Microsoft's Edge extensions store is believed to have been hosting "illegal copies" of classic games like Mario Kart 64, Super Mario Bros. and various other titles like Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man and Tetris. Even the Microsoft-owned IP Minecraft was unofficially available.
According to The Verge, the developers behind these listings were not Microsoft, Nintendo, or "any other" related parties. Although the pages were taken down right away, some user reviews for these game uploads supposedly date back to last October - meaning these listings have essentially gone unnoticed until now.
Adding to this, the official "Microsoft Edge Dev" Twitter account allegedly went to the extent of promoting these "vintage" games. Here's an image, that was apparently taken before the tweet was deleted, calling on all Mario Kart lovers:
One daring individual by the name of @olynative on Twitter took a chance with the Mario Kart 64 extension and said it downloaded a ROM of the game.
Some of the listings that are now no longer available apparently clarified that they had no affiliation with the game companies who made the titles. Obviously, this still doesn't cut it.
"IMPORTANT: This emulator is not affiliated with nor endorsed by Nintendo. All graphics, games, and other multimedia are copyrighted to their respective owners and authors. This game is for ALL Mario fans!"
Once again, action has now been taken and the majority of these game listings have been removed. We doubt Nintendo's ninjas would have been too impressed had they come across them. Crisis averted.
[source theverge.com]
Comments 56
Usually I get rather upset about these things, but it's Microsoft Edge so I'll allow it.
That's uh. That's something. Wonder how this even happened. And they even tweeted about it?
Little early for April fool's day.
The stuff you find on app stores. I've never used Edge for... anything so I don't know much about who's in charge of moderating the content or how strict the quality control is, but this should hopefully be a clear red flag for them to start paying more attention to what is put on the platform and weed out the bogus apps that come up from time to time. Because surely there is some sort of basic control to remove apps that maliciously install malware and whatnot right...?
Nintendo will not happy to see that.
Nintendo is going to [BLEEP] them to a pulp, dang Welp I would meme about this but that another mans job. Edit: aw what the hell.
@Yosher I guess that explains the CM intern thrown through a window from Microsoft's headquarters last night.
Nintendo still have rights to their IP. Even you include a disclaimer whether you like it or not.
What’s a Microsoft Edge?
Browser extension emulators. A solid practical contribution to the field of Ihaveseeneverythingology.
The tweet certainly sounds like some culturally challenged intern from another planet, too. But I bet they were just doing a George-flown promotional template routine across the board, not having a double take until later.
It's on Edge, it's not like people were noticing anyway.
Riddle me this: if Nintendo don’t provide an official outlet anywhere to pay them money to play Mario Kart 64, is it illegal to play it for free? How can you deprive a company of money if they don’t offer you an outlet to give it to them in the first place?
@Kimyonaakuma The Windows version of Edge has actually become a really good browser now. I replaced Chrome with it.
@RadioHedgeFund Actually a good question - if there is no official way to buy Mario Kart 64, is it a lost sale to them? IP wise, maybe, i.e. someone may be happy playing 64 on an emulator and hence doesn't buy a Switch or 8 Deluxe. Probably Nintendo emphasises on this idea on their takedown drives, otherwise they probably don't have much ground if you see it in the context of a specific game.
@Ogbert what’s a computer?
These games should be available on the Edge store for free, but evil Nintendo is too greedy to allow that.
It's not like this isn't common still on both the Apple app store and Google play. I see plenty of games getting released regularly that use Pokemon artwork and don't even hide it. It's also not like the people who approve these apps have no clue what they are or can't check the images contained out before approval. They only seem to do anything after copyright claims are made and they have been up for a period of time.
@RadioHedgeFund It still belongs to them though so they can do whatever they want with it. Doesn't matter about the money, its there property. If you didn't use something in your house for years that doesn't mean someone can just walk in and take it or do whatever they want with it.
@Ogbert It’s when you’ve been building up excitement for the latest Halo release and Microsoft delays it at the last minute.
@RadioHedgeFund Yes. That’s why it is called a *copy*right after all and not a *money*right. They can just sit on their IP and not do anything with them at all. See, generally, Konami games.
@Burning_Spear How are the evil? I don't understand that logic.
@RadioHedgeFund It's still their game that they own.
If you can legally argue that, when someone refuses to sell something it becomes public property, then you have a point.
@Ogbert it's Microsoft's Web browser for the past 5 years.
Edge is a pathetic joke, but at least it's funny this time.
More shocked that someone was actually surfing the Edge store to find this out.
@RadioHedgeFund Even if that were the case, MK64 has been available on Wii U for years.
Mario Kart 64 is also available to play on Nintendo 64. I know it's a strange idea in 2021 to hook up a game console to play a game, but it still works.
@RadioHedgeFund It doesn't look like you're using your car right now, so I'll just take it for a while. I may or may not return it by the time you decide to use it. I'm sure you don't mind, and don't care if you do, because you weren't using it anyway.
@TheAwesomeBowser you get upset over emulation and roms?
Why?
I wonder if this is the old Edge or the new Edge browser, they are dropping they old browser in April. Meh who am I kidding who uses Edge. Hate you microsoft.
@FredsBodyDouble yeah it's almost like things degrade over time.
Infact a few of my n64 carts are starting to struggle these days, I'll happily ensure I have other means of playing them just incase, while you go ahead and wear and tear on 20+ year old hardware
@JasmineDragon I'll leave the keys under the mat. Doors are unlocked.
