In a surprising turn of events, Nintendo recently banned a Nintendo Switch 2 owner for playing used Switch 1 games, only to swiftly reverse the decision after the user provided proof of legitimate purchase. This incident highlights the complexities of digital rights management and the challenges faced by consumers in the second-hand game market.
Nintendo’s Initial Ban and User’s Predicament
The user, identified as dmanthey on Reddit, purchased four used Nintendo Switch 1 titles from Facebook Marketplace. Upon inserting these cartridges into their new Switch 2 console, the games updated as expected. However, the following day, dmanthey discovered their console was restricted from Nintendo’s online services, preventing access to online features and even previously purchased digital games. Nintendo’s support confirmed the ban was due to the use of pirated games.
Swift Resolution and Proving Innocence
Fortunately for dmanthey, the resolution process was remarkably efficient. They contacted Nintendo Support and were able to speak with a human representative almost immediately. To prove their innocence, dmanthey provided:
- The Facebook Marketplace listing for the games.
- Photos of the purchased game cartridges.
Nintendo quickly reversed the ban, a process dmanthey described as
