Nintendo’s built-in Switch NES emulator has already been hacked to run more games

Though the Nintendo Switch’s online services only just launched this week, it looks like they’ve already been hacked.

A modder that goes by the online handle ‘@KapuccinoHeck‘ says the process required to load additional ROM files onto the Switch’s recently launched built-in NES emulator is relatively easy.

good lord #NintendoSwitchOnline‘s NES games are plain .nes files
GUI appears to be entirely LUA much like the S/NES Classic so people are gonna be able to go to town on this

The “database” file that contains a listing of all valid games is plaintext,- pic.twitter.com/bO8M4B7U5e

— kapu | the Gay. (@KapuccinoHeck) September 19, 2018

Through a chain of tweets, KapuccinoHeck says the Switch’s new paid online services app handles its included NES games like standard .nes ROM files. He expands by stating that this is different from the situation with the 3DS and the Wii U where NES titles were featured in “patch files.”

The built-in emulator also features a database that lists all the compatible NES games in a plain text file. In a video uploaded to Twitter, KapuccinoHeck managed to get Kirby’s Adventure up and running on the Nintendo Switch.

As expected, this trick will only work on Switches that have been hacked, which remains a somewhat complicated process that could result in your online account being banned by Nintendo. That said, it’s likely that at some point a more natural way of installing more NES games on the Switch could appear.

ok so
this is incredibly basic but it shows that fully custom games ARE possible!
hakchi for NES Nintendo Switch Online when?#NintendoSwitch #NintendoSwitchOnline #NES pic.twitter.com/OBYn3dLOtV

— kapu | the Gay. (@KapuccinoHeck) September 19, 2018

Interestingly, KappucinoHeck also says the Switch’s NES emulator is a port of the software that powers Nintendo’s NES Classic.

Nintendo’s recently launched online app for the Switch is required to play most Switch games online, including Arms, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Splatoon 2. The Switch online service also gives subscribers access to 20 different NES titles, including Super Mario Bros. 3, The Legend of Zelda and Ice Hockey.

A one-month subscription to the service is priced at $4.99 CAD, while three months costs $9.99 and 12 months is priced at $24.99. Nintendo also offers a family membership tier for $44.99 that allows for eight individual accounts.

Source: Twitter (@KapuccinoHeck) Via: Engadget