We've just moved into a new office here at Nintendo Life, and one of the first things we decided we needed pronto was a second Switch dock for the TV, so we could bring in our consoles and use them when we were really supposed to be working.
Back when the Switch was released, Nintendo made a point of promoting the fact that yes, you can buy a second dock for your console; despite the high price, it made a lot of sense, as in many households there's going to be more than one television and logic dictates that you're going to want to use your system in more than one room. A 'dock set' was duly released which included the dock, a power supply and a HDMI cable – everything you needed to get your Switch up-and-running on a second TV.
So, when we recently moved offices, this was towards the top of our shopping list – but could we find one of these packs brand new? Could we heck.
We've spent a few days hunting online and – in the UK, at least – official Switch docks are like rocking horse poop. Nintendo's official UK store has been sold out at least since the start of the year, if not before. Any retailer that happens to have the pack in stock is selling it for an inflated price, and even CEX – a leading UK store which deals in pre-owned goods – is selling second-hand docks for relatively high prices. Call us picky, but we'd rather have a new dock, not one that has already been sullied by another human being.
Why is the dock so hard to get hold of? Why has Nintendo not made sure there's a plentiful supply of these things available at all times? It would seem that in the UK at least, Nintendo hasn't produced fresh stock of these docks for quite some time, and given that we're over two years into the Switch's lifespan and there's still no sign of new units arriving, it seems the firm has decided that selling the dock on its own doesn't make a great deal of sense.
As to why this is the case, there are a number of potential reasons. Perhaps, outside of a few vocal voices, there really isn't all that much demand for a second Switch dock. Nintendo's wish is that everyone in your house owns a Switch, rather than a household just having a single console between everyone. It might seem greedy but it's no different a situation than what we currently have with mobile phone or tablet ownership; people tend to want their own, personal device. If this is happening place in some homes – and we have no reason to suspect it isn't – then it may be that people actually have more docks than they really need; if there's only one main TV but three Switch consoles, then two of those docks are going spare.
We've also got to take into account that there are more than a few third-party Switch docks on the market, and despite fears that they are bricking systems, the lower price of these alternative options may well have wiped out any demand for the official dock, hence Nintendo ending production.
Have you had trouble finding a second Switch dock? Or have you simply opted for a cheaper third-party option? Maybe you're lucky enough to have a second Switch in the house so you've never needed another dock? Let us know by voting in the poll and leaving a comment below.
Have you tried to buy a second Switch dock? (323 votes)
- Yes, I managed to get an official dock
- Yes, I took the third-party route
- We have multiple Switch consoles in the house so it's not an issue
- No, I don't need or want a second dock
- No, I've not been able to find one
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Comments 99
One dock is enough for me.
Two Mojo Jojo... I mean, Two docks is too many.
Here in Mexico you can easily find them on Amazon. But for the price it's just more cost effective to buy a second switch
I've just gave up and went the third party route for second dock and the one I have works just fine and waaaay cheaper.
I was in the same predicament. My dock broke and was looking for a new replacement and no place in ireland had them except cex which was €80. I had to send to to Nintendo to get it repaired and it cost me £42 (it was out of warranty). This was fixed a month and a half ago.
Gamestop told me they never sold it (which was a lie as I saw them selling it when the switch was released and a few months after that).
Can't Speak for the rest of the U.S but their everywhere here. Their in stock at (2)Gamestops, (2)Walmarts, (2)Targets, (1)Best Buy, heck we even have a couple at our Kohl's clothing store and at our Meijers grocery store.
i want a second dock but im not paying £100 for one
I am sure full Switch units get priority. Extra docks are probably very limited in number.
We just move around the 2 we already have. Two switches, two docks, no problems.
They’re always on display at Wal-Mart. California here.
Had to order mine from amazon germany
They are plentiful by me...but I’m across the sea.
I don't actually have a need for a second dock. But I guess as far as there not being a lot of docks out there, that bodes well for Nintendo's push for people to enjoy the switch portably. Especially those jumping off the 3DS train.
The poll is missing "Want one, but can't find one official"
CEX trying to sell second hand stuff for more than it's new retail price is nothing new.
I wonder why they're so shortstocked in the UK - they're available everywhere in the US, at least in my experience.
Oh, guys.... 😏
https://m.tokopedia.com/kingkonggames
There is a Switch dock sold in Jakarta, Indonesia with just 500,000 Rupiah or US$ 34.61
I bought 4 Dock Sets last year from Smyths in UK - for some reason the UK nintendo store had sold out - Amazon had sold out.
I think due to the UK having a different plug form Europe - And with the Switch Mini being revealed tonight - nintendo didn't make anymore UK docks.
