Latest news with #MIGSwitch
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Switch 2 owners using Mig Flash cartridges say Nintendo is bricking their new consoles, even if they're only using the carts for their own ROMs rather than pirated games
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Believe it or not, Nintendo apparently isn't taking too kindly to Switch 2 owners using cartridges on their new consoles that can be used to play pirated Switch games, as some users claim that inserting a certain flash cart has led to their new hardware getting banned. The MIG Switch (or MIG Flash) is a physical cartridge that can be inserted into Switch consoles to load and play Switch games which have been downloaded onto it – be that via files dumped from games purchased by the user, or pirated copies found online. Think of the R4 cards that could be used on the Nintendo DS systems, and it's basically the same idea. With Nintendo's strong anti-piracy stance, which it has really doubled down on in recent years with the various legal battles it's engaged in, you can understand why the company might not be particularly happy about people using these flash carts, and it seems like it might be taking action. "My Switch 2 test has been banned, after using the MIG Switch with perfectly legal dumps of my own cartridges, so it would seem that Nintendo can detect something," Twitter user @SwitchTools writes, sharing an image of their console displaying error code 2124-4508, with a message explaining that "the use of online services on this console is currently restricted by Nintendo." As per Nintendo's support page, this error "indicates that the Nintendo Switch console you are using has been permanently banned from connecting to the internet due to a breach of the user agreements." SwitchTools adds: "I strongly recommend that you do not use the MIG Switch, it was already very risky to use but it is even more so on Switch 2." Others on Reddit have also reported bans after using the cartridge, with one writing: "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." Another, confused over why their console had been banned, notes: "The only thing I can think what has happened is that I tried my MIG Switch in my NS2 once. It didn't work. It just showed the game title and refused to load. It tried to download a title update for it and that was it. Maybe it downloaded a flag for the console to be banned? This was over a week ago this happened though. I've been playing with a legitimate cartridge ever since though." They also clarify: "I don't pirate games, I back-up my legitimate games I own on cartridges. Piracy is shit." It's worth noting that it was only as of a few days ago that the MIG Switch actually became usable on Switch 2 at all, as a result of a new firmware update for the cartridge. These ban reports all appear to have happened in the last 24 hours, after this MIG Switch firmware update was rolled out. We'll have to watch this space to see if this continues to affect more users – it's not clear how Nintendo might be able to detect the use of the cartridges. Be sure to check out our Switch 2 review, as well as our roundup of the best Switch 2 games you can play now.
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Nintendo can put your Switch 2 permanently offline if you use mods
People are learning the hard way what happens if you try to run modified games on Nintendo Switch 2. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 may mark a new era for Nintendo, but one thing that will never change is the company's dislike of pirates and modders. Nintendo is fiercely protective of its hardware and software, which is why it has routinely forced emulators to be shut down. The story of Gary Bowser in 2023 also shows how ruthless the company can be towards those it catches modifying Nintendo hardware. So, it should come as no surprise that Nintendo has been proactive in preventing such activity with the Switch 2, with reports throughout the week revealing that the console can detect pirated or modified software and permanently disable all online connectivity as punishment for using them. Some Switch 2 owners have reported such instances after attempting to use a device called a MIG Switch on the console. The MIG Switch is a cartridge that you can dump Switch games onto, essentially serving as an all-in-one cartridge for your game library. While you can download pirated game files from the internet onto the MIG Switch, some use it as a means of backing up Switch games they've legally bought, though Nintendo clearly doesn't care about that distinction. Since the Switch 2 is backwards compatible, those who own a MIG Switch cartridge decided to see if it works on the new console. Apparently, it should following a firmware update, but it seems Nintendo was one step ahead of them. