Homebrew Dictionary

This page aims to detail as many terminologies used within the Nintendo Homebrew community as in-depth as possible.

General

NAND

refers to the storage device which houses the system's software that is needed for general functionality. A collective snapshot of these files and partitions is known as a NAND backup.

Nintendo Switch

Tegra X1

This to any version of the main processor used in the Nintendo Switch. Alternatively, "Tegra" can sometimes refer to any toolkit or diagnostic software that runs for processors in the Tegra family.

Erista, or T210, and V1

This refer to the original chipset used on full-sized Switch consoles manufactured before mid-2018, before the better-battery Switch. Erista units may be patched or unpatched.

Mariko, or T214

These refer to the chipset used on any console made after late 2019. This includes Switch Lite, Switch (OLED Model), and the better-battery Switch. Units using Mariko chipsets are unhackable via software for the foreseeable future.

RCM

This refers to Nvidia's Recovery Mode. This is where an Nvidia error led to the discovery of fusee, thereby leading to custom firmware on the Switch.

Patched

This usually refers specifically to being patched from fusee-gelee. Although it's very rare, there may be other methods of getting into custom firmware on certain patched units.

fusee

references fusee-gelee. It may also casually refer to tools or software that work alongside fusee-gelee's environment, like the fusee.bin payload used for Atmosphere.

Horizon, HOS, or HorizonNX

all refers to the Switch console's dedicated operating system. Horizon is also the name of the 3DS's OS, which HorizonNX is based off of.

AutoRCM

refers to an environment where the Switch boots into RCM automatically, without the need of a jig. Please see https://switchgui.de/switch-guide/extras/autorcm/ for more info.