The Nintendo Switch 2 has a sustainability problem

How long will your Switch 2 remain in good condition? For a console sold at nearly € 500, the question seems particularly relevant, especially since the previous console has had its share of issues inherent in the wear and reliability of its components. After passing under the scalpels of half of the web, it is possible to have the start of an answer to this question.

DIY enthusiasts ifixit and the specialized youtubeur Jerryrige riding have examined and tortured the console from all possible angles and paint the portrait of a console with admirable solidity, but with questionable sustainability. Explanations.

Watch out for scratches

As for everyday hassle, the new Nintendo console is doing very well. The magnetic grip of the controllers is solid enough to allow good grip without being too rigid to the point of breaking the connection in the event of too pronounced torsion on the joy-cons. The console itself does not twist or also does not break under pressure.

Please note, on the other hand, the screen protective film (which should not be removed) is made of a plastic which will easily scratch under the tip of your keys or any knife or cutter. So be careful not to transport the console anyway.

Drift again and again

But the most embarrassing problem with the life of the Switch 2 is above all to go and seek on the side of the bowels of the console. As we pointed out in our testNintendo ignores the technical solutions to avoid the famous “Drift” which haunted the first switch by the names of the years. After a few hundred hours of play, wear or dirt is likely to have your controllers unlocked, rotting your best races in Mario Kart.

In order not to fix anything, the dismantling of a joy-cons is not exactly simple and replacing a stick, although possible, may be complex to do yourself or expensive to do in store. To see if Nintendo will extend its after -sales service As the company did for the drift problems of the first switch.

And the joysticks will unfortunately not be the only components to suffer from the passage of time. The battery, like all modern lithium-ion batteries, will inexorably see its lifespan shortening over the load cycles. Problem, the latter is glued very firmly to the carcass of the device and nestled behind many screws and other fragile cables to disconnect. Again, replacing the component may be painful and/or expensive.

Nintendo still forgets repairability

The problem of the battery is all the more significant as the battery of the Switch 2 promises to offer 2 to 6.5 hours of play maximum. With such autonomy, it will be necessary to connect it more often, which will mechanically shorten its lifespan. As explains Ifixit “The battery will deteriorate more quickly and will be more difficult to change once worn“. Too bad for a console sold on portability promises.

Finally, Nintendo does not seem to have yet published a manual of dismantling or marketed spare parts for its console. This collection of defects is worth a 3/10 console on the iFixit repairability scale and will undoubtedly discourage players to repair or have their consoles repaired.

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