One of the 3DS' most useful features - and one that had been a part of Nintendo's handheld lineup since the Game Boy Advance SP released back in 2003 - is its foldable design, keeping both screens and all buttons safe from damage when being carried around. Of course, the Switch has demolished this trend in recent times, but if you're hoping to relive any DS-era nostalgia (and protect your console in the process) then this 3D print design could just be for you.
Created by engineering student Ethan Grizzard, this 'Folding Nintendo Switch case' does exactly what it says on the tin. Protecting the screen when closed, the case imitates the DS and 3DS' clamshell design and even holds your Joy-Con in place at the bottom so that the controllers line up with those originals. Ethan notes that the design is still a work in progress, with the case making things "not very comfortable to play", and plans on adding grips to the bottom part of the case.
It uses a metal rod to act as a hinge, a cutout on the bottom to allow the Switch's charger to be used, and measures in at 18cm x 12cm x 4cm with the Switch nestled inside. If you have the necessary equipment and want to print your own case, the files are available on Ethan's Thingiverse page.
Do you think the Switch would benefit from a foldable design? Or do you prefer the console how it is as standard? Share your thoughts with us below.
[source htxt.co.za]
Comments 55
Thats amazing.
Would be hilarious if you took this to work
Doesn't look usable in that case. I actually just got the hori dpad and I've been thinking how it makes the Switch feel more like a true 3ds replacement.
LOL
I'm sure Nintendo will release Nintendo HDS on year 2019.
@Appleflap I just might print it and take it to work lol. It looks like it might be off balance though.
Just no. They are different consoles for reasons and i'm happy to own both.
I'd like my switch to look more like a microwave. Can someone 3D print something to make my wish come true?
As a 3ds gamer, I guess NOW I'm ready to make the switch
In all seriousness the Switch for me does not have the convenience of form factor that the DS series offered. My days of frequent gaming on the go are long gone, but I doubt I would be carrying my Switch with me daily in any case - it's just too bulky once its in the protective case.
I dare say a hardware revision down the line may address this, similar to the jump from DS "Phat" to DS Lite...
Oh god not more DS crap lol can't stand handheld 😡 ... Ninty should port lots of DS games to Switch
@Rhaoulos Imagine making it possible to attach it in a microwave-shaped case, and popping a joycon rail on the "door" where the Switch is placed, sliding it in and opening the microwave oven...
That'd actually be pretty cool.
Please, could someone enlighten me, what the benefits are from this? Besides the added bulkiness and the fact, that it seems very top-heavy?
Flippin' stupid.
@MrBlacky I was wondering about that as well.
Maybe the screen being higher up, so you don't have to look down as much is the advantage.
Should be a bit more comfy and even healthy this way. Apart from that I am drawing a blank though, doesn't seem to be worth it.
@Bobb well done sir
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+you+did+there+i+see+it&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=iUMQiYwDP1IrmM%253A%252CtUhXuIuub8YHmM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kStk97MOfQbOErgN9odwd7eCI_v0w&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwid8Jr28pneAhXrY98KHRSTDYUQ9QEwAHoECAUQBA#imgrc=iUMQiYwDP1IrmM:&spf=1540206123947
@Blizzia You made my stupid idea actually cool. I'm impressed.
@Rhaoulos Never underestimate the power of creativity! Possibly just a fluke, but yeah, it was actually a pretty cool idea.
@cleveland124 HORI kickstand is all I need plus you can actually charge it while its on the stand so its more convenient.
I appreciate the creativity and resourcefulness, but I think it's impracticable. The top side is heavier than the bottom side and the plastic adds a lot of weight too.
I'd put an phone mount on the bottom for voice chat
right idea, but could use a little help
ok, trim off the hood around the screen, extend the underside of the flip open portion where the Joy-Cons hook, then trim out the space on the main sides so you can hook the Joy-Cons in their homes to charge,
@aaronsullivan
This is one of the most absolutely pointless things I've ever seen and I freaking love it.
> Protecting the screen when closed
Except for the giant vertical cutout on the bottom half that leaves the entire middle portion of the screen exposed...
