The Nintendo Switch is nearing its eighth anniversary, yet it remains a beloved gaming platform for many players. With rumors of a successor console swirling online, anticipation for Nintendo's future developments is palpable.
Recently, a 58-year-old man from Ryugasaki, Ibaraki Prefecture, working in the transportation industry, was arrested in Japan. He is suspected of modifying Nintendo Switch motherboards and selling the consoles on a secondhand marketplace, thereby infringing on the company's trademark rights. This marks the first case nationwide where an individual has been arrested for modifying and selling Switch consoles.
Police investigations reveal that in March 2024, the man sold a modified Nintendo Switch console through a secondhand platform for approximately 28,000 Japanese Yen, a price comparable to that of a regular used console. He is suspected of violating trademark law.
He reportedly purchased used consoles, then used a soldering iron to manually alter the motherboards, adding four additional circuit boards. He also installed unauthorized applications and game software, allowing these modified consoles to run pirated game content. Police launched an investigation after receiving a tip-off about "someone selling illegally modified game consoles," which led to the suspect's arrest.
According to the police, the suspect has confessed to the crime, stating, "I wanted to see how big of a reaction selling modified consoles would get. It was a hobby for me, and also a way to earn some pocket money."
This is the first case in Japan where an individual has been apprehended for selling modified Nintendo Switch consoles under trademark law. If unauthorized game downloads are also involved, additional copyright infringement charges may be filed. Many netizens have expressed surprise at the suspect's technical skills, questioning why they weren't used for legitimate purposes, and urging everyone to avoid purchasing modified game consoles from unknown sources to prevent legal risks.