Nintendo’s Switch 2 Cracks Down: Using Game Backups Could Get Your Console Banned

The Nintendo Switch 2 is here, but a new controversy is brewing. Users reporting bans from Nintendo’s online services after using the Mig Flash cartridge, a device that allows playing games from SD cards, are raising concerns. This isn’t just about piracy; even players using backups of their legally purchased games are facing console bans.

The Mig Flash’s latest firmware update promised Switch 2 compatibility. However, numerous users on Reddit and social media are reporting their consoles have been banned from Nintendo’s online services after using it, even when only playing backups of their own games. One user, a prominent figure in the Switch hacking community, posted screenshots of their banned Switch 2 and a stack of legitimate game cartridges, highlighting the issue.

While Nintendo has long employed robust security measures to combat piracy, detecting identical game signatures across multiple consoles, this situation is different. Mig Flash users insist they were only using backups of personally owned games, not engaging in piracy. Yet, the bans are happening. The Mig Flash’s developers themselves warn that using the device online could lead to bans, though they claim to only support backups of legally owned games.

The consequences of a ban are significant. Users lose access to online multiplayer, voice chat, cloud saves, and Nintendo Switch Online services. While offline functionality remains unaffected for now, the online restrictions severely limit the console’s capabilities. The only surefire way to avoid a ban appears to be disconnecting the Switch 2 from the internet entirely—a drastic measure for many gamers.

This situation raises questions about the extent of Nintendo’s detection capabilities and the potential unintended consequences of using devices like the Mig Flash, even for legitimate backups. For now, Switch 2 owners should proceed with caution.

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