That moment when you realize there's no resistance or position lock on the hinge.....
I'll Pasadena on this looney contraption.
No sale from me. Looks too bulky
It's already huge. Besides, if I wanted a 3DS I would just get a 3DS.
"Then print your own flippin' fold case!"
@GC-161
It's a 3D print freely available, not something you can buy.
How are you going to charge the joycons and this is more gimmick then functionality.
I came up with this idea shortly after the Switch was first announced. It's cool to see a similar-minded person make a 3D mock up of it. Now all we need is a professional company to make a sleek and proper one.
Ugly, and Man does it look like you are totally going to stab yourself or someone else with those long sticking out metal rods for the hinges.
This is pretty cool but ultimately seems a bit impractical in my eyes. I feel like comparing this to the DS/3DS family is like comparing apples to oranges.
Also, the 2DS broke this trend first.
@Rhaoulos
i could help you with that. but no thanks. however, it is an interesting idea.
@Blizzia
@Rhaoulos
or better yet, have the Nintendo switch double as a microwave ....
@rjejr
Can't see your picture, but this is not very encouraging to the clamshell design possibilities on the Switch.
I will say, it is easy to imagine most of the body of the Switch fitting between the JoyCon and a thin version of the screen flipping up. Also, it could all be tighter if the JoyCon weren't removable.
A clamshell portable Switch has advantages. It could sit on a table, upright to watch video, browse the web (if only) and play locally, though you would have to carry a couple JoyCon separately if you planned to play that way. Plus it could fit in a big pocket much better than a Switch.
Not impossible to see something like that in 2019, but I'm not quite sure what Nintendo really needs in that other model or what they are targeting.
@stevenw45 I'd probably panic too much about it and not use it xD imagine not remembering to remove the switch.
Add a touch screen, a 3DS card reader and an extra battery and we have a Switch accessory that could could replace the 3DS
@Blizzia
removing the switch? that's what you are worried about. what about the risk of the microwave setting itself on fire???
@Slitth
or how about a more powerful docking station that will let us have some backwards compatibility with some games from older systems. or how about a system update that allows us to play DVDs from our Nintendo Switch for if we want to connect a DVD drive to the console.
@aaronsullivan Dotn' know what happened to the pic, was sure it was there this morning but now it's gone. So I replaced it with another one, let's see how long this one stays up. In case it doesn't, it was Jeff Goldblum saying "Well, there it is."
And no, this one isn't ideal, it's only home made, but it shows proof of concept. Maybe he can sue Nitneod if they ever make one.
And I have no idea what Nitnedo will do with Switch in the future, only that I'm sure there will be more versions. A few more at least. When 3DS finally goes away, as I don't imagine a 4DS. If they do decide to split up their studios into 4DS, Switch and mobile, well that's there loss, but I don't see the point. So Switch hardware for everyone, cheaper, smaller, bigger, more expensive, handheld only, maybe even home only. It's modular, no limits.
@stevenw45
Why a series of Switch docks that mergers old systems to the Switch.
A clam dock to add DS, 2DS and 3DS games to the Switch.
A stationary dock that allows GC, Wii and Wii U games.
And then you just need to bring back the virtual console to the Switch. And you will have a possible to add NES, SNES, N64 and Game Boy games to the Switch.
You can even add a physical release for the virtual console games.
Switch Mario Collection
Switch Kart Collection
Switch Zelda Collection
and other Collections
This could make the Switch the ultimative console. A new release and retro compatibility master system
@stevenw45 That's what I have a fire extinguisher for! I don't exactly have a Switch unmelter though!
@Slitth
now, you are putting way to much thought into a Nintendo switch docking station. of course then, i would rather them create some of those accessories for the GameCube...
@Blizzia
no one has a switch unmelter. however, if the day ever comes, everyone will want one. of course then we will end up needing a switch unfreezer, but i think there is a chance that we can substitute that with some anti-freeze.
@stevenw45
Not really.
The DS clam dock would need a touch screen, a DS card reader, a microSD reader for system memory and a battery that support the dock.
