How Nintendo locked down the Switch 2’s USB-C port and broke third-party docking
by Sean Hollister Jul 3, 2025, 3:47 AM GMT+8

I expect some eagle-eyed Nintendo fans will also point out that the Switch 2, unlike the original Switch, needs active airflow to run properly: Nintendo’s official Switch 2 dock now has a fan inside, and the console has vents on the bottom that might get blocked by third-party docks.
(In fact, the Antank dock already does block those vents!) 

Hotspot at top vent But before you suggest that the vents and fan are strictly necessary, please know that the cooling fan in the Switch 2 dock doesn’t actually cool the Switch 2, and that Antank’s dock doesn’t seem to make a Switch 2 run hotter than the official dock. 
I ran Cyberpunk 2077 for an hour straight with each dock, then pulled out a thermal camera, and Antank’s actually seems slightly cooler. Perhaps having more airflow across the screen and back of the console offsets the impact of blocked vents. 

Nintendo Switch 2 Dock

Nintendo Switch 2 Dock

Antank S3 MAX Dock

Antank S3 MAX Dock

As Sean Hollister said, S3 MAX has even better cooling performance than the original model. In addition, it has some more powerful features:

4K@120Hz TV-Ready Performance
This is a Plug-And-Play HDR dock that outputs 4K to your TV while having no impact on the performance of your device.
Pro Tip: You’ve got to enable 120Hz in Switch 2 settings for competitive games!

Engineered for Portability
108g lightest alternative (vs. 327g official dock) – slips into any bag.
Non-slip base grips the surface you’re playing on when the action is frenetic.
When you play on several different screens (at home or in two separate locations), it can be very practical.

Full Feature Parity - Zero Compromise
Ports Galore:
1x USB-C (45W PD fast charging)
1x HDMI 2.1 (4K@120Hz)
2x USB-A (for controllers/accessories)
One-click TV/Handheld switching – no menu diving.

Even if you want to play Switch 2 while charging, open-frame construction shows off your Nintendo Switch 2 screen, no more hiding your console away.

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