Nearly seven years into the console’s lifespan, an unofficial “Switch Flash Cart” has been announced by a third party.

This product is called the “MIG Switch“, and describes itself as a “Backup & Development Device” that is compatible with all forms of the Nintendo Switch without any additional modification. For those who are not aware, a flash cart is a device that allows consoles to read data from SD cards in the game cartridge slot, which can be used to develop homebrew games and or backup data.

Although this generally sounds harmless, flash carts are typically used as a means to pirate official games released for the console of choice. ROMS for games can be downloaded and placed onto the SD card, inserted into the flash cart, and then played on an actual console. Similar carts have been created for Nintendo’s past handhelds, including the 3DS and DS.

What makes the MIG Switch interesting however is its claim that it can run on unmodified Switch hardware. Previously, players would need to go through a lengthy process to modify their Switch console in order to play ROMs, but the team behind the MIG Switch says that this will not be necessary to use their product. They even go as far as to say that their method cannot be blocked by a firmware update, should Nintendo decide to take such action.

The MIG Switch is planned to release in 2024, and if it works as advertised, will likely have significant effects on the general playerbase. On one hand, it will give players a more convenient means to backup their Switch save data, particularly for games such as Pokemon which do not support cloud saves. On the other hand, it will also make it much easier for players to enjoy pirated games, especially since major Switch titles often leak at least a week before the official launch.

Whatever the case, Nintendo will likely not be too happy about this product, meaning it could get shot down before it really takes off. Stay tuned for more updates as they come.

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