{"id":137447,"date":"2026-06-04T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/#article-200786"},"modified":"2026-06-04T13:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T13:00:00","slug":"talking-point-one-year-on-how-pristine-is-your-switch-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2026\/06\/04\/talking-point-one-year-on-how-pristine-is-your-switch-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Talking Point: One Year On, How Pristine Is Your Switch 2?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Switch<\/a>
<\/span> Image: Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you picked up a Switch 2 on launch day, then you’ve been caring for your console for almost a whole year now. Compared to those launch-day Switch 1s that some of us still have kicking around, I know that a measly 364 days is small potatoes, but it’s still a mighty long time to keep your tech in tip-top condition.<\/p>\n

And that’s the exact topic I want to get to today. Much like its predecessor, Switch 2’s portability means that it’s constantly in and out of bags, docks and cases, and that can take a toll on a few pieces of plastic and metal.<\/p>\n

While I’m sure that our beloved readers are all civilised gamers who take care of their gear, accidents can<\/em> happen. It’s even impacted us here at Nintendo Life Towers *gulp<\/em>*.<\/p>\n

Much to my shame, I shunned my Switch 2 screen protector on day one after making it a whopping eight years without one on my old system. Things were running smoothly until, while playing Kirby and the Forgotten Land<\/a> in handheld mode, all that gorgeous vibrancy exposed a nasty, deep scratch in the top third of the screen.<\/p>\n

It lines up with the top of the dock, so I’m using that as an excuse to sleep at night. It’s small enough that I can often get away with forgetting about it, but every time something is particularly bright, I spy that small pink\/green pixel smudge and a little piece of me dies inside. Rest assured, I’ve been rocking a screen protector ever since, and its singular poorly-applied corner bugs me every time I pick up the system…<\/p>\n

\"Switch<\/a>
Computer, enhance! Right there, above the game icon. That tiny scuff haunts me… \u2014 <\/span> Image: Jim Norman \/ Nintendo Life<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A quick whip around the office revealed that most of my co-workers are far less careless than me, and their kit is still in tip-top condition \u2014 even if one staffer’s Switch 2 has already taken an accidental plunge into the bath<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It’s certainly a big improvement on the Switch 1, where one year in we had parts popping off<\/a>, wobbly rails, and Joy-Con drift already setting in. None of us has seen anything like as dramatic this time around… so far.<\/p>\n

But how are your systems holding up? Is a year of use starting to show on them, or do they still look as squeaky clean as the day you unboxed them? Let us know in the following poll!<\/p>\n

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How pristine is your Switch 2? (1,266 votes)<\/h3>\n
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  1. Still box fresh!<\/strong>47<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. There are some tiny signs of wear, but nothing bad<\/strong>36<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. It has a few scratches and scuffs here and there<\/strong>9<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. It’s definitely showing a year’s use and abuse, unfortunately<\/strong>2<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. It’s only been a year?? Mine looks terrible!<\/strong> <\/span> 0.5%<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Mine couldn’t be more pristine!… (because I don’t have a Switch 2)<\/strong>5<\/span>%<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

    Has your Switch 2 sustained any injuries yet? Let us know about ’em in the comments.<\/em><\/p>\n

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