Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the best-selling Switch games of all time — and one of the friendliest titles for emulation. If you’re setting up Kenji-NX and want a reliable first game to test with, MK8D is an excellent choice. Here’s what to expect and how to set it up.

Quick Answer

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is widely reported as highly playable across Switch emulators, and Kenji-NX handles it well on capable hardware. On Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and newer with a current Turnip driver, expect a smooth experience at 1x resolution. Older or mid-range chips can still run it but may need resolution or settings compromises. As always, your mileage varies by device — but this is about as safe a pick as Switch emulation gets.

Why MK8D Emulates Well

• Mature title, mature emulation. The game launched in 2017 and has been a test target for every Switch emulator generation since Yuzu’s early days. Edge cases are long since found.
• Modest GPU demands. Stylized visuals and a locked 60 FPS design on real hardware translate well — the game doesn’t punish weaker GPUs the way open-world 3D titles do.
• Great controller game. It’s the perfect excuse to set up a real gamepad instead of touch controls.

Recommended Settings

Multiplayer: What Works

Local split-screen multiplayer works. Connect up to four controllers to your phone (or pair them one at a time) and configure each in Kenji-NX’s input settings — couch multiplayer on a TV-connected phone is one of the best uses of this emulator. See how to connect a controller and our Android TV setup guide.

Online multiplayer does not work. Nintendo’s servers require genuine hardware and a Nintendo Switch Online membership; emulators can’t access them. Anyone promising online play on an emulator is misleading you.

Performance Tips

• Close background apps before racing — MK8D at 60 FPS wants consistent CPU time.
• If you see stutter in the first races, it’s usually shader compilation; it settles as the cache builds. Enable Disk Shader Cache so the work persists between sessions.
• On mid-range Snapdragon (8 Gen 1 / 7 series), keep resolution at 1x and disable background services. It remains very playable.
• On Exynos / Dimensity, expect a rougher ride with the stock driver — playable for many, but don’t expect locked 60 FPS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mario Kart 8 Deluxe work on Kenji-NX?

Yes — it’s one of the most reliably playable Switch titles on Kenji-NX, especially on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and newer. Community feedback is consistently positive.

Can I play MK8D multiplayer on Kenji-NX?

Local split-screen with multiple controllers: yes. Online multiplayer: no — Nintendo’s servers require real hardware.

What controller is best for Mario Kart on Android?

Any comfortable Bluetooth gamepad works. Our controller setup guide covers PS5, Xbox, and 8BitDo pads.

Does the Booster Course Pass DLC work?

DLC works if you own it and install it properly — Kenji-NX 2.1.0 added automatic loading of title updates and DLC from a selected folder. Dump DLC from your own Switch; we don’t provide it.

The game stutters in the first few races — is something wrong?

Probably not. That’s shader compilation, and it’s normal on first play. Enable Disk Shader Cache and it improves with time.

Where do I get the game?

Dump Mario Kart 8 Deluxe from a copy you own. We don’t provide game downloads.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A — Game Freak’s ambitious return to Lumiose City — is one of the biggest Switch releases in recent memory, and naturally one of the first things new emulator users try to boot. So let’s answer the question directly: yes, Pokémon Legends: Z-A can run on Kenji-NX, but only on flagship Snapdragon hardware. If your phone isn’t in that tier, you need to hear that before you waste an evening troubleshooting.

Quick Answer

Community testers in 2026 report Pokémon Legends: Z-A as playable on Snapdragon 8 Elite-class devices with tuned settings, typically in the high-20s FPS range. On Kenji-NX specifically, expect it to demand top-tier hardware — mid-range and older phones are not practical for this title, and Exynos / Dimensity devices (no Turnip driver support) should sit this one out. Settings below are compiled from community test reports and are a starting point, not a guarantee.

