Facebook Marketplace Warning: Potential Ban for Purchasing Used Nintendo Switch Games

It is prudent for individuals who have recently acquired a Nintendo Switch 2 to exercise caution when purchasing used game cartridges, particularly via unofficial channels such as social media marketplaces.

Recent incidents involving users on Reddit highlight the potential consequences of attempting to patch used Nintendo Switch 1 games purchased from platforms like Facebook Marketplace. In one case, a user was temporarily banned from Nintendo Switch Online after modifying his newly acquired cartridges on his Switch 2. However, following communication with Nintendo’s support and providing evidence such as the original listing and photographs of the game cartridges, the user was eventually reinstated.

While details about the specific issue leading to the ban were not disclosed, it is worth noting that Nintendo has previously taken strong action against pirated Switch game cartridges, which can be resold illegally online. One such tool used by would-be pirates is the MIG Flash, a $65 cartridge manufactured in Russia, capable of running unauthorized Switch games, including those designed for the Switch 2.

However, it is important to note that all Switch cartridges carry unique identifiers, and Nintendo has advanced systems in place that will flag if multiple consoles are using the same cartridge ID. In early May, a number of Switch 2 users reported their devices being rendered unusable after experimenting with the MIG Flash to create unauthorized copies of legitimately purchased games.

Nintendo’s commitment to combating piracy is evident, as evidenced by its updated terms and conditions, which state that it reserves the right to “render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part,” in cases of prohibited activity. Though these terms currently only apply to US users, it underscores Nintendo’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property.