Nintendo has issued a stern warning to users of its Switch and upcoming Switch 2 consoles, stating that attempts to modify these devices or engage in the use of pirated games could lead to permanent inoperability. This advisory was included in a recent update to the Nintendo User Account Agreement, which was highlighted by Game File last week.
The updated EULA, released in May 2025, clarifies the permitted usage of “Nintendo Account Services,” which includes video games and add-on content. Under the revised agreement, any unauthorized use that violates Nintendo’s policies could result in the company making the relevant services and devices permanently unusable, either in whole or in part.
This newly articulated stance applies to both the existing Switch and the forthcoming Switch 2.
Furthermore, the updated EULA specifies that Nintendo retains the authority to “suspend your access to any or all Nintendo Account Services” at its discretion and without any prior notification. Such suspensions may occur even if a violation has not yet happened, based on a reasonable belief that a violation is imminent, or for other legal or commercial reasons, particularly to protect other users or the integrity of Nintendo Account Services.
Stay Within the Guidelines
What constitutes a “violation” under the new terms? Notable among the infractions is the playing of pirated games. The EULA explicitly states that users are prohibited from “obtaining, installing, or using any unauthorized copies” of Nintendo Account Services. This language encompasses individuals with modified console hardware as well as those utilizing third-party flash carts to play illicit copies.
In addition to targeting piracy, the EULA restricts various actions related to hacking that do not necessarily involve piracy. The agreement prohibits users from modifying, adapting, translating, reverse engineering, decompiling, or disassembling any part of the Nintendo Account Services. It also forbids users from bypassing or tampering with any protective measures in place for those services.
Nintendo has historically implemented effective measures to detect and ban hacked systems from online play, routinely issuing device bans to prevent such consoles from accessing its online services. However, the most recent changes in the EULA indicate that Nintendo is now poised to disable devices entirely if they violate the usage agreement—even for offline purposes.
As it stands, the exact methods Nintendo will employ to enforce this new severe penalty on users who hack their consoles remain unclear, as does the potential for restoring functionality to any consoles that may be disabled. Nevertheless, the updated agreement signifies Nintendo’s intent to take a firm stance against piracy and hacking.
