Axybcool Dockable Case

Hardware Type: Case / Grip

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Review:

(Note: This product was received at no cost for review via the Amazon Vine program.)

(Note: This product is also sold under the brand name Svetaecho.)

I need to start this review by addressing one major issue with this case – the name of the case is a lie. More specifically, the word “dockable”. This is not a dockable case, not even if you remove the parts of this case that are removable. It will not fit in the Nintendo Switch 2 dock, and if you try to do so, you may damage the dock, the case, your Nintendo Switch 2, or all three.

Okay, now that that’s settled let’s get on with the rest of the review.

Even though the Axybcool Dockable Case isn’t dockable, it offers quite a lot of other enticing features that still might make it worthwhile. It’s a grip to make your Nintendo Switch 2 more comfortable to hold, it’s a protective covering keeping your Nintendo Switch 2 console safe, and it includes a detachable game storage case. There’s a lot going on here, but how much of it works and are there any problems with it?

The case comes in three pieces, all detachable. There’s a grip case that surrounds the unit, a hard faceplate cover that wraps around the front, and a detachable cartridge holder that attaches to the back. There are some included instructions that come with the case, but I doubt you’ll need them, because it’s fairly easy to figure out how to attach, detach the three – to insert your Nintendo Switch 2 from the grip, you slide it in at an angle from below with the Joy-Con 2 controllers attached, pushing up on the notches at the top, which are slightly flexible to allow entry, and you push the Nintendo Switch 2 back up again to flex those same notches to allow for removal. The face plate slips onto the top edge first before clasping on the bottom edge. And the cartridge case has two manual switches to either side on the bottom that lock it in place or unlock it for removal.

The grip case has grips to either side of the Nintendo Switch 2, with holes to allow access to all of the console’s buttons and its game cartridge slot. The face plate effectively covers everything, protecting the screen with a thin layer of foam padding on the inside, as well as shielding the analog sticks, buttons, and ports, leaving free the USB-C port on the bottom of the Nintendo Switch 2 so you can still charge it. And the cartridge case can be opened whether or not it’s attached, revealing slots for six game cartridges (either Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 game cartridges, as both are the same size) and two MicroSD cards (you’ll want MicroSD Express card if you plan on using them with Nintendo Switch 2).

So, now that we’ve addressed what everything does, how well does it work?

Well, for starters, the grip is extremely comfortable. This might very well be the best Nintendo Switch 2 grip I have gotten my hands on. It feels natural, contours just right to the hands and fingers, and doesn’t add much to the weight of the console. I do note that my right thumb reaching for the face buttons on the right Joy-con 2 controller does bump into the right analog stick, but this was an issue with the Nintendo Switch 2’s design already, so I can’t pin the blame for this on the grip.

There are a few issues I can pin on the grip, though. It completely blocks off the Nintendo Switch 2’s kickstand, and provides nothing to replace it. If you want to play in tabletop mode, you’ll need to remove your Nintendo Switch 2 from the grip. Blocking the kickstand also means blocking off access to the MicroSD Express port, and if you want to insert or remove a MicroSD Express card you’ll need to remove your Nintendo Switch 2 from the grip. It prevents you from ejecting Joy-Con 2 controllers, so if you want to use them separately from the console, you’ll need to remove your Nintendo Switch 2 from the grip. And (yes, I’m saying this again), it’s not dockable, which means if you want to play on your TV, you’ll need to remove your Nintendo Switch 2 from the grip.

Also, while this is more an observation than a complaint, I don’t see much reason that the game case needed to be detachable here. It seems like that would be an easy way to lose it, it doesn’t get in the way of where your fingers are, and I can’t see a reason you would need to see your games and the screen at the same time – just pause your game and turn the thing over to have a look.

In the end, I think that the Axybcool Dockable Case has some really excellent features, but it also makes some questionable choices. It’s a wonderfully comfortable grip, and when combined with the cover it seems like it will give good protection to the Nintendo Switch 2. But it also prevents access to numerous features of the Nintendo Switch 2, including ones you’ll likely need often. And yeah, that includes docking, which once again this dockable case won’t let you do.

I really hope that Axybcool refines this case design in a Version 2, which uncovers the kickstand, slims up the case to make it dockable, and gives users an easier way to remove the Joy-Con 2 controllers. because without these flaws, this is a fantastic case and grip. With them, it’s still pretty good, but you’ll need to be okay with taking it on and off all the time.

tl;dr – The Axybcool Dockable Case is a case for Nintendo Switch 2 that is NOT dockable. Despite the device’s misleading name, it’s a pretty good grip and protector case, though it blocks access to too many of the Nintendo Switch 2’s features, and users will likely have to keep taking the case off to use these features. If not for these problems, this would be an outstanding case. With these problems, it’s merely a good one.

Grade: B

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