If you’re eagerly awaiting the opportunity to dig into the Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches this Thursday, you’ll want to hear this. While you rip the plastic off all the little bits (and disregard those Joy-Con straps altogether), you might want to resist the urge to peel off that protective layer on the screen, no matter what. Why? Oh, you might just permanently damage your brand-new Nintendo Switch 2. In other words, no biggie.
Nintendo’s got this one covered, legally speaking
In case our sarcasm sailed over your heads, this is obviously… a biggie. Nintendo of Europe recently dropped the Nintendo Switch 2 Health and Safety manual on its website, where NintendoSoup spotted a rather important tidbit squashed among a sea of fairly evident safety information. What? We’re not meant to expose the console to fire and microwaves?
The tidbit in question: “The screen is covered with a film layer designed to prevent fragments scattering in the event of damage. Do not peel it off.”
This isn’t anything new. It’s a fairly common practice amongst new-age smartphones, with even the Nintendo Switch OLED bearing a similar warning when the console turned up in 2021. It’s not become common sense to leave them on just yet, however, as reviewers of the original Samsung Galaxy Fold will remember quite well. Unless you’re after a quick visit to the Nintendo store… leave the damn thing on.
The manual is filled to the brim with warnings and advice on how to get the safest experience out of your Switch 2. Advice like taking a break on the hour, every hour, and not using the console in a dusty or smoky room (not suitable for anyone going for a high score). What did stand out, however, is Nintendo’s warning to keep the Switch 2’s built-in batteries charged, at least once every six months or so.
“Make sure to charge the built-in batteries at least once every six months. If the batteries are not used for an
extended period of time, it may become impossible to charge them.”
