We were already very fond of the Genki: Covert Dock when it was released back in 2020. This portable Switch dock made gaming on the go that bit easier, and was later compacted into an even tinier model in 2021. Now, developer Human Things is back with a new Kickstarter campaign, introducing an improved portable dock, a new way to play Switch games on your iPad or laptop, and a handy device for streaming and content creation.
Dubbed The Alpine Collection, this latest Kickstarter introduces upgraded models to some of Human Things' most popular creations: the Covert Dock 2, ShadowCast 2 and ShadowCast 2 Pro. Beginning with the most Switch-y of the newly-announced products, the Covert Dock 2 is a two-in-one charger and dock much like the Genki portable predecessors, though this one packs in 50% more power than the original model while still being 10x smaller than the standard Switch dock and charger. It also comes with 4K support, which is a nice touch for boosting that resolution.
If you were hoping to get these Switch games running on a screen other than your TV (say, an iPad or laptop), then the ShadowCast 2 could be the bit of kit you are after. Compatible with both the standard Switch dock and the Covert Dock 2, this tiny capture card (the world's smallest, in fact) lets you play and capture games on your laptop or iPad. Here's some of the technical specs of how the device runs from the Kickstarter:
While the ShadowCast 2 also can input 4K60 video to support all the latest consoles, the capture quality gets a significant boost with 1080p60 - giving a clearer and smoother video feed than the previous iteration and even less latency. This means you’ll get an overall better gaming experience with less compression artifacts- and there’s a noticeable difference in performance even in games like Zelda Tears of the Kingdom.
Even with the increased power, ShadowCast 2 shares the title of the world's smallest capture card with the original. What’s the secret to keeping it so light and so small? It’s about the quality/efficiency of components and a custom-designed PCB layout that allows ShadowCast to run much cooler without bulky heatsinks like others.
The final piece of kit in the Alpine Collection is the ShadowCast 2 Pro, which boasts the most powerful USB video capture out there. This one will let you play, record and stream in 4K60, 1440p120 or 1080p240 (input and output) with zero-latency HDMI passthrough.
Overall, the collection is looking to contain some pretty neat pieces of kit. The latest Genki Kickstarter begins today (26th September) and is setting out to raise at least $50,000 by 19th October 2023 (bear in mind that the last one raised almost $2 million) before the products are expected to ship in November. You can make a pledge for the items individually — $39 for the ShadowCast 2, $49 for the Covert Dock 2 and $129 for the ShadowCast 2 Pro — or there are various bundles if you want to grab the products together all of which can be found on the Kickstarter page.
We have been particularly keen on Genki products in the past (just check out our review of the original Covert Dock below), so we are excited to see just how far Human Things can take us this time.
Will you be pledging for the Genki: Alpine Collection? Let us know which product you are the most excited about in the comments below.
[source kickstarter.com]
Comments 13
But wouldn’t it brick your console? Plus I’m pretty sure Nintendo will not be happy about playing switch games on your laptop.
@Greatluigi
That was only the cheap third party docks when the Switch first launched 6 years ago.
Genki's previous docks are reliable and a good way to connect your Switch and other devices that support USB-C video output over thunderbolt.
I've gotten both the original Covert Dock, and their Covert Dock mini and both are really good at what they do.
The original Covert Dock wasn't 4K ready, and the Covert Mini Dock was 4K30 and lacked an additional USB port.
Covert Dock 2 being 4K60 with the USB port has my interest. It's useful for things like hooking up the GameCube USB adapter for Smash Bros Ultimate.
@RupeeClock Not sure I'd call the Nyko Dock fiasco "cheap third party docks". Nintendo has never complied to the standards of USB-C, and when Nintendo issued an update, I want to say the 5.0 update(?), it overcharged and bricked Switches.
I agree it hasn't been a problem since then, but not sure I'd chuck the dock manufacturers under the bus when Nintendo didn't comply with standards in the first place.
I've been using their Genki Shadowcast to play games on my laptop and it works great. Only sometimes it disconnects and the screen goes black while the game is still running so I have to manually unplug and plug the cabel again. I have not tried to find a solution tho.
I also play my WiiU games with it on my laptop.
I am buying this set anyways.
@Nua Nope third parties are to blame cause if they choose to make accessories for Switch the legal way then they need to become official partner. Not doing so and choose to unofficially release accessories that could harm Switch will eventually put them as responsible suspects. It doesn't matter if the Switch use standard USB-C or not, the only thing is to be able to officially make product for Switch they had to be a license partner. Universal compatibility only applies to open source devices only and for Switch which is a close source device third parties needs to jump on hoops to get support. They can't take the easy way and not expect issue when they choose to not comply. It's the same deal with both Sony and Microsoft as well.
The new docks are so safe that it seems you can hardly get a Switch bricking one even if you tried. Even the cheap covert docks ripoffs not from Genki are apparently safe, I have used a chinese one for more than two years with zero issues.
I travel a lot and I have and highly recommend the below. Nerd alert!
If I told my younger self that I'd be 4p gaming on a 120" screen with tech that has the footprint of a softback book........
I'm tempted. With the discount, after converting to Canadian dollars, the Covert 2 is about the same as what it would cost to get an OG Covert on Amazon.
I had their original Covert Dock, and it never gave me problems. I stopped using it only because I lost it.
@Greatluigi Genki was actually the first ones that identified the reasons for 3rd party docks bricking the Switch hence the creation of their CovertDock. They have a comprehensive write up on that on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/ckaiiv/an_engineers_pov_on_the_3rd_party_dock_switch/
@Nua IMO it's not about Nintendo being compliant with USB-C standards. They had their own algorithms on power efficiency and power transferring between docked and handheld. That's also the reason why they certify certain power banks (like Anker's) because of the Switch's power draw requirements. Nintendo never intended for us to use 3rd party docks compliant or not. They wanted to control how the Switch draws and distribute power in both modes. Not defending them or anything like that. It's just how the Switch works.
Nyko, for what it's worth, just didn't do their research. Actually if it wasn't for them, Genki wouldn't have tried to get to the bottom of the "issue".
@Greatluigi As far as I'm aware, none of Genki's peripherals have ever bricked a console.
And Nintendo does not care if you stream video from your console to a computer. The game is still running on your Switch, just sending the video output to your PC instead of a TV.
Pledge for the:
Portable Creator Kit $85
I don't use video capture so the bigger buddy isn't something I will do much of.
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