What Testers Report (2026)

Public test videos from the emulation community show Legends: Z-A running on high-end Android hardware. The consistent findings:

• Playable framerates (~28–30 FPS) in most areas on Snapdragon 8 Elite devices, with dips in dense city zones.
• Occasional graphical glitches — flickering objects and minor visual bugs that don’t block progress.
• Shader compilation stutter on first playthrough; it smooths out as the shader cache builds.
• Stability is decent but not perfect — testers recommend restarting the app if behavior degrades over long sessions.

These observations come from community testing across Yuzu-line emulators; Kenji-NX (Ryujinx-line) results vary more because fewer testers use it for this title. Treat everything here as directional.

Community-Reported Settings (Starting Point)

The settings below are compiled from community test videos published in 2026. We have not independently verified each combination — use them as a starting point and adjust for your device.

What to Realistically Expect

• Heat and battery. Force Maximum Clocks plus a demanding 3D title will make your phone hot and drain the battery fast. Play near a charger, or accept lower clocks and lower FPS.
• First-hour stutter. Shader compilation hits hardest when entering new areas. It improves with playtime.
• Not every cutscene is perfect. Pre-rendered and real-time cutscenes are common trouble spots in emulation; minor glitches here don’t mean your setup is broken.

If Your Phone Isn’t Flagship: An Honest Word

Legends: Z-A is a poor choice for a first emulation test on mid-range hardware. You will spend more time fighting settings than playing. If your phone is Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or older (or any Exynos/Dimensity), either pick a lighter title first or consider Eden, which community testers currently rate as better optimized for mid-range devices. If you’re shopping for an upgrade, our phone buying guide ranks current options for emulation.

Prerequisites (Same as Every Game)

You’ll need Kenji-NX 2.1.0-pr.2 or newer (download), a Turnip driver for Snapdragon phones (driver guide), and prod.keys plus firmware dumped from a Switch you own. We do not provide game files — dump Legends: Z-A from a copy you purchased.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Pokémon Legends: Z-A on Kenji-NX?

Yes, on flagship Snapdragon hardware (8 Elite tier) with tuned settings. Community testers report playable framerates around 28–30 FPS with minor graphical glitches. Mid-range phones are not practical for this title.

What are the best settings for Legends: Z-A on Kenji-NX?

Community-reported starting point: Docked Mode off, 0.75x resolution, Disk Shader Cache on, Force Maximum Clocks on, NCE off, Threaded Rendering off, plus Dynamic FPS and Disable FXAA mods. Adjust from there — these are not verified by us.

Does Legends: Z-A run on Dimensity or Exynos phones?

Not well. These chips can’t use Turnip drivers, and this is one of the most demanding Switch titles. We recommend against trying it there.

Will the game crash my phone?

It won’t damage your phone, but expect heat. If the app becomes unstable in long sessions, testers report that fully restarting Kenji-NX helps.

Can I transfer my save to another device later?

Yes — Kenji-NX 2.1.0 added a Save Manager with .zip import/export. See our update guide for the export steps.

Where do I get the game file?

Dump it from a copy you own. We don’t provide game downloads.

Hollow Knight: Silksong — Team Cherry’s long-awaited sequel to the beloved Hollow Knight — launched on Nintendo Switch in September 2025 and instantly became one of the most requested games for Android Switch emulation. If you’re wondering whether Silksong runs on Kenji-NX, here’s the honest, up-to-date answer as of October 2026.

Quick Answer

Kenji-NX officially added Silksong support in version 2.0.5, so the game boots and is playable. However, community compatibility data currently ranks Kenji-NX behind Eden for this particular title: Eden holds a “Perfect” rating with dozens of test reports, while Kenji-NX sits at “Ingame” with mixed results from a small number of reports. If Silksong is the main game you want to play on your phone, Eden is the safer choice right now — Kenji-NX is improving with every release, but it isn’t the best tool for this specific job yet. We say this plainly because recommending the wrong emulator wastes your time.

Silksong Compatibility Status (October 2026)

The table below summarizes community test reports aggregated by EmuRank in October 2026. “Reports” is the number of community tests; treat small sample sizes with caution.

