At a look, JSAUX’s 6-in-1 Dock for the Swap 2 is a compelling piece of package.
Along with docking your console for TV mode, it additionally comprises 4 slots to cost Pleasure-Con, together with house to cost your Professional Controller. With a foldable design, it makes for a useful journey companion, and the slick show display screen is a neat little contact that may little doubt draw just a few eyes. There are, nevertheless, just a few obvious points that maintain it again.
Beginning with the positives, I like the look of this factor. JSAUX has a knack for minimal design, and the 6-in-1 Dock is a good demonstration of this. There’s not a single little bit of branding on the outside, with the corporate’s emblem restricted to the show display screen when powered on.
The colored Pleasure-Con slots — two on both facet of the display screen and two on the bottom — are colour-coordinated to make issues simple, and the distinction to the in any other case black casing is nice.
The display screen continues the minimal method, displaying easy icons for every element throughout the round panel. The form works properly, bringing an nearly retro aesthetic that jogs my memory of radar screens.
As for the icons, these change color relying on what’s at the moment charging, with white indicating standby mode, crimson for in-progress charging, and inexperienced for accomplished cost.
Pleasure-Con controllers slot in magnetically, identical to the console itself, although the power of the magnets are weaker to make sure simple elimination. As for the Professional Controller, this slots the other way up into the indented house on the rear. There’s barely any assist for the controller whereas plugged in, so it wobbles fairly a bit and there’s an actual hazard of damaging the USB-C port for those who knock it too far in any course.
Right here’s the true kicker, although: for those who’re utilizing the dock to cost your Professional Controller, you’ll be able to’t really use it as a dock. It’s because it comes with a further module to your console, which slots into the Professional Controller charging slot. So primarily, whereas marketed as a 6-in-1 product, it’s actually not in apply. You may both use it as a dock or as a charger to your Professional Controller, however not each on the similar time.
Given how wobbly the Professional Controller is when plugged in, I’d advocate simply utilizing the product as a dock and a Pleasure-Con charger. Sure, this relegates it to a 5-in-1 dock, however it’s what it’s. As a dock, it’s satisfactory, however not a patch on the official one. Given how shallow the module is, lining up the USB-C slot on the console with the dock’s port generally is a bit fiddly.
Similar to the pad, the shallow sides additionally imply that your Swap 2 can wobble quite a bit if given the possibility. Granted, as long as you don’t contact it whereas taking part in, it ought to be tremendous, however maintaining the console steady ought to be a high precedence for any dock.
Video high quality is completely tremendous. The dock helps 4K decision at 60fps, whereas 120fps can be supported at decrease resolutions. The one factor lacking proper now’s VRR assist, although I think this will likely be added sooner or later sooner or later by way of a firmware replace. In the intervening time, if prompted to replace the dock by way of Nintendo’s personal on-screen immediate, don’t do it, as JSAUX notes that this may occasionally trigger some compatibility points.
Different options embrace an Ethernet slot on the again of the machine together with two USB-A ports, and the USB-C slot to your energy provide. Over on the again of the display screen, slots have been added to your cartridges and Micro SD Specific playing cards, with house for 4 every. At this stage of the Swap 2’s life, I do marvel who the heck has 4 Specific playing cards, so JSAUX in all probability would have been sensible so as to add a few additional cartridge slots as an alternative.
That mentioned, I wouldn’t really feel remotely comfy taking the 6-in-1 dock out and about with 4 cartridges clipped into the slots. Sure, the foldable design means they’re shielded from potential harm and shielded from wandering eyes whereas out in public, however I’d desire to maintain my carts in a carry case or, higher but, of their unique recreation circumstances.
General, I’d say the 6-in-1 dock is probably finest used as a secondary possibility when travelling. The foldable design makes this simple, and the video high quality is sweet sufficient, even with out VRR assist. JSAUX seems to be advertising this as a full-on substitute for the official Nintendo dock, although, and I simply don’t assume it’s ok for that. Forcing you to decide on between docking your console and charging your Professional Controller is one factor, however the lack of bodily assist to maintain both from wobbling is a dealbreaker.
The pattern used on this evaluation was supplied by JSAUX.