Just to be clear, this isn't brick on a whim, this is disabling access to online services on a whim.

Seems a lot of commenters are getting that confused due to not opening the link.

Online Services, including any digital purchases which could be into the hundreds of dollars in value.

Yes, although if one is buying used, then you're likely already avoiding digital purchases through this online service.

So just keep buying used. Pretty easy workaround.

Do we know if it blocks you from downloading "game key" cards? In that case you're effectively stuck with Switch 1 titles. Not that you should need a "workaround" for being punished because someone else did something.

So not being able to download any of the games you have purchased ever again?

Article says you can still play those, just not re-download on the same system it seems.

ah, very reasonable...

While not technically bricking, the restrictions are very heavy, especially considering that you can run into the situation innocently. Buying something with the possibility of this is a risk, and OP is very understandable for not liking this risk.

My current policy is that I simply will not pay money for a game that requires access to online services to function properly.

Agreed, and you shouldn't be downvoted for it, oh well.

I'll handle it like I handled all other Nintendo consoles. I have one for legit use and one that I open up for, er, "alternative" content.

At that point just emulate it on a Steam Deck...

The Steam Deck is more expensive though. And I mostly play the switch docked on the TV.

The Steamdeck is more expensive than buying two Nintento Switch 2s? Theres definitely a dock for the Steamdeck, and you get all your Steam games OOTB, in my case thats hundreds more games than any Switch.

I’ll just give up on them altogether, and patiently wait for simulators I can use instead.

I don't like this practice, and it's one of the primary reasons I'm not buying a Switch 2, but his console wasn't bricked, it was just banned from playing online. And don't trot out that tired old "effectively bricked" line, words have meanings, and the words you said do not mean what happened.

If someone bought it for online play specifically, then there is no difference between being banned from playing online and the console not turning on. You're just nitpicking on the meaning, but we know what happened.