A reported jailbreak for Nintendo Switch 2 that uses a delisted version of SmileBASIC has surfaced online, with the initial claim posted to X by user pepsipu on October 22, 2026.
The exploit, described as functioning on firmware 23.0.1, was demonstrated by modding characters into Mario Kart World, a title reported as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.
Industry observers and developers should note the technical details and the limited availability of the required software.
According to pepsipu's post and accompanying blog entry, the exploit relies on SmileBASIC 4.4.9 and targets devices running Switch 2 system software version 23.0.1.
The author detailed that the setup requires both a Switch 1 and a Switch 2 console in addition to the specific SmileBASIC build.
They also stated that the jailbreak is temporary and must be re-applied after the console is powered down.
Rewritten statement from the original X post and blog: pepsipu said they successfully jailbroke a Nintendo Switch 2 and used the exploit to introduce custom content into Mario Kart World, and they provided instructions and files on their blog.
The developer also noted that SmileBASIC 4.4.9 is the vehicle for the chain and that the jailbreak does not persist through a full power cycle, necessitating a repeat of the process each time the console is restarted.
Nintendo has not issued a public statement about the specific hack itself.
The company did, however, remove SmileBASIC 4.4.9 from the Nintendo eShop after the exploit became known, making the exact version required for the reported jailbreak no longer available through Nintendo's store.
Coverage of the event was carried by sources including Nintendo Soup, which first highlighted the delisting and the X post.
Pepsipu also indicated they used AI tools during development; on their blog they said they consulted OpenAI to assist with aspects of the project.
That claim is attributed directly to the individual and reflects their own account of the tools used.
For developers, publishers and platform holders, the incident underscores the importance of monitoring homebrew and scripting toolchains on consoles.
Verified facts here are the reported use of SmileBASIC 4.4.9, the target firmware 23.0.1, the October 22, 2026 X post by pepsipu, and the delisting of SmileBASIC 4.4.9 from the Nintendo eShop.
The exploit, described as functioning on firmware 23.0.1, was demonstrated by modding characters into Mario Kart World, a title reported as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.
Industry observers and developers should note the technical details and the limited availability of the required software.
According to pepsipu's post and accompanying blog entry, the exploit relies on SmileBASIC 4.4.9 and targets devices running Switch 2 system software version 23.0.1.
The author detailed that the setup requires both a Switch 1 and a Switch 2 console in addition to the specific SmileBASIC build.
They also stated that the jailbreak is temporary and must be re-applied after the console is powered down.
Rewritten statement from the original X post and blog: pepsipu said they successfully jailbroke a Nintendo Switch 2 and used the exploit to introduce custom content into Mario Kart World, and they provided instructions and files on their blog.
The developer also noted that SmileBASIC 4.4.9 is the vehicle for the chain and that the jailbreak does not persist through a full power cycle, necessitating a repeat of the process each time the console is restarted.
Nintendo has not issued a public statement about the specific hack itself.
The company did, however, remove SmileBASIC 4.4.9 from the Nintendo eShop after the exploit became known, making the exact version required for the reported jailbreak no longer available through Nintendo's store.
Coverage of the event was carried by sources including Nintendo Soup, which first highlighted the delisting and the X post.
Pepsipu also indicated they used AI tools during development; on their blog they said they consulted OpenAI to assist with aspects of the project.
That claim is attributed directly to the individual and reflects their own account of the tools used.
For developers, publishers and platform holders, the incident underscores the importance of monitoring homebrew and scripting toolchains on consoles.
Verified facts here are the reported use of SmileBASIC 4.4.9, the target firmware 23.0.1, the October 22, 2026 X post by pepsipu, and the delisting of SmileBASIC 4.4.9 from the Nintendo eShop.
