A recent Switch 2 update blocks some third-party docks, but Nintendo isn’t saying why
Nintendo has recently rolled out an update (version 21.0.0) for its highly anticipated Switch 2 console, which, while introducing minor changes, has inadvertently disrupted the functionality of several third-party docks. In the months following the console’s launch this summer, peripheral manufacturers scrambled to create compatible docks that could mimic the official Nintendo dock’s commands and power requirements. However, with the new update, some of these docks are now rendered ineffective, forcing manufacturers to reassess their designs and compatibility strategies. This has raised questions among users and developers alike about Nintendo’s intentions and the future of third-party accessories for the Switch 2.
According to a statement from Nintendo shared by gaming site Kotaku, the company claims it does not aim to obstruct or invalidate the functionality of legal third-party docks. However, the implication is clear: while some docks may have been developed legally, others might not have adhered to Nintendo’s proprietary standards. This distinction has led to a mixed bag of outcomes, as evidenced by the continued functionality of certain docks like Viture’s Pro mobile dock and Antank’s S3 Max, which utilize unique casting chip solutions that maintain higher compatibility with Nintendo’s protocols. This inconsistency leaves the community in a state of uncertainty, as the effectiveness of third-party docks seems to hinge on their adherence to undisclosed technical specifications.
Looking ahead, the situation raises several important questions about the future landscape of third-party accessories for the Switch 2. Will more docks fall victim to Nintendo’s updates, or is the company planning to implement a system akin to Apple’s MFi certification program, which would allow manufacturers to gain official approval for their products? As Nintendo aims to steer consumers towards its own, more expensive dock, the competition for third-party manufacturers like Genki and JSAUX—who are set to release compact docks later this year—intensifies. With Switch 2 compatibility still a key selling point for these products, the coming months will be critical in determining whether they can navigate the complexities of Nintendo’s evolving ecosystem and maintain their market viability.
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. Antank’s rep Susie also tells us its S3 Max still works “because it uses a proprietary casting chip solution” whose “compatibility with Nintendo’s private protocol is higher than other third-party solutions on the market.”
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.
Update, November 14th
: Added Antank’s comment.
