Nintendo’s Switch 2 videogame machine uses a rare-earth magnet to attach its hand-held controllers to the main console, ...

While rare earths magnets from China are beginning to flow again, customers remain on edge about the threat of future ...

The existing Pro Controller and Joy-Cons are supported by the new machine — although, presumably, Switch 1 Joy-Cons can’t be attached to the console due to the new magnetic system.

This combination of properties makes rare-earth magnets hard to beat. One alternative, says Dr Lewis, is to switch rare-earth elements for others that are chemically at least somewhat similar.