. Its focus is narrow by design: macOS is the supported platform, rather than one option among several desktop operating systems.

The library is Astris’s clearest point of distinction. Automatic updates and DLC selection keep game management alongside emulation, while NSZ zstd-compressed NCA, NSP, and XCI support gives the application flexibility across listed Switch formats. Input options cover both controllers and keyboards, with calibration controls for supported hardware. Graphical enhancement settings, resolution scaling, docked mode, and V-sync toggles add control over presentation. Graphics support includes Vulkan and Metal, and motion-control support is reflected in gyroscope calibration changes.

Astris makes the strongest case for Apple silicon Mac owners who value library organization and configurable input and graphics settings. The trade-off is platform coverage: it is limited to macOS and requires macOS 15 or later, so users on other operating systems or older macOS versions should choose a different emulator. Motion-control compatibility may also vary by controller, which matters for games that depend on that input method. The open-source pricing model and public GitHub release distribution make the product available through its published releases, but its practical fit remains closely tied to the supported Mac hardware and operating-system requirements.

Your product? Our editors can test Astris in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Astris pricing

Plans Open sourceFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on github.com

Astris fact sheet

Free plan	Not verified
Paid from	Free
Supported platforms	macOS
Source available	No
Online multiplayer	Not verified
Resolution scaling	Yes
Graphics APIs	Vulkan, Metal
Save states	Not verified
Motion controls	Yes
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	macOS
Support	Community
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Open source
Website	github.com
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to Astris

See all Astris alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

Astris is listed in our Nintendo Switch Emulators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update