The inspiration here was getting root on the Switch 2. Getting root in Linux was the POC. The goal was not demonstrating some fundamental security vulnerability that's practically exploitable, but instead for reclaiming actual ownership of one's own hardware without breaking TPM or game ring 0 anti-cheat.
I appreciate the sentiment, but I suppose don't understand the point. 20 years ago, when consoles were powerful computers sold at a loss or low margin, it made more sense. Now though, Nintendo sells their consoles at a profit (and the Switch 2) is likely to be the same.
This is impressive, and I'm glad people are working to preserve software freedom, but I'd rather just support the alternatives.
Why give them the perceived install base, and profit? Why not get a steam deck or one of the many other handhelds that you have - day 0 as a feature - root access on?
Ad avoidance is a good solution to caring about the games. You can't covet the product if you don't even know it exists. With Nintendo games in particular, it helps that Nintendo is the kind of asshole corporation that copyright strikes third parties showing off their games online. That makes it even easier to not know what their games are.
Nintendo doesn't necessarily need advertising, because their franchises are so strong. I think people know there's gonna be a new Mario Party, or new Mario Kart, or new 3D Mario game, and they'll buy them if they like those games. Odds are if you like Mario Party 8 then Superstars will be right up your alley.
Nintendo also has the somewhat unique position of being the only one providing high-quality games in a variety of categories. If you want a couch racing game, you're playing nintendo. If you want a 3D platformer, you're playing nintendo. If you want a couch party games, you're playing nintendo. In fact if you want couch co-op at all you're playing nintendo, pretty much everyone else gave it up because you lose money.
There are a number of great studios which happen to have financial ties to a given publisher. If you like these studios you have no choice but to indirectly give money to the publisher in question.
One obvious example for Nintendo is Monolith Software.
I don't really know how prevalent the phenomenon is nowadays, but there have been "fanboys" for specific console manufacturers for decades now. Even "console wars". In any case, it seems now most people play on PC, barring--yuck--mobile phones.
