Technology is always evolving in increments, but sometimes those little improvements can have severe side effects. Case in point — after the Switch’s latest v5.0.0 firmware update, there are several reports from consumers that their third-party docks (such as from Nyko) have bricked their consoles, rendering them unusable.
How is this happening? Nyko, in a statement to Kotaku, offered a possible explanation:
“(Nyko is) aware of the issue some Portable Docking Kit owners are facing after updating the firmware on their Nintendo Switch to version 5.0. Though further testing is still required to determine the exact root cause of the problem, we believe it is related to the way the Switch handles AV output for an external TV/monitor while the console is docked on the Portable Docking Kit.”
Nintendo has also officially commented on the situation as well:
“Nintendo (recommends) that Switch owners only buy officially licensed Switch products . . . Unlicensed products and accessories do not undergo Nintendo’s testing and evaluation process. They might not work at all with our game systems, and they could have compatibility problems with certain games, the Nintendo Switch system itself, and other licensed accessories and peripherals.”
To those using third-party docks, be cautious for the moment and stick to the first-party hardware if you can. Otherwise, you may find your hundreds of hours of playtime in Breath of the Wild has mysteriously evaporated, and that your console won’t even turn on.
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Written by Amelia Fruzzetti
A writer and Nintendo fan based in Seattle, Washington. When not working for NinWire, she can be found eating pasta, writing stories, and wondering about when Mother 3 is finally going to get an official localization.
