The developer behind Mario Bros. and Zelda might have truly been staying one step ahead in the industry’s never-ending battle against piracy. Recent reports suggest that Nintendo is already issuing console bans to Switch 2 players caught using flash carts. However, the company’s efforts don’t seem to stop there. Users who reuse accounts previously banned on the original Switch may also find their new consoles restricted from accessing online services.
On r/NintendoSwitch2, Reddit user _SquareSphere shared a post titled “My NS2 has been console banned and I have absolutely no idea why!” They claimed they were unexpectedly banned while trying to play Mario Kart during a lunch break.
_SquareSphere said they bought their Switch 2 brand new and even attended a midnight console launch. “There aren’t any hacks out for this console… so I have no idea why this has happened!” they wrote.
However, replies and Switch 2 hackers’ reactions painted a more complicated picture. As Redditor Dratini_ pointed out, after tracing the OP’s post history, _SquareSphere might also have previously used a hacked account.
“They had an unhacked OLED switch, linked to their account, and they’ve used a Migswitch on it. […] The same account is linked to the Switch 2. They tried using the Migswitch with the Switch 2 but it failed.” Dratini_ explained. Still, playing personal backed-up games used to be safe, according to many other users.
Adding to the speculation, user DeadbuII suggested that Nintendo may have intentionally monitored flash cart behavior. It then flagged any device that used unauthorized cartridges before allowing the pirated carts to run.
“There is a reason why the mig didn’t work on the sw2 (before the update i heard came out), probably because it behaves a bit different than an original card. It wouldn’t surprise me if the sw2 logs this behavior and sends it to Nintendo where it gets flagged. Even when using your own back-ups because Nintendo doesn’t allow you to make a back up of games.”
Over on r/switch2hacks, user givemeupvotes-_- echoed those warnings. They said that Nintendo’s new anti-piracy system might flag flash carts.
“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). Only games I had were my backed up games. Must be some new detection Nintendo has on these mig switches.“
Currently, it is unclear whether the bans are strictly tied to flash cart usage, previously banned accounts, or a combination of both. Nintendo has yet to release an official statement.