In Japan last week - I bought a new Switch (tax free for £180) gave my old one to a friend and I got a Dock, more Joycons - only problem is - I'm stuck with a JPN charger lol
I got three Docks.
1. in game room
2. family room
3. in Nintendo backpack for when traveling
That's works for me.
Pretty easy to find in the States from what I've seen.
I walked into my local walmart and they had a couple of docks in the display case.
I am at 3 right now.
1. Home Office Desk
2. Bedroom Night Stand
3. Work Office Desk
I got the 2 extra on Amazon for about $49 (marketplace or sale) in the US as I needed them. No way was I paying full price for them.
Somebody mentioned this on Twitter recently and I looked and it was easy to find in the US, as others above have said.
Hasn't this site spent the past 10 years saying Nintendo hates or neglects the UK? Well there's your karma, or proof, depending on your point of view. 😎
And why would your company even WANT to buy a $90 dock, what the frak is wrong with you people, chip in the extra $20 each and buy a Switch bundle. Or just invite Ant to your next gathering, buy him a few beers, and have him drunk order one online. Seriously, don't buy a dock. Raffle off the 2nd Switch, business expense, done.
@BacklogBlues that's how I felt during typical Nintendo hardware and amiibo shortages. My area always had a full stock. Still had SNES minis up until a month or so ago.
@rjejr Getting a group to chip in extra money to buy a complete Switch bundle, then selling/raffling off the Switch, just to keep the dock is not exactly what I would call an "easy" process when it comes to buying things. Which begs the question - Why is it so hard to buy a Switch dock? NL should really do a piece on that.
EDIT: I thought I had a smiley in there somewhere... so in case it wasn't clear, of course I'm just joking and giving you a hard time.
Honestly None of thoses votes Makes the answer It's cause people make fake controllers that fools them then they have to buy the real one losing more money..
This is an issue? I just bought my third dock set the other month off Amazon without any issues, and they even had it discounted to $50!
@cfgk24 On Amazon it is also unavailable in France, so it is not a UK only issue.
Micromania which is one of the video game chain in France (like Game here in the UK) does not have it either.
@Ryu_Niiyama to compensate Europe gets the good estore deals.
Headline: "Why Is It So Hard To Buy A Switch Dock Set?"
Article: "Here are all the many ways you can buy one"
@tendonerd lol, we get good eshop sales, just not at the same time. Like when that digital sale went off for y'all and all the Americans were moaning I waited because I knew we'd catch up in like a week. ...and we did, to the consternation of my bank account.
we have a family dock for family time playing. It works great in its limited capacity of being used 2 times per week. Other than that its in my game room where I play. Got it from Best Buy for 30$
Hmm, I hadn't considered a work dock...and this is coming from a woman that used to take her wiiu to work. Might be time to get another dock.
It's Nintendo's version of the Move Controllers; They technically exist, but I've never seen them in real life.
Hardware refresh is coming so they’ve pulled supplies
I would like one for when visiting my parents overseas; but I don’t visit often enough to warrant the £80 it cost. A more portable, smaller dock that is guaranteed NOT to brick maybe Switch would also be nice.
A travel one would be good, but I'm never paying £80 for a 2nd dock.
You missed the main answer from your survey to back up your article, which I assume was the point in it in the first place :
"I have had trouble finding a second Switch dock"
This is the case for me at this point - no new official stock in the UK that I have seen since well before last Christmas...
@Yoshinator because you can't get to the plugs...
It was indeed surprisingly hard. But I wanted one, I needed it at the time, and so I got it. Now I don't even play on the TV anymore. But it's good to have.
As others have pointed out - I don't understand poll, why is it missing want official dock - can't find dock for sale?
@jockmahon they are smart though.. we all know not many would buy that for that price. you can almost get a whole switch system better save for a second switch then lol
I wonder what's up with stock in the UK (and maybe Europe)? I can buy one nearly everywhere here in the United States.
I have a second (official) one as I play in different spots sometimes. Also, people have their entertainment setups...well, set up differently. It's not so easy to move a dock around when you have the cables neatly routed. Not gonna set there and rip cables out just to play it on another TV. lol
I got a barely used dock on ebay, with OEM power adapter and HDMI... for $55 shipped last winter.
In the poll, why isn’t there an option for “I want a dock, but can’t find one”.
Yeah I got a second one a year ago as a travel dock.
Meanwhile the are very easy to find in my country (the Netherlands)
I have been able to find them locally but not willing to pay $100 for one.
The poll needs to allow multiple answers.
1) I got 2 Switches at launch so had 2 docks then.
