Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake runs on PS5 with jailbreak and Switch 2 emulator

Shortly after the Ocarina of Time remake release date, the Zelda game is bootable on multiple platforms. Following footage of it running on a PC through a Switch 2 emulator, the PS5 became the latest target. Thanks to a console jailbreak and homebrew development, Hyrule is explorable on PlayStation hardware. Unfortunately, performance needs major optimization.

A first attempt

Vampinity shared a brief clip showing Link leaving his house on GitHub (not shown here). Frame rates struggle to eclipse 20 fps, and a heavy mist obscures Kokiri Forest before it crashes. The poster admits the game isn’t playable, but hopes that the community can help smooth out the visuals.

A version of EglantinePS5, which has origins in the Eden Switch emulator, produces the gameplay video. Any homebrew enthusiast hoping to experiment with the Ocarina of Time remake must complete several steps.

Executing a PS5 jailbreak to exploit a vulnerability in the PlayStation console is necessary. The July 13.60 PS5 firmware is the most recent software update compatible with EglantinePS5. PSN requires a newer version for multiplayer features and the PS Store, raising a dilemma for testers.

Simultaneous exploits

Just as developers were making progress on Sony’s system, a Switch 2 jailbreak emerged. The ns2jb exploit infiltrates the handheld’s file system and enables unofficial apps to boot. Another benefit, game dumping, made Zelda: Ocarina of Time accessible on the PS5.

Although the remake’s performance struggles, other current-gen games offer reason for optimism. Pokémon Pokopia reached 60 fps in EglantinePS5, and its controls and save system were functional. That said, challenges like the PlayStation console and Nintendo device having contrasting CPU architectures exist.

Despite the obstacles, Ocarina of Time appearing on the PS5 and PC so soon after its release date is an accomplishment. Nintendo may worry that Switch 2 emulators and piracy will become mainstream, as with the original Switch. Meanwhile, Sony is in a cat-and-mouse battle with hackers, pushing firmware updates at a rapid pace.