How can I accessorize my Nintendo Switch?
Update May 2017: We've added lots of fun new accessories to our guide!
Your Nintendo Switch is going to come with everything you need to jump in and start playing, whether you're connected to a television or playing mobile, but there's a lot more to this console. There's never really been a game console quite like this before, and with that in mind, there are some accessories available that you wouldn't normally think of needing.
Here's a list of the essentials, everything you'd need to really enjoy your Switch in every environment.
- The Pro Controller
- Extra Joy-Con Controller
- Switch Dock Sock
- Joy-Con Handles
- Joy-Con Grip Kit
- The Folio Cover
- The Travel Case
- Game Card Case
- Switch Tablet Stand
- The Backpack
- Ethernet Adapter
The Pro Controller
While Nintendo's new Joy-Con setup looks like a lot of fun, when I'm at home on the couch looking to spend a Saturday in Breath of the Wild, I'm going to reach for the Pro Controller.
Not only is the look and feel similar to what exists right now for the Wii U, but the Switch Pro Controller is going to offer a bigger battery and has an NFC receiver baked in for Amiibo support. It's also ready for motion controls as well, so this controller will make a solid alternative when portable as well.
Extra Joy-Con Controller
If you've been playing Minecraft: Nintendo Edition, you may have discovered that you can't split your Joy-Con controller to share with a friend in multiplayer mode. Looks like it's time to invest in that second L/R Joy-Con pack. These Joy-Cons are almost as elusive as the Switch itself, especially the neon model, but they are still available at some places, and restock faster than the Switch. I know, you could just get a Pro Controller, but I think it's a better investment to get a second pair of Joy-Cons because you can split them into four controllers for epic multiplayer games.
Switch Dock Sock
Stop giggling, that's what these are actually called! A number of talented folks out there have started making and selling simple cloth covers for the front part of Nintendo Switch Docks, adding a little bit of style and protection to your setup. There are a bunch of different designs, but more importantly these Dock Socks keep the Switch display from being accidentally scratched by the plastic edges of the Switch Dock.
Check them out; you're sure to find a design that works for you.
Joy-Con Handles
If you've been playing a lot of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with friends, you've probably already discovered that using a single Joy-Con horizontally starts to hurt your hands pretty fast. Myriann makes a cover for your Joy-Con controllers that make them more like a mini version of the Grip for each side. The horizontal design make it easy for you to access the L and R buttons, which is important for drifting and throwing items in Mario Kart Deluxe 8. The base also has grippy extensions, which give your hands a comfortable place to rest while you're racing your buddy for the top spot.
Joy-Con Grip Kit
When they're together, Nintendo's new controllers look like a solid way to game. If you separate them so two people can play together, a single Joy-Con is just too small for me.
Nintendo's Grip Kit adds a little more body to the individual Joy-Cons and includes a slightly grippier thumb cap for the joystick. It's one more thing to carry around, which isn't ideal, but the end result will be a great deal more comfortable.
The Folio Cover
Screen protectors add a glossy surface to the Switch display, which is not ideal for a portable gaming system. Keeping the display safe when this tablet is not in its dock should be handled the same way we handle any other tablet — with a good folio case.
BD&A offers a snap-on folio that covers the display when not in use and gives the Switch a few more options when in its kickstand mode for portable gameplay. If you plan to travel a lot with your Switch, this is the perfect accessory for keeping it safe.
The Travel Case
If your Switch is traveling with you on extended journeys, you may want a full travel case so you can stick it inside a larger bag.
The official Nintendo-made case lets you store a Switch with a Joy-Con and offers a 3DS-style elastic holster that stores up to 14 game cards. It also comes with a microfiber cleaning cloth, which probably has the Switch logo on it somewhere.
Game Card Case
If you plan to buy a lot of the Switch Game Cards, you can either keep the games stored in their not-quite pocketable cases, or you can look into a Game Card Case that lets you keep your whole library in one compact place.
HORI makes a slim Game Card Case that holds 24 games, which should take you a little while to fill up. It even has space for memory cards, just in case you need to swap.
Switch Tablet Stand
When you've got your Switch in the dock and connected to the TV, your game time is perfect. You can grind your mats for hours without worrying about battery drain. But if you're playing in mobile mode, you've got to add some recharge time. Unfortunately, Nintendo didn't think about where the charging port is located when designing the Switch in tabletop mode.
That port is on the bottom, which is inaccessible when the Switch is propped up on a table with the kickstand. HORI's Compact Playstand raises the Switch up off the ground with a cutout for the charging cable so you can keep your game going while it's juicing up. Plus, the stand collapses down flat so you can take it on the go without it taking up too much space.
The Backpack
While it's true Nintendo made the Switch to be portable, that doesn't mean the whole rig is portable. If you want to bring the dock with you somewhere, packing everything is a little on the tedious side.
Nintendo's official Switch backpack not only looks nice on the outside, but the inside is filled with labeled pockets for an optimal Switch packing job. There's even space for your Pro controller and full-size headphones!
Ethernet Adapter
Some of us don't want Wi-Fi getting in the way of our online gameplay, and while Switch doesn't offer an Ethernet port in the tablet itself there's a way to make sure you're wired when connected to the dock.
This USB to Ethernet adapter will keep you off of those unstable wireless connections and ready to game on a good old LAN.
Got any cool accessory suggestions?
Let us know in the comments below.
Reader comments
Best Accessories for Nintendo Switch
You'll also need wired headphones for playing on the go (unless you're okay with annoying those around you). Yes, wired headphones. I thought that deserved extra focus since this is iMore where everyone thinks the headphone jack is dead.
Seriously though, I hope Nintendo find a way to get bluetooth headphones working via a firmware/OS update. It'd be good to satisfy both the sane and the "courageous" groups of users.
Here's an adapter that will turn allow you to use bluetooth headphones on the Switch. Called TaoTronics Bluetooth Transmitter Connected Transmission
The only issue with this is when online chat becomes available in multiplayer, via smartphone app...you'll end up using your smartphone's bluetooth capabilities...
Yet another thing to carry around though. I have case that carries the consoles with Joycons, games, and space for wired headphones (that I can use with all my other devices as well, but if I wanna use my Bluetooth headphones with the Switch. . . Great!!