Old Game and AI Help Crack Switch 2, Opening Door to Homebrew

WHO:

The Verge - Sammy Hajhamid, known as “pepsipu,” is identified as the developer of the “ns2jb” jailbreak.

The Verge - OpenAI’s Codex helped develop the jailbreak.

Wccftech - The jailbreak developer used AI tools, including OpenAI Codex.

The Verge - A modder demonstrated a modified version of *Mario Kart World* with Cinnamoroll, the red Angry Bird, Peter Griffin, and Steve from *Minecraft* as playable characters.

Wccftech - A demonstration showed *Mario Kart World* modified to include Peter Griffin and Hatsune Miku.

WHAT:

The Verge - The Nintendo Switch 2 has apparently been jailbroken with a software-only, tethered jailbreak called “ns2jb.”

Wccftech - The exploit reportedly allows arbitrary native code to run on any Nintendo Switch 2 system using the latest firmware.

Wccftech - The jailbreak can enable homebrew software, game modifications, save-file backups, and access to most of the console’s peripherals.

The Verge - The exploit’s full impact is unclear, and users on the Switch 2 hacks subreddit are debating its significance.

Wccftech - The outlet said it viewed a video of the modified game and inspected the code repository, which it said confirmed the jailbreak was legitimate.

WHERE:

The Verge - The jailbreak was demonstrated on a Nintendo Switch 2 console.

Wccftech - The exploit applies to Nintendo Switch 2 systems running the latest firmware.

WHY:

The Verge - The jailbreak could mark the start of further Switch 2 exploits, particularly if modders use AI tools.

Wccftech - The article says modding could enable projects such as investigating the console’s NVIDIA DLSS implementation, which it reports differs from the upscaler supported by NVIDIA RTX GPUs.

HOW:

The Verge - The tethered jailbreak must be run from a game each time the console is turned on; it requires *SmileBASIC 4*, although another modder reportedly said the title is “not strictly needed.”

Wccftech - The exploit requires a specific original Nintendo Switch game to be run at every boot and is not permanent.

Wccftech - The reported exploit chain begins with a backward-compatible original Switch game and a 32-bit integer overflow bug in the game’s array handling, then manipulates process permissions and hijacks system-loading routines to reach code execution.

Wccftech - The article says Nintendo may remove the identified game from the eShop and fix the vulnerability.

Wccftech - The article notes that modded original Switch consoles have run PC versions of games, including *Final Fantasy VII Remake*.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 20:21 UTC)

The Nintendo Switch 2 has reportedly been jailbroken using a software-based exploit called ns2jb, developed by Sammy Hajhamid, who goes by “pepsipu,” with help from OpenAI’s Codex. The tethered jailbreak reportedly works on consoles running the latest firmware, but users must launch it through a game each time the system starts. It can enable homebrew software, game modifications, save backups and access to most of the console’s peripherals. A demonstration showed a modified version of *Mario Kart World* featuring characters including Peter Griffin, Steve from *Minecraft*, Cinnamoroll and the red Angry Bird. The exploit reportedly begins with an original Switch game and uses a bug in how it handles arrays to gain the ability to run code. Its broader impact remains unclear, and Nintendo could remove the game involved and patch the vulnerability. Modders may also use access to investigate the Switch 2’s version of NVIDIA DLSS.