It has been one month since the Nintendo Switch 2 hit the shelves on June 5. While retaining its signature hybrid DNA—seamlessly switching between a docked console and a handheld device—the Switch 2 promised a significant performance boost, capable of running demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, alongside a new integrated chat feature dubbed 'Game Chat'. The launch was a runaway success, clocking in 3.5 million units sold globally within just four days. That, quite frankly, is the highest figure for any Nintendo console in that timeframe.

However, behind the initial sales frenzy, early adopters have been vocal about their grievances. Beyond the already well-documented complaints regarding physical game distribution via key cards and the lack of a distinct identity from its predecessor, users are highlighting a series of persistent frustrations. Now that the dust has settled on the first month, let us take a deeper look at the issues being pointed out by players both at home and abroad.

First, let's talk about the battery. Nintendo claims an operational window of 2 to 6.5 hours for the Switch 2, which is a noticeable step down from the 4.5 to 9 hours we enjoyed on the original Switch. With a capacity of just 19.75Wh, it’s not even half the size of the Steam Deck’s battery. Furthermore, Nintendo is quick to note that these are mere estimates, heavily dependent on the specific title being played.

This lack of capacity is painfully apparent in real-world scenarios. TechCravers, a YouTuber specialising in IT and classic handhelds, pitted the Switch 2, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED against each other while running Super Mario Odyssey. The results were telling: the Switch 2 tapped out at 2 hours and 45 minutes, while the Switch Lite lasted 3 hours and 15 minutes, and the Switch OLED dominated with 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Then there is the issue of inaccurate battery percentage reporting, where the indicator stays stuck at 1% despite constant charging. In such cases, a recovery mode reset is required. You must power down the device, hold the volume buttons, and press the power button simultaneously. Keep the volume buttons pressed until the recovery menu appears. From there, you can recalibrate the battery display before restarting.

Moving on to the controller, a common complaint shared across both the Joy-Con 2 and the Pro Controller 2 is the ZL/ZR buttons, which reportedly lack responsiveness. This has become a frequent topic in domestic gaming forums. Since the Switch 2 comes with a free warranty, users are currently opting to send their faulty hardware back to Nintendo for repairs or replacements.

While the notorious 'stick drift' that plagued the original Switch controllers hasn't hit critical mass yet, we shouldn't get too comfortable. Drift occurs when the analogue stick registers movement without input, causing characters to wander off or camera angles to shift uncontrollably. This was a primary concern for fans well before the launch.

To put it bluntly, the Switch 2 lacks Hall Effect sticks, which would have mitigated wear over time. Moreover, after teardowns by IFIXIT, it appears that the internal structure and components of the Joy-Con 2 are strikingly similar to the previous models. This suggests that as the device ages, we are likely to see the same drift issues resurface.

Finally, we have the screen. In handheld mode, players are reporting a noticeably blurry image, particularly during fast-paced scenes or quick camera rotations. Hardware Unboxed, a site well-versed in PC hardware and monitor reviews, compared the Switch 2’s LCD panel against generic alternatives and the 2017 original.

The verdict? The Switch 2’s display response time clocked in at a sluggish 33.3ms, the slowest of the group. For context, the original Switch recorded 21.3ms, while standard LCD panels hit 6.3ms. A slow response time means it takes longer to transition between frames, resulting in motion blur and ghosting. When playing at 60FPS—the gold standard for most first-party titles—this bottleneck creates a significant drop in visual clarity.

In TV mode, HDR calibration is proving to be a bit of a headache. The setup consists of two steps: aligning sun icons until one disappears, and adjusting a 'paper white' bar. However, the first step is notoriously difficult to eyeball unless your TV supports HGIG tone mapping, leaving users to guess the correct calibration.

The second step is equally confusing. The screen displays a large image with a cryptic grey text at the bottom suggesting you can adjust brightness if it bothers you. Many users are misinterpreting this as a demonstration screen rather than an interactive setting. Furthermore, the lack of numerical values on the brightness slider makes fine-tuning an exercise in frustration.

Despite the record-breaking sales of the Switch 2, it is clearly not without its teething problems—from the abysmal battery life and finicky ZL/ZR buttons to the blurry display and confusing HDR settings. For those currently on the fence, the temptation to hold out for an eventual OLED model is surely growing by the day.