Picture this: a new system update rolls out for the Nintendo Switch 2—exciting, right? Well, not so much if your third-party dock decides to throw a tantrum and stop working altogether. A delightful turn of events for those who thought cheap alternatives to the official dock were a genius idea!
The Great Dock Drama
Ever since the release of the illustrious version 21.0.0 update, players have been noticing that their trusty third-party docks are now behaving like stubborn toddlers, refusing to cooperate. On one hand, one could argue these docks were never meant to be Pro-level partners; they are more like that enthusiastic friend who shows up to the party but doesn’t know how to properly function. But here comes Nintendo to shake things up!
For those not in the know, many fine folks opt for third-party docks to avoid shelling out a whopping $124.99 for a second official Switch 2 Dock Set. This could be for a multitude of reasons: moving from TV to TV like a gaming nomad, or simply securing a dock for frequent escapes to other locales. Who wouldn’t want to play Mario Kart while sipping a mojito on the beach?
Real-Life Reactions
Head over to the internet forum known as Reddit and one will quickly find a treasure trove of distraught gamers sharing their misfortunes. One brave soul lamented, “I finally ordered a dock cable for travel; it arrived today and was working fine right out of the box. Then bam! Update alert, and suddenly my cable is as useful as a chocolate teapot.” Sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? But not as dramatic as the sob fest of another ex-optimistic player based in Tokyo.
One user mused, “Can confirm, my second (third-party) dock just threw in the towel right after today’s update. A full power cycle? Ha! Didn’t fix a thing, quite the bummer since it’s been smooth sailing for months.” And this riveting saga continues. In a household where Mario Kart mayhem reigns supreme, another user found their family room dock similarly out of commission. “Pass-through charging still works, but it’s like the dock decided to take a very long coffee break,” one exasperated parent declared.
The Power Factor
Surprisingly, Nintendo’s secret sauce behind the Dock isn’t exactly hidden. It requires a solid 60W power supply to crank out those luscious graphics on a TV, which is quite the jump from the 39W supply of the old-timey original dock. Forget about simple HDMI passthrough; this isn’t a hand-me-down from the gaming gods! No, this is high-tech wizardry requiring enough juice to power an express train. It’s somewhat reminiscent of being sold a fancy sports car that only runs on premium gasoline—or perhaps like trying to power a spaceship with a AA battery.
Some users have had success with their first-party docks, reporting that a good old system reboot brought their dock back from the land of the non-functioning. But alas, those relying on third-party options have found themselves stuck in a digital purgatory, watching helplessly as their gaming dreams float away into the ether.
In the end, as comedic tragedies unfold in living rooms across the globe, it’s best to remember that if one is going to indulge in a third-party dock saga, one might want to keep a backup plan—or at the very least, a very large, very cozy blanket for those long, lamenting hours without one’s beloved console.
