United Kingdom, May 18 -- Nintendo has reserved the right to render devices "permanently unusable" if users are filling them with pirated games.

The Japanese games designer has wanted them that if those who play the Nintendo Switch without buying games through them, they can brick a console - a term used to describe a electronic device that is made completely unresponsive and can't function or be easily repaired - as a punishment.

The new agreement reads: "You acknowledge that if you fail to comply with the foregoing restrictions, Nintendo may render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part."

It is as-yet-unclear just how Nintendo will implement their bricking feature....