Owners of the Nintendo Switch 2 have reported receiving the error code 2134-4508, leading to permanent bans from the console’s online services, as noted by IGN. Fortunately, this isn’t a penalty for poor performance in games like Mario Kart, but rather a crackdown on devices that have utilized the Mig cartridge – a microSD card-equipped accessory capable of storing game copies.
Using a Mig cartridge requires users to download games from others who have extracted files from legitimate cartridges or to utilize a device like the Mig Dumper to make their own game copies, which are then loaded onto the microSD card. Regardless of whether users attempt to play pirated games or merely copies of titles they have purchased, Nintendo’s position is clear: both actions violate its user agreements.
The Mig cartridge’s manufacturers have made attempts to clarify its intended use, stating on their product page that it “serves as a backup and development device solely supporting gaming using personal game backups. […] To maintain the Mig Flash warranty during online play, it’s essential to utilize self-dumped backups with authentic Certificate, UID, and Card Set ID.”
So far, Nintendo has not rendered offenders’ consoles unusable, but the situation has caused distress for some users. YouTube creator Scattered Brain shared a video discussing their banned Switch 2 while exploring options to circumvent the ban. They found that access to the eShop was blocked, and unlinking accounts from the device was impossible since both require internet connectivity. However, they managed to unlink Virtual Game Cards from their Switch 2 via Nintendo’s account management website and transfer them to a Switch OLED, indicating that the ban affects the hardware rather than the account itself. A factory reset, however, made their Switch 2 effectively inoperable, as it no longer allowed them to sign in to any Nintendo account. This action falls within Nintendo’s rights according to its updated account services user agreement and privacy policy.
This ban shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, particularly Mig users. Nintendo has a longstanding history of rigorously pursuing those who engage in game piracy and those creating emulators to play unauthorized copies of their games. With the Switch 2 being the fastest-selling console ever, Nintendo is clearly committed to enforcing its rules in order to protect its gaming ecosystem.