Nintendo threatens Switch 2 modders with total console failure

After criticising rising prices, Nintendo is making headlines with its next controversial decision: Anyone who modifies their Switch 2 risks having their console rendered unusable in future.

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In a revised user agreement, Nintendo grants itself the right to block consoles if users use unauthorised software - including mods, emulators or homebrew applications. For many fans, this is an alarming step.

Modding has a long tradition - and many facets

Modified consoles are not uncommon. While some users use mod chips to play illegally copied games, many others pursue legitimate interests, such as making backup copies of their legally purchased titles or using homebrew applications, i.e. self-developed software. But for Nintendo, this difference apparently doesn't matter.

The company has announced that, in extreme cases, modified Switch 2 consoles will be „bricken“ – i.e. to render them unusable by means of blocking measures. It is not yet clear exactly how this is to be implemented technically. What is clear, however, is that Nintendo is taking increasingly rigorous action against any form of modding.

Emulation remains Nintendo's red rag

Nintendo has been pursuing emulators and ROM sites with legal rigour for years. Back in the early 2000s, the company sued several platforms that offered old game files for download. The case of LoveROMs and LoveRETRO became particularly well known in 2018 - both sites were shut down following lawsuits worth millions.

Even modern emulators such as Yuzu and Ryujinx, that made it possible to play Switch games on the PC have been taken offline in recent years due to legal action. Nintendo is therefore pursuing a clear line: emulation - at least outside of its own services - is not tolerated.

The irony of it all: Nintendo uses emulation itself

Critics accuse Nintendo of double standards. This is because the retro games offered via the paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription also technically run on emulators - albeit with questionable quality. The emulation of N64 games in particular caused frustration: poor controls, weak performance, technical problems.

The strict action against third-party emulators could also have economic reasons - those who want to play classic games should use the in-house subscription model.

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Will Nintendo really crack down?

It is still unclear how Nintendo intends to technically recognise whether a Switch 2 has been modified - and how consistently it will take action against users. However, in view of the legal history to date, it does not seem impossible that Nintendo will crack down. Some players have already announced that they will no longer connect their console online in future.

However, this is also becoming more difficult: new games are apparently only unlocked via download. The physical cartridges therefore only contain an activation key - the game cannot be played without an internet connection.

For many fans, the limit has been reached: Nintendo's restrictive policy is jeopardising the trust of the community - and provoking a growing counter-movement that is increasingly turning away from the official platform.

 (Image source: Nintendo)