Custom Linux Kernel Runs on NES Classic Edition Console with Hacked Efforts

NES which stands for Nintendo Entertainment System is the classic edition console enables user access to 30 games in it with just one time purchase. The console is backed with some modern aesthetics that includes HDMI along with Wii/Wii U controller support and also one can use its classic controller for Virtual Console games. The game included with the console is only 30 games that is available by one-time payment.

Features of the NES console

The NES Classic console released in only countries which is US and but there have been already lot of speculation about it. According to Teardowns, it consists of Quad Core Linux Computer that includes a flash memory storage size of 512MB along with 256MB of RAM. The console is expected to have custom software with regular circuit board for appearance. The NES classic console runs on Linux and with this the NES console follows the open source rules for license that enable one to download NES Classic Edition’s files from source.

Hacking of the console

It is generally based on Linux but through some coding and alternate method hacking through the console was possible. It was reported that a hacker from Japan was able to hack into the console and was able to run a customised version of Ubunto on Famicom Mini which has same configuration and internals like that of NES classic. It was done by a hacker with urandom. As reported by Ars Technica – “Using a serial-to-USB cable, urandom powered the device (in his case, the Japan-only Famicom Mini, which has an identical motherboard) using U-Boot loader software and then extracted necessary files in FEL mode that he needed to attach to his own kernel.” This clearly indicates that custom version could be used to run the console which was first tried by Japan after the release of console in Japan.

Conclusion

As per all the reports it is evident that NES classic and Famicom Mini is not well secured and encrypted as it can be hacked very easily. But despite the hack urandom was unable to appropriately extract the emulator that was use or ROM files that was used for all the 30 games the console comes with. But on concluding note it is very easy to hack NES along with Famicom Classic as per one’s convenience and usage.