A recently published Nintendo patent in China describes a Nintendo Switch 2 dock that is designed to support both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch. According to the patent, the dock can identify which console has been connected because the two systems perform USB Power Delivery (PD) negotiation differently (see Figures 1–3). Based on that identification, the dock adjusts its operation to match the connected hardware.
When a Nintendo Switch 2 is docked, the patent describes support for USB 3 data speeds, higher-resolution video output, and increased cooling fan speed. When an original Nintendo Switch is connected, the dock instead operates using USB 2 data speeds, lower-resolution video output, and reduced fan speed.
As with any patent publication, the disclosure does not establish that the described design will be commercialized. The application, filed in January 2025, may reflect an internal research and development project or an earlier hardware design that was ultimately abandoned.
