Nintendo Switch Repairability Score Drops Dramatically After iFixit Reassessment

Nintendo Switch owners have been dealt a blow as iFixit, the globally recognized authority on consumer electronics repair, significantly reduced the console’s repairability score.

Once considered one of the more accessible gaming systems for maintenance upon its 2017 release, the original Nintendo Switch has now been reassessed in line with evolving industry standards and right to repair principles.

iFixit initially awarded the Nintendo Switch an 8 out of 10 for repairability thanks to its modular design, which made several components, such as the Joy-Con controllers and storage, fairly easy to replace.

However, in a recent review, iFixit cut that score in half, now granting the Switch a mere 4 out of 10. This reevaluation comes as part of iFixit's ongoing effort to provide consumers with up-to-date, practical advice on the repair landscape.

The main issues highlighted in the new assessment are Nintendo's reluctance to publicly offer replacement parts and the lack of official repair instructions.

iFixit’s report points out that extracting the Switch’s battery remains overly complicated, while the sole charging port is soldered directly to the mainboard, further complicating do-it-yourself repairs. A representative for iFixit rephrased their findings through a journalistic lens: While the Nintendo Switch retains some positive elements—like its approach to modular joystick design and user-expandable storage—its design now feels outdated when stacked against newer handhelds.

Competing devices increasingly provide socketed components, standardized M.2 storage slots, and open access to repair documentation, setting a higher industry standard. Scoring the Switch purely by present-day peer comparison, iFixit affirms that the new rating of 4 out of 10 is a more accurate reflection of its current repair landscape.

This reassessment, iFixit notes, also guides their review process for future products, including the anticipated Switch 2. Looking ahead, iFixit remains optimistic that Nintendo may improve repair accessibility with the next generation.

Citing the 2022 Right to Repair law—mandating access to spare parts, tools, and manuals for consumers—there is hope that Nintendo will adapt accordingly.

iFixit suggests that Nintendo could reclaim lost points on future repairability scores, simply by offering basic documentation and replacement parts to the public. While Nintendo has yet to comment on these findings, the company's continued innovation in platforms like the Nintendo Switch and the upcoming launch of Switch 2 will no doubt keep both fans and repair advocates watchful.

For now, the original Nintendo Switch stands as a cautionary tale in the evolution of handheld gaming repairability, with iFixit's new score setting the tone for future hardware evaluations.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch iFixit Switch 2 Right to Repair