Yuzu makes it easy to mod your games without needing any extra tools. You can drop mods right into the emulator, and they can do all sorts of things. It is like boosting FPS, improving graphics, changing how the game plays, or even swapping out sounds.
If you’ve never modded a game before, it can seem a bit confusing at first. Yuzu’s modding system might look technical, but once you see how the folders are organized, it’s not that hard to get the hang of.
Make sure you have Yuzu installed before diving in. If you haven’t done that yet, there are guides for Windows, Android, and Linux to help you set it up quickly.
How Mods Work in Yuzu
Yuzu mods basically change or swap out certain game files. It lets you tweak almost anything, like how the game plays, how it looks, the sounds, and even performance.
All the mods go into a special folder system. Each game gets its own folder, usually named after the game or its ID, and you can drop multiple mods in there without them messing with each other.
When you start a game, Yuzu looks in the mod folder and loads any files it finds, keeping the original game files safe. You can turn mods on or off, or remove them entirely, without worrying about breaking anything.
There’s also a built-in mod manager where you can flip mods on or off, try different setups for the same game, and check if multiple mods play nicely together.
Mod Directory Structure
Example mod directory structure:
“mod_directory
-exefs
-romfs
romfs_ext”
It helps to keep everything organized, especially if you’re running a bunch of mods for one game. It makes things way easier to manage.
What Is the ExeFS Directory?
The ExeFS folder is where you put patches that tweak the game’s core files. These can change how the game works under the hood. This is like unlocking higher frame rates or fixing certain bugs.
There are two main types of patches you can use here:
IPS Patches
- Name the file using the game’s NSO build ID
- Save it with a .ips extension
- Place it inside the ExeFS folder
IPSwitch Patches
IPSwitch patches are easier to use. The filename doesn’t matter as long as:
- The file ends with .pchtxt
- The NSO build ID is included inside the file name or content
Once placed in the ExeFS folder, Yuzu will apply the patch automatically.
RomFS Extension (romfs_ext)
The romfs_ext folder is where you put mods that change or replace RomFS files. Stuff like textures, models, sounds, and other game assets.
If you want to remove a file, you can create a new one with the same name using:
- .stub to delete it
- .ips to patch it
This folder is great for adding visual mods, texture packs, or swapping out game content.
How to Install Mods in Yuzu
Installing mods in Yuzu is easy. Just drop the mod files into the right game folder, open Yuzu, and turn it on using the mod manager.