This Nintendo Switch 2 charging grip finally makes portable gaming enjoyable | Gaming | Entertainment

I love playing my Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode – in fact, it’s probably the way I use it 90% of the time. As great as a portable console it is, though, I do still have some bug bears with the experience.

While the console is miraculously thin, it does unfortunately make it rather unweidly to grip for games like me with big hands. The lack of any real substance to the back of the Joy-Cons often leaves me fatigued after less than an hour of gaming, forcing me to take regular breaks.

In fairness, that also alleviates my second problem with the Switch 2 – battery life. While less intense games can see the console last for hours on end, playing through the Final Fantasy 7 remakes regularly had my console running out of juice in less than a couple of hours.

Thankfully, Belkin has brought out a brand new product that solves both of these issues with one handy accessory. The Nintendo Switch 2 charging grip introduces an innovative charging solution to massively bolster the console’s portable lifespan, while also making the console much more comfortable to use during long sessions in the first place.

My review unit arrived in a stylish green colourway, which I found to be very reminiscent of Master Chief’s iconic Spartan Armour. Ironic, given Halo isn’t playable on Nintendo Switch – but a design that I found to look sleek without being overly ‘gamery’.

The three panels snap to the console with ease, and stay in place extremely well. What I instantly loved about the grip is that they all ensure the Switch 2 retains every ounce of its intended portable functionality.

The Joy-Cons can still be detached while the case is installed, and the robust stand of the device can also still be deployed without interference. Each of the buttons and ports line up immacculately with the cases cutouts, and the panels are slim enough for the console to still slot right into the dock without needing to take it off.

Belkin has added much larger grips to the back of the Joy-Cons, which instantly makes holding the Nintendo Switch 2 far easier. I was no longer having to use my pinky fingers to bear the weight of the console, instead wrapping my palms all the way around to support it with my wrists.

As a result, I instantly felt like I was able to play the Switch 2 for far longer than I was before with the footprint eering slightly closer to the size of a Steam Deck, although not quite as heavy.

That’s without the included battery pack installed, which does add a good chunk of weight to the overall package. However, thanks to the larger grip afforded, the console still feels comfortable in the hands.

The battery pack is the second half of this Belkin package, adding an additional 5,000mAh of juice to the back of your console when needed. Belkin has designed this battery extremely well with magnets to hold it in place and small pegs in each corner to further secure it.

I gave the battery a good test by shaking it around and never once managed to get it to dislodge from its spot on the back of the Switch 2.

Of course, the Switch 2 doesn’t charge wirelessly, but Belkin has included an integrated cable that’s perfectly measured to reach the top charging port of the console. Its capacity essentially doubles the battery capacity of your console, which I found to be a huge boon for playing heavy-duty games on longer train journeys.

I also appreciated the small screen on the back of the battery pack which clearly indicates the percentage charge and an indicator light to show when it’s charging or discharging.

There are a couple of areas where I feel Belkin have missed the mark slightly. That integrated cable is only capable of an output charge, meaning you’ll need to carry a second cable to juice it back up again – something I found out the hard way when trying to top up in a cafe.

I also found that once you do find a second cable to plug in, the battery does take a little longer than I’d like to get back to 100%.

I used a 100w cable with a 65w fast charger and found the Belkin battery pack took over an hour to get back to full. It’s not awful by most battery pack standards, but I did find it to be frustrating when I needed to top up in a rush while working in a cafe.

The Verdict

Minor battery gripes aside, the combined result of doubling my portable gaming time while actually making the Switch 2 feel comfortable to hold has resulted in me actually looking forward to playing the console in handheld mode again.

Belkin has delivered a smart, sleek, and genuinely useful product here. Anyone who uses their Switch 2 in handheld mode regularly will quickly benefit from its inclusion in their line-up of accessories.

4/5

Review unit provided by PR.