(Credit: Will Greenwald)
The Nintendo Switch 2 hits storefronts this Thursday, June 5, but I got an early look at one of the system's first third-party accessories: The DBrand Killswitch 2. DBrand showed off the case before Nintendo officially announced the new system, and now it's shipping to preorder customers in two weeks. I don't have a console to pop into the Killswitch 2 Ultra model sent my way, but I'll break down what you'll get should you want to purchase this Switch 2 case.
Price and Included Items
The Killswitch 2 is a multi-part Switch 2 case, with three versions depending on how many accessories you want. The entry-level, $59.99 Essential pack includes the case components for the console, Joy-Con 2s, and kickstand; a set of selectable Joy-Con 2 skins; and a dock adapter. The $79.85 Travel pack adds a hard-shell cover (featuring a removable game card holder) and a pair of analog stick caps. The $99.80 Ultra pack builds upon the Travel by bundling two Prism 2.0 screen protectors.
DBrand shipped me the Ultra kit, though it arrived without the Joy-Con 2 skins because, according to CEO Adam Ijaz, they're still finalizing the skin production process at the company's Toronto factory. That wasn't the biggest deal, since I’m already familiar with the company's skin game. DBrand offers laser-cut skins for basically all game consoles and most major laptops, phones, and tablets.
The skins included with the Killswitch 2 are slightly different from the wider selection DBrand offers as standalone Joy-Con 2 skins, and are designed specifically to be used with the case. Only vinyl options are available for the Killswitch 2, and the $19.95 real leather skins are a bit too thick for the case. With neither the skins nor a Switch 2, I can't determine how they look on Nintendo's new console. However, previous DBrand items I've tested for other devices have been consistently high-quality, with sturdy material and adhesive that held the skins in place.
The case's main section is a rectangular sleeve for the Switch 2's tablet. It’s made of black thermoplastic that's stiff across the back, but has give around the edges so the system clips into place. It also has cutouts for the Switch 2’s ports, slots, and buttons. I won't know just how well those cutouts work and how securely the case holds the system until I get the Switch 2 for testing, but it feels well-made.
A U-shaped cutout on the back has room for the Switch 2’s kickstand to swing out. A strip of thin, dense rubber covers the kickstand.
A Beefy Joy-Con 2 Grip
The Joy-Con 2 grips are especially interesting because they drastically change the controllers' contours. The Joy-Con 2 gamepads have the same general shape as their predecessors, which means they’re mostly flat handles with slightly flared ends that house the triggers. The Killswitch 2's grips make the Joy-Cons extend even further than the triggers, with grooves for resting your middle finger. I like the idea of this potential grip enhancement.
Beyond just a better hand feel, I'm hoping the grips improve the Joy-Con 2's mouse grip. When I first tested the Switch 2, I was impressed with the Joy-Con 2's mouse mode and how it felt so natural and precise. I also got a really bad hand cramp by the time I reached the end of my Metroid Prime 4: Beyond demo. You see, the Joy-Con 2 is still a very narrow controller that isn't comfortable to slide across a flat surface. The Killswitch 2's grips might address that problem, which would be as big a benefit as protecting the Switch 2 from drops and scratches.
The Dock
A dock adapter is included with all Killswitch 2 models, and it seems pretty vital. If you've used the original Nintendo Switch, you know that bulky cases make docking the system impossible. I haven't taken a close look at the Switch 2's dock, but it apparently doesn't offer much more clearance than the original Switch's dock.
The Killswitch 2 dock adapter is basically a second dock; it's designed to mount in front of the official Switch 2 base and hold the console in place. It's a USB-C extender that appears designed to slide directly onto the Switch 2's dock, plugging its port into the dock's jack and leaving its own jack free for the Switch 2. The concept seems sound, and I'm looking forward to seeing how well it works.
Extra Armor: The Travel Cover
The travel cover included with the Travel and Ultra packs is a translucent gray shell that fits over the entire front of the Switch 2 and Joy-Con 2. It protects the front of the system that the case leaves exposed, so you can play games, and stays in place with an elastic strap. A clear screen protector like the Prism 2.0, included with the Ultra pack, is still a good idea. However, the travel cover is a much more sturdy way to keep the entire Switch 2 protected.
The travel cover comes with a game card holder that magnetically attaches to the inside. Again, I must test how well it all fits together, but I'm glad there's a convenient way to carry Switch 2 game cards. Physical media is still important, at least when you aren't dealing with iffy "game key cards."
The Travel and Ultra packs also include a pair of textured rubber caps for the Joy-Con 2's analog sticks. That's fine. I'm not a fan of these caps, but if you want a bigger or grippier thumbstick, they’re there.
Idiot-Proof Screen Protector? Sounds Like a Challenge!
Finally, there's the Prism 2.0 screen protector, which I'm genuinely excited to test. It's a tempered glass screen protector like the ones you can get for pretty much any touch-screen device, but with an important extra. It comes with an installation tray that slides over the device and holds the glass in place. You snap it on, pull a tab to expose the adhesive, and the protector adheres perfectly aligned to the screen. DBrand says it's "idiot-proof." If it works, that's amazing. If it works and also keeps any air bubbles from forming, that's extra amazing. I'll find out soon enough when my Switch 2 arrives.
Plenty More Switch 2 Coverage to Come
Speaking of soon, keep an eye on PCMag for my full Switch 2 review, along with coverage of the new system from just about every angle. In the meantime, see how it compares with the original Switch, read about its compatibility with Switch 1 games, and learn about Nintendo's new GameChat communication service.