Nintendo Intensifies Crackdown On YouTube Emulator Channels – Report

Nintendo has taken action against YouTube channels showcasing its games running on emulators, issuing copyright strikes against creators such as Retro Game Corps, which reviews devices capable of emulating classic consoles like the NES and Wii U. Time Extension was first to report.

Russ, the host of Retro Game Corps, shared on social media, “I hate making posts like this, but I received another copyright strike this morning. I’m going to have to change the way I make videos.” He revealed that a recent video demonstrating a Wii U emulator was removed at Nintendo’s request.

In a YouTube statement, Russ expressed concern about being specifically targeted by Nintendo. “It does appear that my worst fears are true,” he said. Russ added he is considering a counterclaim under fair use, arguing that his video was educational and did not impact the market for the original game. However, he remains hesitant to pursue legal action against a large corporation and plans to exclude Nintendo games from future content, saying, “I love using those games for my hardware demonstrations.”

In another development, Nintendo in September filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, alleging violations of multiple patent rights. The lawsuit, filed in the Tokyo District Court, seeks an injunction and compensation for damages. Despite these legal challenges, Palworld has achieved immense success, recently launching on PlayStation 5 after selling over 12 million copies on Steam.