Accessory maker Dbrand is making amends after a rocky start with its Killswitch case Joy-Con grips for the new Switch 2 console, announcing it will send updated replacement grips to everyone who bought them, admitting their initial handling of the problem was “spectacularly terrible.” This move comes after customers reported Joy-Cons detaching from the console when using the grips under specific conditions.
Contents
What Was the Problem?
A key selling point of the Dbrand Killswitch case is the included grip attachments for the Joy-Cons, designed to make holding the Switch 2 more comfortable. However, some users discovered that if you held the console primarily by just one Joy-Con, with one hand, and horizontally, the Joy-Con could potentially pop off the console.
This detachment wasn’t happening during normal gameplay or when holding the main console body, but under a specific, somewhat unusual grip.
Dbrand initially explained that the issue stemmed from how the Killswitch grips wrap around the inner edge of the Joy-Cons. This design, while closing a gap between the Joy-Cons and the case, could create leverage allowing the Joy-Con to detach from the main console body when held in that particular way. They also found that in some cases, the grip’s “lip” (the part that creates the leverage) might have been fractionally thicker than intended during manufacturing.
Dbrand’s Initial Stumble (and Apology)
In their first public statement on the issue, Dbrand took a stance that many users felt dismissed their concerns. They argued that “nobody routinely holds their Switch 2 like this” and outlined the precise, specific conditions required for detachment. This approach drew comparisons to Apple’s famous “you’re holding it wrong” response to the iPhone 4 antenna issues years ago.
A close-up photo shows a Dbrand Killswitch grip attached to a Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con.
Following user feedback and criticism regarding this initial response, Dbrand quickly changed course. They published a follow-up acknowledging their mistake. “As easy as it is to boil our original post down to ‘you’re holding it wrong,’ what we’re sober to now is the point that you should be allowed to hold it however the fuck you want, without detachment occurring,” they stated in their apology. They admitted their first response was “spectacularly terrible.”
The Solution: Free Replacements for Everyone
Learning from their misstep, Dbrand announced they are developing new versions of the Joy-Con grips to fix the detachment issue entirely. More importantly, they’ve committed to sending a replacement set of these revised grips to every single person who purchased the Killswitch case, regardless of whether they experienced the detachment problem themselves or how they held their Switch 2.
Dbrand is currently testing two potential revised grip designs:
- One with a slightly thinner version of the existing retaining lip.
- One with a completely new retaining lip design specifically engineered to eliminate the detachment possibility.
They expect to have the second, entirely new design ready for mass production testing around July 10th. At that point, they will decide which of the two designs will be used for the free replacements being sent out.
Customers can expect their next update from Dbrand on July 10th regarding which design will be used and the timeline for shipping the replacement grips. This universal replacement program is a strong move to restore customer confidence after the initial issue and their handling of it.
