Switch 1 is Not Compatible with Nintendo Switch 2 Dock

Nintendo just confirmed that the original Switch won’t fit into the Switch 2 dock—and no, it’s not because your Joy-Cons got chunky. Whether you’re team Standard Switch, proud owner of the Lite, or someone who flexes with the OLED, none of them are compatible with the shiny new dock rolling out alongside the Switch 2.

The news came straight from Nintendo, who casually dropped the announcement like it was no big deal. But let’s be real—it’s a little bit of a big deal. People were holding out hope, you know? After all, the two systems are supposed to be about the same thickness. A little optimism never hurt anyone… until now.

Why Won’t They Just Get Along?

At a glance, the Switch 1 and Switch 2 docks look pretty similar. They both have that signature chunky rectangle vibe we’ve come to love, though the Switch 2 dock is rocking a slightly curvier, sleeker silhouette—like the Switch 1 dock just got back from a Pilates retreat.

But don’t let the surface fool you. Under the hood, the Switch 2 dock is a whole different beast. First up, it’s packing a built-in cooling fan to keep the console chill during those heated Tears of the Kingdom marathons. No offence, but the original dock’s passive “hope for the best” cooling method wasn’t exactly cutting-edge.

And then there’s the built-in LAN port. Finally. No more fumbling for clunky Ethernet adapters if you want your online matches to stop feeling like 1998 dial-up disasters. With all these internal upgrades, it’s not just a “plug and pray” situation anymore. The hardware expectations are different, and shoving a Switch 1 into a Switch 2 dock would be like trying to fit an old-school Game Boy cartridge into a Nintendo DS. Technically possible with enough force… but highly not recommended (and very sad).

It’s Not Personal, It’s Just Evolution

Honestly, can you even blame Nintendo? The Switch 2 dock isn’t just an aesthetic upgrade—it’s designed to match the console’s beefier insides. We’re talking upgraded processing, faster connections, and enough tech muscle to keep up with the games we actually want to brag about playing in 2025.

Trying to force backwards compatibility between two systems designed years apart would be like expecting your VHS tapes to play nicely with your shiny new 4K OLED TV. Some things are just meant to stay in the nostalgia bin. Nintendo’s decision might sting a little, but it’s about future-proofing. They’re building an ecosystem where the dock isn’t just a charging station—it’s a key part of how the Switch 2 will outperform its predecessor.

But What About My Old Dock?

If you were dreaming of swapping docks between systems like a low-budget transformer movie, sadly, that’s not happening. However, you don’t need to hold a funeral for your Switch 1 dock just yet. Your old Switch still works fine with it, and it’s not like Nintendo sent out a signal to brick them overnight. Plus, let’s be real: if you’re grabbing a Switch 2 on launch day, you’re going to want the fancy new dock anyway. LAN ports! Active cooling! Possibly fewer overheated rage quits during Splatoon 4! Dreams really do come true.

So, Quick Recap Without the Salt

• Switch 1, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED models won’t fit or work with the Switch 2 dock.
• The Switch 2 dock has extra internal tech like a cooling fan and LAN port.
• Nintendo wants the dock to match the performance needs of the newer system.
• Your old dock isn’t useless—you’ll just have one for each generation now.

Look at it this way: now you can double your aesthetic setup. One dock by the TV. One dock in your game room. Or heck, one dock purely for showing off how far you’ve come since you first picked up that neon red-and-blue Switch in 2017.