iFixit Slashes Switch 1’s Repairability Score: Can the Switch 2 Do Better?

The Nintendo Switch 2 launches tomorrow, which means many people are thinking about the original Switch’s legacy. That includes repair site iFixit, which is retroactively changing the console’s repairability score.

The original Switch got an eight out of 10 from iFixit for repairability soon 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.

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.”

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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