One unlucky Nintendo fan who finally managed to score themselves a Switch 2 quickly discovered their second-hand purchase came with a huge caveat.
Explaining on the Switch 2 subreddit how they had been checking Walmart stores for the console between work gigs, the user said they “couldn’t believe” their luck when they finally found a store with one in stock.
Aware that the Switch 2 was a second-hand return, the user was told by a store employee that the console was an “open box return.” Besides a used Mario Kart World code, everything appeared as new.
Once they returned home, booted the device, and finished the setup, however, they were greeted with an unwelcome message. “Get home and go to finish the setup – quickly get Error Code 2124-4508. A quick Google search shows me I’m screwed. F**k my life.”
What does Error Code 2124-4508 mean?
The message accompanying a 2124-4508 error code reads, “The use of online services on this console is currently restricted by Nintendo.”
While the use of “currently” suggests the measure could be temporary, Nintendo Support‘s page states, “This error code indicates that the Nintendo Switch console you are using has been permanently [emphasis added] banned from connecting to the internet due to a breach of the user agreements.”
“Fraudulent or unauthorized transactions” is listed as one activity liable to get the console banned from online use, but it’s far from the only offender.
Following an update before the Switch 2’s launch, Nintendo’s User Agreement now states that modifications to the console, including to make playing of pirated games possible, could result in the associated Nintendo account and/or console being made “permanently unusable in whole or in part.”
Earlier this month, some Switch 2 owners claimed that using a third-party cartridge, or MIG-Switch, in their console had resulted in the same outcome.
Fortunately for the unfortunate second-hand Switch 2 owner, “Walmart accepted the return without any fuss.”
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