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The moment I pre-ordered my Nintendo Switch 2, I wanted to grab a case to ensure no harm came to the thing that was taking a hefty £429.99-sized chunk out of my bank account. Around that time, third-party brands had yet to release a slew of their own budget-friendly cases, so to ensure my new shiny Ninty device was prepared for many years together, I grabbed the official Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case.
I wish I never bothered.
The $39.99 / £19.99 official Switch 2 case wasn't the most costly part of my new Ninty gaming setup but, 7 months later, I feel like I may have well thrown that money down on a lottery ticket - at least then there'd be the possibility of some good to come of it. Nintendo describes the case as "stylish and sturdy" on its official product page on the online store, but it neither looks good nor is strong enough to offer the best protection. If you're after a Switch 2 case in 2026, you can do a lot better.
I get why anyone new to the Switch 2 would be interested in Nintendo's official case. Leading up to the launch of the console on June 5 last year, I was too. The large Switch 2 branding, alongside the neon blue and red flashes of color on the zipper tags, felt fresh and exciting. Just like the new device it was designed for, it carried that all-black, semi-professional aesthetic with remnants of the classic Switch colors we've all come to know and love since the release of the original device.
However, my admiration for the case slowly fell apart when I saw it in person. As a hardshell case, I assumed it would feel more substantial for an official Nintendo product. However, the moment I removed it from its cardboard box, the idea of putting it in the console I had used some of my measly savings to buy filled me with dread. Its exterior is hard, but it didn't feel anywhere near as sturdy as alternatives like the STEALTH Premium Travel Case I had the opportunity to review months later.
When placing my Switch 2 inside, there's also no strap to keep it in place, and I could hear it rattling around in my bag as I took the handheld to show off to my in-laws shortly after release. Fortunately, there was no harm caused to the handheld itself, but there were a slew of noticeable smudges each time I took it out for more Mario Kart World action.
For those of you who also purchased the official carrying case, I imagine you'll be thinking, "Well, it's a good thing it also comes packed with a screen protector," but that too was a huge let-down. The 'screen protector' in question is not a sheet of tempered glass designed to fit the new 7.9-inch LCD screen, but instead a flimsy bit of plastic. When I first saw it inside the Nintendo-branded box, I mistook it for a bit of packaging that was destined for the bin, and not something that was meant to keep my screen safe from general wear and tear.
To this day, I've never placed it on my Switch 2. Instead, I've got the Belkin TemperedGlass Screen Protector sat upon my display, which, despite the tiny airbubbles I didn't quite manage to get rid of, has been keeping the screen safe ever since. It's not officially licensed, and it's currently $21.99 at Amazon, which is almost the cost of the entire case in the US, but it's an accessory I haven't regretted in the wake of the handheld's release.
It doesn't help that this case retails for $39.99 in the US, a cost that doesn't feel like it aligns with what you get. Upon release it was one of the only options out there, so I don't begrudge anyone who grabbed it - I mean, I did. However, for $14 less, you can now grab the officially licensed PowerA Slim Switch 2 Case, which not only carries some Switch 2 branding of its own and a much nicer gray aesthetic but also storage for up to 10 physical game carts, and the option to turn the flap the storage sits on into a makeshift stand for travel.
Alternatively, there's also the STEALTH (also known as 4Gamers) case I mentioned earlier. While it's not official, the brand has a version of the case for just $19.99 at Best Buy, and comes with foam inserts so it can be compatible with the Switch 2, original Switch, and Switch OLED. It also contains storage for up to 8 physical games and has a fabric mesh pocket for extra accessories.
Comparing the first official Switch 2 case to what's available almost 7 months later may seem a bit unfair, but I just expected more from an official accessory. Its design could have been worse, and Switch 2 cases are still plagued by boring all-black aesthetics, but it's the combination of its too high of a US price point, unsturdy protection, and low-quality screen protector that makes me wish I spent that £19.99 (UK price) on anything else.
If you're planning on grabbing a Switch 2 now that 2026 has come and there are far more games to play, I strongly advise you don't make the same mistake I did. There are far better (and more affordable) options out there, and even ones that have finally decided to opt for some color. In the meantime, mine will continue to sit at the bottom of a box of gaming accessories like a forgotten toy, until I'm ready to hand it down to an unsuspecting family member.
Don't worry, I'll be sure to throw in a proper tempered glass screen protector when the time comes.
For more Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards.
