Nintendo has intensified its anti-piracy efforts with the release of the Switch 2, including a clause in its EULA allowing the company to disable consoles it deems misused. Many new Switch 2 owners report losing access to online features after using unauthorized MiG carts, which have led to their devices being effectively bricked.
A Reddit user, Bimmytung, purchased a pre-owned Mario Kart edition Switch 2 from Walmart, only to encounter Error Code 2124-4508 upon setup, disabling online functionality. Despite passing Walmart’s inspection, the console had already triggered Nintendo’s lockout measures. The user successfully returned the console, but this scenario raises concerns for buyers acquiring Switch 2 units through less regulated channels like online marketplaces, where disputes over device status would be difficult to resolve.
MiG carts, popular on the original Switch for piracy without jailbreaking, are writable cartridges loaded via PC. While the Switch 2 supports backward compatibility, allowing use of these carts, Nintendo’s software update now detects and restricts online functions if a MiG cart is used.
This lockout prevents essential operations such as game downloads, accessing the store, multiplayer, software updates, and account sharing, severely limiting the console’s core online capabilities.
Though MiG carts can be used legally for homebrew games, Nintendo’s aggressive approach may prompt legal challenges. Meanwhile, the scarcity of new Switch 2 units and the inability to verify if pre-owned consoles are bricked threatens to destabilize the resale market throughout the console’s lifetime.
Nintendo’s stance reflects its commitment to anti-piracy measures but leaves consumers vulnerable when purchasing secondhand consoles, with little indication that the company will actively address these resale concerns.