Hardware accessories innovator, bionik showcased new products at E3 with some sleek new kits for Switch.
Bionik has been a leader in 3rd party console accessories as of late (check out our review of their Mantis headphones for PSVR) meeting the needs left in the wake of the giants of accessory manufacturers MadCatz pivoting to new ventures.
We were lucky enough to get a walk through of the new accessories (with a focus on Nintendo Switch gear) launching later this year from bionik on the E3 Show Floor, and I must admit I am excited for their elegantly designed gear with its practical functionality.
Commuter Bag (NS) – $35 [Holiday 2018]
The item I am most interested in from bioniks E3 showings has to be this travel bag for the Nintendo Switch. It has everything you need as far as storage space for cartridges, plush padding for scratch free protection as well as water resistant zippers. The coolest feature however has to be the “flap loop” which allows the removal of the bag’s carrying strap, and will zip around an existing strap. This means you can use favorite bag, and just attach the commuter bag to the outside. There is also a SKU that comes with 8,000mAh battery to make sure you Switch stays charged. The Battery bundle will set you back an additional $35 for a total package price of $70.
TV Lynx (NS) – Price TBD [Holiday 2018]
One of the things the Switch lacks most is a portable solution to connect to a TV. The TV Lynx from bionik does just that. A light, compact alternative to the official Switch dock, letting you leave that thing at home and travel with something that takes up less space.
Power Shield (NS) – $60 [Holiday 2018]
The final new Switch accessory that stood out to me at E3 is the Power Shield. This is a hard, protective case for the console that also acts like an additional battery pack. The best part is when you go to recharge everything, the case will first charge the Switch directly, before charging the external battery pack. The extra bulk is worth it considering it not only provides 5,000mAh but is also built from a hard, protective material with a clamshell design, offering your Switch some much needed protection.
Power Stand (PS4 & NS) – $25 ($30 for XB1) [Holiday 2018]
Charging stands are a welcome sign in an era of USB cable nightmares. The Power Stands coming from bionik look great. They keep your controllers in a convenient spot, and lessen the worry about the battery dying during a critical moment. The configurations are a little different depending on your console. The PS4 stands hold two Dualshock 4s and the Switch stand holds a Pro Controller and two Joycon. The XB1 Dock is a little more expensive, because the controllers require battery packs, and therefore includes two 1,000mAh packs. They all include optimal charge current for fast charging times and backlit charging indicators.
Falcon (‘Universal’ Controller) $50 [Holiday 2018]
Think of the Falcon controller as an alternative to those pro-level controllers. Programmable back paddles with alternate control schemes available at the press of a button. Designed for PC and Android, the Falcon has bluetooth and RF (via included dongle) support. I am a little hesitant with the Falcon, because a lot of controllers with a focus on mobile devices, end up feeling wonky and not quite working correctly. It will also be interesting to see how universal the Falcon will be, and if it will support bluetooth consoles, or devices like the Switch with it’s included RF and USB-C to USB-A dongles.
Overall a very strong showing of cool gear from the bionik team. I am looking forward to getting my hands on with these new products when they launch later this year.
