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 legal advice preventing a full Steam release of the Gamecube/Wii emulator Dolphin in 2023 due to Nintendo's legal pressure. The 2023 case against Gary Bowser, who sold devices circumventing Nintendo Switch anti-piracy measures, resulted in a $14.5 million judgment.
A Nintendo patent attorney, Koji Nishiura, recently shed light on the company's strategy at Tokyo eSports Festa 2025. While emulators aren't inherently illegal, Nishiura clarified that their use can become illegal under certain circumstances. Specifically, emulators that copy game programs or disable console security measures may infringe on copyright. This is primarily based on Japan's Unfair Competition Prevention Act (UCPA), limiting Nintendo's international legal reach.
Nishiura used the Nintendo DS "R4" card as an example. This device allowed users to bypass security and run pirated games. A successful lawsuit, involving Nintendo and 50 other software companies, resulted in the R4 being effectively outlawed in Japan in 2009.
He further explained that tools facilitating pirated software downloads within emulators, termed "reach apps" in Japanese law, also violate copyright. Examples include the 3DS's "Freeshop" and the Switch's "Tinfoil."
Nintendo's lawsuit against Yuzu cited one million pirated copies of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, highlighting the alleged $30,000 monthly Patreon income generated through providing subscribers with early access and special features.
