Nintendo has designed a docking station compatible with both Switch and Switch 2, here's what it looks like
Nintendo would have considered the creation of a universal dock compatible with both Switch and the new Switch 2. This is suggested by a patent filed in China, discovered by Nintendo Patents Watch, which describes an accessory capable of automatically recognizing the connected console and adjusting its operation according to the device's characteristics.
A Nintendo patent published in China describes a Switch 2 dock that can also support the Switch 1 console. Since NS2 and NS1 handle the Power Delivery negotiation differently, the dock can recognize which console is connected (imgs 1-3) and behave accordingly.
— Nintendo Patents Watch (@ninpatentswatch.bsky.social) July 16, 2026, at 03:28
The idea would have originated before the launch of Nintendo Switch 2, whose official dock introduces some novelties compared to the previous generation, including an integrated LAN port and an active cooling system. Despite these improvements, the dock for the new console does not offer backward compatibility with the first Switch.
According to the patent description, the new universal dock would automatically detect the connected model and modify its settings. With Nintendo Switch 2, it would activate the USB 3.0 mode, allow video output up to 4K, and increase the internal fan speed to meet the greater thermal needs of the console.
With the original Nintendo Switch, however, the dock would automatically switch to USB 2.0 mode, limit the video output to 1080p, and reduce the fan speed, adjusting to the hardware requirements of the previous model.
Power management would also change based on the console used. The patent highlights that Nintendo Switch is designed for a maximum power of 18 W, while Nintendo Switch 2 can go up to 60 W, even though everyday usage generally results in lower consumption. A dock capable of automatically managing these parameters could simplify use for those who own both consoles and avoid the need to maintain two separate bases.
The document was filed in January 2025, about six months before the launch of Nintendo Switch 2, while the publication in China dates back to July 10 of this year. As is often the case with patents, however, the documentation does not represent a confirmation of the arrival of a commercial product.
Nintendo regularly files patents related to technologies and design solutions that do not necessarily reach production. At the moment, there are no indications that point to the commercialization of this accessory.
The patent still holds some interest because it demonstrates that the company has considered a solution capable of ensuring compatibility between two generations of consoles, automatically adapting technical specifications, power, cooling, and video output according to the connected device.