The Switch 2 dock will not be backwards compatible to the Switch 1

[RyanTheArchivist]

While the FAQ for Switch/Switch 2 accessoires clearly states that the Switch 2 will not be compatible with the dock of the original Switch, there was no information the other way around.
Surely would have made sense to make the tablet compatible at least, even if the joycons don't fit in the dock as well. Many people who buy the Switch 2 will still have the old one and with the video output through USB-C being so similar, it wasn't impossible that the dock of the Switch 2 could also be used for the old Switch.

Since there was no information to be found about it, I just asked Nintendo. This is the response I got:

View attachment 498083

Translation:

This shouldn't be shocking at all. Not only are we talking about different HDMI standards but the Switch 2 dock has different power draws and requirements.

 

[l7777]

This shouldn't be shocking at all. Not only are we talking about different HDMI standards but the Switch 2 dock has different power draws and requirements.

Neither of which should be an issue. HDMI is backward compatible an USB PD negotiates power with the charger so each device gets what it wants. IMO the issue will be physical fitment.

 

[Skv0ra]

That controller looks tiny or big hands.

Tiny in my normal hands, and I love that I don't have to do Olympic long jumps to reach buttons with off finger if needs be. And for travel.

 

[Vixi]

well if that's the only issue, just replace your Switch with the Switch 2. Unless you're one of those weirdos that enjoys LABO or RingFit, you'll still have all your Switch 1 content available to you.

I enjoy LABO and Ring Fit

You can use Switch 1 Joycons to play Ring Fit with Switch 2. Though I decided to sell my Ring Fit because I decided I'd rather wait for the Ring Fit 2 than keep a separate set of Joycons

Post automatically merged: Apr 17, 2025

Neither of which should be an issue. HDMI is backward compatible an USB PD negotiates power with the charger so each device gets what it wants. IMO the issue will be physical fitment.

The issue is Switch doesn't follow USB C power standards and sometimes gets bricked when using a dock not specifically made for it.

I imagine Switch 2 will match the standard.

 

[l7777]

The issue is Switch doesn't follow USB C power standards and sometimes gets bricked when using a dock not specifically made for it.

I imagine Switch 2 will match the standard.

I've seen this repeated regularly but can't see how this is possible. It does negotiate 12 to 15vdc with USB PD power supplies like any other device. Further, its power IC will accept voltages from 5 -> 15 VDC regardless of what power supply it comes from. It DOES use an odd trigger for display port alt mode and as such won't work with all usb-c -> HDMI converters. Also admittedly a subset of 1 but I have used many different dock/charger combinations with my V2 and OLED Switches with no damage. I heard it once proposed that the damaged devices were because manufacturers were trying to replicate Nintendo's frictionless male USB port and doing a poor job of it. All of my 3rd party things are connected by a standard USB C cable which may be a contributing factor.

 

[BigOnYa]

I've seen this repeated regularly but can't see how this is possible. It does negotiate 12 to 15vdc with USB PD power supplies like any other device. Further, its power IC will accept voltages from 5 -> 15 VDC regardless of what power supply it comes from. It DOES use an odd trigger for display port alt mode and as such won't work with all usb-c -> HDMI converters. Also admittedly a subset of 1 but I have used many different dock/charger combinations with my V2 and OLED Switches with no damage. I heard it once proposed that the damaged devices were because manufacturers were trying to replicate Nintendo's frictionless male USB port and doing a poor job of it. All of my 3rd party things are connected by a standard USB C cable which may be a contributing factor.

You buy a $450+ Switch 2 and be our test dummy then....make sure you try those 3rd party docks also.

 

[wurstpistole]

Far as big N goes, across ALL years, THIS is their best controller to date:
View attachment 498386
And its made by a 3rd party. LMFAO

I've no idea how you turned this into a situation where you wanted to post your Pro Controller, but man, I wouldn't post high res photos of my hands if I had disgusting fingernails like that

 

[l7777]

You buy a $450+ Switch 2 and be our test dummy then....make sure you try those 3rd party docks also.

I'm considering it and would have no fear testing with the hardware I have. Haven't convinced myself that I need it yet though.

 

[citruspunch]

Im not really a hardware guy, but I would think the Switch 2 may not work with the switch docks because the charging pins will possibly be further apart.

