Engaging in gaming can be quite costly, prompting many enthusiasts to seek bargains in the secondhand market. Why fork over full price, often nearing $80 for a game, when you can find it at a lower rate elsewhere? However, recent developments may give gamers pause when considering used titles for the Switch 2.

Just weeks after the launch of Nintendo’s latest console, reports are surfacing of users facing bans due to Nintendo’s stringent measures against piracy. This stance is so severe that even legitimate secondhand purchases might lead to account suspension. A recent example involved a Redditor who encountered a ban after updating games obtained through Facebook Marketplace.

It is important to note that this situation is not part of Nintendo’s formal protocol. Generally speaking, acquiring a used game from a retailer like GameStop and playing it should be seamless and not result in disruptions.

However, there is a chance that a previously owned game could lead to a bricked Switch 2 if luck isn’t on your side.

Nintendo’s Anti-Piracy Campaign

The crux of the problem lies in the methodology Nintendo employs in its fight against piracy. The company has the capability to identify if a game is being accessed on multiple consoles, and it will act accordingly. Nintendo has made it clear that they will disable consoles detected with pirated content. Even though purchasing a used game isn’t an act of piracy, certain individuals do extract game files from original cartridges and transfer them to devices like MIG flash carts. While this is often done as a backup strategy, buying a previously copied game can create complications. If that game is linked to another console, both users risk facing bans.

This issue extends to all titles played on the Switch 2—not exclusively those made for it. As the console is new, many available used titles come from the initial generation of Switch games; any copies that are active elsewhere could lead to repercussions. A YouTuber, Snazzy Labs, reported issues after purchasing a used title on eBay, resulting in Nintendo disabling online functionality on their console. Although there are indications that Snazzy Labs has spoken about using MIG carts, they have denied having done so with their Switch 2.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

What to Do if Banned

The silver lining is that users who encounter bans have found success in appealing to Nintendo’s support. If it can be demonstrated that a legitimate version of the game is owned, Nintendo may consider reinstating access to the console and account. It’s advisable to keep receipts from any used game transactions.

Understanding Nintendo’s motivation to combat piracy is important; lost revenue from unauthorized game copies can be significant. Yet, the measures currently employed appear excessive. Randomly banning accounts and rendering consoles unusable feels extreme and raises questions about long-term sustainability. Brazil’s consumer rights authority has even challenged these practices legally. Striking a balance between deterring piracy and allowing gamers to enjoy legitimate discounts on their purchases is essential.