Video Game Piracy Enters New Era as Japan Arrests Its First Alleged Modder of Nintendo Switch Consoles

Japanese authorities have made a landmark arrest in the fight against video game piracy. For the first time, a suspect has been apprehended for modifying Nintendo Switch consoles to play pirated games.

According to NTV News, a 58-year-old man was arrested on January 15th for violating Japan's Trademark Act. The individual allegedly altered used Switch consoles by soldering modified components onto their circuit boards, enabling the execution of unlicensed software. Each modified console, pre-loaded with 27 pirated games, was reportedly sold for ¥28,000 (approximately $180).

The suspect has confessed to the charges, and further investigations are underway to determine the extent of his illegal activities.

This arrest highlights the ongoing battle between video game publishers and piracy. Nintendo, a frequent target, has pursued numerous legal actions. A notable example is the May 2024 takedown of 8,500 copies of the Yuzu Switch emulator, following the emulator's closure two months prior. Nintendo's initial lawsuit against Yuzu's creator, Tropic Haze, cited the unauthorized distribution of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, claiming over one million pirated copies before its official release.

Legal efforts against piracy are intensifying. Past successes include lawsuits against RomUniverse, resulting in $2.1 million in damages to Nintendo in 2021 and over $12 million in 2018. These actions also prevented the Dolphin GameCube and Wii emulator from launching on Steam.

Recently, a Nintendo patent lawyer shed light on the company's anti-piracy strategy. Koji Nishiura, Assistant Manager of the Intellectual Property Division, stated that while emulators aren't inherently illegal, their use for piracy constitutes a violation. This arrest underscores the evolving tactics employed in combating the persistent threat of video game piracy.