Nintendo’s latest gadget, the Alarmo clock, designed to display themes from various Nintendo franchises, has been modified to showcase custom images, bypassing its original software limitations. This modification was achieved by GaryOderNichts, a recognized figure in the community for his hacking and reverse-engineering expertise, notably on devices like the Wii U. Originally intended only to display themes from Nintendo Switch games, the Alarmo now exhibits a user-uploaded image of a cat, thanks to GaryOderNichts’ intervention.
The hack was unveiled on the social media platform X, where GaryOderNichts shared a demonstration of the Alarmo displaying the cat photo instead of its default themes. This demonstration, widely discussed in gaming and tech forums, was paired with a detailed blog post in which GaryOderNichts explained the hacking process. He began by decrypting the firmware, exporting it to a USB drive, and removing the existing software to enable custom code uploads, allowing any image—including cat photos—to be used as a theme on the device.
While this breakthrough opens the door for creative customizations, it is likely that Nintendo will address such modifications in future firmware updates. Given that the Alarmo is primarily an alarm clock, it remains uncertain whether users will ever be able to run games or more complex software on the device. However, this hack offers users a glimpse into the potential for broader personalization, should further advancements be made.
At present, the Alarmo is available exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, with a wider release planned for next year.
