Since the release of the Nintendo Switch, I have been searching for the ultimate way to be able to take the system everywhere I go and be able to play on and off-screen at a moment’s notice. One part of this goal has been easily accomplished by the Satisfye Zen Grip and travel case, which gives the Switch an unbeatable feeling when playing in handheld mode and a convenient way to store it when not in use. The downfall though is having to remove the grip whenever you want to play the Switch on a TV with the official dock.
The easiest way to get around this problem was by extending the USB-C port, but that looks ugly and doesn’t help the dock become more travel friendly. The better option is to employ a travel-sized dock, but most are of lower quality or require the official Nintendo Switch power cord to function, which doesn’t fit into the Satisfye case in a pleasing manner for my tastes.
Enter Human Things and their Genki Covert Dock. This beautiful dream of a Switch dock entered the scene through a crowdfunding campaign back in 2019 where it amassed over $2,000,000 in funding. The road to release was unfortunately delayed thanks to 2020’s ongoing COVID-19 problems, but it has finally hit backer’s mailboxes and is available for purchase to the public. This compact device acts as a charger and dock all wrapped into a single package, making it potentially the perfect option for Switch owners on the go. Oh, who am I kidding; it totally is!
What’s In The Box
The Genki Covert Dock comes in a nice red and blue box that bears the picture of the dock on the front in nearly true-to-life size. One side of the packaging bears the specs of the dock while the other outlines some design choices. Opening the package we have the dock and USB-C cable along with a number of regional power adapters so the Genki Covert Dock can be used around the planet!
Aesthetics And Build Quality
Measuring in at 2.36” x 1.73” X 1.3” and weighing 100g, the Genki Covert Dock comes in at a fraction of the size of Nintendo’s official Switch dock. Due to the size and build it also feels very dense and sturdy. I do have to say that somehow the dock is both smaller and larger than I had expected it to be. The power prongs are foldable to keep them out of the way while the dock is not in use. This feature is also how the additional power adapters snap into place if needed.
The dock features one USB-C port for connecting your switch or other USB-C equipped devices for charging, a USB 3.1Type A port for connecting controllers or other accessories, and finally an HDMI 1.4 port for video output up to 1080P. The included USB-C cable comes in at 6 feet long and has a straight connector on one side and a 90-degree connector on the other. This one feature alone excites me to no end as it allows me to stand my Switch up in the Zen Grip and still have it connected to the Covert Dock!
Gameplay
Using the Genki Covert Dock functions just as you would imagine: plug it into the wall, attach the USB-C cord to your Switch and then plug in an HDMI cable. Thanks to the inclusion of a 6-foot USB-C cable you have a good amount of leeway on where to position your Switch during play, which is great, as having to set the Switch on the ground by an outlet just isn’t ideal. The extra length also ensures that if you only wish to use the dock as a charger you can hopefully be in a more comfortable position. The dock utilizes Power Delivery 3.0 and supports 5/9/15 volt modes of operation at 30 watts, so if you have another USB-C equipped device like a phone or laptop, the Covert dock will work with them as well!
The video output from the dock is top-notch and indistinguishable from that of an official dock. The Covert Dock supports HDMI cables of varying lengths, with 25 feet being the longest I used during my testing. I would like to mention that this same cable has given my official dock issues in the past. Now again, if you have a phone or laptop that can output video via USB-C, the Covert Dock can output the display of those devices. The output is limited to 1080P, so bear that in mind in case you need something higher resolution.
Thanks to the included USB 3.1 Type-A port, the Covert Dock supports a wide variety of Switch accessories, from Ethernet to Bluetooth audio. Third-party wired controllers also hook up without issue and are fully usable. The one downside to there only being one USB port means hooking up multiple devices will require the use of a hub. This will also be necessary if you want to have rumble features through a GameCube controller port adapter. I had no issues connecting the GameCube adapter, Ethernet adapter, and charging a Pro Controller all off a single hub at the same time. For computer use, the dock should also allow the use of an external HDD or thumb drive.
My biggest concern coming into this review was that the dock might be too back heavy with all of the ports filled and it wouldn’t stay in the wall. After 3 weeks of use, this concern has completely vanished from my mind as there hasn’t been the slightest sign of the Covert dock being unable to support itself in an outlet. Both horizontal and vertical orientations have worked just fine. Even a brief stint of being upside down worked surprisingly well!
So yes, the Genki Covert dock makes a great substitute to the official Nintendo Switch charger and dock, but does it finally fulfill the role of the perfect travel dock? That would be a resounding yes! With a massive Mycharge battery, Switch, extra pair of Joy-Cons, Genki Covert Dock, USB-C, and HDMI cable, the Satisfye case closes without a hint of bulging. No matter where I take it I can be ready for play with up to 4 people on and off a TV!
Verdict
The Genki Covert Dock is an excellent alternative to an official Switch dock that can also double as a charger when TV play is not required. Thanks to the dock’s smaller size it becomes a great option for anyone looking for a truly portable setup for their Switch. The price is up there with the official dock, but let’s be honest, this has it beat in nearly every way! If you’re putting together the ultimate Switch travel setup, this is essential.
