The shooting pains start within a few minutes. Initially, it's a burning sensation, but it gradually builds to shooting pain that radiates from the joint of my right thumb up my wrist. Despite the extra support from my deteriorating brace, it's quickly clear that I won't be playing Deltarune in bed, on my sofa, or anywhere in the Switch 2's handheld mode. While the Pro Controller has allowed for hours of comfortable play in TV mode, the size, weight, and, most importantly, design of the Switch 2 in my hands is too much for my De Quervain's tenosynovitis. I re-dock the console and give up – I'll wait for the Switch 2 Lite.
I'm fortunate, though. My disorder and dexterity issues (a hazard of the perilous job of games journalism) are likely temporary. A steroid injection in the wrist, consistent brace wearing, and in a few months, things should be back to relative normality. But the last few months of dealing with this disorder have made me vehemently aware of how inaccessible the Switch 2's handheld mode is for those with dexterity issues, and the importance of ergonomic design when it comes to our devices and accessories – I certainly don't want to end up with the same wrist issues again. It also highlighted the need for a Switch 2 Lite that offers a lighter, smaller, and more ergonomically attuned handheld experience.
