This FAQ will serve as a general quick question and answer simple questions.

Can Eden Play Games with a Switch Console?

No - The only emulator that has this kind of functionality is Ryujinx and it’s forks. This solution requires loading a custom module on a modded switch console to work.

Can I Play Online Games?

No - This would require hijacking requests to Nintendo’s official servers to a custom server infrastructure built to emulate that functionality. This is how services like Pretendo operate. As such, you would not be able to play “Online”, you can however play multiplayer games.

What’s the Difference Between Online and Multiplayer?

I have chosen the wording carefully here for a reason.

The rule of thumb here is simple: If a game supports the ability to communicate without a server (Local Wireless, LAN, etc.) you will be able to play with other users. If it requires a server to function - it will not. You will need to look up if your title support Local Wireless/LAN play as an option.

How Does Multiplayer Work on Eden Exactly?

Eden’s multiplayer works by emulating the Switch’s local wireless (LDN) system, then tunneling that traffic over the internet through “rooms” that act like lobbies. Each player runs their own instance of the emulator, and as long as everyone joins the same room and the game supports local wireless multiplayer, the emulated consoles see each other as if they were on the same local network. This design avoids typical one‑save netplay issues because every user keeps an independent save and console state while only the in‑game wireless packets are forwarded through the room server. In practice, you pick or host a room, configure your network interface/port forwarding if needed, then launch any LDN‑capable game; from the game’s perspective it is just doing standard local wireless, while the emulator handles discovery and communication over the internet or LAN.

What Do I Need to Do?

That depends entirely on what your goal is and your level of technical ability, you have a 2 options on how to proceed.

  1. Join a Public Lobby.
    1. If you just want to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with other people and don’t care how it works or about latency - this is the option for you. See Joining a Multiplayer Room for instructions on how to do this.
  2. Host Your Own Room.
    1. This option will require you to be comfortable with accessing your router’s configuration, altering firewall rules, and troubleshooting when things (inevitably) don’t work out perfectly on the first try. Use this option if you want to control the room entirely, are concerned about latency issues, or just want to run something for your friends. See Hosting a Multiplayer Room for next steps*.*

Can Other Platforms Play Together?

Yes - the platform you choose to run the emulator on does not matter. Steam Deck users can play with Windows users, Android users can play with MacOS users, etc. Furthermore different emulators can play together as well (Eden/Citron/Ryubing, etc.) - but be you may want to all go to the same one if you are having issues.