The Nintendo Switch 2 has just been released, and yet, a controversy is already brewing. Some players have seen their console banned for life from online services. The reason? The use of a modified cartridge, called Mig, which allows games to be loaded from a microSD card. And Nintendo is not joking about this. Explanation...
The Mig cartridge, what exactly is it for the Nintendo Switch 2?
Concretely, the Mig is a modified Nintendo Switch 2 cartridge. It works with a microSD card on which you can install copies of games. These files can be downloaded online, or extracted yourself from a physical cartridge using a tool like the Mig Dumper. But the method doesn't matter. Nintendo considers the use of these cartridges a direct violation of its terms of service. Even if you only play your own games, the company makes no distinction.
Result: Several users received error code 2134-4508. Their console is now blocked from accessing online services. No more eShop, updates, online play, or even account management. And that's not all. Some players tried a factory reset. Bad idea: this completely locked their Nintendo Switch 2. It's impossible to reconnect a Nintendo account, even to play offline. The console remains functional... but almost unusable. Farewell Mario Kart World... (among others).
And the second-hand market in all this?
This is where things get complicated. A banned Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't show any particular signs. It can therefore end up for sale on second-hand sites, without the buyer realizing it. Once the console is connected to the Internet, it's a cold shower.
This type of ban could create a wave of "dead" consoles, technically still capable of reading a cartridge, but deprived of everything that makes up the Nintendo ecosystem. Some are already talking about a future nightmare for Nintendo Switch 2 retailers... and collectors.
On social media and forums, opinions are divided. For some, Nintendo is simply doing what it needs to fight against piracy. For others, it's a disproportionate punishment, which also penalizes honest or ill-informed players.
Source: TheVerge
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