As Zelda: Ocarina of Time pre-load begins, Switch 2 jailbreak may leak game files

The recent Switch 2 jailbreak has led to game dumps for Deltarune and Mario Kart World. Reports also indicate a version of the kart racer is running on macOS. Still, some hackers are eyeing the new Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake as a much bigger target.

Is Ocarina safe for now?

Ahead of the November 5th release date, multiple buyers shared that Ocarina of Time pre-loads have begun. The 24.54 GB download from the Nintendo eShop lets players launch the Zelda game when it unlocks. Using the ns2jb exploit, data mining could produce some revelations. Even so, several obstacles prevent potentially damaging leaks from surfacing.

One roadblock is that much of the dump would likely be encrypted. The decryption key won’t appear until the Switch 2 game launches. Nevertheless, hackers may still gain insights by examining file names and structures.

With sufficient access, individuals can uncover details not obvious from previews or gameplay trailers. For instance, they may learn how dungeon layouts differ from the N64 classic. Nintendo has also confirmed expanded dialogue, which the Switch 2 jailbreak threatens to disclose.

A much less probable scenario is a playable backup by the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake release date. The SmileBASIC 4 app for the original console exposed the file system vulnerability. Regardless, it’s not a deeper kernel exploit that enables ROM creation/booting.

A history of Zelda leaks

Tears of the Kingdom leaked more than 10 days before its May 12th 2023 debut. Still, a physical cartridge shipping early was the culprit, rather than an eShop file dump. The Switch piracy scene had also matured enough that commonly available emulators could run copies. That’s not the case with the latest Nintendo handheld yet.

Even if the Switch 2 jailbreak doesn’t capitalize on the Ocarina of Time pre-load, anxious retailers remain a concern. In June 2025, buyers received Donkey Kong Bananza Game Cards early and shared story spoilers. Given the high volume of pre-orders for the Zelda remake, a similar scenario may be inevitable.