The following article is a product review for the Switch Game Card Reader (Remote Control Version) which was graciously provided to us by its manufacturer Alxum.
The Nintendo Switch is a rather versatile system, be it the original 2017 version, the revised version, the Nintendo Switch Lite Models and the Nintendo Switch OLED Edition and all its variants. One of the things that makes it so versatile is its ability to house a catalogue of digital games on its internal storage (as well as an additional storage via micro SD card).
When it comes to physical games however, you can only play one at a time and would have to constantly swap out carts so you can insert another. It can become a little annoying as it is not as simple as just closing down one game, selecting another that you have downloaded digitally, and away you go. Sometimes it means shuffling through game cases or cartridge holders that can contain multiple carts before you find the game you wish to play next.
The folks at Alxum have come up with a device that connects to the top of your Nintendo Switch dock and will allow you to be swap between four different physical games as well as contain storage slots for four more. By connecting the Switch Game Card Reader to a USB power supply (like an external battery pack if playing in handheld or a USB port on the Nintendo Switch Dock) and slotting the game card connector into the cartridge port of the Switch, you can swap effortlessly between your physical games by simply pressing a button on top of the device.
When in docked mode, getting up to change between games can be a bit of a pain but with the remote control, you can just press the button to change games wirelessly. This is ideal for me because when my partner and I have friends round, we will normally play the same three or so games. These games usually being Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Mario Party Superstars, and WarioWare: Move It!
Now, yeah, I could own these games digitally as opposed to physically and that is a very valid point. Howver, I already have a 400 GB micro SD card that is jam packed with digital games and another card with about 256GB that is also full with downloaded games. The thing is though, I do prefer physical media over digital media where possible and have built up quite a collection of physical Switch games.
Having played around with the Switch Game Card Reader, I can say with confidence that it does exactly what it sets out to do. You can connect four game into the top slots and by pushing the LED switch on top of the device or by pressing the button, you can switch between the four games effortlessly. It also comes with extra space to add four additional games, and a USB-C to USB lead so you can connect it to any USB compatible device to supply it with power. It also fits snuggly on top of the Nintendo Switch Dock and grips quite firmly, so there is no flapping around or risk of it slipping.
Outside of that, there are a couple of small flaws that are not necessarily deal breakers but are worth noting nonetheless. The USB cable provided is probably a little on the long side for those who will use it mainly to connect to the Switch dock. For those that like to keep their electronics looking neat and tidy, they may have trouble keeping the cable neatly tucked away if it is connected to the USB port of the Switch. A slightly shorter lead (as you can see in the adjacent image) will help keep things a little tidier whereas the cable provided or more adept to use connected to a USB port in a television or USB compatible AC outlet.
One of the other little nitpicks I have is that the extra storage space for another four carts is a little counterproductive. I mean, its great to have the option to carry 8 cards with you in one device but you will still need to take a cart out of one of the reader ports in order to play one of the games in a storage port. If playing away from home, it might be handy to have the storage but if playing in docked mode, one of the games you wish to play is in the storage port, it kinda defeats its purpose of swapping through games without having to change carts.
That said, this device is quite the game changer and I can understand why the developers decided on the four reader ports rather than eight, and it is probably to help keep costs down. The Switch Game Card Reader (Remote Control Version) is priced around £48.99 / £48.99 / €55.99 and more reader ports would most certainly make it more expensive. Still, even with four reader ports, you have plenty of choice and I would rarely play three different games at any one time, let alone eight.
As I wrap up this review, I will say that I am rather impressed with the Alxum Switch Game Card Reader (Remote Control Version). It does what it sets out to do and now I can host future gaming nights without having to get up every time to change physical games. It may feel more like a gimmick or fad accessory to digital game owners but those who prefer physical media will certainly appreciate this device.
If you are interested in picking up your own Switch Game Card Reader, feel free to check out the appropriate Amazon links below. They are not affiliate links and we are not receiving comission for providing these links. We are merely sharing so that our readers check out this product, should they be interested.
Amazon UK £48.99
Amazon US $44.99
Amazon ES €55.99
We hope you enjoyed this product review and please let us know whether you decided to pick one up for yourself. Until next time, Keep On Gaming!
[…] Switch Game cards and switch between them at a press of a button (feel free to read about it here). For this review, we are taking a look at a newer model that takes things one step further by […]