Video Game Piracy Innovation: Japan Apprehends Suspected Nintendo Modder

Japanese authorities have made a significant arrest in the fight against video game piracy. For the first time, a 58-year-old man has been apprehended for allegedly modifying Nintendo Switch consoles to play pirated games. As reported by NTV News and translated by Automaton, the suspect was arrested on January 15th for violating Japan's Trademark Act.

The man is accused of altering the circuit boards of pre-owned Switch consoles, enabling them to run illegally copied software. He reportedly installed 27 pirated games onto each modified console and sold them for approximately ¥28,000 ($180 USD) apiece. The suspect has confessed to the charges, and investigations are ongoing to determine if further offenses occurred.

This arrest highlights the escalating battle between game developers and piracy. Nintendo, in particular, has been actively pursuing legal action against piracy, including a 2024 takedown of 8,500 copies of the Yuzu Switch emulator, following the emulator's shutdown two months prior. A previous lawsuit alleged that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was pirated a million times before its official release.

The legal landscape surrounding video game piracy is evolving. Past successes against piracy include lawsuits against RomUniverse, resulting in multi-million dollar settlements. Nintendo also blocked the Dolphin emulator from appearing on Steam.

Recently, a Nintendo patent lawyer shed light on the company's anti-piracy strategy. Koji Nishiura, Assistant Manager of the Intellectual Property Division, emphasized the gray area of emulator legality, stating that while emulators themselves aren't inherently illegal, their use for piracy is a clear violation. This arrest underscores Nintendo's continued efforts to combat the illegal distribution and use of their games.