FBI seizes Nintendo Switch piracy sites as crackdown intensifies following Switch 2 release

Nintendo Switch piracy sites known for distributing ROM downloads have been seized by the FBI, making them inaccessible to players seeking free copies of games. The move comes as Nintendo increases its efforts to combat piracy following the release of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Nsw2u, a widely used site for downloading Switch ROMs, is now offline. Although the domain still appears on Google, accessing it no longer leads to its homepage. Instead, visitors see a message stating, “This website has been seized,” confirming the site's shutdown.

The seizure notice displayed on the site explains that the takedown was executed by the FBI “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.”

Following the takedown, players on Reddit commented on the site's closure, with one user stating, “R.I.P. ‘NSW2U’ smh.” Another player noted that game-2u, reportedly owned by the same individual behind Nsw2u, has also been taken down and displays the same FBI seizure notice.

Nintendo has maintained a strict stance on unauthorised use of the Switch 2, including banning accounts for using pirated software or unauthorised accessories. The company has recently banned original Switch units found to have pirated games, further demonstrating its commitment to enforcing its terms of use.