Two things stand out. First, Kenji-NX’s sample size is tiny — two reports can’t represent every phone and settings combination, so your own experience may be better (or worse) than the average suggests. Second, the direction is positive: official Silksong support only landed in 2.0.5, and the 2.1.0 pre-releases brought meaningful GPU and stability fixes. For a full head-to-head of the two emulators, see our Kenji-NX vs Eden comparison.

What “Ingame” Means for You

In compatibility-tracker terminology, “Ingame” means the game boots and you can play it, but testers encountered issues — anything from minor graphical glitches to performance dips or occasional crashes. It does not mean unplayable; it means “works, with caveats.” For a precision platformer like Silksong, where tight controls matter, those caveats are worth knowing about before you invest hours into a save file.

Best Setup for Silksong on Kenji-NX

If you want to try Silksong on Kenji-NX anyway — or you’re already a Kenji-NX user — stack the odds in your favor:

1. Use the latest build. Install Kenji-NX 2.1.0-pr.2 or newer from our download page, and pick the build variant that matches your chip (there are dedicated Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / 8 Elite variants).
2. Install a Turnip driver if you have a Snapdragon phone. Silksong is a 2D game, but driver quality still affects shader compilation and UI rendering. See our Turnip driver guide.
3. Dump your own keys and firmware from a Switch you own. Missing or mismatched keys are the #1 cause of games failing to boot — our firmware & keys guide walks through it.
4. Keep resolution at 1x. Silksong’s hand-drawn art scales cleanly, and 1x keeps the GPU load minimal on mid-range phones.
5. Leave Threaded Rendering enabled unless you hit crashes — it’s a per-game tradeoff, and 2D titles rarely need it disabled.

Silksong on Weaker Hardware: Be Realistic

Silksong is a 2D game, which makes it far less demanding than 3D blockbusters — but “2D” doesn’t mean “runs on anything.” Emulation overhead is real: your phone is translating an entire Switch’s hardware behavior in software. As a rough rule of thumb, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or newer with 8GB+ RAM is the practical floor for a good experience; older or budget chips (and all Exynos / Dimensity phones, which can’t use Turnip drivers) should expect compromises. Our phone buying guide ranks current options if you’re considering an upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hollow Knight: Silksong work on Kenji-NX?

Yes, it boots and runs — official support was added in Kenji-NX 2.0.5. Community reports as of October 2026 rate it “Ingame” with mixed results, so expect a playable but not flawless experience. Eden currently tests better for this game.

Which Kenji-NX version do I need for Silksong?

Version 2.0.5 or newer. We recommend the latest 2.1.0 pre-release, which includes additional GPU stability fixes that benefit many games.

Do I need firmware and prod.keys to play Silksong?

Yes — like every Switch game on every emulator, Silksong requires prod.keys and firmware dumped from a Switch you own. The emulator ships with neither.

Can I play Silksong on Kenji-NX with a controller?

Yes. Silksong plays great with a physical controller — pair a Bluetooth gamepad and configure it in Kenji-NX’s input settings. Touch controls work but a controller is strongly recommended for a precision platformer.

Will Silksong get better on Kenji-NX over time?

Very likely. The gap between 2.0.5 (where support landed) and the 2.1.0 pre-releases already shows the trajectory, and the project is actively maintained. Compatibility trackers update as new community reports come in.

Where can I get the Silksong game file?

From a copy you own — dump it from your Switch or cartridge. We do not provide game downloads, and neither does any legitimate emulation site.

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are the first fully open-world Pokémon games — and famously some of the worst-optimized Switch titles ever released, with performance complaints even on real hardware at launch. That reputation follows them into emulation: on Kenji-NX they are playable on good hardware, but expect dips, especially in busy towns and during weather effects. This guide sets realistic expectations, gives you the settings that matter most, and covers the issues players report most often.

Legal note: Kenji-NX does not include any game files. You must own Pokémon Scarlet or Violet and dump it from your own Nintendo Switch. This site does not provide game downloads, keys, or firmware. New to the emulator? Start with our download page and the setup guide.

