Waterfield Magnetic Case review: The most lavish way to carry your Switch 2 around
Gamers aren't usually known for their sartorial elegance. But that doesn't mean we don't deserve nice things. So after checking out a very utilitarian carrying case for the Switch 2, I wanted to explore the other side of things with a more lavish travel bag. And while Waterfield's Magnetic case for Nintendo's latest console certainly isn't the most rugged or affordable way to lug a handheld console around, it might just be the most luxurious.
Design: Drape me in this leather
Compared to most Switch 2 travel bags that are made out of materials like plastic and polyester, Waterfield's case is an exercise in opulence. It's crafted from buttery full-grain leather that's softer than than a perfectly worn in baseball mitt or fancy Dior gloves. It really is that nice.
I've been using the white leather model as I love how clean and simple it looks while still giving you that irresistible pillowy exterior. But for the kind of folk who get excited about patina, the chocolate model features a more distressed look that isn't afraid to show off oil, scuffs and blemishes. And if the need arises, you can always hit the case with hot air from a hair dryer to reduce the appearance of scratches.
But the thing that sets Waterfield's case apart from its competition is that instead of relying on a zipper, the pouch has a series of magnets to keep everything together. And honestly, there's just something really nice about not having any sharp objects near or around the case, so there's no fear of your Switch 2 getting nicked. This enclosure system also makes it super simple to thread a cable inside, allowing you to charge Nintendo's latest handheld without it needing to leave the safety of its case. On a practical level, I've also found that because taking the console in and out is so quick and easy, I'm much better about putting things back when I'm done gaming.
The chocolate leather model is more prone to scuffs and scratches, though you can apply hot air from a hair dryer to reduce their appearance.
The inside of the case features a plush microfiber lining and two small pockets for accessories.
Waterfield's magnetic design makes it super easy to charge your Switch 2 while it remains inside the case.
1 / 3 Waterfield Magnetic Case for the Switch 2
The chocolate leather model is more prone to scuffs and scratches, though you can apply hot air from a hair dryer to reduce their appearance.
The obvious downside to this is that it's easier for stuff like sand to get inside and if you're storing tiny accessories like a microSD Express card, there's no real guarantee it won't fall out while you're in transit. Additionally, the trade-off for the case's fancy leather exterior is that it doesn't have the hard, rigid panels used in a lot of competitors, so it's not the most rugged travel companion. If you press down on the outside of the case, you can feel things like console's buttons and joysticks, so this definitely isn't something you'll want to cram into an already stuffed piece of luggage.
On the inside, Waterfield's case is lined with a plush microfiber fabric that will keep the Switch 2 nice and cozy. There are also two pockets for stashing small items like charging cables, game cartridges or Joy-Con straps. But I do mean small, because anything larger will cause the case to bulge, which may put undue stress on the console.
Optional accessories
Waterfield's card holder for the Switch and Switch 2. Sadly, it does not come included and is an optional extra.
This case doesn't come with much in the way of bundled extras. Though like a lot of luxury products (just look at the options list on a Porsche or Ferrari), you can purchase additional accessories such as cord clips, AirTag holders and more. But the most important of these are Waterfield's game card holders, which are available in several sizes (4, 10 and 20). So I went and bought a 10-slot sleeve and it really is the perfect complement to the case. Cartridges fit snug and the holder itself nestles neatly into the pouch's built-in pockets. I just wish one came included, as you're looking at an extra $10 to $30 on top of an already pricey travel protector.
Wrap-up
Starting at $90 for the nylon or waxed canvas models or $120 for the leather versions, Waterfield's Magnetic Case for the Switch 2 certainly ain't cheap. That's more expensive than Belkin's Charging Case, which comes with its own battery pack. And that's before you factor in a game card holder.
Waterfield's Magnetic Case for the Switch 2 might be the most luxurious handheld travel pouch on sale today.
