• Source:JND
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Nintendo Switch 2: In a significant move against video game piracy, authorities have taken down Nsw2u, a well-known website that illegally distributed Nintendo Switch games. The FBI, in coordination with the Dutch financial crimes agency FIOD, seized the domain under a warrant issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Anyone attempting to visit the site is now met with a seizure notice, marking a clear statement in the global fight against digital piracy.

Nsw2u’s Role in the Piracy Ecosystem

Nsw2u was a major player in the ROM-sharing community, offering unauthorised downloads of Nintendo Switch games to users around the world. These digital copies—commonly referred to as ROMs—were often used on modified consoles or run through emulators on PCs. The site had remained operational until just hours before it was taken offline on July 10.

The platform had already drawn international attention earlier this year when it was placed on the European Union’s piracy watchlist, a sign that enforcement agencies were closely tracking its activities.

Official Seizure Message Confirms International Cooperation

The message now displayed on Nsw2u’s homepage leaves no room for doubt. “This domain has been seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in accordance with a seizure warrant issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 2323,” it reads. The statement goes on to confirm that the Dutch FIOD also took part in the operation, reflecting a broader, cross-border initiative to crack down on game piracy networks.

Nintendo’s Anti-Piracy Push Is Gaining Momentum

Nintendo has been ramping up its anti-piracy efforts over the last few years. In 2023, the company successfully went after the creators of the popular Yuzu emulator, which allowed users to run Switch games on computers and handhelds like the Steam Deck. Beyond that, Nintendo has consistently targeted websites hosting ROMs and even manufacturers of hardware designed to circumvent digital protections.

With the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 just last month, the company has tightened restrictions even further. Users found using unauthorised storage devices with the console have reportedly been banned from accessing Nintendo’s online services. While this aggressive strategy is meant to protect their IP, it’s also sparking controversy—particularly in Brazil, where a legal challenge has been filed over how such policies may unfairly impact second-hand device owners.

This takedown of Nsw2u highlights the growing pressure on piracy networks as authorities, backed by tech giants like Nintendo, increasingly collaborate across borders to shut down illegal operations.