Skip to main content

Nintendo’s tiltable Switch charger stand makes it easier to play while powered

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nintendo has a brand-new Switch accessory up its sleeve that will make it easier to charge the portable console while you play in tabletop mode. The stand has an adjustable leg on the back of it which makes it possible to angle your Switch however you like while charging it. Although third-party versions of such a stand have been available for a while now, this Nintendo branded solution is a compact, officially supported option.

One of the major features of the Nintendo Switch is its portability. That’s meant that gamers can play while in different rooms in their house, on public transport, or the other side of the world from the system’s faithful dock — as long as the battery lasts. However, charging up the Switch while it’s being played in tabletop mode isn’t easy. That’s where the new adjustable charge stand comes in.

Mimicking the Switch’s own ability to operate in a mode similar to 2-in-1 laptops in tent mode, the new adjustable stand has a charger built into the base which can be connected to a wall outlet to provide power. The leg at the back can be adjusted through a range of angles so that the viewing angle of the Switch’s display can be customized for the environment and player seating.

It’s not the most affordable of stands, with a launch price of $20 when it becomes available on July 13. Third-party alternatives can be found for half that price if you’re willing to forgo the adjustable nature of the stand, but even some capable of adjustment exist for a reduced price. Some of the best Switch accessories even offer expanded battery life and charging capacity for the Switch itself and the Joy-Con controllers in an all-in-one package.

That’s not all you can customize your Switch with, though. If you find yourself taking your Switch far from home, having the right carry case is a must. The best ones have everything from additional padding, to plenty of space for controllers and carry handles. Considering how diminutive the new adjustable charging stand is, you should be able to fit one in there, too.

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…
Nintendo’s next game is all about mastering NES classics
The physical version of Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition.

Nintendo has announced Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, a new game coming out this July that tests players' speedrunning skills in NES classics like Super Mario Bros. and Metroid.

A successor of sorts to the NES Remix games on Wii U and 3DS, Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition draws its name from a gaming competition Nintendo held in 1990 and then briefly again in the 2010s. Its reveal trailer features previous Nintendo World Championship contestants musing about the event, only to learn that it's returning in video game form.

Read more
Nintendo confirms that Switch 2 and a June Direct are coming
A Nintendo Switch Red and Blue system.

Nintendo has finally confirmed two important things that people were speculating about. First off, we learned that another Nintendo Direct showcase will be taking place this June. More importantly, Nintendo finally confirmed that it is working on a Nintendo Switch successor and said we'd learn more about it within this fiscal year.

This all came from a statement by President Shuntaro Furukawa on Nintendo's corporate X (formerly Twitter) account. "We will make an announcement about the successor to Nintendo Switch within this fiscal year. It will have been over nine years since we announced the existence of Nintendo Switch back in March 2015," the post confirms. "We will be holding a Nintendo Direct this June regarding the Nintendo Switch software lineup for the latter half of 2024, but please be aware that there will be no mention of the Nintendo Switch successor during that presentation."

Read more
Hades 2 shows the Steam Deck’s biggest advantage over the Nintendo Switch
A Steam Deck sits next to a Switch OLED.

It's always an exciting week when the sequel to one of the greatest games of all time surprise releases on a Monday. That's what happened on May 6 when Hades 2 surprise launched into early access. Players are already diving into the surprisingly robust roguelike, testing their might in its new biomes. I've been enjoying it myself from the comfort of my couch -- and not on my Nintendo Switch, where I played the first Hades. Instead, I'm curled up with my Steam Deck.

The PC-only launch means that Hades 2 is a Steam Deck "exclusive" for the time being (or at least exclusive to portable PCs like it and the Asus ROG Ally). It'll likely come to Nintendo's system -- or its predecessor -- once it hits 1.0, but developer Supergiant doesn't expect its game to leave early access until at least the end of 2024. Until then, you'll need a device like the Steam Deck to play it on the go. That's a reminder that Valve has beaten the Switch at its own game, and Nintendo will have to get creative again with its next system to regain its throne.
Early access on the go
Based on my time with it so far, Hades 2 is a phenomenal match for the Steam Deck. It's already Verified for the platform, and for good reason. It looks fantastic (especially on an OLED screen) and runs smoothly. I've already taken it on the go and found that it's not a huge drain on the Steam Deck's battery. At this point, I don't imagine I'll need to play it any other way.

Read more