A brand new Nintendo Swap 2 system replace simply bricked many third-party docks

The latest Swap 2 software program replace seems to be to have bricked many third-party docks and associated equipment, based on customers across the internet and a report by Kotaku. We do not know if this was an intentional transfer by Nintendo or just an accident. Engadget has reached out to the corporate for clarification.

The Swap 2 replace 21.0.0 brings some much-needed quality-of-life options, like the power to show off autoplaying movies within the eShop and new icons that point out whether or not a sport is digital or bodily. Nonetheless, it additionally introduced alongside the aforementioned dock hiccup.

Swap 2 house owners have reported that these docks both do not work in any respect or are actually way more finicky, typically requiring a restart. This does not appear to have impacted all third-party docks, however complaints are coming in pertaining to many various merchandise. YouTuber AustinJohnPlays examined out two completely different Swap 2 dock dongles after the replace and reported that each had been borked.

Nintendo has responded to those allegations, suggesting that this was an accident that solely impacted sure gadgets. The corporate wrote that it “doesn’t have any intention to hinder or invalidate authorized third-party dock compatibility.” Typically new console firmware impacts third-party equipment. On the very least, this was something that happened to the original Switch a few instances.

The businesses that make these equipment must carry out their very own software program updates to get issues going once more. Within the meantime, train warning when shopping for a third-party dock.

Replace, November 14 2025, 12:55PM ET: This story has been up to date to incorporate Nintendo’s response and a possible explanation for the difficulty.