3DS: hacker plutoo releases “Freakyhax”, compatible with latest Firmware 11.0
Developer Plutoo just released Freakyhax for 3DS, a homebrew exploit for the 3DS, relying on a vulnerability in game Freakyforms Deluxe. Just like for the old Ninjhax that was leveraging an exploit in the game Cube Ninja, Freakyhax relies on the flawed QR-code functionality of Freakyforms Deluxe.
In order to run the exploit, you’ll need a legit copy of the game Freakyforms Deluxe. The price of the game might skyrocket in the days to come so I’d advise not to wait and get one now if you’re looking to get that exploit running. Note that the eShop version will work as well and might be a better choice money-wise, until Nintendo pull the game off the eShop (the current eShop price is $19.99).
Important additional note: Some of our readers mention that the eShop version could be a bad idea, as Nintendo could enforce some unavoidable security updates on this version. If possible, stick to the retail version
Once you have the game and run it, the idea is pretty much to trigger the exploit on the 3DS by loading a specific QR code (provided by the hacker), which will then load the popular 3DS homebrew launcher. Check the video at the bottom of this article from the developer, showing how to run the exploit.
Details can be found on Plutoo’s github, and we’re reproducing the steps below:
- A EUR/USA copy of the game (either eShop or cartridge)
- Recent 3DS firmware, including latest (11.0.0-33) as of this writing
- Get the latest version of freakyhax, and extract it to the root of your sdcard.
- Get the “otherapp payload” for your 3DS firmware from the homebrew launcher website.
- Put the otherapp bin on your sdcard root and rename it to “otherapp.bin”.
- Get the homebrew starter kit from the homebrew launcher website and put it on your sdcard.
- Start the game.
How do I trigger the exploit?
In the game menu pick:
Play → Camera → Load a QR code → pick the image.
Source: Plutoo on Twitter
Wow, neat. This looks like a pretty fun game, too.
Actually, downloading the eshop version is a pretty terrible idea. Nintendo can release some unremovable updates for the game, and even block specific versions of it from running with a firmware update (that happened with Ironfall).
Thanks for the heads up, I will update the article to mention this
Nintendo can do the same with a game cart. They can’t replace the old version with a patched like ironfall but they can block the the game from running without an update.
@driverdis
They can do the same with a cartridge, but if OoT3D is any indication, they won’t.
Actually I think legally they cannot do this as it would be tantamount to blocking you from using a product you purchased. Its the same reason games have always shipped with the FW version needed to run it on the disc/cartridge. They can’t assume everyone has access to the internet to update their console/game, so they have to make the product usable (minus specific online-only features) without you ever needing to connect it to the internet.
It is possible to buy any console and game and play it without ever connecting to the internet. You wont have access to any multiplayer features (PSN, XBL, NNID), but any single player content will work. Even the much complained about day-1 patches are not required to play the offline/single-player content. (Though you might experience glitches/bugs without it).
@driverdis
No, they can’t do the same with a game card.
If you download the game from the eshop, you accept the eshop TOS, which indicates that Nintendo may release mandatory updates for any game you download.
However, with a cartridge game, you are *not* forced to accept the eshop TOS, only the 3DS’ ones, and in those Nintendo gives you the unrestricted right to play the games you own.
So if Nintendo forces you to accept another TOS to play your cartridge game, they are breaking their own TOS, and that is illegal.
the more methods the better
still waiting for a way to downgrade from 11.0 without hardmod though
Freakyform is 6$ preowned on gamestop
Heh, not for long!
I follow your news for a long time ago, thanks for this article wololo 🙂
It appears that the digital edition has been removed from the eshop.
Just got a copy of gamestop website for $10 shipped
not sure why you said you need a “legit copy” when sky3ds+ will work fine
I know i had a Japanese Import new 3ds and i use sky3ds+ with Japan Cubic Ninja to activate my Gateway card LOL.
I have 3ds with 11.0, wenn I use this hax can I use the QR Clone for Pokemon?
That means scan QR-Code that open the Internet Browser where i have to wait that the Browser Crashed and the Pokemon in Box 1 are Cloned.
Can I use this with this hacks?
can I downgrade once I can access the hombrew? using a new 3ds btw.
Yes. It’s pretty epic.
???
I was told on the forums that downgrading from 11.0 without a hardmod isn’t possible…
So then… I just want to check because I’m already on A9LH but do you have to scan the QR code exploit each time you want to run homebrew or is that just the first step in being able to get a better, easier method?
I would also enjoy knowing this.
Im getting frustrated at the, “pick the image” part. where in the game did you save the image from in the first place? is the image just automatically meant to be there after ive done all the downloading and moving to the root of the sd card? cause that is what i had done, but that qr code hasnt shown up as one of my pics. and if that isnt the method to do so, then what is it? ive tried saving a qr code from the game, with one of my own formees, but when id loaded the qr image, the formee said i cant use that cause it is already my own formee. wtff
does it really work? my 3ds is 11.0 old 3ds , and is it risky?