Nintendo is not relenting in its fight against the piracy of its IPs. The latest platform to feel the wrath of the Japanese video game maker and publisher is the popular Switch piracy website NSW2U.
When you visit the website, you will be greeted with a red banner saying “This Website Has Been Seized”. Further information provided shows that the seizure of the domain was made “by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in accordance with a seizure warrant issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 2323 issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia as part of a law enforcement operation.”
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While the website lasted, it hosted thousands of pirated Nintendo Switch games. The illegal activity had put the site on the EU’s piracy watchlist earlier this year. Piracy has been one of the biggest issues that Nintendo has had to contend with throughout the lifecycle of the Switch console.
Last year, Nintendo shut down several Switch emulator makers, including Yuzu, developed by Tropic Haze. In an attempt to curb piracy problems, the Switch maker made several revisions to the handheld console, but the problem persisted.
The Switch leak is so severe that many first-party games have been streamed days ahead of official launch, including Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. In 2024, Nintendo estimated that over a million people accessed the game through an emulator.
So far, the same issue has not been reported with the Switch 2, although the console is still in its early days. Nintendo still has several ongoing piracy and IP infringement lawsuits. Notwithstanding the hefty fines often slapped on pirates, it hasn’t been enough to deter new actors from going into the space.
Do you think Nintendo is expending too many resources in going after pirates? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
