The Switch OLED model's arrival gave us a bit of a bump in screen size, which is useful both for the quality of the screen and to make games / UI text a little easier to see. Yet we've stumbled across a quirky product that goes to the next level, and then some – Switch Pro, anyone?
The video above is a pitch video from August, though an Indiegogo campaign only launched last week and has attracted around 60 backers. It's also popping up on retailers like GameStop with shipments expected in early December, though it's actually less expensive via the Indiegogo page.
So what is it, and why is it a few hundred dollars? At its core it's a 1080p 11.6" monitor, which has a big ol' battery of its own, speakers and even a Kickstand. Though it can be used with other devices through its inputs, its primary function is for the Switch, with Joy-Con rails and an integrated 'dock'. It effectively gives you docked Switch performance 'on the go'.
Ever since the release of the Nintendo Switch®, more than 80 million gamers globally have made gaming on the go a huge part of their daily ritual. Unfortunately, many of these gamers also believe that this handheld gaming experience is a bit underwhelming because of the miniscule size of the current Nintendo Switch® screen. That's why the team at Up-Switch created the all-new ORION™ for gamers craving a larger and more immersive gaming experience without giving up portability. By increasing your actual gaming screen size by 188% and upgrading your audio experience with the integrated stereo speakers, your Nintendo Switch® combined with ORION will deliver the gaming experience that every gamer deserves!
It's an interesting take to promote this as a great portable / mobile option, as it's rather hefty. Our incredulity and joking aside, however, this sort of thing could be genuinely useful for short-sighted players.
It's a beast, in any case; something tells us Nintendo's next Switch iteration won't be quite this big.
Comments 65
Wow. That extra size and weight really screams portable.
I will support and buy as well. This is the sort of accessories needed for the switch.
Nintendo Switch XXL edition.
So... the Switch itself slots in to the back of this? What does that do to the screen?
Having said that, though... it's a pretty neat bit of thinking! If it is possible to hold it.
At first i was like what am i watching??????
Later i was like, okay! This would actually sell.
But would be a bit on the heavy side i think?
I actually would buy one of these. I assume this isn't a touchscreen, so I could see that as a limitation on some users.
That trailer was obnoxious, it doesn't sit still long enough to let you get a good look at the device, and it keeps flashing bright colours in your face.
@RupeeClock
Agreed. Awful promo.
The trailer didnt do anything, was horrible. I got no information lol, just flashes trown at my face.
But on the website from indiegogo, wow thats good info it even charges your switch, with a portable charger on it. Even to use for consoles etc and everything that uses HDMI.
Thats really cool.
Only bit expensive.
Yeah, this thing doesn't look comfortable to hold at all
@RupeeClock I agree, that was a terrible trailer
I could see this finding a decent niche market.
I hope they didn't pay anyone anything for that trailer. The thumbnail for the trailer does a better job of showing off the product than the trailer itself.
Besides the bigger screen I think the trailer might cause epilepsy! what a shocking trailer
Edit: the video on their indigogo is way more pleasant; odd that it seems to require an external power source... Why not just include a (replaceable) battery... These wires make the device look like the "portable" gamecubes/playstation x's from the old times
I agree this is a bit absurd for portable play. However it actually seems like the perfect size for tabletop play. I recently tried tabletop mode with a friend when the TV was occupied and it was really just too small. This could be kind of awesome, if a bit obnoxious, for airplanes as well.
I'm worried the heat of the gisnt screen will burn the Switch screen itself. Plus the Switch is already big enough, that will just contribute to my carpal tunnel
I mean, I get it, but the thing is just too big to take seriously as a "portable accessory."
I could see this in old people's homes for table top play.
Wasn’t there some crazy device that turned the PlayStation TV back into a handheld?
I could see the need to use this to play co-op say somewhere like in the airport on in a car. Beats trying to share the small screen. Great for camping as well like a mini portable screen.
id rather just a small tv that acts as a switch dock. its doing too much with the joycon rails n everything.
edit - come to think of it, just a smart tv with a switch built in would be fantastic for people that arent interested in portable gaming.
“MOBILE”
Man it won’t let me just comment one word.
Game Boy Magnifier is coming back with a vengeance.
Huh.. the indiegogo tl;dr:
11" fhd
Hdmi for other consoles, usb c port, headphone jack
The switch docks behind it
The screen comes with a portable battery(think anker packs) to power screen
$250+/- depending on which founder pack you choose
This is actually a great idea, my eyesight isn't what it used to be so I'd actually think of buying this.
Switch BIG BOI2
Cool idea but awful trailer. Looks rather awkward to hold though and i can see it starting to put strain in your hands and arms after a while to due the extra weight.
@Sunface Even if it was a touchscreen, it's in docked mode so the touchscreen is turned off.
No touch screen and lack of real 1080p output that is only possible with a actual Super Switch. And the cost that would be better spent on a actual OLED Switch.
