Nintendo Switch 2 Owner Banned for Playing Secondhand Games

Nintendo Switch 2 Owner Banned for Playing Secondhand Games

Buying used games has always been risky, but an increasing number of Switch 2 players are now encouraging each other to stick with official retailers whenever possible.

Por Pablo Hierro el 11 de July de 2025

Despite lingering debates about the high price tag and a few early technical hiccups, the Switch 2 has already secured its spot as a commercial success. But alongside the excitement, Nintendo’s strict policies are once again sparking controversy among its most loyal fans.

It’s no secret that Nintendo protects its intellectual property with an iron grip. With the release of its latest console, the Japanese company moved quickly to introduce strict measures designed to combat piracy and stop players from using unauthorized game cartridges.

Many fans believe these aggressive actions come at the expense of consumer rights. Recently, one Switch 2 owner experienced firsthand just how seriously Nintendo takes its anti-piracy stance, even in cases where the situation is not so clear.

A Second-Hand Score Turns Into a Ban

Ahead of the console’s official launch in June 2025, Nintendo warned that it reserved the right to partially or permanently block any device that violated its user agreement. For players, a ban means losing access to online features and other key services, a harsh consequence intended to discourage any attempts at piracy.

One Reddit user, who goes by dmanthey, found this out the hard way. According to his post, he was banned after playing four used Switch 1 games that he had purchased through Facebook Marketplace. He explained that he simply inserted the cartridges into his Switch 2 and waited while the console installed the required updates. However, when he turned it back on the next day, he was greeted by a message saying his access to Nintendo’s online services had been restricted because his system was now banned.

Bannean a jugador de Nintendo Switch 2 por usar cartuchos de segunda mano

The incident quickly raised alarms across the community, since buying used games is a common way for players to save money. Many wondered how playing secondhand titles could result in such a severe penalty.

Nintendo has not offered an official explanation, but the most likely scenario is that the company flagged the cartridges as pirated. Some users pointed out that the seller might have passed off MIG cartridges, which are often used to store backups and install unofficial copies, and are explicitly banned under Nintendo’s policies.

Fortunately for dmanthey, the story did not end there. He reached out to Nintendo’s customer service team, who asked him to find the Facebook listing and provide photos of the cartridges he had purchased. After a few conversations with support, he was able to prove his case and have the ban lifted, regaining access to his console’s full features.

Tougher Measures for Piracy and Inappropriate Usernames

While dmanthey’s situation appears to be resolved, his story has left many players feeling uneasy. Buying used games has always been risky, but an increasing number of Switch 2 players are now encouraging each other to stick with official retailers whenever possible, especially as Nintendo shows no signs of backing down from its strict approach.

Unfortunately, many banned consoles eventually find their way onto secondhand markets, leaving unsuspecting buyers with devices that can no longer access essential online services.

Muchos jugadores de Nintendo Switch 2 ya recibieron una prohibición

Unlike Xbox or PlayStation, which tend to restrict individual accounts, Nintendo’s bans apply to the hardware itself. This means that once a console is blocked, it can no longer download digital games, install updates, join online multiplayer sessions, or use services like cloud saves and classic game libraries. Even physical games that require online verification may fail to work properly.

Most bans so far have involved piracy or unauthorized hardware, but not all violations are related to games themselves. One player recently revealed that his console was banned over an allegedly offensive username, adding to the uncertainty about what might get players into trouble next.

Stories like these have sparked new questions about whether Nintendo’s efforts to fight piracy are too strict, especially when honest gamers can get caught in the crossfire.

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