Whenever a new product comes out some look for a cheaper or even free way to enjoy it without spending out on the real thing. Scammers often tap into those desires, and have naturally done so with the Nintendo Switch.
We suspect most reading these pages know better than to click on links promising 'emulators' and whatnot for the system, but enough have been caught out by scams for the Federal Trade Commission in the US to post an official consumer warning.
Details are below.
If you can't get your hands on a Nintendo Switch gaming system, you may think an emulator is the next best thing. Think again. Online ads for emulators, sometimes with Nintendo branding, say they can run Switch's games on your desktop. But there is no legit Nintendo Switch emulator. It's a scam.
Even worse, when you try to download a Nintendo Switch emulator, you can install unwanted applications on your computer. These apps give you misleading information about computer problems that aren't really there, then ask you to pay to fix them.
Other times, when you go to an emulator site, you get a link to a survey that you must complete to get a code to unlock the emulator. Again, the emulator doesn't really exist. Don't give personal information and don't sign up for anything requiring your credit card information. You're still not getting an emulator.
What can you do to avoid this scam?
- Don't download anything that says it's a Nintendo Switch emulator.
- Don't complete a survey to get an "unlock code." That's a red flag for a scam.
- Keep your security software current. Set it to update automatically. Installing unknown programs can lead to malware.
- Play Nintendo Switch at your friend's house until you're able to buy the real one yourself.
It's good that the FTC is stepping in, as it's easy for people to be drawn in by apps making impossible promises. As is made clear, the only way to enjoy the Switch is to save up the pennies and cents to get one.
[source consumer.ftc.gov]
Comments 60
I'm sure the idiots of the Internet will pay attention.
....lol, yeah if there's a working emulator, they're going to go for it.
The Switch is a virus.
Where's the NES Mini scam warning? Those are harder to get than a Switch.
I love that last tip.
"Play Nintendo Switch at a friends house..."
I don't have any friends though...🙁
Shhhh. Don't tell them.
There is really nothing worthwhile to emulate on the Switch. It has Zelda, but that's on Wii U, and that's about it.
Now if only they could do something about that Wii U emulator.
Ha! A functional Switch emulator already. Like thats going to happen. The only Switch experience they're getting is money switching from their bank account to some theives pocket.
@rjejr Well, technically a "scam" if you buy one and don't get it.
It's a shame for people out there just trying to cheat anything in general. I was never in to knockoffs or cheap imitations of anything... craziness
Lol really?! I don't know what to say here. Paid for stuff ppl.
IMO people who want to try and "cheat" the system deserve to be scammed.
Wanted to write a detailed comment about karma for attempting to acquire something likely to be used for illegal activity but I fear I'll be opening a can of worms I have no desire to be a part of.
Even though I just did.
Well, you wanna play the system then be prepared for potential consequences.
that is exectly what one of my friends is doeing he doesnt have a switch yet and i do so he comes gaming at my home . and it a lot more fun gaming with 2
@Alshain01
There is really nothing worthwhile to emulate on the Switch. It has Zelda, but that's on Wii U, and that's about it
I'm sure the masses will take comfort in knowing they can just whip out their Wii Us that everyone owns to play Zelda.
@JaxonH There is a Wii U emulator. But please, don't let your lack of intelligence get in the way of your sarcasm.
...Since when has the FTC cared about being a nanny state organization and issuing warnings to the public about scams regarding video game devices? Considering the massive usurping of the governmental regulations on the market, with the current corporate coup d'etat of the US government at the highest levels, don't they have bigger fish to fry right now? They should be combating fraud and abuse in the national marketplace, not spending resources on informing people to wait for tech product shipments.
As a side note, this may further highlight the red light, green light momentum of the NS. Not everyone who wants an NS can find one right now, because the next major shipment is late April/early May. So I guess some of them fell for some odious trap.
@Alshain01
You can just tell when someone gets angry.
Don't be offended your lack of intelligence led to my sarcasm
@Alshain01 @JaxonH Oh my. Is it getting hot in here? tugs collar Someone's going to take their shirt off and "whip out their Wii U" sooner or later...
@Yorumi Why is it always $10mil? $10k would be much more believable. They could say, "I will send you 10k" and then they send a 10 k(ilo) weight.
@PlywoodStick Whoa, Its burning in here. Maybe we'll need a SWITCH in attitude. Or at least EMULATE a reasonable one.
Well its a good thing I hate playing with emulators I realised a longtime ago those Emulation sites are pretty seedy. Plus they are full of scams and filled with an array of all sorts of viruses. Its actually been at least 10 years since I visited one and they were very suspicious back then.
Cue the bait and switch jokes.
@CosmicLight Welcome to the Nintendo Life comment sections. I hope you enjoy your stay. Please fasten your seatbelt, it's going to be a bumpy ride. In more ways than one.
