Nintendo Wins $17,500 Damages in Federal Lawsuit Against Switch Game Streamer

Nintendo has solidified its stance against piracy and game emulation with a recent federal court victory, ordering streamer Jesse Keighin—known online as 'EveryGameGuru'—to pay $17,500 in damages for repeatedly streaming pirated Nintendo Switch titles and distributing emulation resources online.

This legal outcome follows a lawsuit filed by Nintendo of America in 2024, targeting Keighin’s ongoing, public infringement and his open discussions regarding circumvention of copyright protections. The final settlement, confirmed by TorrentFreak and filed in a Colorado federal court, comes after Keighin ignored multiple court orders and motions, further escalating the case.

According to court documents overseen by Magistrate Judge Scott T.

Varholak, Keighin streamed unreleased gameplay footage from popular Switch games on at least fifty occasions, with Mario & Luigi: Brothership among the latest examples.

Other major titles cited in the lawsuit include The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Pikmin 4, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Super Mario Bros.

Wonder, and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. A substantial portion of the $17,500 penalty relates to specific violations.

Keighin has been ordered to pay $10,000 for streaming Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, with the remaining $7,500 covering 15 separate violations, such as distributing links to emulators, cryptographic keys, and techniques to bypass security measures preventing premature access to unreleased Nintendo Switch games. The final judgment notes that Keighin frequently admitted his actions publicly, not only streaming illicit gameplay but also providing followers with access to emulation tools via social media and even emailing Nintendo to express his ongoing support for finding and using unauthorized game copies. While Nintendo sought a permanent injunction requiring Keighin to destroy all circumvention devices, the court declined, stating the relevance and scope of such devices could not be clearly defined due to their wide availability online.

Similarly, the court dismissed an injunction targeting unspecified “third parties,” noting there was insufficient evidence or allegations that Keighin was coordinating with others. Throughout the court proceedings, public statements from Keighin often taunted Nintendo or minimized the seriousness of his actions.

However, the legal repercussions underscore Nintendo’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property, especially on the Nintendo Switch platform. Looking ahead, the court has set a deadline of November 13, 2025, for Nintendo of America to submit a Status Report outlining further actions.

This case sets a precedent within the gaming community regarding copyright enforcement and the risks associated with unauthorized game streaming and emulation, particularly on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch and digital storefronts like the eShop. Nintendo’s decisive legal victory reinforces the company’s reputation for robust intellectual property protection and serves as a clear warning to content creators and streamers regarding Switch game piracy.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo of America Switch America Colorado Jesse Keighin EveryGameGuru Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Mario & Luigi: Brothership The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Pikmin 4 Super Mario Party Jamboree Super Mario Bros. Wonder TorrentFreak Scott T. Varholak