Which Consoles Can Be Jailbroken in 2024?

As of 2023, the consoles that can be successfully jailbroken are the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Wii and older models of the Nintendo Switch.

I‘ll provide detailed breakdowns of the status of jailbreaks and custom firmware installations for each console family. Before getting into specifics though, let‘s go over the basics…

What Does Jailbreaking a Console Do?

Jailbreaking refers to cracking open a game console‘s digital restrictions by installing custom firmware. This allows running unofficial "homebrew" software.

Typical features unlocked include:

• Playing retro game ROMs
• Installing fan-made mods and themes
• Enabling developer/debugging options
• Bypassing region locking
• Using accessories blocked by default

So in summary – freedom and customization! To be clear though, jailbreaking alone does not enable piracy or running copied game ISOs/backups. We‘ll cover that separately later.

With the primer out of the way, let‘s get into the nitty gritty details…

PlayStation 4 Jailbreak Status

As of early 2023, the only publicly available method for jailbreaking a PS4 requires being on firmware version 5.50 or lower. This roughly translates to launch model consoles manufactured up till 2018.

PS4 jailbreak compatibility by model number – Image credit to Wololo.net

Based on forum community estimates, approximately 13-15% of active PlayStation 4 consoles can still be jailbroken, and the scene remains vibrant.

Around 620k attempts have been made to jailbreak PS4s globally based on installation numbers for the modding tools.

Methods Available:

• Hardware-based mods require soldering the mainboard (tricky even for electronics hobbyists)
• Easier software jailbreaks involve web exploits

Once jailbroken, PS4 owners can install fan translated games, visual mods for existing titles, retro console emulators like RetroArch, and boot custom operating systems like Linux or even Windows.

Check out this amazing PlayStation 2 theme and boot sound pack for example.

Downsides of a Jailbroken PS4:

• Losing access to newer games requiring updated firmware
• Multiplayer and account banning risks (avoidable if careful!)
• Voided warranties and no official support

So in summary – older PS4s have great jailbreak potential still in 2024!

PlayStation 3 Jailbreaks Still Going Strong

Up to 50% of PS3 consoles are hackable on custom firmware depending on specific model number.

In practice, original launch models with full PS2 backwards compatibility dubbed "fat PS3s" can ALL install custom firmware.

Among the later Slim models, units with codes CECH-20xx, 21xx and 25xx fully support jailbreaks too if running v3.56 firmware or lower.

I estimate approximately 25 million consoles qualify based on 70+ million lifetime sales.

Jailbroken PS3s can run fan translations of Japan-exclusive games, play media files from external drives plus install awesome homebrew games like emulators & Half Life ports.

And with granular control of CPU/GPU frequencies thanks to developer options, hardware longevity is improved.

In summary, the PS3 remains a legendary jailbreak gaming & media beast!

PlayStation 2 – Old School Software Modding

Software modding works reliably across all PS2 fat & slim models ever released.

By installing homebrew packages over burned memory cards, hobbyists activated cheat menus or booted regional discs.

Later methods directly launched unsigned code via exploited game save files called FreeDVDboot & HDLoader.

Hardware mods like modbo/swap magic allowed playing backups too. Better to collect originals given cheap prices!

My Verdict:
Fiddly but 100% worth modding to enjoy PS2 classics on period-authentic CRTs!

Nintendo Wii U – Modern Custom Firmware

Later Wii Us have additional protection fuses making software mods impossible.

But launch models upto v5.5.2 firmware can reliably install Homebrew Launcher then custom kernels.

Unlocks convenient running of game mods/translates, media players, development tools and every vintage Nintendo game via Wii backwards compatibility!

Just be aware that going online will lead to account bans when modded.

Nintendo Wii – Trivially Easy Softmodding

Nintendo‘s smash hit 100+ million selling Wii console is effortless to softmod across all models/versions with the LetterBomb Exploit.

I consider the Wii #1 for nostalgic couch multiplayer thanks to native GameCube support plus NES/SNES emulators.

Later Wiis require tweaked hardware mods like BlueBomb. But then retain online connectivity when modded!

Wii homebrew standouts include texture packs for Xenoblade Chronicles, translating unreleased games like Project Hammer, plus blown up Melee running in crisp 1080p!

Nintendo Switch Custom Firmware

Early Switch hardware revisions can be modded with a special SX Core or SX Lite modchip flashed with SX OS firmware.

This permits loading homebrew software tools without burning any one-time programmable fuses.

Successful modders can run Linux, overclock for smoother gameplay, toggle GPU debugging modes and other neat extras not normally permitted by Nintendo.

But persistent online connectivity means getting banned from Nintendo‘s servers when tampered hardware gets detected.

So while cool, Switch modding requires accepting offline-only play.

The vibrant homebrew scene makes it still worth the tradeoff for tech savvy Nintendo die-hards in my opinion.

Summary Table

Here‘s a comparison table summarizing the capabilities unlocked and risks associated with jailbreaking major legacy consoles still feasible in 2024:

*PS3 Slim CECH-20xx to 25xx models require v3.56 firmware or lower

Let‘s wrap up with a look at the legal status of jailbreaking…

Is Jailbreaking Legal? It‘s Complicated!

In the United States at least, jailbreaking game consoles is recognized as legal under exemptions for curiosity tinkering granted by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

However bypassing copy protection or piracy still remain illegal. We do not recommend or support that!

In the EU as well under InfoSoc Directive 2001 provisions exist for creative hobbyist modification and interoperability.

But aspects of jailbreaking might violate the End User License Agreements agreed during setup. So prosecution risks do still exist even if rare.

Various past attempts to sue console modders have failed over First Sale rights to use purchased hardware freely. But better safe than sorry!

So in summary, while unlikely to be convicted, please use your best judgement and accept associated banning risks before jailbreaking consoles.

And there we have it friends! Let me know if you have any other questions.