Switch 2 Jailbreak Update: Dev Says SmileBASIC 4 Not Required

Developer Gezine clarifies that the Switch 2 physical cartridge exploit doesn't need SmileBASIC 4, warns against buying Artemis engine games, and says alternative solutions exist.

So you've probably heard the buzz about a Switch 2 jailbreak floating around. Well, there's a fresh twist, and it turns out a lot of you might have misunderstood how this thing actually works.

Let's rewind a bit. Nintendo recently pulled the beginner-friendly programming game SmileBASIC 4 from the UK eShop, and its store page now throws a 404 error. That move came right after security researcher Sammy Hajhamid dropped a Switch 2 exploit called "ns2jb," which he claims works on firmware version 23.0.1. Word on the street was that SmileBASIC 4 was somehow tied to the whole thing, which sent plenty of folks scrambling to grab a copy.

But hold up. Developer Gezine just jumped on social media to clear the air about this physical cartridge exploit, and his message is pretty straightforward: you don't actually need SmileBASIC 4. He explained that the exploit relies on running a physical game cartridge, and its main trick is letting you access the eShop without updating your console's firmware. Many players assumed SmileBASIC 4 was a must-have to trigger the exploit, but Gezine flat-out said that's not the case. In fact, he actively advises against buying the game just for this purpose.

He also had a warning for anyone thinking about picking up games built on the Artemis engine to try the exploit. Those save-based workarounds lean heavily on Nintendo's online services, so if the company decides to ban or disable the relevant online features down the line, the entire method could stop working overnight. Dropping your hard-earned cash on a cartridge for that? Gezine says it's just not worth it.

Now, about the inevitable scalping concern. Gezine isn't too worried about resellers hoarding exploit-compatible cartridges and jacking up prices. Why? Because there are similar alternatives out there, like Mig flash carts, so you'll have options if you want to explore this route.

So there you have it: the Switch 2 exploit scene is still evolving, and the details are getting clearer. If you were about to hunt down SmileBASIC 4, maybe hold off and save your money. What do you think about this whole jailbreak saga? Let us know in the comments!