UnlockSwitch replies to MIG Switch’s accusations in details, say they’ll show proof of original work, if MIG Switch is game
In the small but exciting world of Nintendo Switch flashcarts, some mini-drama has been going one lately with upcoming competition for the MIG Switch flashcart. MIG Switch team have been accusing an upcoming competitor, UnlockSwitch, of being a preorder scam. UnlockSwitch have now published a detail response to that, stating it will be their last communication on the matter. Bottom line, from their perspective, they are a legit competitor to MIG Switch (also, willing to prove their product is legit), and MIG Switch are just going for defamation as a scare tactic, to protect their business.
MIG Switch vs UnlockSwitch : the story so far
MIG Switch is a Flashcart device for the Nintendo Switch, that essentially allows you to load pirated games on an SD card, and play them on any Nintendo Switch. The device comes with significant limitations (including a risk of getting one’s console banned) but some on the scene consider it a viable alternative to hacking your Switch. (Again, a vastly superior – also much cheaper – option in my opinion since it gives you homebrew and Custom Firmware, but on most Switch consoles nowadays this requires soldering).
UnlockSwitch is a rumored clone of the MG Switch, yet to be released. The UnlockSwitch is planned to sell for $39, significantly undercutting the MIG Switch. A batch of “review” units was sent to youtubers over the past few days. For all intents and purposes, the UnlockSwitch appeared legit.
But MIG Switch have stated that the UnlockSwitch review units are actually re-skinned MIG Switch Units. They “questioned” why someone would do that, unless they are planning to work on a preorder scam (bringing hype for a product that doesn’t exist, take the money from preorders, then run).
UnlockSwitch initially did a short reply, stating they never took preorders in the first place.
UnlockSwitch Full reply to MIG Switch accusations
UnlockSwitch published a full reply (downloadable here) which I reproduce below. It’s quite long so here’s my TLDR:
MIG said UnlockSwitch is a scam. Unlock just replied, saying they’ll show their process under some conditions (including that MIG Switch need to provide transparency on their chips’ unique IDs). They added that MIG should look in a mirror (delays, etc…) & that MIG’s only reply in the face of legit competition is intimidation/defamation instead of getting their own sh*t together.
Now there are a few nuggets of information here, notably UnlockSwitch hinting at how the knowledge to build those flashcarts was acquired in the first place:
Both of us know the truth about the origin of the code and the IC’s
Some dark origins to how the Nintendo flashcarts were reverse engineered in the first place? Interesting for sure, but I’m assuming this one is a “well known secret” for those who know, but the rest of us will be kept in the dark forever.
Furthermore, UnlockSwitch accuse MIG Switch of being behind some websites that pretend to be unlockSwitch resellers, only to drive bad publicity to the UnlockSwitch. At this point I personally think there is no bad publicity for them. If UnlockSwitch can actually deliver, they’ll be considered at least as legit as MIG Switch.
The full statement from UnlockSwitch:
Dear Team MIG Switch ,
We’ll get straight to the point:
First of all, YES we have the files,at this stage for us,it’s a detail .
Both of us know the truth about the origin of the code and the IC’s , you have just shown the world your fear of competition, of losing market share, a total loss of your means,in other words : Making less money.
Now, if you are as so confident as you claim and wish to conduct more extensive tests, it’s easy , share the entire production list of your IC’s numbers publicly, including everything from the first production to today, share to us your “analysis” software , post the precise process we need to follow, and ensure clarity.
We will produce some samples just for you, they will be tested, IC’s serial number extracted, and we will see if they are on your list.
We’ll shot a comprehensive demo video on our side using The UnlockSwitch V3R1 sample based on ICE40/ESP32S. The video will covering everything from start to finish, including the extraction of serial numbers , even in 4K resolution and Dolby Atmos sound if you wish …
The result of the exports will be posted online.
All in public, as you began it.
This condition is valid only with the complete listing of your IC’s in advance not after .
If you don’t want to do it, just keep living your life in your own space, we will do the same.Next:
The failure , the fiasco of your lunch must have really affected you,our arrival must have unsettled you.
According to our information, a third team is also working on it; it doesn’t bother us. We hope you will start your acceptance process.
