Switch 1 & 2: Nintendo may be working on a smart universal dock

A patent that has surfaced suggests that Nintendo could be working on a universal dock that supports both the Switch 2 and the previous model. The hardware should automatically recognize the plugged-in console and adjust the performance.

New dock for two generations

There has been some news about new Nintendo hardware in the past few days and weeks. The Switch 2 will appear in a new version with a replaceable battery. At the same time, the console receives a new screen. Now the Japanese entertainment company could also be working on a universal dock that is suitable for both the current Switch 2 and the first generation of the console. A newly discovered patent describes a smart base station.

The device should automatically recognize which console model is plugged in. The respective generation is probably recognized using different power supply protocols. Once the dock identifies the device, it regulates data transfer, video output and cooling performance. The goal could be to make it easier to switch to your home television without the need for separate base stations.

As Nintendo Patents Watch on Bluesky reported, the newer Switch 2 benefits from the full power of the station. In the appropriate mode, the dock activates the USB 3.0 standard, outputs a high-resolution image signal and increases the speed of the integrated fan to cope with heat generation. If the older previous model is placed in the dock, the system throttles the parameters. The hardware then adapts to the technical limitations of the first generation and uses the older USB 2.0 data standard, outputs the video signal with lower resolution and reduces the fan speed for quieter operation.

Cooling and off for the switch

The built-in fan not only serves to protect the base station circuit board from overheating. The air also flows directly into the console housing through an opening on the bottom. A look into the past shows that cooling was often a weak point in the first generation. Users reported bent cases due to heat build-up in the original dock. The new direct air supply design could finally solve such thermal problems. The company will stop selling the older console in Europe after February 2027 because the built-in battery does not meet the new repairability guidelines.

Nevertheless, the manufacturer plans to support the system with software updates for the foreseeable future. With over 140 million units sold, the first generation has a gigantic user base that Nintendo probably won’t or can’t abandon. With a new, improved dock, owners of the original console would once again be offered new hardware.

Future of Universal Dock

It is currently unclear whether the universal dock will ever go on sale and whether it will completely replace the previous models. Technology companies regularly file patents to protect intellectual property. Since the document was submitted before the Switch 2 was launched, the idea could have already been rejected.