Nintendo has reportedly become the latest victim of a large-scale cyberattack, with the hacker group Crimson Collective claiming responsibility for stealing over 570 GB of company data. Early reports suggest that the files may include developer assets, internal budgets, and unreleased production materials.
570 GB of Nintendo Data Allegedly Leaked
According to posts shared by members of the group, the breach allegedly exposed folders containing developer previews, production notes, and test data related to upcoming projects. Images of these folders circulated online, with the hackers taunting Nintendo by saying, “Who said we do not have Nintendo topics files?”
Nintendo has yet to release an official statement confirming or denying the claims. However, given the scale of the alleged data theft, this could mark one of the most serious digital intrusions the company has faced in years.
Crimson Collective is no stranger to major cyber incidents. The group has previously claimed responsibility for breaches involving cloud infrastructures used by companies such as Red Hat and Claro Colombia, as well as the temporary defacement of Nintendo’s website in September.
A Major Security Setback Amid Nintendo’s Strong Year
The breach arrives during what has otherwise been a milestone year for Nintendo. The Nintendo Switch 2 has exceeded expectations, selling more than 2.4 million units in the U.S. alone within its first three months. Titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza have also received strong receptions from players worldwide.
Still, this cyberattack threatens to overshadow that success if verified, as it could expose confidential assets and early development plans for upcoming titles.
Nintendo’s Previous Security Challenges
If confirmed, this would be Nintendo’s most significant data breach since 2020, when hackers accessed the accounts of over 160,000 Nintendo Network users tied to Wii and 3DS systems. That incident prompted the company to adopt stricter online security measures, including mandatory two-factor authentication for Nintendo accounts.
Meanwhile, Nintendo’s close partner Game Freak experienced its own security breach in August 2024, leading to one of the biggest Pokémon leaks in franchise history. Although Game Freak operates independently, its close relationship with Nintendo through The Pokémon Company highlights how intertwined and vulnerable shared infrastructures can be.
Awaiting Confirmation
As of now, no evidence suggests that player data or personal information has been compromised in the latest alleged breach. Still, if the hacker group’s claims hold true, this could have long-term implications for Nintendo’s security operations and its handling of sensitive internal content.
Nintendo has not yet responded to public inquiries, but industry analysts expect an official statement soon as the company investigates the legitimacy of the leaked files.