2) I have the Nintendo travel charge dock and Horo charge dock (So no video but everything else)
3) I imported both the Smash and Pokemon docks (and JoyCons) from Nintendo Japan using white rabbit shipping service https://my.whiterabbitexpress.com/?ref_id=ND7yT48oLRiWhMqXP
So I'm fine when it comes to Switch docks.
Wanted a second dock but got a new console for the kids and they play mainly portable so 2 docks here.
I just think it’s not worth buying a dock for 1/3 price of a switch, your better off buying the console again
Walked in to local Target (Houston, TX) and bought one no problem. Not sure what the big deal is.
I got a second one when Best Buy had them on sale ($39.99 IIRC), but now I don't need it since I'm solo. Guess I could sell it, after all!
Nice article. Could anyone recommend a reliable, portable 3rd party dock please? I live in UK but travel abroad with work a fair bit. It's not practical to ferry the brick that comes with the switch as it's bad enough having to put a MacBook, switch and 2 phones along with all the cables that go with them through airport security. I also regularly fancy playing on my bedroom tv too but there's no way I'm untangling the absolute nightmare of wires behind the tv everytime
The UK: worst place to live as a Nintendo fan.
I bought two Switches on launch day, as I didn't want to wait for the docks to be officially released. I then sold off the second tablet for £300 (it was a £0.99p auction, so put your pitchforks down), so I managed break even on it.
I managed to get one on eBay for £40 - I was quite happy with that
I bought a 2nd one... Walked into a store and picked it up at MSRP. Had no idea there was a dock shortage....
It’s in stock near me in the states, in plentiful supply. Weird.
I purchased an official one from Cex but it was closer to £90 at the time and still second hand! 😬 Having said that it’s been well worth it, mounted on the wall in the bedroom. What I want now is a decent travel dock for when I’m staying in hotels etc Any recommendations? Last I heard third party ones were damaging consoles & I don’t fancy that..
My brother and I both got our Switches at launch, so there has never been a need for extra docks.
Switch pro dock coming
Maybe there was no demand because people didn’t want to pay £80 for a bit of plastic and a charger! Me included...
Bought one the first day it was available, put it upstairs on the TV in my room, love it!
Must just be a UK issue. On Amazon they have new dock sets for $85 ($5 under MSRP) and refurbs with warranty for $65. Or you can go straight through Nintendo’s online store and get new for normal price of $89.
Luckily, we’ve got 3 Switch units in our house so it hasn’t been an issue. One of the docks has never even left the box.
Without hyperbole, how real is the brick danger?
I suspect there's a lack of demand for a standalone dock simply because of the pricetag. If it sold for 50% less then it could have become a "standard" accessory for all Switch owners.
@cfgk24 "...with the Switch Mini being revealed tonight..."
What?
They have them at Dirt Cheap in Slidell, Louisiana.
Hmm, does Nintendo have an official store page on their UK website? You can buy them right from there on the US page.
I bought one when Target had them 50% off or so like 6 months ago. Very convenient to have
They’re everywhere on the US west coast. Had no trouble finding an extra AC adapter and a few extra docks, still see them in stock all over.
Also for people claiming that you can buy the official extremely cheaply at retailers online, Amazon etc... you might be buying knock-offs.
@BacklogBlues Actually they're sold out at Gamestop A LOT, if not always. Right now I only see used ones listed as used on their website. Haven't seen one at BestBuy in forever and they don't even list it on their site (I found a hidden listing thru a google search on BestBuy and found a "no longer listed" description). I do see them at Meijer all the time though. Meijer's pretty great right? I'm in Detroit and hit up some of their super great gaming deals when I get groceries.
£55 is quite cheap actually. I don't really know what are you waiting for. Last time I checked they were circulating around £100 mark and more pretty much everywhere.
I should of stated @Dang69 that i meant brick and mortar stores and that i live in a city of only around 65,000 people. But you nailed it on Meijers i prefer it over Walmart witch is across the highway from Meijers.
There is @Inaroomalone it's the last choice and its been there for over 4 and half hours.
My local Wal-Mart seems too never have less than 5 at all times. Never heard of a shortage of docks before. Then again I am in the States.
CeX having inflated prices? No way!
I mean they only sell Nintendo games and even anime box sets higher price than retail stores all around UK. Anything that has a cult following or is niche. They basically do this because people trade in so they'll pay the extra pounds in items or change in their pocket. I only buy backlog wii/u games there now, until they stop the ridiculous practice.
|sf>I live in a household with three switches, but we all use them in handheld mode. The plugs are important, but the docks aren't even hooked to TV sets.
