Nintendo data leak

Nintendo data leak
DateMarch 2018–present
Public release: May 31, 2018 – present[1]
Also known asNintendo Gigaleak
TypeData breach
TargetNintendo Co., Ltd.
SuspectsZammis Clark

The Nintendo data leak, also known as the Nintendo Gigaleak, is a series of leaks of data from the Japanese video game company Nintendo on the anonymous imageboard website 4chan. The leak started in March 2018, but became most prominent in 2020.[2] Ten main sets of data leaked on 4chan, ranging from game and console source code to internal documentation and development tools. The name "Gigaleak" mainly refers to the second leak on July 24, 2020, which was 3 gigabytes in size. The leaks are believed to have come from companies contracted by Nintendo in the design of these consoles,[3] and/or from individuals previously convicted of intrusion into Nintendo systems.[4][5][6] An earlier, much smaller leak had also occurred in 2018 which contained the Nintendo Space World 1997 demos for Pokémon Gold and Silver.[7]

The leaks are infamous for the sheer size and the amount of internal material leaked; video game journalists have described the magnitude of the leaks as unprecedented, and suggested that they might have significant effects for emulation and to preservationists, in addition to the legal questions posed by the leak. In June 2022, Nintendo acknowledged the leaks whilst assuring an increase to their overall security.

  1. ^ "/vp/ – Pokémon » Thread #43255621". archive.nyafuu.org. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "Zammis Clark Breach". RGDWiki. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference vgc may2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Warren, Tom (March 28, 2019). "Security researcher pleads guilty to hacking into Microsoft and Nintendo". The Verge. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference BIS: Source was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference PCMag: Source was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Patino, Martin (June 2018). "Leaked Pokemon Gold and Silver Beta Demos Show Features Cut From Final Games". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.