Nintendo Switch · Homebrew
Shank 2 on Nintendo Switch
An unofficial port brings Klei Entertainment’s 2012 Xbox Live Arcade game to Switch through static recompilation.
Shank 2 has a new home on Nintendo Switch. shank2-nx is an unofficial native port that combines recompiled game code with a renderer built for the console.
Hosted on GitHub by zhtipu, the project reports gameplay at 60 frames per second. Its version 1.0.0 release, published on October 31, 2026, provides both NSP and NRO builds.
How the native port works
The project converts the original game’s PowerPC code into C++ through static recompilation. Graphics run through a native renderer built on deko3d for the Switch.
This lets the console execute the recompiled code without running the original Xbox 360 executable through a conventional emulator. The project documentation reports 60 fps, with known issues involving first-use shader compilation and GPU time for certain visual effects.
What players need
Running shank2-nx requires a Nintendo Switch configured for homebrew through custom firmware and a personal copy of the Xbox Live Arcade game.
The browser installer accepts the game’s content package, its 5841120C folder, or an extracted game folder containing default.xex.
How to install shank2-nx
The project’s browser installer prepares the files for your console. According to the documentation, processing takes place locally in the browser, so the selected game files remain on your computer.
- Open the installer and select your game package or supported folder.
- Choose Create shank2-nx.zip to generate the installation archive.
- Extract the archive into
sdmc:/switch/on the console’s SD card. - Launch the port using the NSP or NRO option.
NSP — recommended. Install the NSP build and launch Shank 2 from the HOME Menu. The program still loads game data and shaders from /switch/shank2-nx/.
NRO. Launch through the Homebrew Menu in title takeover mode or with a compatible 39-bit forwarder. The Album applet does not provide enough memory.
Controls and built-in menus
Controls follow the Xbox 360 layout by physical button position. Hold L + R and press a D-pad direction to open the port’s additional tools.
| D-pad direction | Tool |
|---|---|
| ↑ Up | Performance overlay |
| → Right | Settings |
| ↓ Down | Log console |
| ← Left | Achievements |
Performance and known issues
A new visual effect can briefly stutter the first time it appears while the console compiles its shader. Compiled shaders are saved in deko3d_shaders.bin for reuse in later sessions.
Some alpha-tested visual effects also use slightly more GPU time than in the development build. The installer-generated shaders do not include the PC build’s early alpha optimisation. See the known issues documentation for details.
Keeping the port updated
Use the same browser installer and select Create shank2-nx-update.zip. Extract the update over the existing installation and install the newer NSP if you use that launch method.
The port’s code is available under GPL-3.0, with source code and build instructions in the GitHub repository.
GET STARTED
Download and installation
Prepare your game files or browse the project’s releases.
Shank and Shank 2 are trademarks of Klei Entertainment. This independent project is not affiliated with or endorsed by Klei Entertainment, Nintendo, or Microsoft.