A jailbreak has been achieved on the Nintendo Switch 2, enabling players to run custom content on the console. This exploit was reportedly accomplished with the assistance of generative AI, a development that echoes recent security challenges faced by the PlayStation 5.
The exploit was demonstrated by X user pepsipu, who shared footage of custom characters, including Sanrio's Cinnamoroll and vocaloid Hatsune Miku, appearing in the game Mario Kart World. The process requires users to purchase SmileBASIC 4 from the Nintendo eShop for $25 and involves a complex set of instructions. A significant limitation of this jailbreak is that it resets upon powering down the console, necessitating the entire procedure to be repeated after each shutdown.
This development occurs as the PlayStation 5 has also been the target of AI-assisted jailbreaks. Sony has implemented firmware updates to address security vulnerabilities and combat the rapid emergence of new exploits. The surge in console jailbreaking activity appears to be partly motivated by anticipation for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, with some players expressing dissatisfaction with the perceived shift away from physical media by Sony and Rockstar Games. AI-coding tools have broadly accelerated community projects, leading to browser ports of classic games like Halo: Combat Evolved and viral demonstrations of custom content integration in titles such as Elden Ring and Call of Duty. In response to these trends, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced Xbox Labs, a division seemingly influenced by these AI-driven community developments.