It feels like we’re only months away before the first Nintendo Switch flash cart makes its debut, letting pirates store games and play them on the actual console. Fans assumed that Nintendo would release hardware updates to make piracy difficult for users, but it seems the flash cart is immune to this.
AfterTimeX was able to interview the developers who made this form of piracy possible, giving fans some intriguing info about how this would work. When the devs were asked about Nintendo releasing firmware updates to block the flash cart, they confidently said this wouldn’t be possible since the cart can be upgraded.
Considering how the Nintendo Switch flash cart isn’t readily available yet, we’re sure more details on upgrading these carts will eventually be revealed. Only time will tell if Nintendo can come up with a countermeasure to fight this, but the devs think it won’t be possible.
There are other interesting details about this flash cart, like how current Switch game backups can’t be used. Based on the interview, it seems that a new file type will be used to ensure that the cart is harder to fight against, so we’ll wait and see.
Now, just to be clear, we aren’t pro-piracy, especially since the Nintendo Switch and most of its library are still available for purchase. With all that being said, we can’t deny how Nintendo can be unfriendly to consumers who do want to purchase their older hardware. Last year, they closed the 3DS and Wii U eShops, while also releasing firmware to stop 3DS units from having custom firmware.
For the sake of storing these games somewhere, we do think that piracy is a necessary evil for the sake of gaming preservation. Admittedly, games like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Odyssey are bound to be re-released on newer systems, but more lesser-known titles might not be as lucky.
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At the time of writing, there is still no release date for these Nintendo Switch flash carts.