A few months ago, it was reported that the Nintendo Switch contained a security vulnerability in its Nvidia Tegra X1 processor that had the left the console open to exploits, including homebrew software not approved by Nintendo. Because the problem was in the processor rather than in the console’s operating system or other software, it couldn’t be patched, but new Switch units hitting shelves appear to have solved the bug.
Nintendo Switch users have reported that new consoles are no longer vulnerable to “f-g,” short for “Fusée Gelée,” an exploit in the processor’s USB recovery mode that could be activated to remove protection on the systems’ bootROM, thus allowing them to run software the Switch normally wouldn’t run. Though Nintendo has always kept its online stores relatively regulated, it was likely the risk of pirating games that spurred its decision to update the console itself.
For most Nintendo Switch users, you aren’t going to notice one bit of difference from the previous version of the system, but it will undoubtedly cause problems for those looking to emulate GameCube games. The popular emulator Dolphin was recently adapted for Switch by a team of enthusiasts, allowing The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker to run on the system via Linux. Dolphin on Switch made use of the Fusée Gelée exploit, so it could be impossible to do so on the newer consoles.
Reddit users have already begun speculating that older Switch consoles will be sold at higher prices on third-party sites due to still being vulnerable to the exploit. Dolphin is most popular on PC, and it can be used to play GameCube and Wii games.
Using downloaded ROMs of video games through emulation software remains a bit of a legal gray area, as some have made the argument that those who already own a legally purchased copy of the game can download another copy to play on a different system. Nintendo’s stance on emulators and ROMs is more black-and-white, with the company claiming doing so is illegal in all instances. Without a Virtual Console service on the Switch at the moment, however, Nintendo isn’t giving players much alternative for playing their favorite classic games on the system, though the paid Nintendo Switch Online service will include access to a vault of older titles.
Acer’s Predator Atlas 8 finally has a US release date and price, several months after the company first showed off the handheld in May. The highlight is the Intel Arc G3 Extreme chip inside, which has been adopted by only a couple of other consoles besides the Atlas 8. This version will go on sale exclusively at Best Buy on November 1 for $1,299.99.
Acer originally said the Atlas 8 would arrive in North America in October, but left pricing open at the time. The launch came amid the ongoing DRAM crunch, which has made memory more expensive across the PC industry and complicated pricing for hardware makers.
Gaming laptops and I have a complicated relationship. One of my first gaming rigs was an Acer Predator that was already outdated when I bought it. I was a broke college kid, and that was the best I could afford. So trying out high-end gaming laptops is always fun. But ASUS' ROG Zephyrus G14 is a lot more than a laptop that can run AAA games. It is portable, so you're not lugging around a 2.5kg machine everywhere you go. It is built well, none of that plastic chassis, and can even function as a normal laptop outside of just gaming.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.