 |
| Proton 11.0-Beta 1 is now available. Pictured: an edited promo picture showing the Switch 1 running Steam. |
Valve’s latest Proton beta isn’t just about Steam Deck or desktop PCs anymore. With version 11.0-Beta 1, the compatibility layer officially supports ARM64 hardware – and the modding community wasted no time putting it to the test on an unlikely piece of gaming history: the original Nintendo Switch.
For years, running Windows games on the first-generation Switch has been a tricky but rewarding hobby for tinkerers. Now, thanks to this new Proton update, the process could become much more streamlined. Modder @aagaming.me (on BlueSky) has already demonstrated that the Steam Linux ARM64 beta runs smoothly on Nintendo’s aging hybrid console. While they haven’t yet launched any actual Windows games through Proton on the Switch, the fact that the Steam client itself runs without major issues is a promising first step.
“Steam Linux ARM64 beta on Switch,” @aagaming.me shared in a brief post, alongside visual proof of the client running on the handheld. (BlueSky post)
If you’re looking to pick up a first-gen Switch for your own experiments, renewed models are currently available on Amazon for $213.49.
👉 Check current price on Amazon
Why ARM64 support in Proton matters
Proton is Valve’s fork of Wine, designed to let Linux users play Windows games with minimal hassle. Until now, it was primarily x86/x64-focused. The addition of ARM64 support opens the door to a new generation of gaming devices – from handhelds to headsets – that run on energy-efficient ARM chips.
The Proton 11.0-Beta 1 release includes FEX-2604 for ARM64EC builds, a key component that helps translate x86 instructions to ARM on the fly. However, @aagaming.me points out a current limitation: the first-gen Switch’s kernel is too old for FEX to function properly. This means modders may need to wait for a mainline kernel update on the Switch before seeing meaningful performance gains for actual Windows games.
In the meantime, newer ARM-based gaming handhelds – like the Retroid Pocket 6 – are better positioned to benefit immediately from this Proton beta. @aagaming.me has even made a “working copy of Proton ARM + Steamrt ARM” available. Users can drop it into Compatibilitytools.d and start experimenting with the Steam beta client right away.
It will be interesting to see how this method compares to existing compatibility layers like GameHub and GameNative, which have been the go‑to solutions for running PC games on ARM devices up to now.
Valve’s real target: the Steam Frame headset
While the Nintendo Switch modding scene is exciting, Valve’s primary motivation for ARM64 support is likely its upcoming Steam Frame – a standalone gaming headset powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. The Steam Frame is expected to launch soon, and it will rely heavily on compatibility layers to run the existing Windows-based Steam library. Proton ARM64 is the missing piece of that puzzle.
By baking ARM64 support into Proton now, Valve is laying the groundwork for a seamless experience on its first non‑x86 gaming hardware. If successful, the Steam Frame could offer a library of thousands of games without requiring developers to port anything natively.
Other improvements in Proton 11.0-Beta 1
Beyond ARM64, this beta update certifies several titles as playable, including:
- Resident Evil 2
- Resident Evil (the 2002 remake, presumably)
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2
Valve has also squashed a number of bugs, all detailed in the official release notes on GitHub.
What’s next for Proton on ARM?
For Switch owners, the path to playing Windows games via Proton is still a bit rocky due to the kernel limitation. But the fact that Steam itself runs on the console is a proof of concept that will undoubtedly inspire further development. Meanwhile, owners of modern ARM handhelds and the upcoming Steam Frame have a lot to look forward to.
As @aagaming.me puts it: “This is just the beginning.” With a working copy of Proton ARM already circulating, expect to see more experiments – and likely some impressive gaming demos – in the coming weeks.
Sources: