Since this is a translation of an overseas article, there may be mistranslations.
https://hothardware.com/news/steam-runs-on-nintendo-switch-using-valves-proton-linux-beta
Steam Runs on Nintendo Switch Using Valve's Proton Linux Beta
BlueSky user aagaming posted a proof-of-concept video showing Steam running on a Nintendo Switch. While this achievement required numerous manual optimizations, it wouldn't have been possible without Proton, Valve's compatibility layer that allows Windows software to run on Linux-based operating systems. Proton has made significant strides, but actual game support is still quite limited. This is because the Arm version of Proton integrates FEX, a tool for running x86 games on Arm architecture, and the Switch's kernel can't handle these high workloads.
Theoretically, this system should be able to play native Arm games for Linux without any problems. However, there are very few such games on Steam. The most interesting thing about this story isn't that the latest version of Arm64 Linux, Steam, and Proton can run on a Nintendo Switch. Rather, it's the potential impact this could have on the entire Arm-based PC market, from budget gaming handhelds to premium slim laptops.
https://bsky.app/profile/aagaming.me/post/3mjnka7iur22l
With the improvement of Steam's Arm64 support preceding the release of the standalone VR headset 'Steam Frame' later this year, the prospect of playing Windows games on Arm hardware with alternative operating systems has become much brighter. Private tests of Proton and FEX on Steam Frame have already shown that Windows games run quite well on Valve's hardware, suggesting that they could also perform well on other mid-range and high-end Arm chipsets.
It is unfortunate that the Nintendo Switch cannot smoothly run games as intended through Proton and FEX. However, it is important to remember that the original Switch was based on Nvidia's Tegra X1 SoC, which was first released in 2015 for the original Nvidia Shield console. While 10-year-old mobile hardware cannot be compared to modern Arm-based chips like the Snapdragon X2 Elite or x86-based PlayStation 5, it is still interesting to see how capable the original Switch has remained even years after its release.
▶ Source: https://hothardware.com/news/steam-runs-on-nintendo-switch-using-valves-proton-linux-beta
