Peanuts Native converts 12 Switch games into native Android apps

What Peanuts Native does

A new open-source project called Peanuts Native can turn 12 Nintendo Switch games into standalone Android apps, according to Android Authority. The tool is a fork of BananaNative, an existing native translation layer, and was announced on Reddit by the developer behind Eden Duo, a Switch emulator fork aimed at dual-screen handhelds.

Unlike an emulator, which runs console code through a compatibility layer, Peanuts Native rewrites a game's ARM64 code so it executes directly on a phone's processor. Graphics are replayed through Vulkan, and shaders are translated in advance.

How the conversion works

Users must supply their own legally dumped game files in NSP or XCI format, or as dump folders, together with the prod.keys file from their own console. The app then processes everything on the device itself.

According to Android Authority, the build takes between five and 40 minutes on an AYN Thor handheld. The result is a standalone Android game rather than a title that needs an emulator running in the background.

Dual-screen companion support

The standout feature is support for dual-screen Android handhelds such as the AYN Thor. The main game runs on the top display, while the bottom screen shows touch-enabled companion overlays with haptic feedback.

Peanuts Native relies on the companion package format already used by Eden Duo. That means existing companions, which show live maps, inventories, quests and party statistics read from game memory, work without extra setup. Games converted through the tool also run on ordinary single-screen Android devices, just without the second-display features.

Device requirements and limitations

The tool has firm hardware demands. Custom Turnip drivers are recommended.

This is an early release, and the developer warns that bugs are likely. Missing features include SD card support and mods. The developer also says Peanuts Native will exist alongside Eden Duo rather than replace it.

Why it matters

Peanuts Native arrives at a busy moment for Android console gaming. Switch 2 emulators have recently appeared on several platforms, including Android, and native recompilation projects are gaining pace as an alternative to emulation.

By removing the emulator layer entirely, projects like this aim to run console titles with less overhead. The approach has already inspired other ports, including a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time that reached Android within a week of its release, according to Android Authority.