By I’ve been vocal about the absence of Switch 2 dock compatibility since the device’s debut, but conditions are undoubtedly improving for television usage. Due to continuous third-party initiatives and a series of responsive firmware enhancements, the initial unofficial docking station available on Amazon now functions with the console, and it has yet to cause any issues for me.
The Nintendo Switch 2 docking station in question is the SIWIQU dock I recommended you steer clear of last month. Initially, the accessory faced compatibility challenges that made utilizing the handheld gaming console on a TV quite troublesome. Nevertheless, the dock’s developers, Antank, have rolled out new firmware that aligns with Ninty’s tricky new power delivery standards.
The outcome? Well, I’ve been experimenting with Antank’s Switch 2 dock for approximately a week now, and it’s entirely functional. The handheld transmits video through HDMI within moments of being connected, which is a significant improvement over the previous hassle of needing to press a button at the back and execute a peculiar disconnection ritual. By the way, that toggle is still present, but it’s essentially just in case you prefer to utilize the docking station as a charging dock.
Initially, I was a bit worried about the SIWIQU dock’s absence of an integrated fan since the Switch 2 operates at 4k 60fps when docked. After several evenings playing Mario Kart World, I haven’t experienced any overheating complications or added noise generated by the handheld trying to cool down, supporting the notion that the official docking station’s cooling is primarily for its own needs.
While Antank’s dock deserves praise for being functional, I do have a few minor complaints regarding its design. To begin with, it’s slightly too light for my taste, although I’ve been somewhat spoiled by the best Steam Deck dock models I’ve tried in terms of construction quality. I wouldn’t categorize the SIWIQU dock as “cheap”, but it certainly feels more hollow than you’d anticipate given its dimensions.
Its inherent lightness affects functionality too, as you can’t quite drop the Switch 2 onto this dock. Rather, you’ll want to lift the handheld and connect/disconnect it in that manner, which really restricts the entire “switch” aspect. I don’t perceive this as a total deal breaker since it’s straightforward enough to just place it at the bottom, but I think Antank could reconsider its design for a version two.
It’s also important to mention that your handheld won’t retain its TV settings if you replace the official dock with this one. That means you’ll need to run through the Switch 2 HDR routine again and adjust any additional visual settings linked to the specific device. I also observed that my LG OLED C4 TV does not recognize the console as the Switch 2. This affects minor details like the HDMI having an automatic label, but these are all small conveniences associated with the original docking station.
To sum it up, I can finally endorse the SIWIQU dock for Switch 2. That’s a positive development too, as it remains one of the very few third-party options available, and while I would appreciate it being somewhat less expensive for what it provides, it is still considerably more budget-friendly than Nintendo’s $119.99 docking station. The latter does include an additional AC adapter, so that’s something to consider if you’re evaluating options.
I’m just pleased I can fit something fairly compact into my backpack for multiplayer Switch 2 gaming sessions that isn’t an unwieldy piece of (high-quality) plastic.
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Searching for more accessories? Check out our Nintendo Switch 2 starter pack for a collection of essentials. You might want to glance at the best Steam Deck accessories as well if you’re in possession of Valve‘s handheld.