You’re accusing us of something you did, if it were a scam, we would have started taking pre-orders from the first day after the posts of our two functional UnlockSwitch demonstration videos.
We didn’t wait for your accusations to notify on X that we were not yet available for pre-order.
Since announcing the selling price, the demand hasn’t stopped. If someone finds any exchange from us involving the sale of a part, please share it on X from today onwards.
We recognize that our stated selling price of 39 usd might be concerning to you, but we believe it’s appropriate for this type of product. The world is in crisis, it’s the recession, look at the news on the Internet/TV .
No emails have been created to communicate with us; we chose to be transparent on X from day one. The only possible exchange today is through DMs on X. Nothing else.
All exchanges on X are visible to everyone. We have refused all requests for purchase or pre-order of 1/100/500/1000/2000+ pieces, absolutely nothing, zero,nada.
Where do you perceive a scam in this situation….
You must have a twisted mind to invent such a scam scenario or be part of such a dark environment, we believe.The questions to ask is:
Who bothers who ?
Who is launching the rumor?
The direct competitor themselves.
Who created a fake website under UnlockSwitch name (unlockswitchstore.com) and a fake YouTube channel with the name UnlockSwitch to redirect it to their distributor page two weeks later? Not very clever…
Who took pre-orders , took advance payment to initiate production and deliver 2-3 months later?
Not us…
Who contacted reviewers like a desperate mouse to conduct team tests?
“ We’re not mad at you NickMoses05 for unintentionally being part of this story . You just wanted to be transparent and do well, and we respect that.”
Our final product the UnlockSwitch, we repeat, again again and again is not yet available. Relax, sell yours.
You’re in a hurry to sell and make a lot of USDT, from our side we prefer to take our time and do things properly. It might be the project of your life, but not for us.
Today, the Switch has sold 139 million units worldwide, ensuring you won’t be left with unsold stock. The R4 and all clones remains on sale even 16 years later.
Did you believe that you alone would supply the entire planet?
Are you running a production line like Foxconn company ? Stay dignified and humble, gather your thoughts.
You were the first to arrive with this solution for the switch, it’s true ,today we are present, tomorrow there will be others, it has always been like this, we’re not telling you anything new.
If you want to talk to us, there’s no need for remote attacks. We’ve seen the intrusions; you seem very motivated… a simple DM on X is enough , you’re very welcome.
During your intrusion did gather evidence to support your allegations, or did just look at our discussions ,contacts …
On our side , we will analyze most of what has been done , no stress, we avoid negativity.
We think the hype surrounding our product in under 3 weeks has truly unsettled you guys about your business, keep your focus on your brand, concentrate on your mass production, above all , deliver your customers on time and sell in bulk.
We wish you the best !
Your stories about delivery delays due to stock shortages are completely false. It’s just that you launched your production in a tight flow.
We can put you in touch with distributors in China , the stock is available .
We all have contacts…
You can even take global stock of ICE40/ESP32S if you wish; here, we’re already onto another IC’s, it’s working quite well .Thanks for the pass:
Yes, our product is based on the concept of yours, but our final version is clean without any stolen code, making it completely different, even more “ legally, a bit less risky, let’s say” sound than yours in the end.
Save your strength for Nintendo; you’re fighting the wrong battle.
Illegality is on your side, not ours.
Until proven otherwise, we don’t sell a product with hidden Switch Games download links.
In reality, it’s just stupid , you have a good product ( The dumper ) for making backups. In place of selling a 2-in-1 set, Instead of choosing a commercial strategy to highlight the product as a personal game backup solution, you went with 100% piracy, your dark side once again.In conclusion:
Your only goal was to slow us down by any means, we understood that well.
Nothing illegal from our side since day one, no scams past , present or future.
It’s just business, no ego issues here.
We’ll just act like grown-ups, each on our own starting today, and focus on our products
We’ve accepted the attacks in public and in private , now onto the next thing. ,we stay focused.
We don’t engage in virtual warfare with you; we simply respond to your attacks and accusations in public.
This is the one and only time we’ll reach out to you; there will be no further communication on this matter, we won’t waste any more time doing this. Once again, you can DM us directly if you wish.
