GameCube and Wii emulation on Switch just got easier with Tico

Key Points:

• Tico's latest v0.7.0 alpha release enables GameCube and Wii games to run directly on the Nintendo Switch’s native Horizon OS via Custom Firmware (CFW), removing the need to reboot into Android or Linux.
• Built in C++, Tico offers a controller-first UI and automatic game library management for a zero-configuration setup, enhancing usability for handheld and docked play.
• The Dolphin emulator core integrated into Tico boosts the Switch’s Tegra X1 chip to 1,785 MHz and the GPU to 768 MHz to handle demanding titles, though the release is marked alpha due to expected instability.
• Tico requires a CFW to operate and does not run on the stock Horizon OS; while V1 Switch models can use software-based CFW, newer V2 and OLED models need hardware modifications.
• This development simplifies retro gaming on Switch, allowing seamless play of titles like The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and FIFA Street 2 without switching operating systems, potentially making the Switch a stronger handheld emulation device.