Nintendo Fights Game Piracy, Emulation

Nintendo's aggressive stance against emulation is well-documented. Recent examples include the $2.4 million settlement with Yuzu emulator developers in March 2024, the October 2024 cessation of Ryujinx development following Nintendo's intervention, and the advice given to Dolphin developers regarding a Steam release in 2023 due to Nintendo's legal pressure. The $14.5 million judgment against Gary Bowser in 2023, for his role in distributing devices that bypassed Nintendo Switch anti-piracy measures, further highlights this commitment.

A recent report from Denfaminicogamer (via VGC) sheds light on Nintendo's strategy, as detailed by Koji Nishiura, a patent attorney and Assistant Manager of Nintendo's Intellectual Property Division, at Tokyo eSports Festa 2025. Nishiura clarified that while emulators aren't inherently illegal, their use can become illegal depending on their functionality. Specifically, emulators that copy game programs or disable console security mechanisms may infringe on copyright laws. This is largely based on Japan's Unfair Competition Prevention Act (UCPA), which limits Nintendo's legal reach internationally.

The presentation used the Nintendo DS "R4" card as an example. This device allowed users to bypass the console's security, enabling the use of pirated games. Following legal action from Nintendo and other software manufacturers, the R4 was effectively outlawed in Japan in 2009 due to UCPA violations.

Nishiura also addressed "reach apps"—third-party tools that facilitate pirated software downloads within emulators. He cited examples such as the 3DS's "Freeshop" and the Switch's "Tinfoil" as potential copyright infringements. Nintendo's lawsuit against Yuzu highlighted the alleged one million pirated copies of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, linking the emulator's Patreon revenue ($30,000 monthly) to the provision of early access and special features.