Nintendo Issues Two Safety Warnings About The Nintendo Switch 2

For those lucky gamers who’ve already gotten their hands on a Nintendo Switch 2 or who have one coming soon, Nintendo has issued a ‘careful usage’ warning about what not to do with your console (via IGN).

Many of the warnings in this section of the user manual are pretty boilerplate, like keeping small parts away from children or cleaning the AC adapter should it become dirty. One, however, stands out: “The screen is covered with a film layer designed to prevent fragments scattering in the event of damage. Do not peel it off.”

This is an odd recommendation, as most screens you buy come with a similar film and you always peel it off and generally (if you’re smart) replace it with a screen protector of some sort. It’s unusual to leave the manufacturer’s protective film on a screen, as these are typically not designed with touch in mind. Perhaps the best advice would be to not remove the film until you’ve purchased a better screen protector to replace it with.

Nintendo also warned users to regularly charge the console. “Make sure to charge the built-in batteries at least once every six months,” the document reads. “If the batteries are not used for an extended period of time, it may become impossible to charge them.” This shouldn’t be a problem for fans diving headlong into Mario Kart World, but I can certainly attest to my own original Nintendo Switch consoles sitting idle for months on end, though this was largely after enough Joy-Cons suffered from drift that I simply stopped playing Nintendo games.

A bonus warning: Over on the Nintendo Switch reddit, a user posted that they noticed a bulge in their system where the battery is located, and a number of other users posted that they noticed the same thing. The OP checked with Nintendo’s customer service and writes, that Nintendo “advised me not to ignore and to turn it off, package it and return it ASAP”. If your Switch 2 has a similar bulge, you should probably do the same or at least contact customer service.

Other than this, it appears the Switch 2 is a huge hit with fans, reportedly moving over 3 million units in 24 hours, though this has yet to be officially confirmed.

I have yet to get my hands on a Switch, though I plan on trying out some brick-and-mortar options this weekend since I was unable to find one online or secure a pre-order. How’s your Switch 2? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.