Can Kenji-NX Run Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Short answer: yes, on a capable phone — with caveats. Because these games struggled on the Switch itself, “playable” here means a generally smooth adventure with noticeable slowdowns in the worst spots (Mesagoza, heavy rain, large wild Tera raid lobbies), not a locked 30 FPS everywhere. Kenji-NX’s accuracy-focused Ryujinx lineage helps with rendering correctness, which matters for a game with this many visual quirks.

What matters most:

1. Your SoC. Snapdragon 8 Elite and 8 Gen 3 / 8 Gen 2 with a current Turnip driver give the best results. Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is workable with lowered settings. Exynos and MediaTek Dimensity phones are not recommended — no Turnip support (Adreno only), so you’re on the stock driver.
2. Fresh sessions. Scarlet/Violet are known for degrading over long play sessions (memory pressure builds up). If the game gets progressively choppier after an hour, save, fully close Kenji-NX, and restart — this simple habit fixes more “performance bugs” than any setting.
3. RAM. 8 GB is the practical minimum; 12 GB or more is strongly recommended for these titles. Android killing the emulator in the background mid-session is a classic cause of lost progress — save often.

Recommended Settings for Scarlet and Violet

Start here, then change one thing at a time. (Menu names can differ slightly between Kenji-NX builds — the concepts are the same.)

Turnip GPU Drivers: Snapdragon Only

Turnip is the open-source Mesa3D Vulkan driver for Qualcomm Adreno GPUs, loaded through Kenji-NX’s custom driver mechanism instead of your phone’s stock Qualcomm driver. For Scarlet/Violet it mainly helps with visual correctness — fewer texture glitches, less pop-in, more stable frame pacing — rather than raw speed, since this game’s bottlenecks are often CPU-side.

The limitation: Turnip only works on Snapdragon (Adreno) phones. MediaTek Dimensity (Mali) and Samsung Exynos (Xclipse) devices can’t use it, and for these particular games the gap between Turnip and stock drivers is very noticeable. That’s a big part of why non-Snapdragon phones aren’t recommended here.

Check our Turnip driver guide for current builds and installation. If a new driver version introduces fresh glitches in Paldea, roll back — driver regressions are real, and “latest” isn’t automatically best for every game.

Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Older Chips

Kenji-NX 2.1.0 brought Snapdragon 8 Elite (Adreno 830) specific fixes — GPU stability, synchronization, and memory improvements — making the 8 Elite the current best chip for these games on Kenji-NX. (Note the history: the Adreno 830 initially lacked Turnip support and could trail the 8 Gen 3 in some emulators; community Turnip builds for the 8xx series caught up through 2026, so use a recent driver.)

• Snapdragon 8 Elite / 8 Gen 3: best experience; towns will still dip, but the open world is generally smooth.
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: solid; mature Turnip support; keep 1x resolution and restart the app for long sessions.
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / 8+ Gen 1: playable; expect heavier dips in Mesagoza and raids; manage heat aggressively.
• Exynos 2400 / Dimensity 9000-series: not recommended — no Turnip, and these titles are among the worst cases for stock drivers.

Known Issues and Workarounds

Issues commonly reported by players — results vary by device, build, and driver:

• Slowdowns in towns (especially Mesagoza): the game’s heaviest CPU scenes, slow even on real hardware. Lowering resolution won’t fully fix CPU bottlenecks; keeping the phone cool helps more.
• Performance degrades over long sessions: save, fully close Kenji-NX, and relaunch. This is the single most effective “fix” for Scarlet/Violet.
• Texture pop-in and flickering: usually driver-related on Snapdragon — try a different Turnip build.
• Black screen on boot: almost always missing or mismatched firmware/keys. Re-check the setup guide and make sure your dumped files match the game version.
• Crashes during Tera raids or heavy weather: peak load moments. Close background apps, drop to 1x resolution, and avoid playing while charging (heat).
• Lost progress: the game autosaves, but emulator crashes don’t care — manually save at Pokémon Centers regularly and back up your save folder before updating builds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Scarlet and Violet fully playable on Kenji-NX?