But the sheer suppleness of its leather and its super soft interior might be the comfiest cocoon Nintendo's handheld will ever experience. Then you add in a magnetic enclosure system and it feels like Waterfield has managed to transform a product that might normally be an afterthought into something that's a joy to use all by itself. So for those who want a travel pouch that looks and feels just as good as the console it's protecting (if not better), this case is in a class of its own.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
9 minutes ago
- Forbes
Gamers Have Scared EA Away From An $80 ‘Battlefield 6'
We will learn a whole lot more about Battlefield 6 today in a reveal event, which EA is hoping will finally be a legitimate competitor to Call of Duty after being dormant a while, and its past 2042 misfire. But we already know one bit of good news. In yet another example of this happening, gamer pushback appears to have forced EA's hand to not raise prices of its new games, including Battlefield 6, to $80 instead of $70. This comes from Andrew Wilson in a Q1 earnings call: This is yet another example of consumer pushback to the Nintendo-driven $80 price point, which began with Mario Kart World at the launch of the Switch 2. It seemed likely that once that dam broke, it would quickly become the standard. But that has not happened, despite some publishers attempting to dip their toes in the water (and finding its scalding): All of this means that right now, there are no big games approaching with confirmed $80 price points despite Nintendo's move with Mario Kart World. Nintendo may be at trend-setter, but other publishers may realize that a 15% price hike on games is not exactly what players want to see in the current state of the global economy. How long this lasts, however, is anyone's guess. We will earn more about Battlefield 6 today, including possibly confirmation of its price and release date. My colleague Erik Kain will be covering that reveal. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
Engadget
38 minutes ago
- Engadget
Chillin' by the Fire is a relaxing, co-op campfire sim that's out today on Nintendo Switch 2
Thursday's Nintendo Direct showcased some interesting games, but none seemed more relaxing than one called Chillin' by the Fire . This is a campfire sim from Oink Games in which you'll build and grow a fire. You'll split and stack firewood, dry out wet logs before adding them to your blaze and fan the flames by blowing on 'em. It's important not to have too little or too much wood in a fire at any given time, and you might have to deal with elemental factors like low temperatures on a snowy mountain. The main aim of Chillin' by the Fire is to build a level 10 blaze, but there are other ways to play. In survival mode, you'll have a limited stock of firewood and have to figure out how to pass the flame between logs to keep it burning. There's also a multiplayer feature called Playground, in which you can compete with friends to construct the biggest fire (messing with them is an option here) or work together. Chillin' by the Fire supports GameShare, so you only need one copy to play with up to three other people online (they'll each need a Switch 2) or locally (on separate Switch or Switch 2 systems). It supports GameChat as well, so you can have you and your buddies' heads hanging out by the fire, where you can roast marshmallows, set off fireworks or carry out the time-honored tradition of telling spooky campfire stories ( Are You Afraid of the Dark? -style) as your heads hover in the air. It all seems quite lovely, in truth. These days, I like the idea of camping more than actually camping. No, thank you. Too many bugs. So, Chillin' by the Fire seems right up my alley. It's out today on Nintendo Switch 2 and it costs $15.
CNET
38 minutes ago
- CNET
Octopath Traveler 0 Isn't Just a Prequel, It's a Whole New Approach
The Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase on Thursday showed trailers for some titles already announced for the Nintendo Switch 2, and revealed a few new titles as well. The biggest of those debut games is the third game in the Octopath Traveler series, Octopath Traveler 0. As the "0" implies, this game is a prequel to the first Octopath Traveler game, released on the original Switch in 2019. This turn-based RPG makes a big change to the series by allowing players to make their own protagonist instead of picking a character to play as. As the hero, players will have to rebuild their hometown and fight powerful enemies with the help of more than 30 recruitable characters. The Octopath Traveler series is a turn-based RPG, with the key feature of having eight playable characters. Each character starts from a different part of the world of Osterra and has their own unique job with abilities, and their story arc plays out and eventually meets up with the other heroes. Another trademark of the franchise is its HD-2D graphics and the Break and Boost battle system. In battles, players have their own Boost Points that can be used to quickly Break a character, so they can become unable to fight or can be saved to unleash more damage on enemies who get broken via regular attacks. The result is a turn-based RPG that has surprisingly fast combat. This new entry in the series isn't the only prequel for the franchise. In 2022, Square Enix released a free-to-play gacha game for Android and iOS called Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent. That game was a direct prequel to the first Octopath game, so it's unclear how Octopath Travel 0 will fit into the timeline. Octopath Traveler 0 will come out on Dec. 4 for the Switch and Switch 2.
