Leading Japanese Smash Player Banned for Using Mods to Enhance Nintendo Switch Wi-Fi

In a significant turn of events within the competitive Super Smash Bros. Ultimate community, renowned Japanese player ‘Hurt’ has received a ban from tournament participation due to the use of unauthorized Nintendo Switch modifications aimed at enhancing his online gameplay.

Players often voice their frustrations regarding the inadequacies of Smash Ultimate’s Wi-Fi mode, prompting some to seek out mods to improve their gaming experience. One popular modification reduces input lag, allowing players to better simulate the offline gameplay conditions that they would encounter in live tournaments.

The Circumstances Surrounding Hurt’s Ban

On March 26, a stream featuring Hurt revealed the presence of an input delay mod, with the mod’s details visibly displayed on the broadcast. This incident quickly garnered negative attention from the community.

Input Latency 👈 Bad…! Why are Japanese people hiding their low latency? pic.twitter.com/3oRWanzWp6

— Kisaka (@f666GGG) March 27, 2025

In light of this revelation, Hurt’s team, ENTER FORCE.36, issued a statement apologizing for the incident two days later. They conducted an internal review that confirmed one of Hurt’s Nintendo Switch consoles had indeed been modified. Despite his claims that the console was solely used for casual matches with friends and not official tournaments, the evidence from the stream contradicted these assertions.

We would like to officially apologize and provide an explanation on behalf of the team regarding the violation of the rules by Hurt, a member of the Smash Bros. Ultimate division.pic.twitter.com/r7564U5WaM

— ENTER FORCE.36 (@ENTERFORCE_36) March 29, 2025

Consequently, the organization clarified that the use of modifications violated Nintendo’s Network Service Guidelines, leading to a suspension from competitive play between April 1 and May 31. This suspension is particularly critical as it will prevent Hurt from participating in the highly-anticipated Kagaribi#13 tournament starting on May 4.

Community Reactions to the Ban

Reactions to Hurt’s ban have been polarized. Many North American players have voiced opposition to the punishment, while those in Japan feel it is insufficiently stern.

Comments have surfaced from fans expressing disbelief at the leniency of the two-month suspension, with one Japanese fan stating, “Cheating should have been terminated, but instead they gave him a 2-month suspension, which is a ridiculously lenient punishment.” Others emphasized the importance of adhering to community rules to maintain integrity within the competitive scene.

#FreeHurt this is bullshit there is nothing wrong with using delay mod @Nintendo are the ones at fault for making a terrible online experience and being absolutely unfair and disgustingly strict with their view on modding and fan content. Hurt is absolutely innocent 😡

— Glizzy | DreeGon (@vDREEGONv) March 29, 2025

Supporters of Hurt have rallied around the hashtag “FreeHurt, ” emphasizing their belief that the real issue lies with Nintendo’s inadequate online experience rather than players attempting to enhance their gameplay.

It’s worth noting that Hurt has a commendable record as a competitive player, famously clinching victory at Genesis X2 in February and achieving a place as the 12th-ranked player globally according to LumiRank for 2024. His current plight serves as a controversial chapter in the ongoing discourse regarding competitive integrity and the right to modding within the gaming community.

Such incidents invite broader conversations about the challenges competitive players face with online platforms and how developers can better support their communities. As the landscape of esports continues to evolve, maintaining fair competition while allowing for growth through modifications remains a contentious topic.

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