The past few weeks have been exciting for the Nintendo Switch 2homebrew scene, as thefirst jailbreak released for the system allowed users to accomplish all sorts of feats from modding, data mining, and dumping games (resulting in Zelda: Ocarina of Time being playable on PC since launch) to expanding the system’s functionality. Unfortunately, the fun may have come to a temporary end, as Nintendo released a new firmware update that patches the OS vulnerability, thus taking the jailbreak out of commission.
“The OS exploit used in the recent jailbreak has been patched in version 23.5.0,” wrote known dataminer OatmealDome on X. “Dumping and modding games will be impossible again from this point forward, with the exception of some cartridge games (and maybe game updates) that are released in the near future.”
“While game exploits like SmileBASIC and Civilization VII still exist, it is no longer possible to ‘escape’ the game starting with 23.5.0. This effectively means that the capabilities of homebrew are locked to whatever the game can do already (i.e. not much),” the dataminer concluded.
Given how widely reported the first Nintendo Switch 2 jailbreak was, Nintendo took a surprisingly long time to patch the vulnerability in its system. Looking at how the issue was addressed, the long time now makes sense, as the Japanese company preferred to go with a more stable fix rather than releasing multiple firmware updates in quick succession as Sony did with the PlayStation 5, engaging in a sort of firmware war with jailbreakers that is unlikely to slow down even after Grand Theft Auto VI releases later this month.
In addition to patching this critical system vulnerability, the new Nintendo Switch 223.5.0 firmware, which also launched for the original Nintendo Switch, introduces a few new features. The most significant addition is support for gifting titles purchased on the Nintendo eShop to a Nintendo Account family group member. This feature will officially go live on November 17.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack.
After joining the Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi “Suda51” Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA’s president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3.
When he’s not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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