How will we hack the Switch 2

[DiscostewSM]

The way I see it, and maybe I'm wrong, but Switch's ease of access came from the flaw of the Tegra X1 bootrom that's been around longer than Switch has, with things like RCM being fully documented for public consumption for the Nvidia Shield TV. While modchips exist for Switch versions after v1, those were only really figured out because of the initial hack on v1, right? Hackers working from the inside out? Switch 2, imo, is them basically having to start outside of the wall again, poking and prodding the wall for holes and slivers to dig at.

 

[Viri]

The way Nintendo out of the blue went so hard against Switch emulators, makes me wonder if the Switch 2's architecture isn't that different from the Switch 1's architecture. Maybe a Switch 2 emulator wouldn't be that much different than a Switch 1 emulator. Then again, I know nothing about all of this.

 

[Deleted member 731084]

The way I see it, and maybe I'm wrong, but Switch's ease of access came from the flaw of the Tegra X1 bootrom that's been around longer than Switch has, with things like RCM being fully documented for public consumption for the Nvidia Shield TV. While modchips exist for Switch versions after v1, those were only really figured out because of the initial hack on v1, right? Hackers working from the inside out? Switch 2, imo, is them basically having to start outside of the wall again, poking and prodding the wall for holes and slivers to dig at.

The code got dumped before with SMhax and fsp-ldr takeover, and the keys were initially dumped by glitching the bootrom key verification in a similar way to modern modchips to get code execution in Pkg1Ldr (where the keys are accessible). So the RCM bug wasn't essential in cracking the system open with, but it is responsible for making the ecosystem thrive and accessible to most people.

The 34C3 Switch talk is a really nice time capsule, being from a few months before the RCM bug was found.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Hack? I'm more interested in seeing a Nintendo-fied NS2 console than a generic black that looks NP different than other handhelds in the market.

 

[NewGBAXL]

backwards-compatibility will definitely help homebrew development since it should just run all Switch 1 HB out of the box, and Switch 2 stuff (devkitpro..) might just be built on top of it

 

[cigarra]

I hope for a random ass vulnerability they didn't check for somehow, somewhere

I'm gonna keep my day 1 switch2 OFF the internet as soon as I get it

my bets on something like what the 3DS had where you had to buy really specific shovelware in order to get homebrew on the console.

or a hardware thing like what the switch 1 had, where they literally cant patch it out. thats the best case scenario and the only reason why im even interested in getting this thing early

 

[Deleted member 731084]

my bets on something like what the 3DS had where you had to buy really specific shovelware in order to get homebrew on the console.

or a hardware thing like what the switch 1 had, where they literally cant patch it out. thats the best case scenario and the only reason why im even interested in getting this thing early

oh god no, i can already see it, limited run published game, pulled off the eShop, 2000 copies in existence, half of them on ebay for $500+

 

[TomSwitch]

With a hammer. BAM Switch 2 cracked.

Post automatically merged: Jan 20, 2025

backwards-compatibility will definitely help homebrew development since it should just run all Switch 1 HB out of the box, and Switch 2 stuff (devkitpro..) might just be built on top of it

No doubt that there will be a lot of homebrew activity no matter how hard or easy it may be when CFW is available on Switch 2.

 

[MidTVU]

Modchip.
Nintendo were probably so happy about hiding the D0 point on the OLED Switch so that modchips wouldn't work, until people started melting off the EMMC chips and drilling holes in the fucking motherboard. Wonder what other protection ideas N have come up with for Switch 2.

making everything a black box like on the vita, so we have to resort to a softmod. No D0 point to worry about for them then.

Post automatically merged: Jan 20, 2025

With a hammer. BAM Switch 2 cracked.

Post automatically merged: Jan 20, 2025

No doubt that there will be a lot of homebrew activity no matter how hard or easy it may be when CFW is available on Switch 2.

100%. No doubt that OG switch homebrew will work and/or possibly be upgraded for switch 2. honestly tinfoil 2 finna be fire.

 

[Moe87]

There are several scenarios.

Scenario A: Like PS4/PS5, Switch 2 is hacked but only on lower firmware, known as firmware dependent. (Most likely).

Scenario B: Like V1 Switch, Switch 2 is fully hacked with RCM access with simple method, however not sure if it will be patchable or not. V1 Switch is not patchable so cannot fix the bootrom vulnerability. (Very unlikely).

