Nintendo Switch 2 Durability Test Reveals Screen That Easily Scratches

Zack Nelson, the destruction wizard behind JerryRigEverything, has set his sights on the Nintendo Switch 2, putting the handheld through his brutal gauntlet to see how it holds up. With his full toolkit unleashed, Nelson’s durability test reveals a console that’s tougher than it looks but not without some quirks—like a screen that’s a magnet for scratches.

The Switch 2 rocks a plastic display, a budget-friendly move that keeps costs low but raises eyebrows about durability. Armed with Mohs picks to test scratch resistance, Nelson found scuffs showing up at level 3—meaning your keys or loose change could leave lasting marks. Metal objects? They’re the screen’s worst nightmare, slicing visible lines like a hot knife through butter. But plastic-on-plastic action, like a stylus or your fingernail, is less likely to leave a dent.

Next up, Nelson dissected the Joy-Con 2 controllers, the magnetic sidekicks that make the Switch so versatile. Ditching the original’s rail system for magnets, these redesigned controllers had fans curious about their toughness. Nelson’s box cutter tore into the Joy-Cons’ plastic shells, carving deep scratches with ease. But a smart design win stood out: the buttons’ letters (X, Y, A, B) are molded right into the plastic, not just printed. No matter how much you mash those buttons, the labels won’t fade—a clever nod to long-term durability.


The heat test dialed up the tension. Nelson blasted the Switch 2’s LCD screen with a flame for 10 seconds, mimicking a run-in with a rogue heat source. The pixels under fire darkened like they were throwing in the towel, but—plot twist—they bounced back almost instantly, showing zero permanent damage.


Then came the bend test, the nail-biting climax of Nelson’s torture fest. With the Joy-Cons locked in, Nelson cranked on the Switch 2 with serious muscle, testing whether this handheld could withstand the kind of pressure that’d make lesser gadgets snap.The console flexed but didn’t break, a testament to its solid build. The real surprise came with the Joy-Cons’ magnetic attachment. When pushed to extremes, they popped off cleanly rather than snapping or damaging the console’s internal pins.


Despite its strengths, the Switch 2 isn’t flawless. The plastic screen’s scratch-prone nature is a clear drawback, especially for a device meant to be tossed into backpacks or shared among friends. Nelson noted that while the console passed his tests better than expected, the screen’s vulnerability stands out as its Achilles’ heel.

Nelson’s verdict? The Switch 2 is tougher than it looks, blending smart design choices with a few trade-offs. Its plastic screen sacrifices scratch resistance for affordability, but the console’s core structure and clever Joy-Con system make it a survivor. Whether you’re a parent buying one for your kids or someone who just wants a portable entertainment hub, the Switch 2 can handle the bumps of everyday use.