Cop Gets in Trouble After Playing Switch for 17 Hours While on Duty

A Japanese police officer recently found themselves in hot water after being reported for playing their Nintendo Switch while on duty for the Tenri Police Station. The handheld-home console hybrid from Nintendo took the world by storm following its release, quickly becoming a hot-ticket item for the iconic Japanese game studio. The Switch has sold more than 130 million units throughout the seven years since its launch, sitting comfortably among the top 5 best-selling video game consoles of all-time. Now, a Japanese police officer’s love for the console has gotten them in trouble.

Since the Switch’s launch, Nintendo has regularly billed the console as the premier destination for families with gamers of all ages. Nintendo’s biggest franchises lean heavily into games appealing to a broad range of fans, with Super Mario and Pokemon regularly marketed as family-oriented games and made accessible for all levels of players. Nintendo’s family approach has even extended to award shows, with last year’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder winning “Best Family Game” at the 2023 Game Awards. However, a recent story is a reminder for fans to keep their love for the Nintendo console in check.

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Japanese Police Officer Gets in Trouble for Playing Switch While On Duty

As reported by Dexerto, a police officer with the Tenri Police Station in Japan’s Nara prefecture was recently reprimanded for playing their Nintendo Switch while on duty. According to the report, the officer had used their Switch within the police department’s break room multiple times while on shift, adding up to a total of seventeen hours. The wrongdoing was discovered during an inspection of the police department’s break room, finding that the Switch was still connected to the TV. The police department confirmed it would be deducting the hours spent on the Switch from the officer’s salary.

The Japanese police officer’s infraction comes as an amusing testament to the overwhelming popularity of Nintendo’s handheld console. The latter half of 2023 and early 2024 has seen a plethora of major releases for the Nintendo console, including the previously mentioned Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario RPG. Nintendo also has several high-profile games lined up for the coming months, with Princess Peach: Showtime launching late last week and Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD debuting in June.

While the Switch remains one of gaming’s most beloved platforms, leaks and rumors have begun to tease the console’s successor. The rumored “Switch 2” is expected to have hardware surpassing that of Sony’s PS4, while maintaining the Switch’s mix of portable and home console design. Rumors have also suggested the Switch 2 may be on the way sooner than later, with recent insider information hinting at a Q1 2025 release window for the Switch 2. Nintendo’s next home console will look to build on the success that has made the Switch a household name in gaming.

Nintendo Switch

$210 $300 Save $90

The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid portable and home console that aims to be the only gaming system anyone needs. The hybrid controller is an undisputed success because it provides a high degree of portable visual quality and converts easily into a home console.

Brand

Nintendo

Battery

1 Lithium Polymer batteries required

Dimensions

13.7 x 7.8 x 3.66 inches

Weight

2.65 pounds