The story of buying a compatible dock that supports Switch 2 updates

“My Switch 2 compatible dock stopped working...”

Last November, a Switch 2 update (ver 21.0.0) suddenly caused the compatible dock I had been using to stop working. It was what you might call an 'update death'.

I had no choice but to go back to the official dock, but it's too big, gets in the way on my desk, and is completely unsuitable for carrying around.

I tried to put up with it for about half a month, but my frustration with the inconvenience reached its limit, so I decided to buy a compatible dock that supports the post-update firmware.

When buying a new compatible dock, I had a concern.

“Won't it just stop working again immediately with the next Switch 2 update?”

Having experienced the sudden death of a compatible dock once, this worry was natural. I never know when Nintendo might release another update that makes third-party compatible docks unusable. Even if I buy a new compatible dock, won't it just become trash again soon? I was harboring that fear.

In the end, I wondered if using the official dock was the right answer... While I was half-resignedly scouring online articles about compatible docks, I was struck by a product description like a bolt of lightning.

“This is it!”

I bought that product without hesitation. That's because the product had a decisive feature that other compatible docks didn't have. Here is that feature ↓

“This product supports online firmware updates, allowing for continuous optimization of usage effects.”

To my surprise, this product means that even if a Switch 2 update makes the compatible dock unusable, it can be made usable again by applying new firmware.

My worries were completely wiped away. 'Allows for continuous optimization of usage effects.' What reassuring words. No matter what kind of update comes to the Switch 2 in the future, I no longer have to be afraid that my compatible dock will stop working.

I'll try out the compatible dock right away.

First, plug the dock's USB-C connector into the Switch 2's "USB-C (bottom)" port.

Next, plug the power into the dock.

Now you are ready.

All that's left is to connect the HDMI to your TV or monitor.

I was able to successfully output the Switch 2 game screen.

Checking the output information, it was correctly outputting at 3840 x 2160 (4K) 60Hz.

However, there is a downside. This compatible dock is more expensive than other products.

The reason is that this compatible dock supports firmware updates as well as high-speed 4K 144Hz (8K 60Hz) output.

There are two versions of this compatible dock available.

• 4K@144Hz version (high-performance, high-price)

• 4K@60Hz version (standard, low-price)

Currently, the Switch 2's dock output limit is 4K 60Hz, so the "4K@60Hz version" is sufficient for now. If you want to buy it cheaply, I recommend that one.

I intentionally chose the "4K@144Hz version." This is because there is a possibility that the Switch 2 dock will support 120fps output via a future update (in fact, the dock's specs are capable of 120fps output).

Actually, there is a menu called "Dock Update" in the Switch 2 settings screen. The menu note says, "Updates the software inside the Nintendo Switch 2 dock."
This means that the dock will be updated in the future.

I decided to choose the top-tier model from the start so that if a major update supporting a high frame rate of 120fps arrives, I won't have to buy a new compatible dock and incur unnecessary costs.

Thanks to this product, I have been freed from a life of worrying about Switch 2 updates. For someone as anxious as me, it is truly a one-of-a-kind compatible dock.

I am also reviewing other Switch 2 peripherals ↓