The term means a device doesn't function completely, typically on a permanent basis. “It is as useless as a brick.”
For the Nintendo Switch, this often appears as stuck in the boot screen or not booting at all.
We understand that many gamers are still concerned about the safety of the 3rd party dock, so we have been trying to find out what causes bricking.
We are confident that our product is safe to use. We have been testing and using the Jumpgate since 2018 and NONE of our Switches have been bricked.We also collected some other dock samples that have been rumored to cause bricking. Our video might give you an idea as to what causes bricking.
This review video might still be insufficient, but we will keep testing to investigate the bricking issue. Please share your thoughts with us by leaving your comments down below.
We spent 8 months ensuring that the Jumpgate Dock and AC adaptor are safe to use. Here are the tests we ran:
- 100 hours of non-stop charging test: We tested the PD (power delivery) chips in the Jumpgate Dock and AC adaptor to see if they delivered the proper volt and ampere to the SWITCH according to its battery level.
- Firmware update test: We updated the firmware when the console was connected with the Jumpgate Dock. Check out the videos:
- Plugging test: We checked to see whether the Jumpgate Dock could automatically switch between TV and tabletop mode when the USB-C and HDMI was connected or disconnected.
- Some say “the Nintendo Switch and Dock are chock full of USB-C protocol errors and flaws.” But we have a different opinion. The USB-C protocol (PD protocol) has to be amended in order to prevent the system being hacked and meet Nintendo’s prospects in the future.
- If what Nintendo said about the SWITCH only being compatible with licensed accessories was true, Nintendo should have designed a unique (different shape) socket instead of installing a universal USB-C port, or put warning stickers on the SWITCH and dock. They should have known that people (especially kids) would plug any number of devices into the SWITCH’s USB-C port.
- We believe Nintendo’s engineers conducted compatibility tests with thousands of existing USB-C devices (adaptors, battery banks, hubs, etc) during the testing procedure. However, Nintendo underestimated the potential risks since there are many products made by small companies that do not follow the USB-C (PD) protocols. Nintendo did not give SWITCH proper protection. This is the reason why the SWITCH can be bricked by certain accessories but smartphones and laptops survived.
- As long as the protocols in the accessories are in accordance with the PD protocol standards they should work perfectly with the Nintendo Switch. The NYCO dock had PD protocol errors; it drew too much power to the SWITCH and damaged the power management component.
Testing samples and where we sourced them:
- Nintendo Dock - Came with the Switch
- Jumpgate/Core Drive - Pilot run samples
- Nyko Portable Docking Kit - eBay (new)
- Pelda Pro (first batch) - Provided by Jorge Calvo (one of our backers)
- No-brand Dongle #1 - Ali-express
- No-brand Dongle #2 - Used, bought from a guy claiming this item bricked his Switch
Oscilloscope, PD Tester, Power Meter and Protective circuit board
Testing Purpose:
Finding out the cause of bricking
Testing Methodology:
Using the official Nintendo AC adaptor as a power supply, connecting the Nintendo Switch to the samples mentioned above, HDMI connected with a TV.
Testing Time:
33 seconds, 100 seconds and 2 hours
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