Featured Image Credit: Reddit
Much like how you don't mess with Mickey Mouse, gamers know not to screw around with Nintendo.
The House that Mario Built has a zero-tolerance stance when it comes to copyright and piracy, but sometimes, it can be accused of going a little too far.
From slapping the Pokemon-inspired Palworld with a cease and desist to canceling Smash Bros. tournaments, Nintendo doesn't mess around.
The launch of the Switch 2 saw Nintendo update its policies with a concerning warning that it could effectively brick your console at any given moment.
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While this is intended to protect the gaming giant from 'suspicious activity', it appears that some innocent people are being caught in the crosshairs.
We've already issued a PSA about using MIG Switch Cartridges, even if it's to load up games you've legally bought. Now, there's a similar warning that might have you thinking twice about buying second-hand Switch games.
It's no secret that Nintendo is pretty strict with its pricing structure, and even eight years after release, Super Mario Odyssey is still $60 on the Nintendo Store.
With this in mind, it's no surprise that many of you revert to the likes of eBay and Facebook Marketplace to nab your Switch games.
Buyer beware, as over on Reddit, one avid gamer explained how they were temporarily banned for playing second-hand games.
The OP claims they were banned for downloading patches for four original Switch games they purchased on Facebook Marketplace.
As the Switch 2 is backward compatible with the first console, it makes sense that there's been a rush on the second-hand market.
Thankfully, Nintendo was pretty quick on rectifying things, with the Redditor writing: "I inserted the game into my Switch 2 one by one and waited to patch. This was late yesterday. Today I turned on the console and was told my online service were restricted. I could not even download the whip games I bought. I contacted Ninten support and found out I was banned.
"They had me pull up the Facebook marketplace listing and take some pics of the cartridges. The whole process was painless and fast."
It's simply a case of heading to the respective support page for Nintendo and starting a live chat with a human being to explain your issue.
Praising Nintendo's process as much easier than Sony or Microsoft, it doesn't seem to be a major issue as long as you can prove you've legitimately been misled by an unscrupulous seller.
Digital downloads are becoming the norm, and in 2024, 75% of all game sales were digital when compared to just $25 being physical. Still, physical Nintendo cartridges are more prevalent than physical PlayStation or Xbox games.
It's scary that Nintendo can permanently pull your Switch 2 offline at the press of a button, but as long as you're a legitimate player and not a pixel pirate, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