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. According to the likes of SwitchTools on X and givemeupvotes on Reddit, using the MIG cartridge will prompt an error message and ban you from accessing Nintendo's online services forever more. It doesn't appear to brick the console entirely, however. As demonstrated in a YouTube video by Scattered Brain, it's still possible to access and play games offline, so it's not as if the ban turns the console into a paperweight. More Trending That said, the ban is believed to be built into the hardware itself, and is independent of your Nintendo account. The ban makes it impossible to unlink the account and virtual game cards from the console and when Scattered Brain attempted a factory reset, that wound up bricking their console entirely. Nintendo's policy is that it warns Switch 2 owners not to mess around with the hardware like this. In fact, ahead of the console's launch, it updated its account services user agreement to say it has the right to 'render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part' if you violate its policy. At least, that's what the US version reads, though we can't imagine there's any more leeway here in the UK since it still states any hardware modifications violate Nintendo's code of conduct. Despite all this, it's unlikely this will put an end to any Nintendo related piracy. People are stubborn and are bound to try and come up with workarounds, regardless of the threat of legal action. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Switch 2 replica leaker learns why you shouldn't upset Nintendo and their lawyers MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 owner loses 20 years' worth of save data in botched transfer MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 sales numbers smash records in the US and worldwide
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
After just 12 days, Nintendo is already nuking Switch 2 console accounts for players caught using Mig Flash — popular cartridge allows Switch 1 games on the new console, but users say they're only using their own ROMs
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Various user reports suggest that Nintendo is actively issuing bans to Switch 2 consoles that have been used with the MIG Switch (now MIG Flash) flash cart. Several affected users have reached out on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, sharing accounts of their consoles being banned from using Nintendo's online services after using the device. Despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise, MIG Flash (formerly MIG-Switch) showcased Nintendo Switch 1 ROMs running on Switch 2 hardware. This functionality is believed to be achieved through a recent firmware update, which mitigated or bypassed whatever new security checks Nintendo introduced with its latest console. The MIG-Switch is a specialized, reprogrammable cartridge that's designed to mimic a real Nintendo Switch cartridge, but allows you to store your own game ROMs or backups on its microSD card. This essentially enables you to hold multiple game copies on a single cartridge, letting you conveniently switch between them with the help of a button. That being said, it isn't as simple as dumping pirated copies on a MIG-Switch and calling it a day since Nintendo has robust anti-piracy measures in place, often through unique cartridge identifiers. If two users attempt to play the same game online simultaneously using a single copy, Nintendo can flag this as piracy. As you can expect, this likely has led to many false positives, especially in the case of used cartridges. It appears the Switch 2 is even stricter on this front, as there are now widespread reports of users being banned even when using what they purport as their own legitimately dumped game ROMs on the MIG-Switch. While users' Nintendo accounts reportedly remain unaffected, their consoles are now blocked from accessing Nintendo's online services. That means saying goodbye to Mario Kart World, the eShop, YouTube, cloud saves, and the list goes on. Firmware updates are generally not encompassed by these restrictions, but we cannot say for sure without more verified cases. There is a chance Nintendo may reinstate these consoles, as they were most likely caused by the changes introduced with the latest MIG-Switch firmware, rather than users booting up pirated ROMs. Regardless, the MIG-Switch isn't a Nintendo-authorized accessory, meaning that the company likely has no legal obligation to reverse these bans. As a matter of fact, Nintendo's updated EULA reserves the right to effectively brick your console in case of unauthorized hardware/software modifications. Contacting Nintendo Support might prove worthwhile, but we won't hold our breaths on it. It isn't technically a $449 paper weight, as you can still play offline titles, but that's a major compromise given the Switch 2 has been available for less than two weeks. Given Nintendo's release cycle, users who upgrade once per generation and face a ban on their Switch 2 might have to forego online services for several years, depending on when the Switch 2's successor launches. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
After just 12 days, Nintendo is already nuking Switch 2 console accounts for players caught using Mig Flash — popular cartridge allows Switch 1 games on the new console, but users say they're only using their own ROMs
