Federal authorities have shut down Nsw2u, a major Nintendo Switch ROM distribution platform, following coordinated legal action. As initially noted by Kotaku, the site became inaccessible Thursday after displaying an FBI seizure notice. Users on the Switch Piracy subreddit observed partial functionality briefly before its complete removal. Current visitors encounter a federal warning page stating the domain was confiscated under court order.

The notification features branding from the Netherlands’ FIOD Tax Authority, which collaborated in the investigation. While Nintendo hasn’t publicly addressed the incident, this aligns with their heightened crackdown on unauthorized software distribution ahead of their next console’s launch. Recent reports suggest the company has implemented measures to remotely disable future devices modified for piracy, intensifying efforts to restrict non-approved modifications despite pushback from government entities in certain areas.

This enforcement follows a long history of vulnerabilities. Surprisingly, early jailbreaking techniques involved basic tools like paperclips to bypass security on original Switch units, as documented by Inverse. Subsequent hardware revisions patched these exploits, though dedicated modders continue finding workarounds. Nintendo’s increasingly stringent security protocols highlight their determination to curb unauthorized access, even as debates over user rights and hardware ownership persist in gaming communities.