How to Set Up Joy-Cons as a Single Controller or Pair in Ryujinx - Nintendo Switch Emulator Tutorial

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to set up your Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons as a single controller or pair in Ryujinx, a popular Nintendo Switch emulator. Since Ryujinx does not natively support pairing Joy-Cons, we'll utilize Steam to create a virtual controller for seamless gaming.

Step 1: Connect Your Joy-Cons

• Ensure both Joy-Cons are charged and ready for use.
• Connect the Joy-Cons to your Windows PC via Bluetooth:
  • Go to Windows Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
  • Enable Bluetooth if it isn’t already on.
  • Press and hold the sync button on each Joy-Con until they appear in the list of devices.
  • Select each Joy-Con to connect.

Step 2: Launch Steam and Add Ryujinx

• Open the Steam application on your PC.
• To add Ryujinx to your library:
  • Click on the “Games” menu at the top.
  • Select “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library.”
  • Browse and select the Ryujinx executable file.
  • Click “Add Selected Programs” to include it in your library.

Step 3: Enable Steam Input for Ryujinx

• In your Steam library, find Ryujinx and right-click on it.
• Select “Properties” from the dropdown menu.
• Under the “Controller” tab, set the “Override for Ryujinx” option to “Use default settings” or “Enable Steam Input.”
• This allows Steam to manage the controller inputs for Ryujinx.

Step 4: Configure Controller Settings in Ryujinx

• Open Ryujinx and navigate to the “Options” menu.
• Select “Settings” and then go to the “Input” tab.
• Configure the controller settings:
  • Select the “Joy-Con” inputs for each Joy-Con.
  • Map the buttons as desired to ensure proper functionality during gameplay.

Step 5: Test Your Setup

• Launch a game in Ryujinx to verify that the Joy-Cons are functioning as a single controller.
• Adjust any settings in Ryujinx if the inputs are not responding correctly.

Conclusion

You have successfully set up your Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons to function as a single controller in Ryujinx using Steam. This method enhances your gaming experience by allowing you to enjoy games without the hassle of using two separate controllers. For further customization or troubleshooting, consider exploring more Steam settings or Ryujinx configurations. Happy gaming!