The Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be a pretty amazing piece of hardware, but it's also a very expensive one. Starting at $450, this isn't a device anyone can just buy on a whim, and certainly not one you want to risk breaking. To that end, dbrand has come out of the woodwork as per usual, bringing its Killswitch lineup to market to offer all-around protection and more.

I find it hard to formally review something like this considering how many elements of the Killswitch family are optional, aside from the fact that, at the end of the day, it's a case. But if you are looking to protect your Switch 2 from damage and make it more comfortable to play at the same time, I'd say you can't do a lot better than dbrand's offerings here.

About this article: dbrand provided a nearly complete Killswitch set for editorial coverage. The company provided no financial compensation, nor did it have any input on the content of the article.

Protection and comfort, all in one

A grip unlike any other

The core of the Killswitch lineup (what dbrand calls the Essential package), includes the Killswitch case, dock adapter, and a skin, though I didn't receive the latter for my coverage. dbrand skins are a known quantity, though, and I've bought one myself in the past; they're very high quality and can add a touch of personality to your devices. I'm okay without one here, though, because the Switch 2 already looks very sleek and premium without anything else.

So, for me, the focus is on the Killswitch case, which is frankly great. dbrand designed the case to be modular and to avoid interfering with the functionality of the Switch 2. That means you can protect the Joy-Con 2 and the main system all at the same time, but you can still easily detach the Joy-Con 2 controllers without having to mess with the case at all. The release button isn't quite as easy to press with the case attached, and the same goes for the power button, and to a lesser extent, the shoulder buttons. None of this is game-breaking, but it is notable, and it's a somewhat understandable compromise for the protection you get.

It's also worth it for the extra comfort. Personally, I already enjoy playing on the Switch 2 without a case, but the Killswitch adds very nice grips to the Joy-Con 2 that allow my hands to rest much more naturally. It helps that dbrand is using some kind of soft plastic material that feels great to the touch and provides a lot of extra grip. It's just a way more comfortable experience, which I know will be appreciated by those with big hands.

The relatively soft material has other benefits, too. I can snap the case onto the console and controllers without fearing that it will scratch the chassis or leave some kind of mark, which was a problem I had with the Skull & Co. NeoGrip case I had for my Nintendo Switch OLED model. There's a bit of flexibility to it that reassures me it won't damage the console, at least in normal circumstances.

The problems I have the the Killswitch case have more to do with its concept than the execution. This kind of case makes transporting the Switch 2 a bit harder. There's no protection on the front of the console, and the protrusions for the shoulder buttons are also exposed, so I wouldn't want to travel with the Killswitch case alone. But to protect the rest of the console, you now need a bigger case, and most travel cases aren't designed with the Killswitch in mind. That's why I generally prefer to get a travel case and play with the Switch 2 "naked", so to speak. But if you're a fan of grip cases, or you just want that bit of extra protection at home, then the Killswitch looks and feels fantastic to use.

A docking solution

Because the Killswitch case is fairly thick, the console wouldn't fit in the dock with it installed, which is a pretty big problem if you want to offer something that's truly versatile. Thankfully, dbrand thought of this too and came up with a surprisingly genius solution. The bundle also comes with a dock adapter. Essentially, this is a piece of plastic with some circuitry that attaches to your Nintendo Switch 2 dock, and routes the USB Type-C port to another USB port that lives in front of the dock. You can then place the Switch 2 on this dock as you would for the regular one, except the screen remains visible, and you don't have to take the Killswitch off.

This is a very clever idea, and it works mostly well. I noticed the USB Type-C port on the dock adapter is a bit tighter, and it's not as easy to insert the Switch 2 into it as it is with the official dock. I also get the feeling that inserting the Switch 2 at the wrong angle, or jostling the console, could more easily cause damage to the port, which makes me a little uneasy. Still, it's a solution that allows you to dock the console with the case attached, and it's a solution most companies wouldn't make, so it's interesting to see.

Stepping it up for travel

Extra protection on the road

To address the very complaint I just mentioned about traveling, dbrand offers the Premium kit of the Killswitch family, which adds two extra pieces for an extra $20. The major one is the travel cover, which is designed to snap onto the Killswitch case for a fully protective design. It's actually kind of ingenious — while the travel cover is mostly designed to cover the front with a hard plastic chassis, it also extends far enough toward the back that no part of the console is exposed in case you drop it. This results in a much fuller protection, and the added peace of mind really makes a difference.

The travel cover also adds some functionality, though. The front cover also serves as a game card holder, so if you're mostly playing physical games, you can carry them with you easily, and even turn your case into a sort of display for your games, since the game labels face outwards when stored in the case. It's a pretty neat idea, though I have to admit I would still choose a typical travel case over this combination. The fact that the front cover is all plastic makes me think it will likely get smashed in a drop, and potentially send my game cards flying, but that's just personal preference. dbrand does say the front cover offers 100 pounds of crush resistance, and while I'm not brave enough to test that, I also see no reason to doubt it. It certainly feels sturdy.

The other inclusion in the Premium kit are analog stick grips, and this part I love without any qualms. Thanks to my sweaty hands and the relatively soft material of most analog sticks, I've worn out my fair share of analog sticks, so I'm all in favor of grips to keep the original design protected. The dbrand stick grips have a nice textured feel and a more concave design than the analog sticks themselves, so they feel amazing to play with. Paired with the smooth movement of the Switch 2's analog sticks, it quickly became hard to imagine playing games without them.

The Ultra kit

Screen protectors for dummies

There are many things I'm not good at, and one of them is applying screen protectors. The plastic ones are especially terrible because the tiniest bit of dust can leave you with an irremovable bubble, but even with tempered glass screen protectors, I've lost count of the times I've misaligned screen protectors and made things look wrong.

dbrand's Ultra variant of the Killswitch kit includes two Prism screen protectors, which is great for two reasons. First, you have a backup in case you break your first protector. Second, they both come with an absolutely fool-proof applicator. Take it from the fool himself, it's impossible to mess this up unless you actively try.

All you need to do is remove the Joy-Con 2 from the console and place the applicator over the screen. Then, peel the plastic cover as indicated, and quickly swipe your finger down the indicated area to firmly attach the screen protector to the center of the screen, and the rest will naturally glue itself to the screen in a few seconds. If there are any leftover bubbles, an included squeegee can help squeeze them out safely. I can safely say I've never applied a screen protector so well.

It's worth noting that Prism screen protectors are sold separately without the rest of the Killswitch kit, though, so you don't need to spend all this money. At the same time, buying them separately costs $35, while they only add $20 to the Killswitch cost, so it's not a bad deal if you're also looking for a grip case.

A premium solution at a premium price

As much as I can say the Killswitch isn't necessarily the solution I would prefer, I would be lying if I said it's not very admirable. The build quality of everything in this package feels fantastic, and the design overall is very thoughtful and clever. I know for sure I will keep using the Prism screen protector and the thumb grips, and I will most likely end up using the grip case at home to play more comfortable, at least on occasion.

At $100, the Ultra package is definitely not something for everyone, but it also offers one of the most integrated solutions that encompasses protection, comfort, and versatility.