On a good Snapdragon phone, yes — the main story and post-game are completable, with the usual emulator caveats. These were never perfectly smooth games, even on Nintendo’s own hardware, so set expectations accordingly.

Which version runs better, Scarlet or Violet?

They’re the same engine and perform essentially identically. Pick the one with the Pokémon you prefer — there’s no meaningful emulation difference between them.

Do I need Turnip drivers?

On Snapdragon: highly recommended for visual stability. On Exynos/Dimensity: unavailable — another reason those chips struggle with these games.

Where can I download the game?

We don’t provide game downloads, and neither does Kenji-NX. Buy the game and dump it from your own Switch. Downloading game files you don’t own is piracy.

The game was fine yesterday and slow today. What changed?

Most likely heat or a long session: thermal throttling after extended play, or accumulated memory pressure. Let the phone cool, restart Kenji-NX fresh, and the performance usually returns.

Can I play online or trade with other players?

Online play on Switch emulators is unreliable at best and can risk your Nintendo account if done wrong. Treat Scarlet/Violet on Kenji-NX as an offline single-player experience.

Next steps: grab the latest build from our download page, follow the setup guide to install firmware and keys correctly, and install a current Turnip driver via the driver guide. Start at 1x resolution, restart the app between long sessions, and save often.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is one of the most demanding Nintendo Switch games you can throw at a mobile emulator — a huge open world, physics-driven building, and constant streaming of terrain. The good news: Kenji-NX can run it, and because Kenji-NX is built on the accuracy-focused Ryujinx architecture rather than Yuzu code, it handles the game’s graphics more faithfully than most Yuzu-based Android forks. The bad news: your phone matters a lot. This guide covers what to expect, the settings that matter, and fixes for the most common problems.

Legal note: Kenji-NX does not include any game files. You must own Tears of the Kingdom and dump it from your own Nintendo Switch. This site does not provide game downloads, keys, or firmware — only setup guidance. If you haven’t set up the emulator yet, start with our download page and the setup guide.

Can Kenji-NX Run Tears of the Kingdom?

Short answer: yes, on a capable phone. Tears of the Kingdom targets 30 FPS on real Switch hardware, and on a modern Snapdragon flagship with Kenji-NX 2.1.0 or newer, many players report a largely smooth experience in the overworld, with dips in the most demanding spots (the Depths, large Ultrahand contraptions, heavy weather effects).

Two things shape your experience more than anything else:

1. Your SoC. Snapdragon 8 Elite and 8 Gen 3 / 8 Gen 2 phones are in the best position. Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can work with lowered settings. Exynos and MediaTek Dimensity phones are not recommended for this game — they can’t use Turnip custom GPU drivers (see below), and their stock Vulkan drivers struggle with TotK’s rendering.
2. Shader compilation. The first time you visit a new area, use a new ability, or trigger a new effect, you may see brief stutter while shaders compile. This is normal on every Switch emulator and improves the longer you play, as the shader cache builds up. Don’t judge performance by your first 20 minutes.

RAM matters too: 8 GB is a workable minimum, but 12 GB or more gives the emulator far more headroom — TotK is a memory-hungry game, and Android killing background processes mid-session is a common cause of mysterious crashes.

Recommended Settings for Tears of the Kingdom

These are starting values, not magic numbers. Apply them, play for a while, then adjust one thing at a time. (Menu names can differ slightly between Kenji-NX builds — the concepts are the same.)

Turnip GPU Drivers: Snapdragon Only

Turnip is the open-source Mesa3D Vulkan driver for Qualcomm Adreno GPUs, loaded through Kenji-NX’s custom driver mechanism to replace your phone’s stock Qualcomm driver. For Tears of the Kingdom it is close to essential: users commonly report fewer texture glitches, fewer crashes, and smoother frame pacing with a recent Turnip build than with the stock driver.

