Dbrand Killswitch For The Switch 2 GBAtemp review
Hardware
Product Information:
- Official Store: http://Dbrand.com
When the Dbrand Killswitch was announced, it seemed like it would be the perfect premium case for the Switch 2. With a relatively good track record and reputation, it looked like everyone in the market for a Switch 2 case was considering a pre-order. Even influencers who got early samples had nothing but great things to say about the case. However, once real customers started to get their hands on the Killswitch, many obvious flaws were spotted that made you question how Dbrand even brought it out of the prototyping phase. After a few announcements saying they were researching and developing a new version to fix the issues, the new Killswitch is now in our hands so we can finally see if it’s worth the hefty price tag.
Dbrand offers 3 Killswitch “kits.” The Essential Kit is $59.95 and includes the case, a skin of your choice, and a dock adapter. The Travel Kit is $99.85 and adds a travel cover that also holds some game cartridges, along with stick grips. The Ultra Kit is $134.90 and includes everything mentioned plus 2 screen protectors. I chose the Travel Kit because I liked the idea of having everything you need to just throw your Switch 2 in your bag.
If you’ve ever been forced to listen to ad reads from your favorite YouTubers, you’ve probably heard that Dbrand claims their installs are quick and easy. I was interested in testing these claims because I’m a perfectionist when it comes to installing skins (which are included in the package). So when I opened up their premium packaging, I followed along with their quick installation video and applied everything almost carelessly. To my surprise, the installation really was just as easy as they claimed. Everything was painless, including the joy-con skins. I’m sure if I looked close enough, I’d find some misalignment, but even without trying to be perfect it still came out looking nice.
With everything installed, the case looks substantially bulkier than the naked Switch 2, but it gives the console a clean and mature look. While the controller skin is optional (and included), I’m quite happy with how my damascus choice turned out. I didn’t run any scientific drop tests, but in the hand it feels reassuring—like it would easily protect the device from an accidental fall off a table or from a child’s hands. That said, I do think the travel cover looks a little ugly compared to the case itself, but you’ll likely be leaving that in the bag anyway.
I have mixed opinions on the joy-con grips. In handheld mode, the grips definitely make for a more comfortable experience, but even with my smaller hands I found them too small compared to using my Steam Deck. I did find that, along with the stick grips, my aim was better in shooters like Apex Legends, but don’t expect anything close to a pro controller experience. The stick grips do a lot to trick your fingers into thinking they’re holding a bigger joystick, but due to the vertical joy-con button layout, aiming with the right stick still feels inferior. If the grips angled outward more, your thumb would rest more comfortably on the joysticks but that’s not the case here. I also noticed that with the stick grips installed, the Minus button on the left joy-con is annoyingly hard to press. Not a dealbreaker, since the grips are removable, but worth noting.
In tabletop or TV mode, the split joy-con experience can actually feel worse. The grips make the face buttons more accessible, but I found myself missing the slim and lightweight feel of bare joy-cons. While that’s subjective, what is objectively a downgrade is the ZL and ZR buttons becoming harder to reach. Since your fingers rest on the grips, you can’t press the side buttons without completely adjusting your grip and even then, it’s not comfortable. Bigger hands might have an easier time, but I doubt it would be much more comfortable. This is a shame because I often use the bumpers like on a pro controller. It’s a trade-off that feels worthwhile for handheld mode, but it was an unpleasant surprise.
So what about the flaws in the first batch of Killswitch cases? There were two notable issues that Dbrand claims to have fixed. First, people complained that docking and undocking the Killswitch required two hands instead of one. I personally had more trouble lining up the USB-C port when docking, but for undocking you can use one hand, you just may need a finger or two to push down on the dock. The second, and more infamous, issue was that you couldn’t hold the Switch 2 by a single joy-con without it detaching. This flaw was so glaring it made you wonder why none of the influencers mentioned it. Thankfully, that issue is gone—at least on my case. I can hold it by one joy-con and even shake it around without the Switch falling out. Despite Dbrand’s rocky response to the backlash, I’m glad they fixed the issues and offered replacements to those affected.
Spending $60 on a case can feel steep when Amazon is full of cheaper options that also claim to protect your console. But with the higher price comes a reputable brand, premium materials, and a slick presentation. If you want a travel case with solid protection for your Switch 2, the Travel Kit is worth it for peace of mind. However, if your main goal is to improve ergonomics, especially if you mostly use TV mode, you’ll likely find better alternatives out there.
Verdict
- Good Feeling Materials
- Improves Handheld Experience
- Allows for Docking With Dock Adapter
- Comes with a Dbrand Skin
- Seamless Install Experience
- Grip Shape Could Be More Ergonomic
- No ZL and ZR Buttons With Split Joycons
- Stick Grips Make Minus Button Hard To Press
