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Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2: review
The Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2 is the definition of eye-catching. From the very moment this model entered my line of sight, I was instantly drawn to it. Its lenticular exterior… its Donkey Kong Country-inspired look… its leaf-green handle… I simply had to get my hands on it.
And now, I finally have it in my clutches – the coveted DK case. But just how good is Turtle Beach’s lightweight Switch 2 case? Pretty damn good, actually.
See, I’ve tested a lot of cases for Nintendo’s latest hybrid console, including some that sit in our guide to the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, and some that… well, aren’t quite up to scratch. But one thing has frustrated me with the bulk of these cases. They just lack the playfulness and personality I’d associate with Nintendo.
Of course, that’s not a problem for the PlayTrek Travel Case, which is licensed by Nintendo itself. The Donkey Kong variant I tested is attention-grabbing, includes bold greens and red details, and has lenticular art that reveals multiple layers of trees from different angles. It’s a great-looking item, and the most bodacious I’ve seen so far.
If you’re not all too big on the Kong, fear not. There’s a lenticular Mario Bricks alternative, featuring the Italian plumber himself, or more basic colorways like Charcoal Black and Stellar White.
We’ve spoken a fair bit about looks, but just how practical is the PlayTrek Case for Nintendo Switch 2? Well, first of all, I’m a big fan of the main compartment, which is fitted brilliantly for the Switch 2 console. It’s not too tight of a squeeze, but it’s also very secure. You can flap the middle compartment over your system, and hold it in place with its hook and loop fastener. If you ever drop your case, then your console should be safe.
I touched on that middle compartment, and I have to say, Turtle Beach nailed it here. It’s equipped with twelve game card slots, which can hold either Switch or Switch 2 games. These slots mold to your cartridges with ease, and when I gave the case an almighty shake, they didn’t fall out. Twelve slots is also very generous – I mean, even the official Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case only has six. Sure, Nintendo’s official case isn’t as bulky overall, but in turn, you do get more room for your gaming gear from the PlayTrek Travel Case.
The final compartment – situated under the roof of the case – is pretty neat too. It contains a zip-up pouch that can be used to store a charging cable, Switch 2 camera, or Joy-Con 2 grips, but it’s a little too small to house a dock or larger accessory like the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2, for example. This compartment is padded, however, meaning you get even more protection for your system.
In general, the PlayTrek case feels very durable. It’s got an EVA hard shell design ensuring it can survive a fair few drops, and it’s wrapped in TPU-coated polyester, helping it to weather everyday wear. When dropping the case from waist height multiple times, I couldn’t see any indication of damage, although the lenticular cover was a little susceptible to marks like fingerprints – a minor issue in the grand scheme of things.
Right, after all of this, you’re probably wondering whether there’s a catch. For example, it’s probably expensive, right? Well… no, no it isn’t. The PlayTrek Travel Case is typically priced at $29.99 / £19.99 / AU$39, making it cheaper than Nintendo’s official case – a model with fewer game card slots, protection, and storage space. I’ve even seen it go on sale recently, too, with a price cut to just $24.99 / £16.99 in the US and UK at the time of writing. That’s amazing value for money.
So, here we are at the end of it all. Did Turtle Beach’s DK-themed case meet my expectations? No, it didn’t. It surpassed them. With a durable build, excellent low price, charismatic look, and astute storage, this case is ideal for on-the-go use. Sure, it’s not large enough to fit your dock, but there are different cases specialized for that, like the Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case and Nacon Protection Case XL for Switch 2. Bravo, Turtle Beach, you weren’t monkeying around with this one.
Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price & specs
Should I buy the Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2?
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Design |
Attractive lenticular exterior with fun look, well-built with hardy exterior, but can pick up fingerprints quite easily. |
4.5/5 |
|
Storage |
Secure storage for Switch 2 console, loads of game card slots, handy pouch, not quite big enough for dock or larger accessories. |
4.5/5 |
|
Value |
Phenomenal low price for a case with this much quality and personality. |
5/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2 review: also consider
How I tested Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2
- Tested over the course of multiple days
- Took it with me to the office and performed durability tests
- Trialled by a Switch 2 owner and life-long gamer
I spent multiple days testing the Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2, taking it with me to the office for my workplace’s weekly Mario Kart World showdown.
During my time testing, I made sure to try filling the case with my Switch 2 system, games, and accessories, and performed durability tests to ensure the case performed its job effectively. I even compared it against my go-to model, the official Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case, on aspects like design, storage space, and ruggedness.
More generally, I’ve spent two years reviewing products here at TechRadar, and have lots of experience testing Nintendo Switch 2 accessories. I’ve tested a huge amount of cases, alongside screen protectors like the Genki Aegis Shield, cameras including the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2, and controllers like the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller.
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harry.padoan@futurenet.com (Harry Padoan)
