Featured Image Credit: RICCARDO MILANI / Contributor via Getty
Nintendo are clearly taking piracy seriously this console generation, as the gaming giant has revoked the online access of certain Switch 2 users after they do one key forbidden thing.
While the original Nintendo Switch was an unbelievably successful console, becoming the third best selling platform of all time, it's major black spot in Nintendo's eyes was piracy and emulation.
Anyone in the PC gaming space has been well aware of how quickly and easily dumped emulations of Switch games were accessed - even in many cases before the game officially game out on Nintendo's console - so the developer has clearly made this a priority to tackle with the new and upgraded follow up.
Clear threats were made from Nintendo's side prior to the launch of the Switch 2, with rule changes that gave the console maker near unlimited power to brick certain consoles if it identified suspicious activity, and just weeks after launch we're already seeing the effects of that.
As reported by the Verge, a number of users have reported encountering the error code '2134-45097', which leaves their account and console permanently banned from accessing all Nintendo online services.
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While this doesn't strictly 'brick' the console in the traditional sense, as it appears as if you can still play games directly from a cartridge, it does severely limit what you can do and could cause some major issues down the line.
For example, you're unable to download any updates for your games - including the much desired Switch 2 upgrades that you can use to enhance the performance and visuals of your favorite original Switch titles - and you're also blocked from playing any multiplayer games or accessing online features.
It is also unclear how this affects the game-key cartridges that have become a reality for many third-party titles on the Switch 2, as these don't have any (or limited) data on the game card itself, instead prompting the user to download it from the store using a code.
At the heart of why these users have been blocked from accessing Nintendo online services is what's known as a Mig flash cartridge. These are used to add files which can then be used to play games on the Switch 2, and it's been a popular route for piracy.
If you're able to access files that someone else has dumped from a Switch 2 game - or do it yourself with a Mig Dumper - you could in theory load it onto a cartridge and play from there.
There aren't always nefarious reasons why someone would want to use a Mig cartridge, as it can be used for backing up games as a preservation effort, or even if you wanted to store all of your physical titles in one place for convenience, as it can be annoying to constantly switch out cartridges when you want to jump between titles.
However, it has primarily been used by people to pirate games and play them for free on the Switch itself, and Nintendo is clearly viewing any use of the Mig as a blanket ban worthy offence that leaves your console offline forever.
