Nintendo Switch 2 grip cases are big business. After all, Ninty released its handheld into the wild with the same flat, uncomfortable Joy-Con backs that we've come to cramp over for the last nine years. Adding something to hold onto isn't just a luxury, it's a necessity if you're going to be running this thing for a full battery depletion.

That means there's no shortage of competition for the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro, a shell-style grip that nestles itself around the back and sides of your device, adding two slightly taller nubbins to cling onto while drop-proofing the chassis itself. Slightly more expensive than our current top shell, the Fastsnail Switch 2 Protective Case, and with a few features left on the cutting room floor, SupCase isn't going to steal the throne here. However, its design and weight could sway some away from the current leader. I've had the red and black version slapped on my handheld for the last few weeks to see exactly how it slots in among the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases on the market.

What I loved about the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro Nintendo Switch 2 case

Slick industrial design

There's no denying the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro looks a lot better than the bulbous, plasticky design of Fastsnail's competitor. This is a sturdy industrial build, starting from the plated red backing (in a gorgeous metallic finish) and ending up at the chunky rubberised top and side bumpers.

It's an angular aesthetic that won't necessarily satisfy the needs of those after a cute 'n' cosy Switch experience, but it certainly stands out against the rest of the black and gray market, especially as you get into the cheaper seats. I opted for the red version, but the Unicorn Beetle Pro is also available in a range of different metallic finishes and judging by the model in front of me, each one paints just as vibrant a picture as listing images suggest.

That design isn't just for show, though. It feels solid, buffered, and plenty bouncy in the hands, without bulking out a clamshell case. That's a big deal for travel. I love adding extra depth to my controls, but hate having to remove them every time I'm storing my Switch 2 in its PowerA Slim Case. Unlike chunkier models, the slimline form factor of the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro allows it to sit (albeit a little tightly) inside this fairly skinny clamshell case.

A smaller shape means the SupCase is also lighter than the Fastsnail in the hands. While still adding a little extra heft to your handheld, the numbers fall in this Unicorn's favor, important considering that extra weight was one of its competitors' only shortcomings in testing.

Sturdy Joy-Con handling

I've been through a number of cheaper grip options from various brands in the year I've had the Switch 2 in my roster. Each one has made me fear for the magnetic pins inside my Joy-Con 2. SupCase's iteration uses a complete unibody design, keeping the Joy-Con firmly connected to the system rather than having them bend to the sides under the weight of separate grips.

That's something you'll find on many grip cases, including our Fastsnail competitor, but it's a design I'd wholeheartedly recommend over a three-part system.

The Joy-Con themselves are still easily removable though. Each chunky grip section folds out away from the handheld itself, so that the controllers can be easily unlatched from their magnetic pins normally. Yes, it means you won't have the grips still attached when using the device in tabletop mode (though as we'll see later, that's not really an option here anyway), but it means swapping to mouse controls is particularly simple.

Nicely textured grips

SupCase's grips aren't the chunky, smooth, rounded designs you'll see on Fastsnail and other competitors' cases. Instead, they're boxy, angular, and raised only by about a centimetre off the back plating. That keeps the whole design slim enough to fit into a clamshell case, yes, but it also manages to stay comfortable for longer sessions as well.

There's just enough for the fingers to grip around, with a heavily dappled texture running across the flat back panel of each one. It means the weight of the handheld is no longer forced upon the fingertips, instead sitting far more comfortably in the base of the palm.

That texture means the grip itself never feels too hot in the hand, with little change of slipping during longer sessions (helped in part by the rubber panels on each side).

What to consider about the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro Nintendo Switch 2 case

Lose kickstand ability

Unlike many of its competitors, the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro drops your access to the Nintendo Switch 2's kickstand. That means tabletop mode is out the window here, which will be a pretty big turn-off you happen to stand your device in place for play.

The level to which this is going to hurt your experience entirely depends on how you use your handheld. I almost never set up my Switch 2 in the tabletop position (generally only ever to take photos of it with various accessories), so I wasn't too put out by this sacrifice. It's worth noting, though, that the Fastsnail model still keeps its own kickstand in play.

Docking is a little tight

The SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro is dockable, which means you won't need to remove the shell itself to slide your handheld into its TV house. That didn't stop me being a little nervous the first time I tried it, though. There is extra depth added to the device here, and I can feel it sliding against the walls of the dock.

You're going to find that in any dockable Nintendo Switch 2 shell you come across, but it's worth reiterating the need for a screen protector if you're squeamish about it.

No storage

While not a slight against the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro itself, and more of a praise of its competitor, it's worth clocking that lack of game storage. Again, this is a sacrifice you're likely used to making if you prefer a grip case over a clamshell, but if you're between the two it's worth reiterating the Fastsnail's excellent integration of cart holders into its design.

Less screen protection

If you don't already have a screen protector slapped on your handheld, you're probably going to regret it fairly soon. The SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro can help you stave off the need with a small lip over the top edge that acts as a bumper, but if this thing falls flat on its face there's still going to be problems.

The lip underneath the system isn't as reinforced as the one on top, swapping the bouncier rubber for a skinny plastic casing instead. It's a strange step away from the sturdy shock-proofing of the rest of the device, though you'd expect the device to fall on one of its corners before the lower edge made any contact with the ground.

Still, it means the screen is a little less protected than I'd like and, unfortunately for our Beetle, there's a snail with a solution. Fastsnail's grip case comes with a detachable front cover that keeps the screen scratch-safe during transport.

Should you buy the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro Nintendo Switch 2 case?

The SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro has a number of cards to play in its fight against our top contender, and they're all centered around that sleeker build. Ultimately, whether it's right for you will come down to how you use your handheld and where your priorities lay. While the Fastsnail Nintendo Switch 2 Protective Case offers more features for less cash, SupCase wins in overall aesthetic, grip texture, and versatility in its slimmer design.

However, the Fastsnail doesn't necessarily need to slim down its design to still accommodate a sturdy transport experience. After all, the extra screen cover and game storage have you sorted for the additional security of a clamshell case by themselves, with the added benefit of chunkier grips as well. Plus, if you're a tabletop power-user, your decision has already been made. The lack of kickstand here is going to prove too bothersome to sacrifice for that sleek form factor.

All that, and I'll probably keep my SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro firmly in place. After all, I prefer a textured grip over a larger one, I don't need that kickstand, I opt for a clamshell for its additional layer of bumper security, and I'd certainly prioritize the swankier look of this Unicorn. If that's you, it's still an easy recommendation.

How I tested the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro Nintendo Switch 2 case

I've had the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro attached to my Nintendo Switch 2 for two weeks, playing in both handheld and docked mode. It has also been trusted with two cross-country trips in that time, transported both inside and out of a PowerA Slim clamshell carry case. For more information on how we make our recommendations, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

We're rounding up plenty more of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, including the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers and best Nintendo Switch 2 MicroSD Express cards.