Editing Nintendo Switch bans (section)

==Effective bricking via banning<!-- Opinion piece that may be possible to add: https://kotaku.com/nintendo-switch-2-piracy-brick-threat-homebrew-1851779895 -->==
[[File:Bricked_Switch_2.png|thumb|A screenshot from a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExgYTA18_vo&t=656s video by Scattered Brain], displaying his Switch 2 console being bricked]]
In June of 2025, [[Nintendo Switch|''Nintendo Switch 2'']] owner ''Scattered Brain'' inserted a ''MIG Switch cartridge'' into his console. After an unknown amount of time, his console was banned from accessing all online ''[[Nintendo]]'' services,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Scattered Brain |date=Jun 16, 2025 |title=Soo... Nintendo banned my Switch 2 (Don't try the MIG Switch!) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExgYTA18_vo&t=656s |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> and as he discovered, a significant portion of the console's functionality depends on these online services.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=Jun 17, 2025 |title=Switch 2 users report online console bans after running personal game “backups” |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/06/playing-personal-game-backups-could-get-your-switch-2-banned-by-nintendo/ |access-date=Jun 19, 2025 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref> The following is a non-exhaustive list of the services that a banned [[Nintendo Switch|''Nintendo Switch 2'']] is incapable of accessing:

*Nintendo eShop - This service is required for installing games from [[Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Card|game-key cards]], which a majority of physical third-party releases are distributed on.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Jason |date=Jun 5, 2025 |title=Buying Physical? Watch Out For the Switch 2's Game-Key Cards |url=https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/nintendo-switch-2-game-cards-vs-game-key-cards-vs-downloads-whats-the-difference |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |work=PC Mag}}</ref> [[Nintendo Switch]] 1 compatibility is additionally at risk due to bans, since the Switch 2 does not fully support the legacy library,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ratchet Mods |date=Jun 19, 2025 |title=Nintendo BRICKS MIG Flash user's Switch 2 - The Difference between banning a Switch and BRICKING it |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn4969P2RIA |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> and thus requires access to online services to expand compatibility.
*Factory resetting - Demonstrated by ''Scattered Brain'', the console is incapable of being factory reset by the consumer.<ref name=":3" />
*Account management - The removal of accounts, and the linking of new ''[[Nintendo]] accounts'', is impossible while banned.

===Nintendo's response===
When a banned console attempts to use online services for any purpose, the user is given an error code, either '''2124-4508''' or '''2124-4007''', which relates to the following:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nintendo |title=Error Codes: 2124-4007, 2124-4508 |url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/28046/~/error-codes%3A-2124-4007%2C-2124-4508 |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=Nintendo Support}}</ref><blockquote>Information when you try to connect to an online service on ''Nintendo Switch 2'' or ''Nintendo Switch'' but you receive the error code 2124-4007 or 2124-4508 along with the message, "The use of online services on this console is currently restricted by ''[[Nintendo]]''."

'''Information'''

This error code indicates the ''Nintendo Switch 2'' or ''Nintendo Switch'' console you are using has been permanently banned from connecting online due to a breach of the user agreements.

A breach of user agreements may include, but is not limited to, activities such as:

- Fraudulent or unauthorized transactions

- Violation of our [https://www.nintendo.com/code-of-conduct/ Community Guidelines]</blockquote>Beyond this vague error code description, the company has refused to provide consumers with an equitable recourse if their device is banned, such as methods for reversal. This puts unnecessary risk for consumers purchasing the device, since banned consoles are capable of circulating within markets, especially via 2nd-hand markets such as [[eBay]].

===Banned consoles circulating the market===
Only days after initial reports of ''MIG Switch'' cartridges causing effective bricks due to [[Nintendo]], predictions<ref name=":1" /> surrounding the console circulating the market have become true. Not only has the standard 2nd-hand market for the console already put consumers at risk of accidentally purchasing these systems,<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Reilly |first=PJ |date=Jun 24, 2025 |title=Nintendo's Strict Policy On MiG Carts Is Creating A Problem For Secondhand Switch 2 Buyers |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/nintendos-strict-policy-on-mig-carts-is-creating-a-problem-for-secondhand-switch-2-buyers |access-date=Jun 24, 2025 |work=Nintendo Life}}</ref> but consoles being returned to retail stores such as [[Walmart]] are also at risk of being repackaged on shelves.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=John |date=Jun 23, 2025 |title=Beware: That Pre-Owned Switch 2 You're Thinking About Buying Might Already Be Bricked |url=https://kotaku.com/nintendo-switch-2-pre-owned-online-error-walmart-1851784892 |access-date=Jun 24, 2025 |work=Kotaku}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Bimmytung |date=June 18, 2025 |title=Found one. Didn't end well. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/switch2/comments/1lew6m5/found_one_didnt_end_well/ |access-date=Jun 24, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> Retail returns in particular cannot reliably test for bans, as the console requires access to the internet to inform the user that the console is bricked. 

