Running Arch Linux ARM on my new Nintendo 2DS XL

I am currently working on running Arch Linux ARM on my Nintendo 2DS XL. This project started out of frustration with Nintendo’s heavy-handed DRM — I refused to buy the Switch 2 simply because I do not support their control-driven hardware ecosystem. Instead, I decided to take one of their most approachable handhelds and give it a new purpose.

The goal is to fully repurpose the 2DS XL into a lightweight Linux handheld, capable of running a custom desktop environment, Wi-Fi networking, SSH access, and light development tasks. I am experimenting with bootloader configuration, kernel patches, and driver work to get essential features like graphics acceleration and input fully functional under Arch ARM.

Although I was never around for the LAN-party era, I wish I had been. That culture of open systems, local connectivity, and real ownership is exactly what I’m trying to capture. By running Linux on a locked-down console, I’m reclaiming the sense of freedom that used to define gaming hardware.

Ultimately, this project is about ownership, preservation, and experimentation — transforming a closed console into an open computing platform that embodies the hacker spirit.