The following article is a product review for the Switch Dock & Multi-Game Card Reader (Remote Control Version) which was graciously provided to us by its manufacturer Alxum.
In a recent product review that we published on Miketendo64, we discussed the Nintendo Switch Game Card Reader by Alxum, a versatile little device that allows switch owners to plug in up to four different 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 being a fully funcional Switch dock as well as a multi-card reader that is also equipped with an ethernet port too!
The folks at Alxum have graciously sent us a sample of this device, which we will be diving into for this product review, as well as see how it compares and improves upon the previous model. There are a number of things that it does the same as the previous Game Card Reader but there are a couple of things that give it the edge over its predecessor. Please read on to find out just what the Switch Dock & Multi-Game Card Reader can do and why you should consider picking one up.
At face value, the Switch Dock and Multi-Game Card Reader has a sleek design with curved edges and is rather compact. The device is divided into two parts that can be seperated from one another and can be used independently as well. The Dock will connect your switch to the TV via HDMI and the card reader can be connected to any other Switch dock that you have at home by clipping it to the top of the dock.
Connecting the Nintendo Switch to the Alxum Switch Dock & Game Card Reader is a rather straightforward affair. You slide the Switch into the top of the dock and then insert the multi-card cable lead connected into the game card slot on the Switch. The device has four game card reader slots, allowing you to have up to four games carts plugged in at any one time. Then by pressing the button on the top of the Alxum dock or the button on the remote control, you can change through any of the games you have inserted into the device.
One of the things that I quite like about the Alxum Switch Dock & Game Card Reader is it’s sleekness and how easily transportable it is. The original Switch dock is rather bulky in comparison but the Alxum Dock much more compact and offers the same amount of functionality and features. There are three USB-A ports, (one of which is required to provide power to the Card Reader part of the device, the Ethernet port and a welcome addition and means a Switch compatible LAN adapter is not required in order connect the Alxum Switch Dock to a wired internet connection.
Another handy option is that the device itself can use pretty much any USB connection as a power source. It is compatible with the Nintendo Switch AC adapter, as well as any third party adapters and you can connect a USB-C to USB-A cable to an external battery pack or even straight into the back of a Smart TV, making it a very versatile device indeed.
Whilst the Switch Dock & Game Card Reader does not possess more than one extra slot for storing games in comparison to the older Game Card Reader model that has four slots, it is not a great loss as the trade off is more than worth it when you are getting a fully functioning Switch dock complete with the aforementioned Ethernet and USB-A ports.
Whilst the Switch Dock & Game Card Reader does not possess more than one extra slot for storing games in comparison to the older Game Card Reader model that has four slots, it is not a great loss as the trade off is more than worth it when you are getting a fully functioning Switch dock complete with the aforementioned Ethernet and USB-A ports.
In our review for the previous Switch Game Card Reader, I said that it is quite the game changer (figuratively and literally), The new device takes that premise and goes one step further with the incorporation of a Switch dock that it can make the original Switch dock obsolete. Still, if you have a a special edition Switch dock that you are quite fond of, you can always just use the Game Card Changer part of the device and keep the Alxum dock around for when going on a trip as it will not take up much space at all in a backback or suitcase.
If there were a couple of things I could change about the Alxum Switch Dock & Game Card Reader, one would be an alternate means of providing current between the card reader and the dock. Kind of like how the Joy-Cons can take a charge from the Switch console via small terminals on the side. This would do away with needing a USB-C – USB-A cable to connect the card reader to its own dock but I wouldn’t get rid of that connection entirely as it would still be required when connecting the card reader to another Switch Dock.
The other thing I would add is possibly an internal battery into the dock that would allow you to use the device with the Switch in table top mode. The dock itself provides a very stable base to support the Switch and with the game card reader attached to the dock, you can still use it to change games that you have inserted into the device. Other than those two critiques, I will certainly be making good use of the Switch Dock & Game Card Reader and currently am as I am away from home for the holidays and have decided to take this dock with me instead of the official Switch Dock.
Now, it is time to embrace the elephant in the room which is what may deter people from buying this accessory. The Alxum Switch Dock & Game Card Reader (Remote Control Version) is priced at a reasonable $57.99 in the US but as for the UK and Europe for example, the price is much higher at £86.99 / €99.99, which would make a number of people do a double take when the pound and the euro is stronger than the US dollar. That said, there is the possibility of buying this device from Amazon US and shipping it over to your country of origin which will cut costs considerably but you will have to wait a while longer before it turns up at your doorstep.
With all that said, this product review has come to an end. If you are interested, we all have this product review in video format as well, which provides a better look at the device itself and showcases it in action. Feel free to check out the video below if you would like to see more of the Alxum Switch Dock & Game Card Reader.
If you would like to chack out the Switch Dock & Game Card Reader on Amazon, feel free to click on any of the appropriate links below. They are not affiliate links and we are not receiving comission for providing them. We are merely sharing so that our readers check out this product, should they be interested.
Amazon UK £86.99
Amazon US $57.99
Amazon ES €99.99
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!
