Every fact on this page applies to update 1.0.1, the one version tested. Other versions may behave differently.
No emulator needed: Mario vs. Donkey Kong runs natively on the Apple chip. How nxnative compares with emulators
Running through nxnative
How Mario vs. Donkey Kong runs
Mario vs. Donkey Kong plays on the iPhone at 60 fps, and at about 1.6 GB its Packed app is small enough for almost any sideloading setup.
How it runs
On the Mac, it was tested through the opening movie, the title, file select, the first cutscene and level 1-1, including a time-out and restart. After leaving the level, the save showed up in file select. The game held 60 fps with sound, used about 1 GB of memory and stayed flat while it ran.
Two problems were fixed along the way: levels used to show only a black background behind the HUD, and the opening movie used to crash or freeze after a second. Both are resolved in nxnative's current version.
Controls
The Packed app starts in the 2D touch layout, which suits the game's side-on puzzle levels. The game reads only the gamepad, not the touch screen, and its title screen asks for L and R together.
Good to know
- The opening movie plays every time the game starts. Press Plus to skip it.
- Tested on update 1.0.1.
Known issues
None reported
Packing command
Run this in your nxnative folder on the Build Mac. Replace the game folder and the keys path with your own. Add --platform mac-app to get a Mac app instead of an iPhone and iPad app.
python3 scripts/build_ipa_from_nsp.py ~/Games/mario-vs-donkey-kong -k ~/keys/prod.keysFAQ
Does Mario vs. Donkey Kong work with nxnative?
Yes. Mario vs. Donkey Kong is tested with nxnative on update 1.0.1.
Which iPhone, iPad or Mac do I need to play Mario vs. Donkey Kong?
An iPhone 15 Pro or newer (A17 Pro chip or later) or an iPad with an M1 chip or later, on iOS or iPadOS 26 or later, or a Mac with Apple silicon. iPads with the A17 Pro chip (iPad mini) have the iPhone 15 Pro's chip but are untested by nxnative. Packing needs a Mac with macOS 26.6 or later and Xcode 27.1.
Is Mario vs. Donkey Kong included?
No. Neither this site nor nxnative includes any game. You Pack Mario vs. Donkey Kong from your own copy of the game, with keys dumped from your own Switch.
Does online play work in Mario vs. Donkey Kong?
Online play in Mario vs. Donkey Kong is not confirmed to work, so do not count on it.
