Right, can we all agree that the Switch 2 Joy-Cons are bloody horrible to use? I know there are bigger problems, like stick drift and crappy triggers, but for me they’re just the least ergonomic and most uncomfortable controller to play with. I find that it’s impossible for me to play anything that requires real accuracy thanks to the small sticks and lack of real grip on the reverse of the joycons, and after half an hour of playtime I’ll often start to get pain in my wrists.
Luckily there are some very nice grip cases out there, such as the new and improved Dbrand Killswitch for Switch 2 anyway, which offers plenty of protection, but impacts the ergonomics in a positive way.
If you want a “tl;dr”, then: It’s ace, and if you can stomach the price then it’s absolutely worth it.
When it comes to picking cases, I have a few criteria I’m looking for:
- Should clip directly to the console
- I still want to be able to detach the Joy-Cons
- I want grips that’ll make the console more comfortable to use
- Ideally I don’t want it to be too expensive
Initially I tried to meet all four of these criteria and ended up with a case from a rival brand which was nice, but unfortunately snapped after a couple of months. I’d had a good experience with Dbrand previously, as the Killswitch for ROG Ally X makes a somewhat delicate device strong enough to chuck into a backpack, so I bit the bullet and grabbed the Switch 2 version.
Let’s not beat around the bush here, it’s expensive. The configuration I got ended up being about £67 with delivery, so we’re talking roughly the price of a new AAA release. It’s a lot, and if you budget your gaming spend each month like I do then it can be very difficult to justify, so I wouldn’t blame anyone for opting for something cheaper.
The configuration I chose came with the following:
- Main case
- Joy-Con grips
- Dock adapter
- Joy-Con skins
- Thumbstick grips
I wish there was a way to reduce the cost slightly and bin off the skins completely. They look cool but I’m awful at applying them and never happy with how they look. I put one on, realised it wasn’t millimetre perfect so ripped it off and binned them both. They’re a great way to spice up the rather bland default Joy-Con colour but I’d still rather pay a little less and not get them at all.
Putting the rest of the case on is incredibly easy though. There’s a handy video tutorial you’ll find by scanning a QR code in the (lovely, high quality) box but it’s not really needed. Simply peel off the adhesive tape and clip the case onto the Switch 2, slide the Joy-Cons into their grips and stick the stand cover on the back. It takes minutes, and I know some people baulk at using adhesive, but I’ve done it with cases on foldable phones before and it’s never caused any problems, so I’ve no issue doing it on the Switch 2.
The dock adapter is just a case of sliding it onto the existing dock. It’s simple to use, the only thing to keep in mind is that the USB-C adapter rotates forward and backward. It needs to be pushed forward when you dock, then when the Switch 2 is inserted it can rotate backwards so the console sits against the dock. It’s a little fiddly but as long as you remember to pull it forward before you dock the Switch 2 then it’s fine. The case also has a handy dot on the bottom lip to help you line up with the adapter while docking, which is appreciated.
The moment the Killswitch was fully installed on my Switch 2 it became apparent that this was a huge upgrade. The grips are amazing, I don’t think I’ve ever used a controller as contoured to your hand as this, there’s ample grip at the bottom for resting the Joy-Cons in your hands and a cut-out for your finger to rest too. It’s genuinely really comfortable to use, and having a better grip on the console makes it much easier to control games more accurately, especially when paired with the thumbstick grips. I’ve been playing Star Wars Outlaws recently and was having some trouble aiming, having to rely on motion controls a lot of the time. With larger surface area on the thumbsticks and improved grip on the back of the console, it’s a lot easier to make headshots without having to lean on motion controls for every kill.
You may have heard that the original version of the Killswitch had issues with Joy-Cons dropping off the console. This was apparently due to the original design removing the slim gap between the console and the Joy-Con, which acts as a fulcrum and stops the Joy-Cons from dropping off when pressure is applied. The new version, which keeps that gap intact, has no problems whatsoever as far as I can tell. You can comfortably hold the console one-handed without fear of it falling apart, and there’s absolutely zero wobble on the Joy-Cons, which wasn’t the case with the previous grip I’d been using. It’s really impressive, and reassuring that it feels so sturdy.
Speaking of sturdy, with the cover on too you can easily chuck this in a backpack and not need to worry about it. Between the protection it offers the screen and the cover provided by the back of the case, I’ve got no concerns about the console getting damaged or the Joy-Cons becoming separated. It also lets you store a handful of games in it too, so it’s as versatile as it is protective. The bungie cord that keeps the cover in place is great too, and a much better solution than the ROG Ally X Killswitch which requires you to snap the cover on and off the handheld and feels a little bit like you’re going to break it each time.
If you’re after a case that improves ergonomics and still lets you detach the Joy-Cons then the Dbrand Killswitch is an incredibly high quality option, and the only option as far as I’m concerned. It is expensive, but I think you get what you pay for, and the huge boost to comfort and accuracy when using the console is worth the price alone, before even considering the protection and peace of mind it adds.