CitySlicker Case for Nintendo Switch Review

The rucksack and the briefcase. As a guy, I have only been aware of those two things as what men have available to carry their stuff. Women have those as well as the purse. As I have pursued more ambitions in life, I have obtained things that function with those interests to allow me to be on the go. What I have now is a military ruck sack and a laptop bag, and now something that well, sort of resembles a purse. What am I talking about? It’s the CitySlicker Case, for my Nintendo Switch! And I don’t care who you are or what social norms you follow, it’s what you need if you’re an adult with a Nintendo Switch. The Switch is a fantastic entertainment device that allows for gaming at home or on the go, and it deserves a quality case for when you remove it from the dock with plans to game somewhere away from your favorite chair.

WaterField Designs makes quite a few cases for different tech products. In fact, their lineup just for the Switch includes the SwitchPack, the MultiPlayer Pro, the Arcade Gaming Case, the CitySlicker, and the Pouch. Whew! They have something for all sorts of gamers. What I have is what I consider to be an ideal type of case for how I play. Since there are several types of cases to choose from, I suggest you consider what type of gamer you are with your Switch. Do you like to take just the Switch, and only care for a zippered pouch that can also hold some earbuds, a charging cable, and a couple loose games? Then you go for the Pouch. Maybe you would instead like to carry everything that came in the box when you bought your Switch, to include room for an external battery, a sleeve of games, and even an iPad if you choose? Then you go for the other end of the spectrum with the MultiPlayer Pro. But as I said, I like my choice of the CitySlicker as being the equivalent of a military assault pack with being able to hold enough to support a few days of action.

I chose the grizzly leather as I think it will establish some character with age and the two-tone looks classy. With other colors of black, crimson, and blue, you have a selection to consider. Whatever color you choose, you are getting the same quality full grain leather materials and ballistic nylon on the outside, and soft liner on the inside. The liner inside is of a material that will even clean the screen of your Switch, which is a nice bonus. The back contains a mesh zippered pocket which would possibly not have even had been missed if not present, so I am glad they thought to include it and make full use of the space of this soft yet durable case. The company lists the following as what can fit, that I confirmed:
– Switch Console with attached Joy-Cons
– 2 Straps
– USB-C cable
– HDMI cable
– 5 Switch game cards or MicroSD Cards
– Anker PowerCore+ 20100 fits in rear pocket (well, a similar brand)

I also tried fitting two additional Joy-Cons in place of an external battery, and while the case does feel bulkier it can carry them. Just with the benefit of the design factoring the attached Joy-Cons fitting in the sides which are made specifically for them, I wouldn’t feel as confident with the second set. However, the leather flap does provide them some protection. I actually have kept a deck of cards in place of where an external battery would go, and in place of a USB cable I kept some headphones that are a bit bigger than earbuds that come with a cell phone.

There are also additional items you can add, like a carabiner or wrist strap, to make it easier to carry. I didn’t get either of those, but after clutching it for some time I think I will order a wrist strap in case I ever let go. A leather Game Card Holder is also available, which is a leather slip that is like an extension of what is available on the inside front of the case and goes inside to allow you to hold ten more games. As the CitySlicker has pockets that snugly hold five cartridges, I feel that is enough but appreciate that the case can accommodate more if desired. As I said, I don’t feel the need to carry everything I have at all times, but some might like to buy a Game Card Holder in a color that matches their CitySlicker (or in some other color, you weirdo). There are small loops on either side of the case, meant to clip on the aforementioned carabiner or strap. Being that there are two, you can choose to use which side or even to use both with more than one attachment if you are so inclined (again, weirdo). If I could suggest to WaterField an addition to their accessories, I would request they offer a strap that instead connects to both sides so I have a handle to grab. I might just make one out of paracord, it just wouldn’t have the nice look of the rest of the case or that strap I see on their site.

This case, mind you, is $79. But the moment you receive the case, and even more so once you secure your Switch in it, you realize the price for the quality is justified. I considered a few types of cases before deciding on this one, and am happy I did not settle. This review is in agreement for receiving the case at a discount, for full disclosure. But I would still consider this at full price and am also looking at their other bags for other purposes as Christmas considerations. As an adult with limited free time, I have to choose wisely when spending time and also the money on that time. If you’re like me, shelling out the cash for a system is one thing, let alone each retail game thereafter costing upwards of sixty dollars a pop. Some might hesitate at the price with it costing more than a retail game. With the justified cost being up to the person, I think the price is still worth it considering the care of product development that is apparent and the care this case will have over your Switch and those games. Everything about it feels intentional and refined after feedback, as is evident on their website. From the way the sides protect the attached Joy-Cons and how the inside pocket not only protects but cleans the screen, to the zippered pocket in the back and the canvas loop on the bottom to assist with removing the Switch, it all ties together well. Even closing the case, what I always wonder about when considering a case for anything, is done well. The zipper is a type that when locked back won’t open, and the clasps are buttons that connect magnetically. Nothing falls out due to an open zipper and nothing gets undue pressure placed upon it when closing the case.

I actually took this case with me on two different military exercises over the summer. One was over the weekend while visiting the range, where I had it stowed in a ruck sack. It stuffed into a large pocket just fine, securing the Switch for use in the evening after a long day. I took it with me again when I was away for two weeks for a longer field exercise, and this is when it came in handy to have the space for the external battery. I did not use the Switch enough to even warrant the use of the battery, but it was good to have it and not worry about it stowed in a duffel bag. What’s more, having the deck of cards in the case and also a small book about land navigation meant I was able to provide entertainment to others while I studied up on my map reading skills. The case doesn’t have to just hold Switch accessories, mind you. If you want to take it with you to a gaming shop for playing until your friends arrive to play a tabletop game, there’s room enough for a pouch of dice or a card game.

CONCLUSION

The CitySlicker Case for Nintendo Switch feels like the case that I as an adult who likes to play video games should own. It discreetly carries my Switch without something like a recognizable Legend of Zelda symbol or wild Splatoon imagery (even though I would likely be playing Splatoon). While the price might seem steep to some, those who would pay for the quality of craftsmanship should rest assured they would be buying a quality product that is intentionally designed to carry their Nintendo Switch in refined style and does well what it is designed to do.

Five out of Five

Reviewed for Nintendo Switch on 04MAY2018

Discounted product provided by and promotional images found on WaterField Designs