Playing Nintendo Games on Non-Nintendo Hardware: The Reality

Officially: No. Nintendo games are engineered exclusively for Nintendo hardware. Cartridges/discs use proprietary formats; software is compiled for Nintendo's custom OS and instruction sets; DRM (encryption, signature checks) prevents execution elsewhere.

Unofficial Paths (Legal Gray Areas)

• Emulation: Software (Dolphin, Cemu, Ryujinx, Yuzu, Citra, melonDS) mimics Nintendo hardware on PC/Android. Legal if you dump your own games/BIOS from hardware you own. Downloading ROMs/ISOs you don't own is piracy.
• Cloud Streaming: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack streams N64/GB/GBA/SNES/NES games to Switch. Not available on non-Nintendo devices. (GeForce Now/Xbox Cloud don't stream Nintendo 1st-party titles.)
• Official Ports (Rare): Super Mario Bros. (Game & Watch), Donkey Kong (arcade), Mario Kart Arcade GP (Namco cabinet), Pokémon mobile apps (GO, Masters, Sleep) — these are exceptions, not the rule.

Why Nintendo Keeps It Closed

• Hardware-software integration is their business model (console sales drive game sales).
• Quality control: consistent performance, input latency, save integrity.
• IP protection: Mario, Zelda, Pokémon are crown jewels.

Practical Advice

If you want to play BotW, TotK, Metroid Dread, Pokémon Scarlet/Violet — buy a Switch (or Switch 2). For legacy titles, a used 3DS/Wii U/Wii/GameCube + original carts/discs is the most authentic, legal route. Emulation on PC/Steam Deck is the best enhanced experience for games you already own.