GoKawiilCurtis Joe / Android Authority
TL;DR Tico’s latest release allows GameCube and Wii games to run on the Switch’s Horizon OS (via CFW), eliminating the need to install and reboot into Android or Linux.
The latest v0.7.0 alpha uses a Dolphin core that automatically boosts the Tegra X1 chip to handle demanding titles.
Built in C++, Tico features a controller-first UI and automatic game library management for a “zero configuration” setup.
The Nintendo Switch is a great console, but it runs on Nintendo’s proprietary OS. While the game collection is great, Switch owners often itch to enjoy titles from older consoles. Those looking to try GameCube or Wii games had to go through the arduous process of installing Switchroot, which brings Android and Linux to the Switch, and then run the Dolphin emulator. A project called “Tico” is changing that with its latest release, allowing classic games to run directly within the Switch’s native environment for the first time.
Tico: Custom emulation frontend for Switch
While the headline-grabbing news is support for GameCube and Wii, Tico is far more than just a standard emulator launcher. It is a custom, multi-platform emulation frontend built from the ground up in native C++ specifically for performance and portability. Tico’s primary goal is to reduce the pain of emulating games on the Switch by directly launching embedded emulator cores with “zero” user configuration.
Tico features a controller-first navigation UI that is designed for handheld and docked controller use. It also features automatic game library management, so you don’t have to worry about meticulously renaming your game ROM files.
The latest Tico v0.7.0 alpha release introduces experimental GameCube and Wii support through the Dolphin emulator core. This is said to be the most demanding core to run on Switch’s Horizon OS to date. The release is therefore marked as alpha, and instability is expected.
The Dolphin core enables boost mode by default, bumping the Switch’s Tegra X1 chip to 1,785 MHz and the GPU to 768 MHz. While these limits are claimed to be safe, it’s still a good idea to monitor your device temperature.
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