Nyko’s Nintendo Switch Portable Docking Kit Defective, Class Action Says

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A class action lawsuit has been filed alleging that Nyko’s portable docking kits for the Nintendo Switch are defective and can cause damage to the gaming console.

Lead plaintiff Michael Skiathitis has filed a lawsuit against Nyko Technologies Inc., claiming that the portable Nintendo Switch docking kits manufactured by the company are defective. Skiathitis says the defects with the docking kits can cause damage to the Nintendo Switch.

The Nyko class action lawsuit claims that the allegedly defective docking kits can damage Nintendo Switch game consoles, cause game consoles to permanently stop recharging, get game consoles stuck in a boot loop, or cause game consoles to go blank.

In 2017, Skiathitis says he purchased a Nyko portable docking kit for his Nintendo Switch. When he placed the console on the docking kit, Skiathitis allegedly received an error code which stated that the two systems failed to connect and later found that the Switch became inoperable. The plaintiff claims he contacted Nyko but the company told him that the console was out of warranty. In 2018, Skiathitis reportedly mailed his Switch system to Nintendo for repair.

The Nintendo Switch docking kit class action claims that Nyko has made defective docking kits for other consoles in the past including the Nyko Intercooler 360 for the Xbox 360 and the Nyko Kama Nunchuck controller for the Nintendo Wii. The Nyko Intercooler 360 supposedly drew power from the console to power the unit, leading to hardware failure and burnt units. The Nyko Kama Nunchuck controller allegedly appropriated the original Nintendo Nunchuck design and caused hardware problems.

Skiathitis’ experience is allegedly not unique. Numerous users have reportedly left reviews of the products or comments online stating that their Switch consoles were also permanently damaged from the docking station. According to the Nyko class action, Nyko is aware of the issue yet refused to address the problem.

“Many owners of Nyko’s Portable Docking Kits for Nintendo Switch have communicated with Nyko’s employees and agents to request that Nyko remedy and/or address the Docking Kit Defect and/or resultant damage at no expense. Nyko has failed and/or refused to do so,” the Nyko Nintendo Switch docking kit class action states.

In March 2018, Nintendo issued a statement advising Switch owners to only buy officially licensed products. “Unlicensed products and accessories do not undergo Nintendo’s testing and evaluation process. They might not work at all with our game systems, and they could have compatibility problems with certain games, the Nintendo Switch system itself, and other licensed accessories and peripherals.”

Skiathitis seeks to represent a Class of people in the United States who purchased a Nyko Portable Docking Kit for the Nintendo Switch. He also seeks to represent two statewide Classes for California and Florida. The class action seeks actual, general, special, incidental, statutory, punitive and consequential damages as well as restitution, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Skiathitis is represented by Richard D. McCune and David C. Wright of McCune Wright Arevalo LLP; Joseph G. Sauder, Matthew D. Schelkopf, and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf LLC.

The Nyko Nintendo Switch Portable Docking Kits Class Action Lawsuit is Skiathitis v. Nyko Technologies Inc., Case No. 2:18-cv-03584, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.