Nintendo has swiftly initiated efforts to combat piracy following the release of the Switch 2. Unlike its predecessor, which took hackers over a year to jailbreak, the new console faces a unique challenge: backwards compatibility. Some users have attempted to use a flash cartridge known for facilitating piracy of original Switch games on the Switch 2, resulting in immediate bans from Nintendo.
The flash cartridge, called the MIG Switch, allows users to load various games, whether sourced from legally owned copies or pirated files. Last year, Nintendo began legal action against vendors selling the MIG Switch and specifically designed the Switch 2 to prevent its functionality. However, the creators of the MIG Switch have recently rolled out a firmware update that enables the loading of Switch 1 games on the Switch 2.
In response, Nintendo has banned numerous Switch 2 consoles that have reportedly used these unauthorized cartridges. A user identified as SquareSphere expressed frustration on the Switch 2 subreddit, stating, “My NS2 has been console banned and I have absolutely no idea why! The only thing I can think what has happened is that I tried my Mig switch in my NS2 once.”
Another user, known as givemeupvote, shared a similar experience, cautioning fellow gamers against using the MIG Switch on their Switch 2, stating, “Just wanted to let everyone know to refrain from using their mig flash on the Switch 2 online for now. My switch 2 was just banned (my account is fine for now).” They attached a photo showing the error message that read, “The use of online services on this console is currently restricted by Nintendo.”
SwitchTools, another player on X, reported being banned after using a MIG Switch with their own game ROMs, suggesting that Nintendo has adopted a more advanced detection mechanism. “I strongly recommend that you do not use the mig switch; it was already very risky to use but it is even more so on Switch 2,” they warned. Many users turn to MIG Switch and similar devices to back up their game collections, but the growing prevalence of such tools poses an escalating threat of piracy on the Switch 2.
While Nintendo is actively banning users from its online services, it has yet to exercise its most severe sanction: bricking entire consoles. Ahead of the Switch 2’s launch, Nintendo updated its terms of service to empower itself with the ability to render devices permanently unusable for agreement violations.
As hacking efforts targeting the Switch 2 have begun, there remains uncertainty regarding how quickly hardware vulnerabilities may be uncovered. Nevertheless, it appears that Nintendo is taking extensive measures to ensure the Switch 2 remains secure. In contrast to the preceding generation, the company is already engaged in legal action, having recently filed a lawsuit against accessory maker Genki for showcasing an early 3D-printed prototype of the Switch 2 at a trade show earlier this year.