this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2026
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Piracy: ꜱᴀɪʟ ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪɢʜ ꜱᴇᴀꜱ

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The correct term is: bootleg, in this case. As in for example: the real Switch 2 is expensive, so bootleg imitations (knock offs) exist sold for cheap. You can encounter that in a literal market where they are selling fake iPhones, watches, handbags & etc.

You could 3D print a game console but it’ll be obvious as it won’t work without internal components (GPU / CPU), you need to obtain a schematic of its design in order to really create a copy. An iPhone is made from aluminum for example.

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[–] oatscoop@midwest.social 16 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Yes, but realistically only for much older hardware. Usually such "counterfeit" systems are based around an FPGA, e.g. MiSTer. The advantage is the hardware itself doesn't violate IP laws since it's a generic FPGA, while the legally questionable "programing" to make it copy a console's architecture (e.g. an N64) can distributed through decentralized channels on the internet.

Sometimes you'll get a reverse engineered System on a Chip like the C64 Direct to TV, but only where there's little to no risk of getting sued.

With modern hardware your end product will almost certainly be more expensive than the real deal (if you're able to pull it off in the first place). The company whose hardware you're copying is also far more motivated to find and destroy you. Hacking the real hardware to run pirated games makes much more sense.

[–] Shadow@lemmy.ca 14 points 1 day ago

Not for any modern console. Easier to sell you a portable android box that can run emulators.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 points 1 day ago

you can try to emulate certain games from consoles on a PC, but its limited.

[–] MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm pretty sure there's open source schematics for making NES's and GameBoy's, no emulation or FPGAs, just using off the shelf chips.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 1 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

Schematics are one thing, being able to market and sell them another. The older Nintendo consoles are basically public domain now, or whatever the patent equivalent is. Anyone can make their own modern NES hardware if they have the ability and desire.

But you wouldn't be able to do so with the Switch 1 or 2. The Wii. The Wii U. GameCube, maybe? I know for sure the NES and SNES are open. I know for sure the current gen isn't. Not sure about in between tho.

If you reverse engineered the Switch 2 (as the schematics are not publicly available afaik) and designed your own version of it, that would be a form of "piracy" if you also tried to sell it. Not sure the legality of simply making such a thing that only you, the creator, would use tho. I am curious about that.

[–] Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

It's not very viable compared to just generic handhelds and mini-PCs that can run emulators or pirated PC/android games.

It's common for very low cost machines like famiclones tho.

[–] ButteredBread@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

People managed to run ios without apple parts?

[–] kkj@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

No, it's just Android. If you're lucky, it's less than 5 years old and has an iOS skin, but they don't always put in that much effort.

[–] ButteredBread@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 hours ago

lame but understandable.

[–] CallMeAl@piefed.zip 0 points 1 day ago

Seems like you answered your own question