Scenario C: Like latest Switch version, Switch 2 is fully hacked with modchip installed but it isn't come without any risk like brick the Switch or make an easy for Nintendo to detect. Nintendo could go worse by ban your console AND your Nintendo account - it means you lose all games that you bought. That's like Sony and Microsoft are doing with their consoles. It means you need disposable account to run. (not sure if it is likely or unlikely but better chance than Scenario B).

Scenario D: Worst one - Switch 2 is NEVER hacked at all. (Slightly unlikely).

As for MIG, I do feel that cartridge slot likely to be patched or possibly come with new DRM to block the MIG access. It means MIG developers would need to fix and they may not fix at all if it is not fixable.

You have to assume that Switch 2 is going to be secure and Nintendo isn't stupid for now, but... Nintendo gets stupid if Switch 2 is already hacked after came out.

 

[kijetesantakalu042]

Scenario D: Worst one - Switch 2 is NEVER hacked at all. (Slightly unlikely)

Sadly d is most likely. The latest switches can't be hacked without a mod chip. Nintendo know how to stop hacking very well.

They'll probably use the same security as the switch and remove the exploits that made mod chipping posible

 

[Moe87]

Sadly d is most likely. The latest switches can't be hacked without a mod chip. Nintendo know how to stop hacking very well.

The availability of modchip led hackers to not bother with lower firmware based hacking because modchip already give a full access to hack the Switch.

Modchip isn't exist with PS4/PS5, so that why firmware based hacking is around instead.

They'll probably use the same security as the switch and remove the exploits that made mod chipping posible

Don't undermine Nintendo - they likely end up not use same security measure as Switch 1 does, but come with upgraded security instead.

 

[kijetesantakalu042]

The availability of modchip led hackers to not bother with lower firmware based hacking because modchip already give a full access to hack the Switch.

Modchip isn't exist with PS4/PS5, so that why firmware based hacking is around instead.


Don't undermine Nintendo - they likely end up not use same security measure as Switch 1 does, but come with upgraded security instead.

If it's an upgraded version of switch 1 security it's gonna be harder to break.

 

[w0nd3rb0yfx]

It's going to be via modchip, they're going to use the RP2350 and call it Picofly 2.

The chip will probably be drilled to break some point.

 

[Moe87]

If it's an upgraded version of switch 1 security it's gonna be harder to break.

That not surprised me, anyway.

V1 Switch's hack was very miracle, otherwise it take years to hack if it wasn't for Fusée Gelée.

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

Will we use a paperclip? Will we use a soldering iron? Or will we use the power of the Chaos Emeralds to mod it?

If they just use Horizon OS again then the chance of it being a software exploit is basically zero. Chances are if anything it will be some modchip.

Post automatically merged: Jan 21, 2025

That not surprised me, anyway.

V1 Switch's hack was very miracle, otherwise it take years to hack if it wasn't for Fusée Gelée.

Yeah people don't realize that if it wasnt for the fuckup on Nvidia's part the Switch to this day would be modchip only past those users on like firmware 2.X.

 

[Moe87]

Yeah people don't realize that if it wasnt for the fuckup on Nvidia's part the Switch to this day would be modchip only past those users on like firmware 2.X.

I'm kinda surprised that Nintendo didn't sever the relationship with Nvidia over Fusée Gelée.

If Nintendo did, so it means Switch 2 wouldn't have native BC with Switch 1 games and have to rely on emulation or modified version instead.

Also, unlike GameCube and Wii, Nintendo didn't bother with hardware revision, so I guess that is more expensive and they rather use lawyers to go after anyone whoever hack Switch or develop the emulation to play pirated games. I do think Nintendo relied on hardware revision to assure the third party developers that they won't let their games go pirated wildly and it is protect their partners, so bar is much lower nowadays.

 

[DragonMals]

How will the Switch 2 be hacked? Hacking a chip inside of the console.

Unless I think thats how it works... find an abnormally within the consoles first days or hardware wise than mod it to then program the next atmosphere.

 

[marhalloweenvt]

It's going to be via modchip, they're going to use the RP2350 and call it Picofly 2.

The chip will probably be drilled to break some point.

Oh dear, I remembered the day when I had to drill carfully drive flash chip just to play some burned JAP disks

 

[SylverReZ]

It's going to be via modchip, they're going to use the RP2350 and call it Picofly 2.

The chip will probably be drilled to break some point.

Oh man, that would be a total bummer if that ever happened. Be prepared to see broken Switch 2 units on eBay.