Anyone who just picked up the new Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 may want to consider applying a screen protector before settling into regular use. Although the new Switch 2 model comes with a factory-applied film over its display, same as the original version of the console, that layer is not primarily intended to protect against scratches.
The reason is simple: repeatedly sliding the console in and out of its dock can potentially leave marks on the screen. The Switch 2 dock itself does not necessarily scratch the device, and plenty of systems have gone through extensive use without any such damage as of October 2026. However, dust, grit, or other harder debris caught between the display and one of the dock’s interior surfaces can act as an abrasive as the system moves past it. Reports of dock-aligned scratches have existed since the Switch 2’s launch, and they are not exclusive to the system, either, as its predecessor was even more prone to scratches. The Switch 2 dock gives the console a bit more room than its predecessor, potentially reducing the risk, but not eliminating it.
The New Zelda Switch 2 Is Particularly Difficult to Replace Right Now
That possibility is especially worth keeping in mind for buyers of the recently released Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2. The limited-edition system only launched on October 29 and has been extremely difficult to find, with Nintendo acknowledging ahead of release that demand had exceeded its expectations. Some Walmart customers even had their Zelda Switch 2 pre-orders canceled shortly before launch, leaving them scrambling for alternatives despite having placed orders well in advance.
The launch-day situation did little to alleviate the shortage. Although additional inventory appeared at several retailers, supplies remained inconsistent, and Amazon’s Zelda Switch 2 stock sold out on release day in less than an hour. Nintendo has said more units are coming, but without firm dates or quantities for every retailer. Not every licensed distributor is even guaranteed to get any more stock as of late October 2026. As a result, owners who damage one of the new consoles may have a particularly difficult time replacing it in the immediate future.
Every Switch 2 ships with an anti-scattering film already attached to its LCD, which is designed to keep fragments from dispersing if the display breaks. However, adding another layer of protection does not require removing anything from the system. Nintendo specifically warns owners not to peel the anti-scattering film off.
Nintendo Already Sells a Screen Protector for the Switch 2
Nintendo itself effectively endorses this additional layer of protection by selling screen protectors as part of its carrying-case bundles. The company even released a matching Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2 carrying case and screen protector alongside the new console. Installing one before the system spends much time going in and out of its dock therefore provides a straightforward way to put a replaceable surface between the display and anything that could potentially mark it. Moreover, keeping both the screen and the inside of the dock clean should further reduce the likelihood of scratches.
