Nintendo fans may be rejoicing (if they can get their hands on the elusive new console) as the Switch 2 finally sees its official release, but the charm of the original Nintendo Switch has been tarnished a bit by a decision from iFixit to slash the repairability score of the first-gen handheld gaming console.

The original Switch got an eight out of 10 from iFixit for repairability after its debut, but it now drops down to a four. The Switch’s most famous durability issue has been the Joy-Con controllers that have experienced drifting problems, but that’s only part of the story here.

Unboxing the Nintendo Switch 2

Since the Switch first launched, “we’ve scored a lot more handheld gaming consoles and developed a more comprehensive grasp of what’s possible in this hardware space,” iFixit says. “Plus, our understanding of what makes a product repairable has grown a lot in eight years, and the Switch didn’t age as gracefully as we’d hoped.”

Handheld consoles like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and Steam Deck have improved functionality and are more repairable than the Switch. Many also include modular designs that make it easier to switch out parts.

A big problem with the Switch was Nintendo’s decision to glue the battery in place, making it difficult to replace. The company has also never offered official replacement parts or repair instructions for those who want to fix their own consoles.

iFixit is also reworking scores for the Switch OLED edition and the Switch Lite. It also offered to rescore the first-gen Switch again if Nintendo offers repair manuals and replacement parts.

It’s thought Nintendo will have to offer replacement parts for its Switch 2 in the US, given the growing numbers of right-to-repair laws.

Last May, iFixit ended its partnership with Samsung after it found the brand wasn’t committed enough to making repairability happen at scale. The brand said, “As we tried to build this ecosystem we consistently faced obstacles that made us doubt Samsung’s commitment to making repair more accessible.”

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About James Peckham

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I’ve written tech news for over a decade, and as a Reporter at PCMag, I cover the latest developments across the gadgets and services you use every day. Previously, I worked for Android Police, TechRadar, and more.

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