FBI Seizes Major Nintendo Switch ROM Site 'nsw2u' in Ongoing Piracy Crackdown

In a significant development within Nintendo's ongoing battle against game piracy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has seized the domain of 'nsw2u,' one of the most prominent Nintendo Switch ROM sites.

The site had provided users with unauthorized downloads of Nintendo Switch ROMs, facilitating the emulation of games on hacked consoles—a practice that Nintendo has actively worked to eliminate. According to a seizure notice now displayed on the nsw2u homepage, the action was executed under a warrant issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

The official message reads that the 'domain has been seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in accordance with a seizure warrant issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C.

2323 as part of a law enforcement operation.' This move aligns with Nintendo’s robust legal strategy to protect its intellectual property and the integrity of its games on the Nintendo Switch hardware platform. Nintendo’s campaign against piracy has intensified in recent years, targeting both software emulation and sites distributing pirated content.

In 2024, the company also secured control of the Ryujinx emulator website, reinforcing its dedication to addressing unauthorized use of its software.

Further exemplifying Nintendo’s commitment, the company recently won a pivotal legal case against a lead moderator of the r/SwitchPirates subreddit, a notable hub for discussions on Switch game piracy. While the future of nsw2u remains uncertain, industry experts suggest the likelihood of the site returning is slim, given the scale and precedent of recent legal actions.

Nintendo’s relentless pursuit of piracy operations not only protects its revenues but also sends a strong message to other potential infringers in the gaming community. This crackdown on digital piracy comes as the Nintendo Switch continues to perform strongly in the market, with the platform reaching remarkable sales milestones and supporting a robust lineup of games via Nintendo Direct announcements and the eShop.

As Nintendo prepares for potential new hardware, including the much-anticipated Switch 2, the company maintains tight control over its ecosystem.

Notably, strict online policies have also drawn attention from organizations like Brazil’s consumer rights watchdog, which filed a complaint over Nintendo’s banning of users employing unauthorized MiG carts, raising questions around consumer access and digital rights. As law enforcement agencies work in tandem with industry leaders like Nintendo, the message to operators of ROM sites and emulator platforms is unmistakable: the era of unchecked piracy is rapidly closing, and digital rights enforcement will remain a central concern for the industry moving forward.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch ROM FBI nsw2u Ryujinx United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia r/SwitchPirates Brazil's consumer rights watchdog