One Year Later, Most Switch 2 Consoles Remain in Good Shape

An internal inspection of staff-owned Switch 2 units, carried out roughly 364 days after the console’s launch, found most devices in good condition. Inspectors reported a small number of isolated incidents and fewer common faults than those reported for the original Switch during its first year.

The primary factor cited for wear was portability. Units moved frequently in and out of bags, docks and cases, which can affect plastic and metal surfaces over time. The inspection focused on visible cosmetic damage and basic functionality rather than detailed component testing.

One contributor who did not use a screen protector at launch discovered a deep scratch across the top third of the display while playing in handheld mode. The scratch aligns with the top edge of the dock. The contributor later applied a screen protector but noted a poorly applied corner still bothers them. “That tiny scuff haunts me,” they wrote.

Another staff member reported that their console accidentally fell into a bath; the device continued to function after the incident.

By comparison, the original Switch experienced reports within its first year of parts detaching, loosened rails and Joy-Con drift in some units. Among the inspected Switch 2 devices, staff did not record a comparable pattern of hardware failures.

Staff invited readers to report the condition of their Switch 2 consoles via a site poll and the comments section. The invitation asked users to describe any damage or faults and how daily use had affected their hardware.

At the one-year mark, the inspected units were largely intact, with isolated examples of cosmetic or accidental damage and no widespread hardware issues identified among the systems examined.