===Additional methods of bans<!-- Initially found out from a FritangaPlays video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8JIftr7uAg -->===

====TwinkLink - Caused by username/unknown variables====
[[File:Switch2UsernameBan.png|thumb|Archived screenshot of a user who got banned over their username]]
In June 2025, [[Nintendo Switch|Switch 2]] users reported receiving console bans<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bevan |first=Rhiannon |date=Jun 30, 2025 |title=Switch 2 PSA: Nintendo Might Ban You If You Put Twink In Your Username |url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-perma-ban-username-twink-link/ |access-date=Jun 30, 2025 |work=The Gamer}}</ref> due to usernames that go against [[Nintendo]]'s policies.<ref name="EULAMain" /> The user "''Twink Link''" caused her family's Switch 2 console to receive a swift ban from [[Nintendo]], which the username was reported from support to have been the reason why the console was flagged and thus banned by [[Nintendo]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=u/Funaoe24 |date=Jun 16, 2025 |title=Be careful with Switch 2 usernames. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/switch2/comments/1ld9rih/be_careful_with_switch_2_usernames/?embed_host_url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-perma-ban-username-twink-link/ |access-date=Jun 30, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> They were told by [[Nintendo]] support initially that the ban couldn't be undone. In an update to the post from the same user however,<ref name=":2" /> a different agent informed them that the username was not the cause of the system ban, and some unknown element flagged the console to cause it to be banned, and the device is reported to soon be unbanned.

The fact that this false flag occurred without [[Nintendo]] support understanding how it could have happened has brought concern from consumers, as consumers receive no warnings or prior notices to getting banned, and thus being unable to interact with mandatory online services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FritangaPlays |date=Jun 30, 2025 |title=Nintendo BRICKS Switch 2 User For Changing Their Username?!? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8JIftr7uAg |access-date=Jun 30, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>{{Citation needed|reason=Needs more sources}}

====Solla_ - Vague ban====
[[File:NSSubredditDeletionNotice.png|thumb|A screenshot from a deleted post by the r/NintendoSwitch subreddit, displaying the average reaction from the subreddit staff]]
Another user in Brazil had posted about their console additionally receiving a mysterious ban, however this time with zero explainable cause. The user in question, ''u/Solla_'', had previously attempted to post to the r/NintendoSwitch [[Reddit|Subreddit]], however the staff on the community has been noted to delete any posts relating to console bans indiscriminately.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Solla_ |date=Jul 5, 2025 |title=Nintendo banned my Switch console with no clear reason given, trying to understand what went wrong |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/1lsokq2/nintendo_banned_my_switch_console_with_no_clear/ |access-date=Jun 7, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Solla_ |date=Jul 5, 2025 |title=My Nintendo Switch 2 Was Banned Without a Clear Reason |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/1lsl215/my_nintendo_switch_2_was_banned_without_a_clear/ |access-date=Jul 7, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><!-- Will need help finding other deleted posts as examples --> The same user instead posted to the r/NintendoSwitchHelp [[Reddit|subreddit]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=u/Solla_ |date=Jul 5, 2025 |title=Nintendo Banned My Console Without Explanation |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitchHelp/comments/1lskq9u/nintendo_banned_my_console_without_explanation/ |access-date=Jul 7, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> with an image of their console displaying error code 2124-4508, and a generic reason that the user violating the [[Nintendo's May 2025 Policy Updates|EULA agreement]], without pointing at the section the user violated.

''u/Solla_'' explained inside the comments:<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Solla_ |date=Jul 5, 2025 |title=Comment from u/Solla_ |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitchHelp/comments/1lskq9u/comment/n1jbgp5/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button |access-date=Jul 7, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><blockquote>I already tried calling Nintendo, but they won’t give me a clear answer. They just refer me to the EULA agreement and say that I violated it, which is why the ban is permanent. I’m now trying to get my friend to reach out to Nintendo and explain that the account I switched to is legitimate. We even share the Nintendo Family Pack, so hopefully that helps. Let’s see what happens.</blockquote>Additionally in the comments,<ref name=":4" /> users frequently attempted to claim ''u/Solla_'' was the one entirely in the wrong in this scenario, with enough toxicity to the point where the moderators had to lock the post.

