Nintendo Switch 2 emulation has made swift progress mere days after the console was hacked, with Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza and more reportedly running on PC.
Multiple sources have reported that Nintendo Switch 2 emulation has become a reality just a few days after a major webkit exploit was discovered in the console’s system software, allowing its firmware to be dumped. Exclusive titles like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Splatoon Raiders are now seen running on PC and Mac.
Footage of Mario Kart World, DK Bananza & Splatoon Raiders Running on PC
Video clips/screenshots showing Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Splatoon Raiders running via emulation on PC can be seen below.
As we recently discussed, the Nintendo Switch 2 firmware dump opened new possibilities for reverse engineering and emulation on PC. A better understanding of the system’s software and hardware interfaces is helping developers in reproducing the console’s behavior on PC. The firmware dump was made possible by an extraction tool developed by Kurumuz. Additionally, another researcher succeeded in extracting decrypted game files for Mario Kart World and other titles.
The hack was enabled via vulnerabilities in SmileBASIC 4, a Nintendo Switch game, alongside an attack against the console’s filesystem system module. A 32-bit integer overflow in the game’s array-handling code enabled memory manipulation, while a buffer overflow involving filesystem path normalization helped obtain more powerful access. By exploiting weaknesses in how executable files are served and verified, the researcher describes a route to running custom native code with elevated privileges.
Nintendo later delisted SmileBASIC 4 from the eShop. However, this may not be enough to prevent access to the hack, as homebrew developer Gezinе pointed to additional potential methods for triggering the exploit. According to them, another game called Artemis Engine could be used, while a separate method involving a physical game cartridge may also be possible.