The Wii dock would just need a CD-ROM drive that can handle GC size disks, a microSD reader for system memory.
Then you would just need a program that boots up the System you want to run.
I think that the Switch could be able to run the 2DS OS, the Wii OS and the Wii U OS if need be.
By the time and effort need to make this would not be cover by the income from the sales of such specialised things.
It would be easier just to make a case where the Switch is flip 90 degrees and then have a program that defies the screen in top and bottom.
And then you have a somewhat decent 2ds replacement.
And for the dock with the CD-ROM drive, that not really needed. Nintendo just need to sell GC and Wii games on the Switch and they are good.
“Introducing the new Nintendo 3DS XXXXL”
@Slitth
i know that the costs behind making these accessories and features. but it doesn't hurt to have these ideas. besides, Nintendo (and other companies) might be paying attention to our comments and taking ideas from them.
unfortunately, Nintendo removed GameCube compatibility from the Wii. but having a GameCube and a Wii U fixes that issue.
having the Nintendo Switch support the Wii/Wii U OS is pointless for many reasons. one reason being that the Nintendo Switch does not have enough power to handle the feature properly.
besides right now they should add some support for some video streaming services, like Amazon and Netflix. we already have Hulu, so i guess Nintendo can get some points for that.
@Kyloctopus
and what additional features would the "new Nintendo 3DS XXXXL" have compared to the other versions of the Nintendo 3DS? other than its size
I love the Switch, but it's already right on the edge of a comfortable weight to play in handheld for a long time. Putting a bulky frame on this just seems like it would be uncomfortable and push the weight up just enough to be annoying.
@stevenw45 The microwave thing was a joke. Being able to 3D print anything doesn't mean you should.
For me the foldable design of a handheld was never a reason to just toss the device into my backpack etc. I don´t want to damage the screen or the buttons but the shell either. That´s why I always buy a case for my handhelds, foldable or not. So no, I don´t think the switch would have been ”better” that way. DS and 3DS kinda needed the fold because of the two screens.
Ya kno, if there was a cutout for a smartphone on the bottom half, this would be great for those Nintendo Switch Online games. Really wish Nintendo would make a landscape design for that damn app.
@Rhaoulos i know that it was a joking. i just felt like going aling with it. (in words). as long as the switch stays out of the kitchen, i think we are all good.
if they took this, added screen position lock added a phone connection slot/space where the bottom screen would be (It could slide in) and lightened/streamlined the whole thing, this would be a good idea, I'd consider it.
@rjejr I'm with you. Wish we didn't have to wait so long to see what Nintendo is cooking up with the hardware. In the end, I'll be happy if they pull off a 3DS replacement that is 100% Switch compatible, but it's not what I personally would enjoy. Give me 4k console Switch Pro.
For maximum effect, 2018 would have been the best year to go ultra-portable with the Switch... and Pokemon proper. But we got a Pokemon Let's Go and a catch-your-breath year, understandably.
@aaronsullivan "4k console Switch Pro"
I've decided I don't think a Switch Pro can do 4k, they'll wait for Switch 2 for that. Though I suppose if you mean a "Switch TV 4k", similar in design to a Wii Mini only smaller b/c no disc drive, then I suppose that could do 4k, but I still think they'll wait for a full upgrade to Switch 2, maybe built on Tegra X2, but that's still years away and hopefully we've all moved on by then.
Really once 3DS goes away and Switch becomes their defacto handheld there's no reason for it to do 4k b/c even Switch 2 won't have a 4k screen, probably 1080p. So why build in the power to do 4k if nobody in Japan and half the people in the West aren't going to use it?
But I'm still waiting on lots of revisions, just not 4k. Probably not my Switch TV either, though a $200 Switch TV for me would let my son take our Switch to college in 21 months and then the other son needs a Switch Pocket/Advance/Boy/Mini clamshell. So not only are we few of the people here talking about Switch for kids, Spoonytech as well, I'm the only one I know of with 2 kids going off to college within the Switch's lifespan, so I'm thinking about multiple Switch revisions for multiple situations before we even get to Switch 2.
Lol: This is so pointles.
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