The catch: Turnip only works on Snapdragon (Adreno) phones. MediaTek Dimensity (Mali) and Samsung Exynos (Xclipse) devices cannot use it — there is no Turnip equivalent for those GPUs, so you’re stuck with the stock driver and should expect a worse experience in this particular game.

Our Turnip driver guide walks through where to find current builds and how to install them. One tip specific to TotK: if a new Turnip release causes new glitches, roll back to the previous one — driver regressions happen, and the “latest” isn’t always the best for every game.

Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Older Chips

Kenji-NX 2.1.0 was specifically optimized for the Snapdragon 8 Elite (Adreno 830): GPU stability, synchronization, and memory fixes, plus roughly 10% better performance and a smaller APK. In practice, the 8 Elite is currently the best chip for running TotK on Kenji-NX — provided you’re on a recent build with a compatible Turnip driver. (Early on, the Adreno 830 actually lacked Turnip support and could underperform the 8 Gen 3 in some emulators; community Turnip builds for the 8xx series have been catching up through 2026.)

• Snapdragon 8 Elite / 8 Gen 3: best experience; try 1x resolution first, experiment upward cautiously.
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: solid; mature Turnip support; stick to 1x and you’ll be comfortable in most areas.
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / 8+ Gen 1: playable with lowered settings; expect dips in the Depths and heavy combat; keep the phone cool.
• Exynos 2400 / Dimensity 9000-series: not recommended for TotK — no Turnip, stock driver only, and commonly reported as unstable for this title.

Known Issues and Workarounds

These are problems commonly reported by the community — your mileage will vary by device, build, and driver version:

• Stutter when entering new areas or using new abilities: shader compilation. Normal, especially early on. It fades as the shader cache builds. Avoid judging performance in the first hour.
• Crashes in the Depths or with large Ultrahand builds: the most GPU/CPU-intensive scenes in the game. Lower the resolution scale, close all background apps, and make sure the phone isn’t thermally throttled.
• Black screen on boot: almost always a setup problem — firmware or keys missing or mismatched. Re-check the setup guide and confirm your dumped files match your game version.
• Rainbow textures or invisible models: usually a GPU driver issue on Snapdragon — update (or roll back) your Turnip driver.
• Audio crackling or slowdown after long sessions: heat. TotK at full load will thermal-throttle most phones within 20–40 minutes. Take breaks, remove the case, or play in a cool room.
• Save problems: always save in-game at regular intervals; keep a backup of your save folder before updating Kenji-NX builds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tears of the Kingdom fully playable on Kenji-NX, start to finish?

Many players report completing the game on capable Snapdragon phones. That said, no emulator can promise a flawless full playthrough on every device — expect occasional hiccups, and keep saves backed up.

Do I really need Turnip drivers?

On Snapdragon: strongly recommended — it’s the single biggest visual-stability upgrade for this game. On Exynos or Dimensity: not an option, which is why those chips aren’t recommended for TotK.

Why can’t I get more than 30 FPS?

Because Tears of the Kingdom itself targets 30 FPS on real Switch hardware. Chasing higher frame rates means mods and instability; a locked, stable 30 is the realistic goal on mobile.

Where can I download the game?

We don’t provide game downloads, and neither does Kenji-NX. Buy the game, then dump it from your own Switch. Downloading game files you don’t own is piracy.

The game runs fine, then gets slow after half an hour. Why?

Almost certainly thermal throttling: sustained full load heats the SoC and the phone clocks down. Cool the phone, close background apps, and consider lowering the resolution scale for long sessions.

Can I transfer my save from a real Switch or from another emulator?

Save transfer between Switch and emulators is possible in principle but fiddly (it involves homebrew tools on a modded console and matching title versions). Back up everything before attempting it, and don’t overwrite your working save.

Next steps: grab the latest build from our download page, work through the setup guide to get firmware and keys installed correctly, then install a current Turnip driver from the driver guide. Start at 1x resolution, let the shader cache build, and only then push settings upward.