I trust DBrand with some of my most important devices. Its screen protectors (and applicators) have been top-notch, and its cases have wrapped a few of my phones, including my Samsung Galaxy S25. This time, I trusted them with my Nintendo Switch 2 in the process of reviewing the inventive Killswitch 2 grip and case combo – its premium build quality and sleek design complement the ergonomic advantage it provides. If you can contend with an awkward solution to docking your Switch 2 while keeping the grips and back protector on, this is an excellent case that covers several bases all at once. It's easy to recommend to any Switch 2 owner looking to protect their handheld in style.
The Killswitch 2 case is difficult to wrap your mind around at first. Instead of the standard grip and a separate case with a zipper, padded innards, and elastic game slots that wear out, the Killswitch 2 marries multiple ideas into a unified thing. It’s one part rubberized grips and protective shell that attach to the Joy-Con and back of the console, respectively. The second part is a hard plastic cover that goes over the front to provide full protection, and a strong elastic cord wraps around the console and slots into hooks on the cover to keep everything tightly secured. This semi-translucent screen cover doubles as a game holder for up to 10 physical game cartridges on the inside of it as well.
It's a sturdier solution to protecting your screen than the average case, with much less give than even most hard-shelled cases. DBrand claims this screen cover can tank as much as 100lbs of pressure, though I haven't had a chance to put that to the test (and, frankly, I don’t think I will). One frustration is that you can’t charge your Switch 2 with the screen cover attached.
Aside from the cord’s hooks and anchors, this screen cover adds very little profile to the Switch 2, offering extra protection without taking up too much space. But what this screen cover boasts in protection and efficiency, it lacks in space. I think the designers at DBrand made the bet that nobody's just carrying a Switch case by itself, but I do wish there was room for carrying stuff like Joy-Con 2 straps in their grand design. I have room in my backpack for stuff like that, but rifling around between extra pockets kind of defeats the purpose of a bespoke carrying case.
This reinforces the primary design ethos of the Killswitch 2: It feels designed for a standard handheld like a Steam Deck, not something that's meant to connect to a TV, and certainly not a device with as many use cases as the Switch 2. That’s not to say it’s wholly dysfunctional; it’s much nicer than your average grip case, but we’re still early enough into the Switch 2 lifecycle that I want to have easy access to its full range of gimmicks, mouse mode and all.
But you know what isn’t a gimmick? Docking the console. Half of the Switch 2’s appeal is playing it on a TV to enjoy Nintendo’s first 4K console. Unfortunately, the Killswitch 2 case doesn’t fit inside the standard Switch 2 dock. Instead of redesigning the case, DBrand offers an awkward fix to a problem it created. Each Killswitch 2 case ships with an extra dock-like cradle, which has a USB-C input on a rail that gets slotted into the Switch 2 dock and has a USB-C plug in the front that functions as an adapter.
In theory, this should allow you to dock your Switch 2 without taking any extra precautions, but I had some trouble getting my unit to work at first. Maybe it was the fit, maybe it was just that I kept missing the adjustable USB-C plug when slotting the console into place, but it took me multiple tries before the console was properly docked and connected to my TV. It’s a minor inconvenience, sure, but when other high-quality grip cases like Genki’s are comparable while still dockable, this gets annoying quickly.
That’s not to mention the inconvenience of needing to carry an extra accessory just to dock your Switch 2. I left it at home for a recent trip, so I couldn’t dock my Switch 2 without completely removing the case from my console. This extra cradle may be cool for displaying your Switch 2 in your entertainment console, but it’s not the most portable or convenient.
Should you forget your adapter, you’ll run into another of the Killswitch 2’s biggest issues: adhesives. The Killswitch 2 ships with a case for the tablet itself, alongside a cover for the kickstand for a uniform feel in handheld mode. Both have adhesives on them, which ensure the console doesn’t move or wiggle around in the case or potentially even slide out altogether. It’s a great idea in theory, but if you’re taking the case off for any reason, it can complicate things. Especially that kickstand cover.
The Killswitch 2 also comes with thumbstick covers that add extra grip and profile to the Joy-Con 2’s analog sticks. This might secretly be the best part of the whole bundle. These grip covers worked together with the ergonomic hand grips on each Joy-Con to make a long cross-country flight much more comfortable. Even after moving on to test out other cases and grips, these covers have stayed on thanks to their textured, comfortable feel.
