FBI Shuts Down Major Nintendo Switch Piracy Site

In a significant crackdown on game piracy, the FBI has shuttered NSW2U.com, a notorious website previously distributing illegal Nintendo Switch game copies. Visitors now encounter only an FBI seizure notice where the pirated content once appeared.

Domain Seizure Marks Latest Anti-Piracy Victory

The now-defunct site displays an official notice confirming federal seizure: "This domain has been seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to a warrant issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia under 18 U.S.C. 2323." The notice indicates international cooperation with the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD), suggesting the operation had Dutch connections.

This enforcement action follows previous European blocks of NSW2U after its May 2024 addition to an EU blacklist. European authorities had already restricted access across multiple countries prior to the complete shutdown.

Nintendo's Aggressive Anti-Piracy Campaign Continues

The takedown represents Nintendo's latest victory in its ongoing battle against game piracy. The company recently made headlines for permanently disabling ("bricking") new Switch 2 consoles that attempted to use flash cart piracy devices. However, this controversial tactic has drawn criticism regarding its impact on second-hand buyers and prompted a legal challenge from Brazilian regulators.

Nintendo has historically pursued severe penalties against piracy operations, securing substantial fines and even prison sentences for offenders. The company maintains piracy damages both game developers and legitimate consumers.

IGN has reached out to Nintendo for additional details regarding the investigation and potential legal actions against the website operators. This case underscores the increasing global coordination among law enforcement agencies to combat digital piracy operations.