Video Game Piracy Enters New Era as Japan Arrests Its First Alleged Modder of Nintendo Switch Consoles

Japanese authorities make a landmark arrest in the fight against video game piracy. For the first time, a suspect has been apprehended for modifying Nintendo Switch consoles to play pirated games.

According to NTV News, a 58-year-old man was arrested on January 15th for violating Japan's Trademark Act. The individual allegedly modified used Switch consoles by soldering altered circuit boards, enabling them to run illegally obtained software. Each modified console, pre-loaded with 27 pirated games, was reportedly sold for ¥28,000 (approximately $180). The suspect has confessed to the charges, and further investigations are underway.

This arrest highlights the ongoing battle between game publishers and piracy. Nintendo, a frequent target, launched a takedown request in May 2024 impacting 8,500 copies of the Yuzu Switch emulator, following its shutdown two months earlier. Their initial lawsuit against Yuzu's creator, Tropic Haze, cited the unauthorized distribution of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, estimating one million pirated copies before its official release.

Legal action against piracy is intensifying. Notable past cases include successful lawsuits against RomUniverse, resulting in damages exceeding $14 million to Nintendo. Nintendo’s efforts also extended to blocking the Dolphin emulator's release on Steam.

Recently, a Nintendo patent lawyer shed light on the company's anti-piracy strategy. Koji Nishiura, Assistant Manager of the Intellectual Property Division, clarified that while emulators aren't inherently illegal, their use for piracy renders them unlawful.