Hacking Best practice for preserving Switch 2 exploitability?

[linuxares]

Never had to chip a console before, so I wonder how it's going to affect the updates on the Switch 2, potentially. I know they can patch softmods, but could they do that for hardmods too ?

We don't know. Way to early to say.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Man, I wish NS2 had a built-in media player app to watch videos as I really like the picture quality of the screen.

 

[realtimesave]

You got some lucky snake over there - can I be your snake

my snake is a very special one, I just hate it when my snake updates my Switch 1 without letting me know first :o

 

[lupo90]

my snake is a very special one, I just hate it when my snake updates my Switch 1 without letting me know first :o

Tough one. Don't tell me about it

Post automatically merged: Jun 14, 2025

I'd also suggest games making up a variety of engines. And games that share user content, like levels, especially if they're hosted on the dev's server. Even better if they're cross-platform. And, anything with an editor. There are also some game creation things like Fuze and SmileBasic.

Edit: If you have the money, any big-name games as well, like Mario Kart World. They'll likely receive extra attention.

Edit: Some suggestions: Levelhead, RPG Maker MV Player, Quake 1 and 2, Fuze4 and Fuze Player, Nintendo emulators and Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, Animal Crossing Island Transfer Tool, Mario Maker 2.

This post should be sticky, thanks for sharing, amazing suggestions

 

[poughstings]

Apparently MiGs are starting to work now.

 

[Marc_LFD]

I received a game (TMNT Cowabunga Collection) yesterday and wanted to download the game updates, so I checked on Nintendo's website if there's a new firmware out since there wasn't it was safe to do so.

https://en-americas-support.nintend...il/a_id/68473/kw/System update/p/1095#current

Sure wish it was possible to keep getting game updates and block firmware updates, but it isn't. :/

 

[jbarton]

I received a game (TMNT Cowabunga Collection) yesterday and wanted to download the game updates, so I checked on Nintendo's website if there's a new firmware out since there wasn't it was safe to do so.

https://en-americas-support.nintend...il/a_id/68473/kw/System update/p/1095#current

Sure wish it was possible to keep getting game updates and block firmware updates, but it isn't. :/

.

I wish it too! :-/

(thanks 4 the useful link)

 

[lupo90]

Did I understand correctly that to play any SW1 game into SW2, it needs to download an update when the cart is inserted?

• Answering myself: I attempted this right now. it indeed asks to download a "software update" but you can also select "start game", and the game starts normally, so no, not strictly required.

Is it the same for migswitch or is it bypassed?

 

[Nachmanowicz]

Did I understand correctly that to play any SW1 game into SW2, it needs to download an update when the cart is inserted?

• Answering myself: I attempted this right now. it indeed asks to download a "software update" but you can also select "start game", and the game starts normally, so no, not strictly required.

Is it the same for migswitch or is it bypassed?

That is actually a good question. Since I'm assuming you can get improved functionalities and performance with the update.

 

[l7777]

Did I understand correctly that to play any SW1 game into SW2, it needs to download an update when the cart is inserted?

• Answering myself: I attempted this right now. it indeed asks to download a "software update" but you can also select "start game", and the game starts normally, so no, not strictly required.

This is not true for all games. Some will require an update before they will launch.

 

[Marc_LFD]

This is not true for all games. Some will require an update before they will launch.

As there are enhancements to improve the experience.

Anyway, should I log in to my Nintendo account or use the NS2 without it? Been doing it without though I want to see the amount of hours per games function.

 

[SpiritBreaker]

I bought a second switch just to mod it when time comes. It came with version 19.0 and I updated it to 20.1.1 as it is a launch day firmware and i will leave it like that until an exploit is found

Post automatically merged: Jun 17, 2025

I bought a second switch just to mod it when time comes. It came with version 19.0 and I updated it to 20.1.1 as it is a launch day firmware and i will leave it like that until an exploit is found

 

[l7777]

As there are enhancements to improve the experience.

