FBI shuts down NSW2U, a major piracy site for Nintendo Switch games

The FBI has seized NSW2U.com, a site that hosted pirated Switch games.

Those attempting to access the site are now met with a single graphic displaying a warning from federal authorities, in place of the previous display of pirated game files.

This effort adds to Nintendo’s ongoing campaign targeting unauthorized distribution of its software in recent months. It follows Nintendo’s own measures to render non-functional any Switch 2 unit equipped with third-party storage tools.

On its main page, an official seizure notice proclaims “This domain has been seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in accordance with a seizure warrant issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 2323 issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia as part of a law enforcement operation and action by the Federal Bureau of Investigation [and] Fiscal Information and Investigation Service.”

FIOD, part of the Dutch government’s financial crime division, hints that the domain’s operators had a base in the Netherlands.

Nintendo has a tough stance on game piracy

In May, regional authorities across Europe had already restricted entry to NSW2U.com following its addition to an EU watchlist. Now, after the FBI raid, the domain appears permanently shuttered.

Nintendo has maintained a strict anti-piracy stance, often seeking hefty financial penalties and criminal prosecutions.

In 2021, authorities handed down a 40-month prison term to Gary Bowser, along with a $14.5 million penalty, for facilitating Team Xecuter’s sale of devices that enabled game infringement. He acted as the marketing and public relations coordinator for the group.

Although charges were brought against Max Louarn and Yuanning Chen, only Bowser stood trial and was convicted in the U.S.; Chen evaded arrest, and Louarn never faced extradition. Upon his release in 2023, Bowser remained liable for the sizable financial judgment, as per IGN.

Moreover, Nintendo now disables Switch 2 consoles if it detects any third-party hardware. This upset used-console buyers and prompted Brazilian regulators to challenge the rule as too harsh.

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