Ask HN: How do I develop personal apps for Nintendo Switch?

3 pointsmstipetic2 comments

I’ve been looking into portable grooveboxes, something like Zynthian, but I realized a Nintendo Switch would be perfect hardware wise if I could develop or port something personally, not meant to go on the App Store. Would that be possible or is it completely locked down?

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You can hack your Switch: https://switch.homebrew.guide/index.html

That same website has a guide to setting up a development environment for homebrew Switch software, as well:

https://switch.homebrew.guide/homebrew_dev/introduction.html

https://switch.homebrew.guide/homebrew_dev/app_dev.html

Korg Gadget isn't half bad: https://www.korg.com/us/products/software/korg_gadget_for_ni...

There isn't really an above-board way to publish software on Switch without an SDK. However, you can unlock the hardware to run Android or a (very fragile) version of Linux. There are also custom firmwares that let you create homebrew software for Nintendo's official software, but you'll be pretty limited there too.

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