@Yorumi But what is it that attracts the idiot? Is it the big numbarz, or the bad grammar? (WO, dey heve bade grammer 2!)
@JaxonH You're right, I can tell you're angry, and I'm sitting laughing about it.
@PlywoodStick In most cases it's not always idiots, just not tech savy. Of course the "Switch emulator" is pretty specific so that really is idiots, but the Nigerian prince scam dates back to a time when people weren't tech savy or skeptical enough over internet e-mails.
@PlywoodStick Oh, i'm ready. I just hope I'm not SCAMMED out of a good experience. Corny jokes are fun.
Wow my friend's mother's cousin is making $870+ a month with this one weird trick!
When there is a emulator for switch or its been hacked, there are specific sites to let you know, any other site isn't worth bothering with.
Please don't say where to find that information. -Meowpheel
@NintySnesMan Thank you for letting us know where to go for emulating the NS in the future!
The wording here is awfully candid for an official FTC release.
Did Nintendo tap into an intern to say "please don't infringe on Nintendo's copyright" ?? Stability updates incoming.......
Are there people falling for those scams?!.... How stupid can people get?
Sigh.... At least I appreaciate the tone of the FTC. It seems not even the one who had to write this warning could believe it.
@rjejr That scam is already covered by the scalpers, so it's good...
desire is the bane of human existence
@ottospooky
Preach.
My computer just told me I have 5 virus from Facebook and Twitter and that I need to call their number immediately!
But really, anyone who emulates a currently avaliable console or game deserves to be scammed.
Nope
Tsk, tsk. These people are falling for one of the oldest tricks in the internet scammer book. If it's too good to be true, then it probably is.
Hopefully, nobody starts falling for cold calls to install a Switch emulator on their Windows PC next.
You don't need a Switch! All you need is a PC and Steam! (And money of course)
BOTW? Nah! Oceanhorn!
1-2 Switch? Nope! Jackbox Party Packs.
Snipperclips? No! Uhhhh how about Portal 2?
Mario Kart? How about iRacing?
Arms? Try Gang Beasts.
Splatoon 2? Go play Counter-strike
Super Mario Odyssey? Hmmmm...
Well......
JUST GO BUY A SWITCH OKAY?
Well, that's a duh. Who wants to emulate a switch anyway. GameCube. Yum. PS2 yes please. Dream cast you better believe it, but Switch. Why? It just came out. You are going to buy the games from the console.
I'm hoping to soup up my Wii U in about a year. Not the Switch. That is just dumb. I wonder what technology will get me?
I told you I was going to do this. One call to the FBI there you go. And where ever I see this poop I'm going to report it.
@Yorumi Take it, what could happen? Could I have your SSN and bank account number? My cousin's uncle's best friend won the lottery and he wants to share the wealth.
Cheetah ?! (I mean Cheater)
Poof...!!!
Enjoy your "Cheetah", Cheater !
@Anti-Matter Don't you mock Cheatah the Cheetah! He will bowl you over! HERE HE COMES...
BOOOOOM!!
"Play Nintendo Switch at your friend's house until you're able to buy the real one yourself."
That's the last thing I expected to see on that list.
@MrSlippyFist Whose alt might you be, hm? Anyone want to play a round of "Guess Who's Hiding Behind An Alt On The Internet?" If it's who I think it is, then for shame, for shame.
@Nintenerdguy: "In this life the only things that are free are salvation through Jesus Christ, apps that are free," - I agree with ya there, & add "the gift of living".
@Everyone_Else: Ha! That Nigerian prince gave me his entire kingdom, save for that money he gave away. Giving all that stuff away, he must be generous. I happen to know the right people.
There probably is a NS emulator somewhere in the works; not necessarily functioning, like an actual NS, but somewhat functioning, at the very least. It's been taken apart, so tech-savy people know the system's innards; that might include firmware in the various chips.
@CosmicLight I recall I had a gba emulator before it released. So its possible.
@Alshain01 wow. Nice spitpost.
@Spiders Thanks, I guess.
I'm still waiting for the PS4 pro emulator for our lovely console that let you play PS 4 games on 4k using Switch.
@Spiders You missed the part where someone went out of their way to create an alt account today (MrSlippyFist) just for the purpose of calling Alshain... a word that rhymes with blunt. So there's some history there. (Their post got rekt by mods. )
I thought that the whole point of the Switch was that you didn't need to go to a friend's house to play it. You can play it anywhere.
@sillygostly Well the alternative is to have the buddy come to me if I don't have one, but I do, so...
@Luna_110 Too many people in this world want something for nothing. So not surprising that idiots fall for these scams if you think about it.
@Uncensored Oh really, was it functional or low FPS. When I said functional I meant High FPS with graphical stuff emulated decently.
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