NSW2U Shut Down: FBI Targets Nintendo Switch ROM Piracy

The FBI has confiscated one of the largest piracy websites for Nintendo Switch games. The NSW2U, known for the spread of illegal ROMs, was taken offline as part of an international law enforcement campaign.

FBI strikes Nintendo Switch piracy

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has drawn one of the most famous websites for Nintendo Switch piracy. The NSW2U platform, which was considered one of the largest sources for illegal Switch-Roms, now only shows visitors a confiscation. The campaign took place as part of a comprehensive law enforcement operation against copyright infringement in the gaming area.

According to the confiscation message, the page was taken over according to a judicial order according to 18 USC 2323, issued by the United States District Court Court Court District of Georgia. During the operation, the FBI worked with the Dutch Financial Criminal Police Service Fiod (Fiscal Information and Investigation Service), which underlines the international character of the investigation. The Nintendo Switch 2 is now available in stores

Central contact point for illegal Romes

NSW2U was a central point of contact for users who were looking for illegal copies of Nintendo Switch games. The website enabled players to download ROMs and play them on modified switch consoles or PC emulators without legally acquiring the games. How Kotaku reports, the site was only placed on the EU piracy observation list in May this year, which illustrates the growing attention of the authorities for this type of website. According to users of the Switch Piracy Subreddits, the page was active until shortly before the confiscation, although many claimed to have downloaded games a few hours earlier.

In addition to NSW2U, the Game-2U page was also confiscated, which according to reports belonged to the same operator and now also shows the above-mentioned FBI announcement. Nintendo is particularly strictly against the unauthorized use of the new Switch 2 and is ready to permanently block access to the eShop and online services when it is found that someone violates the terms of use. Reports indicate that Nintendo Switch 2-consoles are blocked when users use the so-called MIG Switch-a device that enables players to save switch files on them and then insert into a Nintendo Switch console.

Nintendo’s fight against piracy

The Mario manufacturer is struggling increasingly against Switch piracy in recent years. A prominent example was the legal approach to the developers of the popular Yuzu emulator last year. This made it possible to perform switch games on PC and PC gaming handhelds such as Valves Steam Deck. Nintendo has also submitted complaints against smaller websites that offer ROM downloads for older systems, as well as against manufacturers of third-party devices that help players bypass the Switch copy protection.