Some are literally to allow the game to launch. Likely compatibility patches. TOTK and BOTW (Not Switch 2 Enhanced versions) both require updates to 1.4.0+ and 1.8.0+ before they will launch from a game card.

 

[R4ismychildhood]

I still haven't even turned on my SW2... anyone taking this route too? I know Mario Kart World updates the system firmware from 19.0.0 to 19.1.0, but is this enough for future hacks? I'm torn

 

[Prof0nWear]

I still haven't even turned on my SW2... anyone taking this route too? I know Mario Kart World updates the system firmware from 19.0.0 to 19.1.0, but is this enough for future hacks? I'm torn

Yes most likely, there is already a userland exploit on 20.1.1 - I recommend to update and use the system, turn off updates etc keep it offline if not using online stuff.

 

[quotepelican]

Let's say someone does buy one and keep it new in box. How would they update to an acceptable firmware for something like microSD card use? Since the launch firmware doesn't seem to support it, it actually seems like a really bad candidate for an exploit. By the time something is found, Nintendo would have moved long past the day 1 patch.


I would just buy two, keep one for daily use and keep the other new in box, but that issue seems pretty big. I could unbox it and update it, then put it back on the shelf, but I tell myself no matter what a new in box Nintendo console is going to gain value, so even if an exploit is never found its a good investment (OK, maybe not good, but OK enough). That obviously isn't the case if you open the thing up. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Prof0nWear]

Let's say someone does buy one and keep it new in box. How would they update to an acceptable firmware for something like microSD card use? Since the launch firmware doesn't seem to support it, it actually seems like a really bad candidate for an exploit. By the time something is found, Nintendo would have moved long past the day 1 patch.


I would just buy two, keep one for daily use and keep the other new in box, but that issue seems pretty big. I could unbox it and update it, then put it back on the shelf, but I tell myself no matter what a new in box Nintendo console is going to gain value, so even if an exploit is never found its a good investment (OK, maybe not good, but OK enough). That obviously isn't the case if you open the thing up. Any thoughts on this?

So buy two like I did and keep one for normal use the other for a potential exploit by upgrading to 20.1.1 like i said userland exploit already on 20.1.1 just update already and stick it in a box.

 

[quotepelican]

So buy two like I did and keep one for normal use the other for a potential exploit by upgrading to 20.1.1 like i said userland exploit already on 20.1.1 just update already and stick it in a box.

Sure but then if the exploit ends up being hardware or doesn't exist at all, you have two of them. And it's not like you will net zero on the other one.

 

[Prof0nWear]

Sure but then if the exploit ends up being hardware or doesn't exist at all, you have two of them. And it's not like you will net zero on the other one.

Exactly

 

[quotepelican]

Exactly

lol that doesn't seem like a great thing, to buy two and really only need one... I am willing to do it if that's what it takes but...

Pros of buying two (in box):
-If it doesn't work out, or if both are exploitable, you can resell it eventually, since Nintendo consoles new in box have a value
-Absolute highest level of flexibility, assuming we can selectively get to any higher firmware
Cons of keeping in box:
-If we can't selectively upgrade to 20.1.1 (or to within exploitable range), exploits might not work due to a lack of SD access/games (what would the vector even be on a bare system? Almost every exploit on every console started with a game at least)
-It is going to be at least 10 years before you can resell it as a collectable

Pros of buying two but unboxing for update:
-Far better chance of an exploit via SD, since it would actually be enabled (assuming we can't selectively update to any firmware)
Cons:
-All value is basically lost, since it is no longer sellable as new in box (again, if exploits don't happen or are for every console)

Pros of buying one:
-Cheaper (almost 1K on Nintendo is a lot...)
Cons:
-If it is a software exploit, you are either screwed or you've been in airplane mode for a while (a waste?)


Obviously, historically, we have been able to update via game cart to certain firmwares, but I thought or maybe heard that with the Switch this was changed and cards were consistently packaged with the latest available firmware if they had an update (meaning new prints get new firmwares). I know it's all crystal ball but if anyone reading thought through this, I would love to hear what you decided and your logic.