Review: Savage Raven By Skull & Co. NeoGrip For Nintendo Switch 2
By Skull & Co. launched a very impressive NeoGrip for the OLED Switch in 2021, which we assessed at that time, concluding that, aside from a tricky holding tab that could easily be misplaced, the grips significantly enhanced extended portable gaming sessions’ comfort.
With this Switch 2 update, the Savage Raven by Skull & Co. NeoGrip for Nintendo Switch 2, which falls under the same ‘Savage Raven’ label as the company’s outstanding Switch 2 carrying case (which we’ve also evaluated!), hasn’t experienced significant changes.
Once again, you receive a well-crafted, premium plastic sheath that the console fits into securely, before being locked in place with a small tab. You can select from three sets of grip styles that click into position to finalize the setup.
The structure here, while nearly identical to the OLED accessory, has undergone a bit of clever modification concerning how its securing tab now clicks into position using a mechanism designed to ensure it remains secure at all times. You could still misplace the small tab if you remove it and lose it, but the previous design also risked detaching when it encountered obstacles, so at least that concern has been addressed this time around.
Moreover, there are no separate screws or holes for the OG Switch on the back of this plastic brace in this version, resulting in a cleaner overall product design – albeit one that will exclusively fit your Switch 2. You can’t win them all.
As mentioned, this NeoGrip package includes the console brace/sheath and three distinct grip types. The mid-range grip, which is set as default on the accessory, has become the one I often use, as its angular top provides a comfortable resting place for my fingers.
Nonetheless, both the larger grips and the smallest flat ones are significant improvements over the default Joy Con’s minor grip bumps. I frequently end up either slipping off those or experiencing cramps, so I appreciate the enhancement, thanks.
Indeed, I’m currently in the midst of reviewing a game, and for reviews, I naturally tend to prefer playing on the TV whenever possible since I have rather cumbersome adult hands that tend to cramp up and ache during portable mode on the Switch, Switch OLED, Switch 2… and several other handheld devices. The mid-grips here keep my hands feeling comfortable, with no pins and needles or cramps reported after a full morning of non-stop gaming. Success!
As observed in the pictures, the color used for the grips and brace is also an exceptionally close match to the console’s sleek finish, so you won’t spoil your new device’s aesthetic at all, and even the larger grip, featuring its bulbously rounded tops, maintains a fairly slender and stylish profile from a side view. One of my pet peeves, regardless of how nice an accessory feels, is when it degrades the console’s overall appearance by being a mismatched color, and that’s not an issue here. I’d consider leaving it on permanently if it weren’t for the necessity of frequently detaching the Joy Con.
Fortunately, it’s incredibly easy to attach and detach — yes, even for a genuinely old fool like myself — that I can envision using this every time I’m unwinding on the couch for some Nintendo enjoyment. Which happens approximately 17 times daily, you understand.
Regarding the console’s dock, with the grips and brace attached, there’s no problem sliding the Switch 2 in and out smoothly, so you can keep it on when playing on the TV.
Overall, this one’s an easy endorsement if you seek more grip on your Switch 2 Joy Con in handheld mode, and an enhancement that genuinely makes my console feel more like a quality controller while gaming on the move.
The Savage Raven by Skull & Co. NeoGrip for Nintendo Switch 2 is available from the manufacturer’s website for £24.99/$29.99. This review unit was obtained by the reviewer.