Platform: Switch
Release Date: September 26, 2017
Nyko has continually supported the Nintendo Switch by creating all kinds of accessories for it from portable chargers, to screen guards, to charging controller stations. All of these accessories have been nice complements to the Switch, but none of them have been essential. The Nyko Portable Docking Kit could be a must-have Nintendo Switch accessory if you’re willing to take a small risk.
The Little Dock That Could
The Nyko Portable Docking Kit is a thick, square slab of plastic. It features a selection of input/output connectors on par with that of the official Nintendo Switch Dock with two USB 2.0 ports, a USB 3.0 port, a USB-C port, and an HDMI-out port. The Nyko Dock comes with its own USB-C AC adapter and HDMI cable, both of which are generously long, unlike the ones that come with the official Switch Dock. On the top of the Nyko Dock, there is a male USB-C connector so that you can dock your Switch. Before you’re able to dock it though, you’re supposed to connect a stand that’s found on the bottom of the Dock. Once you connect the stand, you can dock your Switch and play on the big screen. When you’re done playing, you can unplug all the cables and put the stand back in its place.
There are two distinct benefits the Nyko Portable Docking Kit has over the official Nintendo Switch Dock. It’s small, compact size allows you to conveniently carry it in most bags, and its design gives the Switch way more room to breathe. It wasn’t small enough to fit into my Switch carrying case, but I was happy to be able to carry a complete Dock in my backpack without adding any extra weight. The Nyko Dock doesn’t encase your Switch in a bunch of plastic like the official Nintendo Dock does. The vents on the back and top of the Switch are completely open and can breathe freely without being trapped in its own heat.
Not Exactly a Smooth Docking Experience
The docking experience on the Nyko Portable Docking Kit is not as nice or as seamless as it is on the official Nintendo Dock. It takes a few tries to get used to accurately docking your Switch onto the male USB-C connector, and even once you get the hang of it you should always pay attention to how you’re connecting it. Removing your Switch from the dock is also not as seamless. It could be because our Nyko Dock was so new, but to remove the Switch we had to press down on the Nyko Dock while simultaneously pulling the Switch off. We never experienced the sleep/wake issue that other users of the Nyko Portable Docking Kit were reporting. If you were or are experiencing the issue, Nyko has released a firmware update that corrects the problem.
The “Frying” Issue
If you read reviews of the Nyko Portable Docking Kit on Amazon or discussions of it on the Nintendo Switch subreddit, you will find reports of the dock permanently damaging Switch systems. Nyko has officially acknowledged these reports, and have made efforts to address this issue. Here is a statement we’ve received from a Nyko company representative on the “frying” issue:
We are aware that this is an issue a small amount of people are experiencing – only a handful have reported this issue to us and we have not been able to reproduce it ourselves in our own tests. We stand by our products and have policies in place to replace any malfunctioning products and/or consoles affected by our accessories. We encourage anyone who believes their Nintendo Switch has been affected by our Portable Docking Kit to contact customer support at 888-400-NYKO (6956) or online via our website at https://nyko.com/pages/contact-us.
Final Thoughts
The Nyko Portable Docking Kit is significantly cheaper, smaller, and works just as well as the official Nintendo Switch Dock. While some of the reports of Nintendo Switch systems being damaged by the Nyko Portable Docking Kit are troubling, Nyko has demonstrated their commitment to correct this issue. If you’re willing to take a chance on the Nyko Portable Docking Kit, it can be a great complement to the official Nintendo Switch Dock and a great accessory to carry with you on your travels. The Nyko Portable Docking Kit retails at $49.99 and is available for purchase now.
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