After Eight Years, 1-2 Switch’s “Plate Spin” Finally Falls
I’ll be honest: when Nintendo launched 1-2 Switch back in 2017, I dismissed it as a flashy tech demo—awkward marketing, Joy-Con antics and all. But this week brought a surprise from the game’s most notorious minigame. A player known as Elfilin has, for the first time, completed the full two-minute “Plate Spin” challenge and shared proof online. Suddenly, that oddball party title is back in the conversation.
A Record-Breaking Feat
Since launch, “Plate Spin” had earned cult status as an unbroken endurance test—millions of copies sold, yet not a single documented full run. In this two-player mode, each participant balances a virtual plate atop a stick, navigating a timer that shrinks the target every 30 seconds. What began as a silly demo turned into a fiendish coordination trial, and now, eight years later, Elfilin has finally pushed through the final seconds.
Inside the Plate Spin Challenge
On paper, it sounds straightforward: keep a plate steady with motion controls. In practice, Nintendo’s design actively encourages sabotage, and the plate contracts as time ticks away. The result is a deceptively simple test of reflexes and stamina. According to Elfilin’s video walkthrough, hours of practice were required to master the precise gestures and maintain focus through the timer’s final stretch.
1-2 Switch at a Glance
| Publisher | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Release Date | March 3, 2017 |
| Genres | Party, Minigames, Local Multiplayer |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
Why It Matters to the Gaming Community
To some, this achievement may seem trivial—after all, 1-2 Switch was never pitched as a hardcore title. But gaming culture thrives on these unexpected triumphs. From speedruns in sprawling RPGs to nine-second platformer levels, communities rally around the toughest challenges, no matter how niche. Plate Spin’s conquest shows that even “casual” party games can foster long-lasting goals and tight-knit followings.
Looking Ahead
Elfilin’s run has already inspired others to dust off their Joy-Cons and test their mettle. Whether this sparks a rush of new submissions or remains an isolated milestone, it underscores a broader truth: games stay alive when players find reasons to return. So, if you still have 1-2 Switch in your collection, here’s the question—do you have what it takes to dethrone the new Plate Spin champion?