====Used game bans====
As it was discovered from some users on Reddit,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=u/dmanthey |date=Jul 8, 2025 |title=Switch 2 users - be careful buying used Switch 1 games. You can get banned if a bad actor dumped it. Having said that, Nintendo support is amazing and will help get you back up and running. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Switch/comments/1lut61s/switch_2_users_be_careful_buying_used_switch_1/?embed_host_url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-console-bricked-second-hand-game-mig-cartridge/ |access-date=Jul 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> the used market can risk users from receiving a ban for playing some used games. [[Nintendo]]'s fingerprinting system handled for [[Nintendo Switch|''Nintendo Switch'']] 1 cartridges can flag users with an automatic ban if it detects that the game has been dumped.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Lucas |first=James |date=Jul 9, 2025 |title=Switch 2 Player Warns People To "Be Careful Buying Used Switch 1 Games" After Nightmare Outcome |url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-console-bricked-second-hand-game-mig-cartridge/ |access-date=Jul 10, 2025 |work=The Gamer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gwilliam |first=Michael |date=Jul 10, 2025 |title=Nintendo bans Switch 2 users for playing used Switch game |url=https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/nintendo-bans-switch-2-users-for-playing-used-switch-game-3225210/ |access-date=Jul 10, 2025 |work=Dexerto}}</ref> This has also been reported to be a risk for NS1 games that can be checked out at public libraries, since actors can simply dump these games.<ref name=":6" />

Compared to previous bans, this dramatic measure is reported to be at least easily reversible,<ref name=":5" /> however this is a risk users will be forced to face due to [[Nintendo]]'s negligence with their antipiracy measures solely harming users who use the physical cartridge rather than the user with the dumped ROM, and will be frequently faced by users who opt to purchase physicals 2nd-hand, especially when they are out of print, like ''Super Mario 3D All Stars'', or barely available on sale.<ref>{{Cite news |last=GameCentral |date=Jul 9, 2025 |title=Switch 2 owner banned for playing second-hand Switch 1 games |url=https://metro.co.uk/2025/07/09/switch-2-owner-banned-playing-second-hand-switch-1-games-23620743/ |access-date=Jul 10, 2025 |work=Metro GameCentral}}</ref> Additionally, due to [[Nintendo Switch]] 1 cartridges requiring an update to be installed to play on [[Nintendo Switch]] 2, only a singular cartridge that was dumped can cause any user to get banned.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gautam |first=Samir |date=Jul 11, 2025 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Bans a Player Over Second-Hand Games! What It Means for the Rest of Us |url=https://techstory.in/nintendo-switch-2-bans-a-player-over-second-hand-games-what-it-means-for-the-rest-of-us/ |access-date=Jul 10, 2025 |work=TechStory}}</ref>

==== u/Character-Insect-775 - Key bans ====
[[Reddit]] user ''u/Character-Insect-775'' reported on July 20th on the [https://www.reddit.com/r/switch2/ r/switch2] subreddit how their device got banned for applying game keys purchased on the platform [[CD KEYS]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Character-Insect-775 |date=Jul 20, 2025 |title=Okay so apparently buying a code from CD KEYS can restrict your switch 2 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/switch2/comments/1m4tf7c/okay_so_apparently_buying_a_code_from_cd_keys_can/ |access-date=Jul 22, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> Their device was banned by Nintendo roughly 1 week after the purchase of the device via a contract, and their support has halted the user from getting unbanned. Unlike some key resale vendors, [[CD KEYS]] purchases their games exclusively through legitimate vendors and Nintendo, meaning this is a risk for any consumer attempting to affordably play the [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]] library.

In the comments of the same post, user u/Homoseshual reported their device being banned for using keys purchased through the platform [[G2A]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Homoseshual |date=Jul 22, 2025 |title=Comment on a Reddit post |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/switch2/comments/1m4tf7c/comment/n4j7j6l/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button |access-date=Jul 22, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>

In a unique stance, these bans being caused by resale vendor keys are not associated anywhere within the publicly accessible policies established by [[Switch Game Key-Card|Nintendo]] for the platform.

===Lawsuit: Procon-SP vs. Nintendo===
In the country of ''Brazil'', their consumer protection agency ''Procon-SP'' has warned ''[[Nintendo]]'' of a potential lawsuit regarding the [[Nintendo's May 2025 Policy Updates|Nintendo EULA]] and how it has been exercised recently against the safety of consumers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schomer |first=Matthew |date=Jun 29, 2025 |title=Brazilian Agency Formally Notifies Nintendo Over Console Bricking EULA Clause |url=https://gamerant.com/brazilian-agency-nintendo-console-bricking-eula-clause/ |access-date=Jul 4, 2025 |work=GameRant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Andrade |first=Bruno |date=Jun 26, 2025 |title=Procon-SP critica Nintendo por cláusula polêmica no Switch 2 |url=https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/nintendo-e-notificada-pelo-procon-por-clausula-que-permite-bloquear-switch/ |access-date=Jul 4, 2025 |work=tecnoblog}}</ref> Procon's primary concern is centered on how the cancellation of subscriptions or services without explanation violates currently-established Brazillian consumer protection rules.