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| Nintendo Switch 2 has become the focus of new homebrew demonstrations following the disclosure of a software-only exploit. |
The Switch 2 homebrew scene has exploded into life this week, with footage reportedly showing a working Homebrew Launcher on Nintendo's new console—just as the software application used to trigger the exploit mysteriously disappears from digital storefronts.
The developments come hot on the heels of security researcher Sammy Hajhamid (known online as pepsipu) publicly disclosing ns2jb, a software-only jailbreak for the Switch 2 running the latest 23.0.1 firmware. According to his detailed technical blog post, the exploit enables arbitrary native code execution without any hardware modifications—a significant milestone for the console modding community.
Homebrew Launcher and Vulkan Support Demonstrated
Videos shared across social media on October 23 appear to show HBLauncher v1.0.0 running on the Switch 2, with separate footage claiming to demonstrate Vulkan graphics API support. As reported by VideoCardz, these early demonstrations suggest developers are already building functional software around the exploit.
Vulkan support, if confirmed, could prove particularly valuable for homebrew developers working on graphics-intensive applications. However, it's important to note that these demonstrations don't yet establish a complete, stable homebrew environment—the exploit remains tethered, requiring reactivation after each console restart.
The Exploit Chain: From SmileBASIC to System Access
Hajhamid's technical breakdown reveals a sophisticated multi-stage attack. The exploit chain begins with SmileBASIC 4, a programming application originally released for the first Switch that runs on the Switch 2 through backwards compatibility.
The researcher discovered a 32-bit integer overflow in SmileBASIC's BASIC interpreter, allowing memory corruption when removing array elements. This primitive was leveraged to achieve read/write access and ultimately compromise the system's filesystem services.
From there, Hajhamid demonstrated achieving code execution as any ordinary system module, bypassing CFI, PAC, and XOM mitigations through a clever manipulation of the loader's ExeFS handling. The exploit has been tested successfully on both Switch 2 and Switch 1 hardware.
To showcase the jailbreak's capabilities, Hajhamid and collaborator Codex modified Mario Kart World to include unofficial characters such as Hatsune Miku, Peter Griffin, and Cinnamoroll—a demonstration that caught significant attention online.
The ns2jb repository is now publicly available, though it requires specific software versions and network setup to function.
Hello, Homebrew Launcher. Welcome back! 🙂 #switch2 #switch2hacks #homebrew https://t.co/3rPXtwdGWi
— Ravens Claw X (@ravensclawx) October 23, 2026
SmileBASIC 4 Disappears from eShop
In what appears to be a related development, SmileBASIC 4 has reportedly become unavailable across multiple regional Nintendo eShop storefronts. According to Ars Technica, the application vanished from North American and European listings, with users subsequently reporting similar changes in Japan.
Nintendo has not publicly confirmed whether the removal is connected to the vulnerability, and it remains unclear whether Nintendo or the application's publisher initiated the change. Some users have reported that the application can still be accessed through alternative storefront links, including pages opened from the console's News section.
Removing an application from sale would not automatically delete copies already installed on users' consoles—meaning those who already own SmileBASIC 4 can still potentially use it to trigger the exploit.
What This Means for Switch 2 Homebrew
While the ns2jb jailbreak represents significant progress, it's important to temper expectations. The exploit does not provide persistent custom firmware, kernel-level access, or permanent modifications. It must be reapplied after each console restart, limiting its practical applications for most users.
The jailbreak does, however, open doors for homebrew development, game modding, and save file backup—activities that have been staples of the Nintendo modding community since the original Switch. Hajhamid expressed hope that his work will "help the homebrew community make progress toward CFW."
For now, the twin developments—demonstrated homebrew capabilities and the mysterious disappearance of the entry-point application—highlight the ongoing cat-and-mouse dynamic between console hackers and platform holders. Whether Nintendo will patch the vulnerability in a future firmware update remains to be seen, but history suggests it's only a matter of time.