YouTube App Exploit Opens Nintendo 3DS Up to Homebrew Software & Emulators

Tubehax is, indeed, no joke.

Coder Jordan “smealum” Rabet had already enabled the 3DS to load homebrew software through an exploit of a downloadable game called Ironfall: Invasion, but Nintendo yanked that off the eShop to protect everyone from the very dangerous act of using whatever software they please on their devices. Rabet never got a chance to release the “Ironhax,” but it doesn’t matter anymore, as he quickly shifted gears to using the YouTube app—still available for free on the eShop as of this writing—and will soon release the exploit to the public.

The benefit to both Ironfall and YouTube is that the apps are free, which leaves no barrier to entry for homebrew software aside from whatever action Nintendo takes to try to stop it. The homebrew solution will allow 3DS owners to play game cartridges from any region on their systems as well as make 3DS home screen themes and play emulated SNES games. Nintendo’s not likely to take that lightly, as they’d much rather charge for SNES “virtual console” software on the eShop.

It’s a humble beginning, but opening up a console to homebrew is an important step towards all kinds of fun things—like easily accessible game mods for console games.

Of course, you’re only going to use it to emulate and play SNES games you actually own, because to do anything else would be illegal. Right? After all, Rabet doesn’t want to encourage piracy. Grab that YouTube app while you can.

(via Eurogamer)

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Dan Van Winkle

Dan Van Winkle (he) is an editor and manager who has been working in digital media since 2013, first at now-defunct Geekosystem (RIP), and then at The Mary Sue starting in 2014, specializing in gaming, science, and technology. Outside of his professional experience, he has been active in video game modding and development as a hobby for many years. He lives in North Carolina with Lisa Brown (his wife) and Liz Lemon (their dog), both of whom are the best, and you will regret challenging him at Smash Bros.

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