Portable Nintendo Switch adapter SFANS has a completely new design

By Gabe Gurwin October 23, 2017

sfans nintendo switch adapter new design sfansnewdesign

Earlier this year, we reviewed the SFANS Nintendo Switch adapter, which replaces the system’s packed-in dock with a small, portable accessory that can easily be taken to a friend’s house. At the time, the adapter consisted of a small square unit with a cable attached to one end, which required the use of a separate plastic stand in order to prevent the Switch from overheating. However, the adapter has been redesigned, and the stand is no longer necessary.

The SFANS team shared on its IndieGoGo page that after receiving feedback and examining the recent dock from competitor Nyko, it decided to turn the adapter into a full-fledged dock. The newly designed SFANS contains a small cradle for the Nintendo Switch to sit in as well as a built-in USB-C nub, and it still comes complete with additional USB ports on the outside. The unit’s Switch-lookalike aesthetic has also been carried over to the new design. The team also said on the page that the unit is now even smaller than it was before, though the lips on the dock will make it a little more difficult to keep in your pocket.

“Because of redesigning SFANS, we had to stop the old mold-making and re-make a new mold,” an update on the page said. The system was supposed to begin shipping on October 22, but will now ship to backers on November 8. Backers at certain tiers were previously promised a plastic play stand for the system, which seems unnecessary with the new design — the stand included with our prototype model was quite similar to the officially licensed HORI stand.

The Nyko unit the SFANS creator referred to in the update has run into its own problems. Users have reported that the dock has permanently damaged the USB-C port on the bottom of their Switch consoles, rendering them unusable. Nyko has a policy in place in order to replace damaged hardware, and told Digital Trends that the issue was only affecting a small percentage of users. With the Switch now supporting save transfers between consoles, it’s also not the end of the world if your system is damaged.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…

Gaming

How to connect your Nintendo Switch to a TV

The Nintendo Switch has quickly become a household item. The system works as both a handheld device and a TV console, making it both versatile and convenient for players to use. Although using the Switch in its handheld form is awesome, the reality is that the graphics on a TV can enhance the experience of any Switch player. For those of us that struggle to put systems together, there is hope. Fortunately for us, the Switch is actually pretty easy to hook up to any TV, so long as it has an HDMI slot. Here's how.
Setting up the Nintendo Switch

For those who are new to the system, every purchase of the Nintendo Switch not only includes the Switch itself but also a Switch dock. This dock will be key in putting your system together for the TV. The first thing you're going to want to do is take out the dock and all the cords. Make sure that you have the dock, an HDMI cord, and a power cord for the system. If all three are present, you're good to start!

Gaming

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has a new Yoshi’s Island track — and it’s perfect

Birdo sails through the sky in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Yoshi's Island course.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe just got even bigger. The fourth wave of its Booster Course Pack DLC just dropped on Nintendo Switch, adding eight more tracks to the racing game. The list includes some classics from the GameCube, Wii, and Game Boy Advance installments of the series, but it's most exciting addition is an entirely original one: Yoshi's Island.

As you may have guessed, the new course draws inspiration from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. On a visual level, it's one of the Mario Kart's most delightful tracks yet. The first leg has players racing through yellow rolling hills that are packed with little references to Yoshi's standalone games. From the starting line, you can see Poochy sitting on an oversized mailbox and catch some Chain Chomps delightfully bouncing around in the distance. Later, you'll spot some Goonies flying in the sky and a giant purple Blargg.

Gaming

The best multiplayer games on Nintendo Switch

Mario and his friends.

Part of the Nintendo Switch's appeal is its versatility -- you can play it at home on your TV or on the go in portable mode. This versatility also applies to multiplayer and co-op games, which can be played with single Joy-Con controllers, in tabletop mode, and wirelessly both online and locally. Better yet, many of these Nintendo Switch games allow for crossplay with other consoles and PCs.

And while the Switch might not be the competitive powerhouse that the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are, it still offers an incredible library of multiplayer games. In fact, the portable console is home to some of the best co-op experiences we've seen in this generation, and new competitive games are being added all the time. Here are our favorites, whether you're a fan of raucous racing games, mellow simulators, or monster-hunting titles of the finest caliber.
The best multiplayer games on Nintendo Switch