While the Nintendo Switch gets big, neat updates fairly regularly, there are also sometimes quieter downloads that happen without the user knowing or having to do anything. These updates typically focus on the console’s “banned word list.”
As we reported earlier this year:
Nintendo maintains a list of “bad words” to prohibit Switch users from creating accounts that reference certain phrases that could be considered controversial or offensive. In 2020, the list was updated to add “Nazi”, “Slave”, “KKK”, “ACAB” and “Covid”, among others. In the course of 2022, insults, rude language and various spelling mistakes from Hitler became more and more frequent.
In February, words like “ISIS”, the conservative collective term “Groomer” and the names of the Sandy Hook assassin were added as part of changes discovered and published by longtime Switch dataminer OatmealDomewho tweeted earlier today that the list has been updated again.
“A no-reboot update is available for 16.0.3”, they write
It appears that the word “TERF” (trans-exclusionary Radical Feminist) is also included, which may indicate that delayed switch version from Hogwarts Legacy gets closer release.
Keep in mind that this isn’t just a general list of words that Nintendo doesn’t like, it’s aimed specifically at user account names and thus goes beyond a few rude, nasty words. As OatmealDome points out in the aftermath
The swear word lists should not be viewed solely as a list of insults. It contains everything from “Stoner” to “Covid” to real life insults. I would interpret it as “lists of words on controversial topics that are not suitable for games that minors might play”.
If you’re wondering what other words make the list, I’m glad you asked (especially if you’re a 10-year-old) because a sampling of the highlights includes:
- ballsack
- bong
- Chatroulette
- cocaine
- Donkey
- seed
- testicles