I would have thought there were two obvious reasons why; Nintendo would rather you buy a second Switch, and that most Docks will be manufactured for the main Switch bundle, where they are needed most.
@SafariSuz Lemme buy one
Can anyone recommend a good third party option that won't brick my switch?
Was thinking about buying a dock a year ago but never bothered because they seem very expensive for what you're actually getting.
Bought a mint ex-demo unit in original box last Sunday for 25 EUR.
I had no problem getting an official Nintendo dock for like $30 at my local Gamestop. I also ordered a 3rd party dongle dock on Amazon, perfect for traveling and no bricking issues. Every TV in my house has a dock, and I have only one console.
My kids spiller water in my dock, so I walked into ebgames 2km from my house in South Australia and picked one up off the shelf. It cost me $130 but it was there waiting for me to walk in and buy it.
I needed a tiny dock so I could put it into my bag and carried everywhere. The official one is too huge for this, so I ended up buying the Skull & Co. one. It also has a detachable core to make it even smaller.
I got one on the cheap a few months after they came out and no one would buy them. Got it for $45 plus a $10 off next shopping trip. I see them in stores a lot but not discounted for a while. I'd like a 3rd to leave at my mom's house. I may end up buying a 2nd Switch though which would solve the dock issue
I'm surprised a proper retailer is selling above RRP. Nintendo forbids that. For a reseller, anything goes.
@Godzil That's meant to be the last option "No, I've not been able to find one", except it should be "Yes, I've not been able to find one".
@Dang69 - got mine at Meijer on discount and Mperks bonuses.......wish they would clearance them again
I live in the states (Florida) I see them frequently in stores like Best Buy and Target. I bought a second dock early on, my cousin uses it when he comes over to play Mario Kart and I use it when the main TV is in use. I'll have a third soon when I buy my fiance a Switch.
I was able to buy a second dock a while ago so cant speak on if they're easy to find now. But it is great having two. One is always plugged into the living room tv. My other one in the bedroom and also used for travel. Helps make the console even more portable.
I've seen them in stores.
I bought the SNES JumpGate Switch Dock on Indiegogo. Better than the original in every way. Looks great too. Great Price. Tested thru rigorous testing to not brick your switch. Will also work with your phone. This is the dock you're looking for !!! https://skullnco.com/collections/switch-gripcase/products/jumpgate-for-nintendo-switch
@roadrunner343 I suppose the whole raffle thing was kinda silly, but really, it's a room full of mostly grown men, running a business office, covering Nintendo, the office should have it's own Switch and dock as standard anyway to review games. I don't get the whole - "We need a $90 dock." - thing.
I don't know, maybe the whole article was meant to be humorous tongue-in-cheek and I just missed the joke. It happens. Rereading it seems like they actually wanted to spend money on one though.
@BacklogBlues Meijer treats their employees like humans and is great about locally sourcing a lot of stuff. If you shop by their weekly sales (for general merch and groceries) it ends up being a lot cheaper than Walmart. Plus, no clue why but I always get complaints about how I look in Meijer, lol. I once had one of the most cute goth girls ever run up to me and say "I just wanted to say you're absolutely beautiful" then run away. One of the best rando things ever.
I ordered one as soon as it came out via amazon.co.jp.
Ended up being quicker and cheaper than buying it locally, and it also came in a nifty box. The power supply works fine in the US but you need a plug adapter or alternate USB C power supply for the UK.
Oddly enough I eventually saw a bunch of them on shelves even when the Switch itself wasn't available, and I also saw returns apparently from people who bought the dock thinking it was a great deal on the full console! ;-(
@Kurtastrophe420 "Tested thru rigorous testing to not brick your switch"
Yes, that's the risk isn't it, that some future firmware update will result in it bricking your console. ;-/
@Dang69 I have found quality games at Meijer for 75% off, and I even once bought a Nintendo game from them at 90% OFF! It was "Starfox Zero," but still...
I just checked, as of 5-17, there appear to be only 46 Meijer stores that have a Switch dock available. Only 46? Out of the probably 200+ out there?!?
I don't have a Switch, I don't know why I care.
@Godzil That would be a good option.
I bought one when they came out, now they are sold out and going for silly prices. I think Nintendo could do with making a few more!
I don't see what's so difficult about them stocking more of these. There's not much to them what so ever. It's not as though they're filled with loads of specialist expensive parts.
I would like to have at least two more docks, one for another room and one to keep in the car in case I go to a friends, but I'm not paying the ridiculous prices they're going for due to Nintendo's typical ineptitude of making their products easily available to customers.
But, as per usual, it doesn't matter. There's enough idiot Nintendo fans that will accept this.
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