Over 160,000 Nintendo Accounts May Have Been Hacked, Nintendo Confirms

Nintendo has confirmed on Friday, April 24 that over 160,000 Nintendo accounts may have been hacked. In relation to this, important information such as your real name, birth date, and emails may have been accessed.

In their press release, they have said that they have confirmed the reports of unauthorized Nintendo Account access and urges its users to reset their passwords and their information.

The company expressed that it reached their attention that login IDs and passwords have been obtained illegally by sources outside their service and may be impersonating users to accessing their Nintendo Network IDs since the start of April. They also confirmed that there was illegal access to such through Nintendo Network ID system.

In relation to this issue, users cannot log into their Nintendo account via the Nintendo Network ID effective today. Furthermore, all passwords will be reset for Nintendo Network IDs and all other Nintendo accounts that may have been illegally accessed.

NintendoLife has shared in how to set up a two-step verification for your Nintendo Switch Account which are as follows:

1. Go to the Nintendo Account website and sign in to your Nintendo Account.
2. Select Sign-in and security settings, then scroll down to 2-Step Verification and click Edit.
3. Click 2-Step Verification settings.
4. Click Send email to have a verification code sent to the email address on file.

1.                   If the email address is incorrect, click the Email address menu setting under User Info to change it.

5. Enter the verification code from the email, then Submit.
6. Install the Google Authenticator app on your smart device.

0. This is a free app, available through Google Play (Android) and the App Store (iOS).
6. Use the smart device app to scan the QR code displayed on your Nintendo Account screen.
7. A 6-digit verification code will appear on your smart device. Enter the verification code into the field under step 3 on the Nintendo Account screen, then Submit.
8. A list of backup codes will appear. Click Copy to copy all the codes, then paste them somewhere safe.

0. A backup code will be required to log in if you don’t have access to the Google Authenticator app. MAKE SURE TO KEEP THESE SOMEWHERE SAFE.
1. You can use these (one time each) if you do not have access to the Google Authenticator app.
9. Click I have saved the backup codes, then OK.

0. Once set, you can return to the 2-step verification settings section to review the backup codes and remove the 2-step restriction.

Those who are looking forward to order a Nintendo Switch in Japan, sad to say that you might not be getting it very soon as Nintendo announced previously that will not be shipping Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch lite units for the beginning of April and will only be limited to pre-orders.

It’s no question that since the rise of COVID-19 cases and the public is urged to stay at home, the demands for a Nintendo Switch has been on great demand.

If you are itching to get a Nintendo Switch this year, you better get it soonest while stocks are still available. In a report released by business news company Bloomberg last Februrary, shortages of the popular handheld console will “likely” happen in April for the United States and Europe due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This is because of the delays of production of the console’s components in China as well as its final assembly in Vietnam.

These delays might affect the units that are slated to arrive in April this year.

Japan might be experiencing a little drought as well when it comes to supplies of Nintendo Switch as Nintendo confirmed that both production and shipments of their current popular console is delayed due to the Coronavirus outbreak. This delay also includes other official peripherals for the console like its Joy-Con controllers.

In relation to this, Nintendo has also reviewed that its popular Nintendo Switch game Ring Fit Adventure was also on a shortage in Japan as shipments are delayed.

To those who are still hoping to get themselves a Nintendo Switch and expecting a new model to be released this year, you might have to choose from the previous released models as it was recently revealed during Nintendo’s financial results briefing that no new model will be released for the console this year.

Although there will be no new Nintendo Switch model will be out on the market this year, a special edition Nintendo Switch design was revealed in theme of the upcoming release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This new design is slated to be released on March 13, just a couple of days ahead of the games official release date which is on March 20. An “Aloha Edition” carrying case will also be made available for the Switch Lite owners.

The recent model, which is the Nintendo Switch Lite handheld was officially released last September 2019. This compact version of the original Nintendo Switch console (first released on March 3, 2017) is only made exclusively for handheld gameplay and you would not be able to connect it to your television. The first version of the Nintendo Switch sold around 52.48 million units worldwide as of December 31 last year. In around three months until December 31, Nintendo solar around 10.81 million units.

In the case of other gaming consoles, Microsoft has confirmed to they will be releasing its Xbox Series X console, while Sony has confirmed the release of the highly anticipated PlayStation 5. Both consoles are expected to released on the market on the 2020 holiday season.

Currently people are hooked with Animal Crossing: New Horizons which was released on March 20.

About Animal Crossing: New Horizons (as Described by Nintendo)

Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.

Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online* or with others beside you**, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.

Source: NintendoLife