A brand new Nintendo Change 2 system replace simply bricked many third-party docks

The latest Change 2 software program replace seems to be to have bricked many third-party docks and associated equipment, in line with customers across the internet and a report by Kotaku. We do not know if this was an intentional transfer by Nintendo or just an accident. Engadget has reached out to the corporate for clarification.

The Change 2 replace 21.0.0 brings some much-needed quality-of-life options, like the power to show off autoplaying movies within the eShop and new icons that point out whether or not a recreation is digital or bodily. Nonetheless, it additionally introduced alongside the aforementioned dock hiccup.

Change 2 homeowners have reported that these docks both do not work in any respect or at the moment are far more finicky, typically requiring a restart. This does not appear to have impacted all third-party docks, however complaints are coming in pertaining to many alternative merchandise. YouTuber AustinJohnPlays examined out two totally different Change 2 dock dongles after the replace and reported that each had been borked.

Nintendo has responded to those allegations, suggesting that this was an accident that solely impacted sure units. The corporate wrote that it “doesn’t have any intention to hinder or invalidate authorized third-party dock compatibility.” Generally new console firmware impacts third-party equipment. On the very least, this was something that happened to the original Switch a few occasions.

The businesses that make these equipment must carry out their very own software program updates to get issues going once more. Within the meantime, train warning when shopping for a third-party dock.

Replace, November 14 2025, 12:55PM ET: This story has been up to date to incorporate Nintendo’s response and a possible reason behind the difficulty.