We are prepared for just one thing : the video demo ( IC’s extraction of serial numbers )
We hope we’ve been clear enough in this letter. it’s just a waste of time to the readers
Now, we’re going back to work on our products; we truly love it.
Best regards,
Team UnlockSwitch
Source: UnlockSwitch
For me, I do want to get a Switch flash cart to use on my banned hacked Switch for the ability to have the ability to get around the current size limitations of microSD cards. While these flash carts don’t bring Homebrew, what they do bring is away to use more than one large microSD card to store games. It would be nice to be able to store all Switch games I have bought on the Switch since as far as I know you can’t use multiple microSD cards on the same Switch. Being able to use 2 1.5TB microSD cards simultaneously is great for my use case. Switch games are getting bigger. It’s a pain to have to keep deleting and installing games plus with the limited lifespan of microSD cards it would be nice to not have to write to it any more than needed.
That’s a good point. Some games on the console are indeed huge, and super high capacity SD cards are still really expensive
They are selling us for utter buffoons.
I wouldn’t be surprised if both producers were actually the same party and the drama is just there to gain attention.
They should release their cards and let the reviewers decide which is better, if at all.
If you don’t want to get scammed- do not pre-order.
The Cards will always find their way to the market and there probably will be an „off-brand“ MIGSwitch or Unlockwhatever in no-time.
LMAO. After reading that, unlockswitch is definitely shady at best, and complete thieves at worst.
In past leaks on Nintendo there was a datasheet with the SPI interface of the flash interface, I’m pretty sure this is just being emulated with these devices.
I’ve not touched my Switch in over a year, but would love to hack or crack it!
Most of the requirements have already been known as well, Yuzu likely had to emulate bits and pieces in a similar fashion.
When Nintendo comes knocking with their lawyers lets see who takes ownership like they’re doing now
I doubt the MIG team has the *** to play that game. At this point the only thing that keeps them credible is the uncertainty of their claims unless this is just a huge bluff.
Anyway, if UnlockSwitch turns out to be the real deal, I’m certain almost nobody would want a MIG Switch anymore, unless it’s being sold for 20 bucks, because if you make up false accusations about a competitor out of pure greed, this is usually frowned upon.
For that price of $39 I’d buy two of them, honestly, while I would think twice about buying a MIG Switch even without all that drama.
This is pure nonsense. Either Unlock Switch is a scam that will take money and never deliver units, or it’s Feds using drama to bait MIG into exposing themselves. There is no way they’d be doing this if there was a legitimate product to sell. Those units would just appear one day for $35 and the product would sell itself.
They dropped a tactical nuke.
The truth? I want to… I won’t. If they question that someone outside of their not friends circle knows my proof? I wrote the Xbox-Scene Xbox live protocol article with internal memos and design documents that almost got a bunch of us sued in record time.
You boys… I don’t like it.
The truth? I want to… I won’t. If they question that someone outside of their not friends circle knows my proof? I wrote the Xbox-Scene Xbox live protocol article with internal memos and design documents that almost got a bunch of us sued in record time.
You boys… I don’t like it.
The truth? I want to… I won’t. If they question that someone outside of their not friends circle knows my proof? I wrote the Xbox-Scene Xbox live protocol article with internal memos and design documents that almost got a bunch of us sued in record time.
You boys… I don’t like it.
I ordered the migswitch and it’s feeling like a scam too. Haven’t received it after like 3 months after preorder. Very little communication from them. Attempted to email them for an update of what’s going on and got no response. I eventually had to contact my credit card company. I would not recommend ordering one until it’s finally out if it ever is.
Is this product even worth all this fuss? IIRC, Nintendo can still patch the exploit being used here no? What is the benefit to using this over the SD card slot? I saw a review and you can’t even order the games, it’s basically a dice roll taking it in and out to get to the game you want. Idk maybe I’m missing something but this seems like a whole lot of arguing over a product that isn’t really doing anything helpful
This honestly has the flavour of a couple of 12 year olds arguing in the schoolyard.
Same deal as the spat over who had the best ODE for the Saturn. The only winners are the ones who actually put their money where their mouth is and ship a product. Everything else is just hollow talk and posturing