Nintendo issues Switch USB-C cable warning
Being a portable system, the Nintendo Switch has no lack of accessories. The problem with Nintendo's first-party offerings is that they can be expensive, prohibitively so for some people who own a Switch. With that in mind, some owners have been turning to third-party accessories to save some cash, but when it comes to picking up a new USB-C cable for your console, Nintendo wants you to give what you're buying a little extra consideration.
Today, Nintendo of Japan updated its online FAQ about the Switch, and one of the new entries lays down some recommendations for purchasing additional USB-C cables. Nintendo says that USB-C cables you buy to charge the Switch should have 56kΩ resistors in them. This gives users some wiggle room when it comes to deciding which USB-C cables to buy, as the requirement of 56kΩ resistors doesn't necessarily limit you to first-party accessories.
Nintendo is a bit more rigid in its recommendations when it comes to USB-C cables that connect through a USB-A output. In that case, you're going to want to use the HAC-010 cable that's packed in with the Joy Con Charging Grip and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. While Ars Technica points out that this cable is available as a standalone product in Japan, Nintendo doesn't make it available separately from these controllers here in the US.
It's tempting to think that any USB-C cable is going to do the trick, but that may not be the case. Some cables that don't meet Nintendo's recommendations may not charge your system fast enough, and we've even heard of third-party Switch docks from Nyko bricking consoles. That's a scary thought, especially since there's no way to back up your save data to the cloud.
We never received official confirmation of what caused bricking problems with those Nyko docks, but if that's something you're worried about, it's probably best to stay within Nintendo's recommendations for USB-C accessories. Remember: Charging cables can vary greatly in quality, so buying with price as your only concern is something that can end in tears.