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Various user reports suggest that Nintendo is actively issuing bans to Switch 2 consoles that have been used with the MIG Switch (now MIG Flash) flash cart. Several affected users have reached out on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, sharing accounts of their consoles being banned from using Nintendo's online services after using the device. Despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise, MIG Flash (formerly MIG-Switch) showcased Nintendo Switch 1 ROMs running on Switch 2 hardware. This functionality is believed to be achieved through a recent firmware update, which mitigated or bypassed whatever new security checks Nintendo introduced with its latest console. The MIG-Switch is a specialized, reprogrammable cartridge that's designed to mimic a real Nintendo Switch cartridge, but allows you to store your own game ROMs or backups on its microSD card. This essentially enables you to hold multiple game copies on a single cartridge, letting you conveniently switch between them with the help of a button. That being said, it isn't as simple as dumping pirated copies on a MIG-Switch and calling it a day since Nintendo has robust anti-piracy measures in place, often through unique cartridge identifiers. If two users attempt to play the same game online simultaneously using a single copy, Nintendo can flag this as piracy. As you can expect, this likely has led to many false positives, especially in the case of used cartridges. It appears the Switch 2 is even stricter on this front, as there are now widespread reports of users being banned even when using what they purport as their own legitimately dumped game ROMs on the MIG-Switch. While users' Nintendo accounts reportedly remain unaffected, their consoles are now blocked from accessing Nintendo's online services. That means saying goodbye to Mario Kart World, the eShop, YouTube, cloud saves, and the list goes on. Firmware updates are generally not encompassed by these restrictions, but we cannot say for sure without more verified cases. There is a chance Nintendo may reinstate these consoles, as they were most likely caused by the changes introduced with the latest MIG-Switch firmware, rather than users booting up pirated ROMs. Regardless, the MIG-Switch isn't a Nintendo-authorized accessory, meaning that the company likely has no legal obligation to reverse these bans. As a matter of fact, Nintendo's updated EULA reserves the right to effectively brick your console in case of unauthorized hardware/software modifications. Contacting Nintendo Support might prove worthwhile, but we won't hold our breaths on it. It isn't technically a $449 paper weight, as you can still play offline titles, but that's a major compromise given the Switch 2 has been available for less than two weeks. Given Nintendo's release cycle, users who upgrade once per generation and face a ban on their Switch 2 might have to forego online services for several years, depending on when the Switch 2's successor launches. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Nintendo may ban players who want to play these games on Switch 2 console
Image via Nintendo Nintendo may ban players who attempt to play certain "older games" on the new Switch 2 console. The Japanese gaming company is specifically targeting those using flash cartridges associated with piracy, a report claims. Some new console owners have reportedly been banned after trying to use a type of flash cartridge designed for Switch 1 games on their Switch 2 devices. The device in question is the MIG Switch, a cartridge that allows users to load games, either from legally backed-up copies or pirated files. Last year, Nintendo began suing sellers of the MIG Switch and designed the Switch 2 to be incompatible with these cartridges. However, the makers of MIG Switch recently released a firmware update. This update made it possible to use these devices to load Switch 1 games on the Switch 2, which then prompted Nintendo's reported bans. How Nintendo is trying to tackle pirated games on Switch 2 Nintendo has reportedly started banning Switch 2 consoles that appear to have used illegal flash cartridges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Telidesk Saved My Business Undo 'My NS2 has been console banned and I have absolutely no idea why! The only thing I can think what has happened is that I tried my Mig switch in my NS2 once,' a Reddit user named SquareSphere wrote on the Switch 2 subreddit, A similar report came from another user named givemeupvote on the Switch Hacks subreddit, who wrote: '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).' 'The use of online services on this console is currently restricted by Nintendo,' the user added sharing an image of the error message. X user SwitchTools said they used a MIG Switch with ROM dumps of their games and were also banned. The user wrote: 'I strongly recommend that you do not use the mig switch, it was already very risky to use but it is even more so on Switch 2.' While some players use such tools to back up their game libraries, these devices also raise piracy concerns for the new console. Although Nintendo has banned affected users from online services, it hasn't yet exercised the full extent of its terms of service. In a pre-launch update, the gaming company notes: 'You acknowledge that if you fail to comply with the foregoing restrictions, Nintendo may render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part.' Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Highlights: Biggest Game Reveals, New Consoles & More!
