Protecting your Nintendo Switch 2 is one of the most important things you can do, especially if you’re someone who travels or plans to bring the console with you on the go. Hardware is not cheap, and the last thing anyone wants is cosmetic damage from throwing your console in a bag by itself. The solution to this, of course, is a case, but with so many options, it can be challenging to find one that gets the job done.
Enter the Belkin Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2. When I first read that Belkin, a company mostly known for charging cables, screen protectors, and power banks, planned to release Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, I got quite excited. It’s clear that the release of the Nintendo Switch successor has made many companies jump to supporting the console from release day, which was great to see. More companies mean more options, and that’s better for everyone. From the description and pictures, I was very excited to check out Belkin’s take on a case for Nintendo Switch 2, which seemed packed with great features. Unfortunately, I do not think I have ever been more disappointed by a case for any console, controller, or gaming accessory.
Big Promises
Before diving into the mess that is the Belkin Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2, I want to give Belkin some credit for the features the company prioritized. Right out of the box, I truly love the design of this case. The outside shell features a stitched pattern available in three colors, and this feels premium to the touch. Attached on top is the handle, which also feels very high quality. This uses a soft material that is firm yet smooth, alongside a metal hook that allows you to unhook the handle and turn it into a strap. Additionally, the outside zipper is extended off some braided cord, and I found it both easy and satisfying to zip or unzip.
Inside, you’ll find a nice and soft velvet fabric lining both the top and bottom shells. This is great for protecting the Nintendo Switch 2, as you won’t have to worry about scratching any Joy-Con 2 or the console itself. The top half of the case features a net-like compartment where you can store the Joy-Con straps. Many cases on the market do not include a space like this, so I greatly appreciated the addition of this space by Belkin. With the Switch 2 offering mouse controls, the straps are necessary for best performance.
Inside the netting, there’s even a hidden, out-of-the-way AirTag pocket, and I think this is a wonderful add. Finally, outside of the bottom shell (which houses the console itself), there is space to safely store 12 game cartridges. This is done on a flap that has that soft, fuzzy material on its underside, which protects your Switch 2 screen. The carts themselves slot into elastic slots, and I found these to be secure during intense shaking for testing. While all of these features are really great to see in a protective case for the Nintendo Switch 2, Belkin unfortunately fell short of the one thing that matters most: protecting your console.
A Nintendo Switch 2 Case That Does Not Fit A Nintendo Switch 2
At last, we’ve arrived at the heart of the problem: Belkin’s Belkin Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2 does not properly fit a Nintendo Switch 2. As you can see in the picture below, the console does not sit flush whatsoever inside the case – Belkin has not accounted for the magnetic release buttons. One side sits snugly while the other is propped up at an angle. As a result, the console moves around quite a bit if you shake the case, which leads me to think damage likely could occur upon a drop. Considering that this is supposed to be a case, not a box, to hold a Nintendo Switch 2, this feels like an incredibly baffling oversight.
I cannot even begin to share the disappointment and frustration I had the second I placed my Nintendo Switch 2 inside this case. This product is set as a mid-range model compared to the competition — Belkin has priced it at $29.99, which is not cheap. While it is $10 cheaper than Nintendo’s own official Switch 2 case, this one does not include a screen protector (and also does not fit your device). Numerous cases from third-party manufacturers are listed on Amazon for under $25, and even then, despite the price, why would you buy a case that doesn’t properly fit your console?
What’s even more disappointing is the lack of quality control. The zipper around my case is warped and crooked, giving me the impression of a very cheap product. While the case goes for a “premium” look, this instantly throws all of that out of the window. Additionally, there’s more give to the outer shell than I would have liked. Even if the Switch 2 was able to sit flush, I still wonder how much protection this case would really give. You can easily press the top of the case and click the Joy-Con 2 buttons with no issue. If you plan to just throw this in a backpack, I think you’ll be fine, but I would be very worried about the console if this case were dropped.
Considering Belkin made an effort to put some nice touches and features on this case, the shortcomings become only more disappointing. I was so excited to finally get the Belkin Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2, yet I cannot remember the last time I felt this disappointed about a product. I’m unfortunately stuck with this case until my newly ordered tomtoc Nintendo Switch 2 Slim Case comes in the mail, and, quite frankly, I’ve already thought about how careful I’ll need to be with it if I bring it anywhere. The entire point of a protective case is to do exactly that — protect. Unfortunately, Belkin’s first attempt at a Nintendo Switch 2 case falls well short of that. If you care about protecting your console from what-ifs and maybes, I highly recommend staying away from this one.
