Nintendo Switch 2 bans users for Mig cartridge use
▼ Summary
– Some Switch 2 owners are receiving error code 2134-4508, resulting in permanent bans from online services due to using Mig cartridges for game backups or piracy.
– The Mig cartridge allows users to load game copies from microSD cards, but Nintendo considers this a violation of its user agreements, regardless of game ownership.
– Mig’s makers discourage piracy by stating the device is for personal backups and requires authentic game certificates to maintain warranty during online play.
– Banned consoles can’t access online services like the eShop, but accounts remain usable on other hardware, though factory resets may brick the banned console.
– Nintendo’s aggressive stance against piracy and emulation is expected, especially given the Switch 2’s record-breaking sales and strict enforcement policies.
Nintendo Switch 2 users are facing permanent online bans after using unauthorized Mig cartridges, according to recent reports. Error code 2134-4508 appears on affected consoles, locking players out of all online services. This isn’t about poor performance in multiplayer games, it’s a targeted crackdown on devices running pirated or copied software through third-party hardware.
The Mig cartridge functions as a modified game card with a built-in microSD slot, allowing users to load game files obtained from dumped cartridges. While some may use it for legitimate backups, Nintendo’s policy makes no distinction, any use violates their terms of service. The manufacturer claims the device is intended for development and personal backups, but the reality is most buyers exploit it for piracy.
Unlike previous console bans, Nintendo isn’t immediately bricking the hardware. One banned user, documented by YouTuber Scattered Brain, found they could still transfer digital purchases to another Switch OLED, suggesting the penalty targets the console, not the account. However, attempting a factory reset rendered the device unusable, as it blocked all Nintendo Account logins, a measure explicitly allowed under Nintendo’s updated policies.
This move aligns with Nintendo’s long-standing zero-tolerance approach to piracy. With the Switch 2 breaking sales records, the company is doubling down on protecting its ecosystem. Those caught using Mig cartridges shouldn’t expect leniency, Nintendo’s enforcement is as strict as ever.
(Source: The Verge)
