Nintendo Targets Switch Modchips as GitHub Removes Hundreds of Related Resources

GitHub has removed 144 repositories containing firmware and instructions for popular Switch modchips at Nintendo’s request. The chips allow users to bypass the console’s protections.

The affected materials were related to Picofly, HWFLY, SX Core, and SX Lite. Nintendo says the software can circumvent the console’s technological protections and is primarily used to run illegal copies of games. In its DMCA complaint, the company said the firmware was originally created to bypass copyright protection.

As an example, the Japanese manufacturer cited the case of members of Team-Xecuter, a group that developed and sold devices for running pirated games. One member was Gary Bowser, who was sentenced to 40 months in prison in 2020. He was released in 2023 but is still required to pay Nintendo 25% to 30% of his income.

Bowser’s case does not mean that all modchips are automatically considered illegal. Nintendo also does not have to prove that in court before filing a DMCA complaint. GitHub considered the company’s request sufficient grounds to remove the specified repositories.

The removals are another step in Nintendo’s campaign against tools that bypass console protections. The company previously sought the removal of Switch emulators and programs used to extract the keys needed to run games.