One of the internet’s most well-known sources for pirated Nintendo Switch games has been taken offline by the FBI. The website Nsw2u, which distributed illegal copies of Nintendo Switch titles, has officially been seized by the FBI in a coordinated global law enforcement operation.
Visitors to the Nsw2u homepage are now met with a stark black-and-white banner stating:
"This Website Has Been Seized"
The banner explains the site was taken down under 18 U.S.C. 2323, a federal statute used to prosecute criminal copyright infringement, as part of a seizure warrant issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The operation was conducted in partnership with the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD), suggesting a broader international effort targeting piracy infrastructure.
Nintendo’s War on Piracy Intensifies
Nintendo has long maintained an aggressive legal stance against piracy, and this latest takedown reinforces their zero-tolerance policy. Over the past year, the company has escalated its actions significantly.
In 2023, Nintendo filed a high-profile lawsuit against Tropic Haze, the developer of the Yuzu emulator, claiming it enabled the illegal download of over 1 million copies of Tears of the Kingdom. The case was settled for $2.4 million in damages.
Later the same year, Nintendo targeted streamer Jesse "EveryGameGuru" Keighin, who was accused of broadcasting unreleased Switch games and "encouraging piracy." The lawsuit claimed up to $150,000 per infringement, potentially totaling $7.5 million in damages.
The Switch was notoriously hacked early in its life cycle, allowing ROMs of blockbuster titles to flood piracy websites. As a result, Nintendo appears to be taking extraordinary precautions with the Switch 2, which launched last month. Reports are already emerging that unauthorized SD card use or pirated ROM backups on the new system are triggering immediate bans from online services with some users allegedly having their devices permanently bricked.
There is growing speculation that Nintendo’s focus on sealing off piracy vulnerabilities stems not just from past losses but from the long-term profitability of its first-party exclusives, which remain full-price for years after release.
A Warning to the Piracy Community
With the seizure of Nsw2u, the message is loud and clear: Nintendo is not slowing down and will not let up on taking action on pirates.
While piracy remains an ever-evolving issue in gaming, few companies pursue it with the same intensity as Nintendo. And with global law enforcement agencies now actively partnering to crack down on major offenders, the risk of operating or using piracy platforms has never been higher.
This may just be the beginning of a wider offensive as the Switch 2 era is just beginning. Do you think it will be enough?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments! As always, stay tuned to Gamefragger.com for more updates.