This makes perfect sense for those scenarios where you don't have a TV, can't find your reading glasses and really want to play BOTW in bed, but you know you're going to fall asleep in five minutes so you don't have to worry about your arms getting tired.
With that in mind, I could see myself getting a good 10 minutes a year out of this, at least. Maybe even 15!!!
wow.. that looks like absolute trash. Too large screen and to heavy to be portable....
ALSO the Switch IS ALREADY PORTABLE. I wouldn't even spend €0,01 on this.
Also the video is terrible.
Could this potentially brick your switch? I mean it is a 3rd party dock connecting to a monitor screen.
The trailer is awful and doesn't really make the product look good. The huge external battery pack also makes it look like it would make the thing very bottom heavy as a result and would probably benefit from some kind of bag to put it in and attach to yourself rather than having it loose.
@RupeeClock Thanks for the heads up, I was about to click it, but browsed the comments first. Good catch!
NINJA APPROVED
@switchforce its actually 1080 Full HD as stated in the Indiegogo website. Since the unit makes the Switch thinks that it is in dock mode, the graphics will be of higher resolution.
Hovever, I dont think the 11.6’ display is a touch screen, making certain games (eg. TWEWY remake) which uses touch screen extensively unplayable in portable mode (unless played in tabletop mode).
But will it be compatible with the Switch Lite and Switch OLED? Also them idiots turn off comments so nobody was able to tell them their video was seizure inducing.
It's a good idea on the paper, I'd buy. But first I want to be sure how much safe it is and it's performance. The video output was designed to a docked play (with more power directly from the dock). I don't know how the chip will behave with the video output on and less power
About the trailer: probably it's a mockup product or a too early entry and it's not physically finished, they don't have any good presentation details to show
how many of the backers are actually the creator.
If it's OLED then I'll.....think about it.
@RupeeClock Reminds me of the loading screens of ridge racer type 4. Lots of flashing yellow and black 9n screen. Very off putting.
@Longondo I agree. It needs to be big enough to replace going to the gym.
This doesn't look particularly attractive to my eyes, and I wouldn't have much of a purpose for it. There might be a random selection of gamers put there that would have a use for this though. There is always a small demographic of players that use devices like these. I am not one of those people.
Seizure warning
woah flashy flashy boom boom no likey
@zapswitch If I recall correctly, there was only one 3rd party dock that was bricking Switches. I've been using 3 different 3rd party docks for the past 3 years with no issue. I have 4 docks in my house. 2 of them are 3rd party and I have a friend whom I frequently visit that also has a 3rd party dock.
@ThomasBW84 My god, put an epilepsy warning on that video! I don't suffer from it, but know people who do and even without having that issue, it started to give me a headache. Had to stop it ten seconds in.
@Sunface It surely is no touchscreen. As, even if it was, I am 99% sure it wouldn't work, since you're practically playing in Docked mode, in which the touchscreen normally wouldn't be accessible and thus it's functions would have no business being activated.
They learned a bit from Nintendo… how to design a kickstand for a heavy tablet.
Does not look portable friendly whatsoever
It's NOT a tumor. It isn't. At all.
Slap an epilepsy warning on that video right now.
"Unfortunately, many of these gamers also believe that this handheld gaming experience is a bit underwhelming because of the miniscule size of the current Nintendo Switch® screen"
I'm sorry, what? Am I imagining things but didn't the GB, GBC, GBA, GG, Lynx, PSP, DS, 3DS including the XL variants and any other handheld console have smaller (often significantly so) screens then the "miniscule" Switch? That has to be one of the worst descriptions I've ever seen of a console
i'm getting custom made pants pockets for this
no 75 inch no deal
So in other words, a handheld Switch dock? I mean, sure, if you really want something huge to play with and want it to be much larger than the Steam Deck.
i mean it’s kinda cool but seems overpriced and also thanks upswitch for giving me a massive headache.
That is interesting and nonsensical to me at the same time
I actually wanted something like this before I got the Switch OLED. Now I feel like 7in is a good size for me.
This is SOOOOO DUMB
@Sunface It wouldn't need to be a touchscreen, because as far as the Switch is concerned, it's docked and hooked up to a TV.
Looks absolutely horrendous.
Almost had an epileptic from that x.x
Yeah bit of misinformation here! While it's not mentioned in the project page (so far as I could see), a direct response from the team claimed the display was actually only 720p, with "simulated 1080p" whatever that means... sounds horrible. There was also no mention of the display response time, which I'd quickly assume means this thing is adding noticeable lag via a low quality display. That may not be true, but if so, why aren't they telling us?
@Savino playing in bed is great using a projector to your wall. great for co-op games like legos
@silverthornne very true
And here i was thinking, "gee i wish the Switch was even less ergonomic" It seems my wish has been granted.
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