Hacker Who Unlocked Nintendo Switch Will Have to Pay $4.5 Million

Gary Bowser will pay $4.5 million after pleading guilty to charges related to hacking a Nintendo handheld console.

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In 2020, Nintendo started going after several groups that were illegally hacking Nintendo Switch consoles and selling kits over the internet. In May 2020, Nintendo filed lawsuits against the hackers, leading to a legal battle that raged throughout the year.

Two separate lawsuits were filed by Nintendo last year, both aimed at groups of hackers who were manipulating the Nintendo Switch for their own profit. The first lawsuit was filed against several different websites, all associated with a hacking group called “Team Xecuter”.

The group was found to be creating kits to hack the Nintendo Switch, with these kits being sold on various associated websites. The second lawsuit was directed at “UberChips,” a piracy site run by Tom Dilts Jr.

Nintendo won the UberChips lawsuit in September 2020, leading to a $2 million settlement from the site and the destruction of any copyrighted property in its creator's possession. Then, in April 2021, Nintendo filed a lawsuit against Gary Bowser, an apparent leader of Team Xecuter who had previously been arrested on fraud charges.

A report from TorrentFreak reveals that Team Xecuter conspirator Gary Bowser has now pleaded guilty in Nintendo's lawsuit and will pay up to $4.5 million in restitution. The Canadian, who ironically shares the same name as Mario's fierce rival, was found guilty of advertising and trafficking the devices created by Team Xecuter.

The plea agreement, leaked by TorrentFreak, involves Bowser giving details about the hacking group and helping to locate any stolen assets. Team Xecuter is described in the document as a "cybercriminal enterprise" that has generated tens of millions of dollars in profits from the sale of "illegal devices".

While the final sentence has yet to be handed down, Bowser's guilty plea and offer to pay restitution likely increased the likelihood of a reduced sentence.

Nintendo takes leaks and hackers very seriously, going so far as to hunt down and track suspected leakers. Nintendo 3DS hacker Neimod was apparently kept under close surveillance by the beloved company, who documented their place of residence and daily routine for contacting them in case of breach of security.

Given the popularity of the Nintendo Switch, it should come as no surprise that the portable console is prone to hackers looking to access free content or make a profit. However, misusing Nintendo's hardware and infringing on the company's copyright is an easy way to get into serious trouble.

Those who profited from hacked Nintendo systems are quickly found, and there is almost always a large sum of money to pay in restitution. With Mario always managing to thwart the monstrous Bowser, it seems fitting that Nintendo has seemingly beaten hacker Gary Bowser in court as well.