@Yorumi oh please, the pins are all intact and even Nintendo life did an article "your old consoles are slowly dying"
This whole belief that old consoles last forever is a myth my friend
Literally everything degrades in this world over time. Everything. Even us.
Fact of the matter is, without emulation (which even nintendo use emulation) we'd be talking alot of lost software/games, especially ones that dont even have right holders anymore lol
Actually giving gamers an easy way to access games is a better defense against pirating than DRM and copyright strikes.
Just sayin'.
@Lordd_G Ok that caught me off guard! Hahaha!
@Kawaiipikachu ah I was making a joke about it being a thing nobody uses, but I genuinely thought it was their latest phones I turns out I actually really didn’t know!
Microsoft are responsible for cleaning it up but just like any app store can't be 100% responsible for all content on there.
@Yorumi I like the aggressive attitude you have now took in persisting I'm abusing my games, they all work but still some are starting to show their age, I'm talking things like lylat wars suddenly not loading up toxic wastelands all of a sudden, sure can restart and hope it loads next time
Live in blissful ignorance all you want, you're a collector? Good for you, I have a modest "collection" with majority being the actual games I've had since I was a kid, with thousands of hours played on some of these games
Now be honest, how often do you even play this collection of yours? How often do you even boot them up and play all the way? Getting to the main menu does NOT equate to a working cartridge incase you didnt know, games can easily freeze at certain parts, even on carts
You sound like someone who has a bunch of old games and old consoles sat around not being played, declaring they're indesutrible lol
I really hope they get taken to court for this. Anything to stick it to big tech these days. They’ve been thinking they can get away with anything here lately.
I rarely, but do occasionally use MS Edge.
@Yorumi collectors, lol, theres no way a collector could be checking all their games, making sure they all play from start to finish LOL image calling someone laughable after claiming something like nes, 80s hardware is indestructible and will never fail
I've always seen collectors as selfish, basically hoarders, but then have the nerve to say games are indestructible even though they just SIT on them unplayed? Games are meant to be played with, friend.
Big difference between games you love and played the heck out of your entire life, to something you bought off ebay and sit on and never play.
If I want to use emulation to ensure I have a safety net, I will also means less wear and tear on my original carts, same reason people love everdrive so much
Windows Store hosted a Pokémon ripoff with stolen official art assets for quite a long time. :v
@Yorumi @Yorumi funny thing is I never said my n64 games are failing, this is something you came up with in your own head
I said some of them are starting to struggle, then went on to specifically tell you it was with lylat wars, nearer to the end of the game when a level failed to load up.. that.was.it.
Apparently that means I abuse my games? Why? Because one game that played up a little bit? LOL, Like I said, I have a modest collection, and even I dont have the time to check ALL my old games and play from start to finish on a regular basis.
So it's a very bold claim for you, a collector, to make out you regularly play ALL your games from start to finish to feel confident they all work 100% as intended
Or maybe, the reality is you don't, because that would require a lot of time and effort especially for someone like you a collector. Something you were keen to point out but a collector cannot test EVERY game they own from start to finish on a regular basis.
All I said was old games and old consoles can fail, even cartridge based ones, what have you exposed exactly? Other then the fact you like to attack people aggressively when they point out things you dont like to hear? Not my fault if what I said led to you insulting me, that's on you. Grow up and learn how to have a civil discussion.
@Burning_Spear
A husband and wife had a website where you could play these old games. They did not ask for money, didn't claim anything..
Everything was free! They paid for their website out if their own pocket and had the games just available for people to play.
Nintendo sued the hell out of them.
Can't remember exactly how much, but double digit millions... I remember I was shocked at how much they sued for and won.
This normal, hardly middle class family ruined forever! Like, how the hell they ever going to pay that?! Their children's children will be paying that off forever...
I get it's Nintendos games. But do they seriously have to destroy their life over a free website?
Just take it down, have them pay a realistic fine.
But amazing how greedy Nintendo is.
If they made games as much as they sue, we would have some massive first party titles.
Instead, always the same bull💩.
@Xiovanni I see, thank you. That's about as bad as I expected unfortunately.
I love Microsoft Edge and it is the only web browser I use, but it is a little strange to think things like this are accessible on it!
The files are in the computer?!?
So glad to be a part of a civil community. 🥰
I think I would jail people over using Microsoft Edge in the first place. My skin crawls even thinking about that browser.
@shaneoh @Doktor-Mandrake @TheFullAndy
Ok for next time let's try:
(A good amount of posts per person would be anything from 0 to 1)
@Eel
Or I will do what I want.
How's that?
@TheFullAndy particularly you. It seems you had a bit of a fun time poking other users today.
Please stop that.
@Eel
I certainly did.
@chardrich Thanks Captain Obvious!
@Snatcher Man, the gloves are coming off for this one.
A lot of the Edge haters here are probably knee-jerk reacting to the older Edge release long phased out by MS. Anyone who's tried Edge recently should know it's now Chromium-based and performs a lot better than Chrome in many ways (as far as I've observed).
Suddenly Phil is wondering why Mario 64 stopped working on his laptop....
I'm surprised by all the bandwagon Edge hate as well. Yes, we all know Firefox is superior, and Safari is part of the waited garden some are stuck with, but at least it's not chrome. I'm never understand why anyone would choose to use a browser that's primary purpose is spyware. Heck at least use Opera. Sure it's Chinese now, but even that might be more trustworthy than Google.
Lol who uses Edge? Use a real browser.
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