Nintendo Secures $2 Million Victory in Lawsuit Against Switch Hacking Developer

Nintendo has achieved a notable milestone by securing a $2 million settlement in its ongoing battle against piracy, specifically targeting the sale of modchips designed for its popular console, the Nintendo Switch.

At the heart of this legal case is Ryan Daly, the operator of the website Modded Hardware. Daly was accused of offering devices such as the MIG Switch flashcart and the MIG Dumper—illegal tools that enable players to play pirated games or extract files from official Nintendo Switch cartridges.

Modchips, in this context, refer to hardware devices engineered to circumvent the security measures of the Nintendo Switch. These devices allow users to run unauthorized software, including unlicensed game copies, as well as to dump and distribute official cartridges freely.

Nintendo Wins $2 Million Settlement Against Modchip Seller

The lawsuit was initiated in a Seattle federal court in July 2024, following Daly’s initial agreement to cease sales of these products, which he subsequently violated. During his defense, Daly raised 17 claims, attempting to invoke arguments about fair use and the validity of copyrights, but these were dismissed by the court.

Moreover, Daly’s website provided tutorials on how to install and utilize these modchips, which the court found significantly contributed to facilitating piracy. As a result, a permanent injunction was issued, preventing Daly from disseminating any information or resources related to console modification.

Nintendo’s legal filings characterized the MIG Switch and similar devices as specifically created to evade the Switch’s security protocols, thereby “enabling widespread video game piracy.” The company stressed that unchecked sales of these devices could pose a significant threat to the integrity of its gaming ecosystem.

In the aftermath of this settlement, Daly is mandated to pay Nintendo $2 million and is barred from developing, marketing, or distributing any modding devices in the future. Additionally, he must surrender all modchips, flashcarts, and consoles associated with his operations, all of which will be destroyed. Furthermore, Daly’s Modded Hardware domain must be transferred to Nintendo.

This outcome reflects a larger trend in Nintendo’s enforcement approach against piracy. In 2024, the company also secured a $2.4 million settlement against the Yuzu emulator developer Tropic Haze and continued to pursue litigation against piracy platforms like NSw2u.

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