A recent Switch 2 update blocks some third-party docks, but Nintendo isn’t saying why
Nintendo has recently released a significant update (version 21.0.0) for its Switch 2 console, which has unintentionally disrupted the functionality of some third-party docks. These docks, which were developed by various companies over the summer, were designed to mimic the original Nintendo dock, allowing users to connect their consoles to displays. However, with the new update, many of these third-party solutions are no longer working as intended. This has raised questions and concerns among consumers and third-party manufacturers alike, as they scramble to understand the implications of Nintendo’s latest software changes.
The situation is further complicated by Nintendo’s response to the controversy. While the company claims it has no intention of hindering legal third-party dock compatibility, the reality suggests a more nuanced stance. According to a statement from Nintendo, there appears to be a distinction between legal and illegal third-party docks, with some existing models potentially falling into the latter category. This raises eyebrows, as it implies that while some docks continue to function, others may have been designed in a way that does not comply with Nintendo’s standards. For instance, the Viture Pro mobile dock, which has been operational without issues, highlights the inconsistency in performance among third-party products.
As the dust settles, the future of third-party docks for the Switch 2 remains uncertain. Will Nintendo continue to adjust its proprietary technology to keep third-party manufacturers on their toes? Or will they consider establishing a certification program similar to Apple’s MFi, allowing companies to ensure compatibility with a fee? As major players like Genki and JSAUX prepare to launch their own compact docks, the looming question is whether these products will be able to maintain compatibility with the Switch 2 amid ongoing software updates. With Nintendo likely aiming to steer consumers towards its official, more expensive docks, the coming months promise to be pivotal for both gamers and third-party developers navigating this evolving landscape.
Nintendo recently issued an update (21.0.0) for its
Switch 2 console
that, in addition to
some small changes
, has caused some third-party docks to stop working as intended. In the early weeks and months of the console’s availability this summer,
companies raced
to figure out the right commands, the right power draw, and the right chips to use in order to trick the Switch 2 into thinking it had connected to the real thing — Nintendo’s dock, which is included with every console. Now, some of them will have to figure out how to do it again.
You’re not alone if you think Nintendo did this on purpose. But did it? According to Nintendo, not exactly. Gaming site
Kotaku
published a new statement from the company that says it “does not have any intention to hinder or invalidate legal third-party dock compatibility.” Read in one way, it seems like Nintendo didn’t intend to cause these issues with its latest update. Read another way, Nintendo has apparently established that there’s a legal and an illegal way to create a third-party Switch 2 dock, and a lot of the ones out there were made illegally, apparently.
The fact that some third-party Switch 2 docks still work makes this more confusing. I tried out
Viture’s Pro mobile dock
(one of the
early third-party docks to provide Switch 2 support
), for use with its Pro XR glasses, and it just works fine with the same firmware that’s been on it since I started testing it months ago.
Without more details from Nintendo, it’s tough to know what this spells for the future. Are more docks on the dock chopping block? Is it reconfiguring its proprietary Switch 2 dock handshake to leave third-party dock makers in a constant scramble? Will it develop (or has it already developed) something similar to the Apple MFi certification program to let companies pay a fee to promise support out of the box with its locked-down port?
Whatever the answers are, Nintendo will naturally want to push consumers towards using its pricey dock, and push third-party companies away from trying to engineer duplicative gadgets at a fraction of the cost. That spells an interesting next couple of months for third-party makers, including the likes of
Genki
and
JSAUX
, which are both launching compact, power adapter-size docks later this year. Switch 2 support is on each of their feature lists, but we’ll see if it remains a selling point closer to their launches.