 

[l7777]

Im not really a hardware guy, but I would think the Switch 2 may not work with the switch docks because the charging pins will possibly be further apart.

USB C is USB C. It's more likely going to be the location/centering of the port.

 

[linuxares]

USB C is USB C. It's more likely going to be the location/centering of the port.

Or they added a little piece of extra plastic like they done on the cards. Since its a USB-C standard, you could most likely hook it up to any third party dock anyway.

 

[subcon959]

USB C is USB C. It's more likely going to be the location/centering of the port.

The Switch was never fully USB compliant this is Nintendo we're talking about.

 

[l7777]

The Switch was never fully USB compliant this is Nintendo we're talking about.

Can you point me to the details on that? The port is still a physical USB C port, it still negotiates with USB PD chargers. What exactly is not compliant about it? The only thing I know if is the video output needing a specific trigger. Power seems to be standard. I have a dozen USB PD chargers and my Switches will charge at either 12v or 15v with every one of them.

 

[subcon959]

Can you point me to the details on that? The port is still a physical USB C port, it still negotiates with USB PD chargers. What exactly is not compliant about it? The only thing I know if is the video output needing a specific trigger. Power seems to be standard. I have a dozen USB PD chargers and my Switches will charge at either 12v or 15v with every one of them.

It should be easy enough to search for but I remember cases of third party docks bricking Switches some time ago. It must've been PD related I can't think what else would cause that.

 

[l7777]

It should be easy enough to search for but I remember cases of third party docks bricking Switches some time ago. It must've been PD related I can't think what else would cause that.

And it couldn't possibly be that these docks were simply poorly made or out of spec themselves? It HAS to be that the Switch doesn't play nice with USB PD?

To be clear, I've heard the same rumor. A long time ago Switches were damaged by third party docks. I've also never seen anyone actually confirm what the problem is/was. What I have been able to gather is that the official Nintendo dock does not use a standard male USB C connector. Standard connectors grip the female USB C port tightly to hold the cable in. As you likely know the dock does not do this or the dock would lift every time you pulled the Switch out of it. I've seen speculation that the problematic docks tried to replicate that connection and got it wrong causing misalignment of the pins and damage. To me this is far more plausible than a deviation from the USB PD spec such that quality USB PD chargers would damage the Switch.

Final note, USB PD chargers default to 5vdc. The device connected to them has to ask for more voltage. Since the Switch can accept 5 - 15vdc the only way for a USB PD charger to damage it would be for it to output 20v without the Switch asking for it. That would also make the charger faulty and out of spec.

 

[Vixi]

The Switch was developed before the spec was standardized.

 

[l7777]

The Switch was developed before the spec was standardized.

The Switch power supply reports PD 2.0 compliance and will output either 5v at 1.5A or 15v at 2.6A according to my power meter.

 

[Jayro]

If Nintendo wanted it probably could be compatible, but they want people to buy the new Switch.

For me, if games on Handheld Mode are in 1080/60 then I'm satisfied and won't use the Dock Mode. I did buy a third party Joy-Con NS2 Chargeable Grip Controller so I'll have a controller I can use for TV gaming.

NS2 Pro Controller looks mostly the same as NS1PC, with a new C button (wake mode) and back buttons (never cared for that).

NS2PC doesn't have analog triggers so, meh, pass.

Might try to buy a GCN NS2 if I can find.

I'm willing to bet this new controller will also grind the stick posts to dust, just like the first ones did. Aluminum sticks for Xbox Elite controller fixed that issue for me.

 

[sasook]

I honestly think it's none of the above. I think the reason they're saying it's not compatible is simply a sizing issue.

We know the Switch 2 is the same thinness as the Switch 1, so it's reasonable to assume the gap in the dock where the Switch 2 sits is the same width as the Switch 1 dock. We also know the Switch 2 is bigger (ergo, longer sideways). That means the dock is also longer sideways. It won't cut off on the sides at the same distance as the Switch 1's dock. That means the Switch 1 simply just may not fit, because the joy con sticks will get in the way when you try to lower it into the dock.

Just my theory.

EDIT: Holy cow I didn't realize this was a dead thread. Mods feel free to delete if this counts as a necropost.

 

[Longjumping]

There is a question on quora that seems to explain the dock compatibility issue. The 39W charger of the original Switch is not compatible with the dock mode of Switch 2, which may cause insufficient power supply