After nearly a year and a half, it’s safe to say that the Switch is proving to be the console everyone thought it would be. And having already sold close to 20 million units, Nintendo is gearing up for the holiday season with the release of Smash Bros. Ultimate and a new Pokémon title. Whether you’ve just purchased a Switch or are looking to outfit the hybrid console with some new gear, we’ve rounded up our favorite accessories down below.
With over 17 months since the Switch’s release, the console has been able to build up a wide range of titles and accessories. And whether you’re a more casual player or one that finds themselves diving into heated gameplay seasons, adding some new gear to your Switch can help you take things to the next level. Keep going for our top picks.
PowerA Charging Dock: $20 |
If you’re like me and have a spare set of Joy-Cons as well as a Pro Controller, you’ve probably experienced the pain of keeping all your devices charged. There’s nothing worse than inviting your pals over to go head-to-head in MarioKart, only to find out that your extra controllers are out of juice.
That’s exactly where PowerA’s Charging Dock jumps in to save the day. The $20 dock can keep a single pair of Joy-Cons as well as Pro Controller charged up and always ready for use. It also makes them easily accessible, which is a big plus in my book.
Nintendo Adjustable Charging Stand: $20 |
As great as the Switch is, its kickstand is a pretty unreliable way to keep it upright. In our last round of accessory recommendations, we suggested Hori’s Compact Playstand has a solid on-the-go option for keeping for console propped up. Since then, Nintendo has launched its own accessory which looks to accomplish the same thing, but make it easy to change the Switch as well.
Nintendo’s Adjustable Charging Stand is similar to other products on the market, but with its built-in USB-C dock, makes it easy to play your Switch while charging. It’s small size makes the accessory perfect for traveling and at $20, is an affordable option to boot.
8bitdo Retro Controllers: From $25 |
If you’re a big fan of the Switch’s library of 2D indie titles and retro games, then shouldn’t you have a controller that fits your love for vintage games? For adding a bit of that retro style to your console, there’s no option better than 8bitdo, a company who has just about every type of classic Nintendo controller retrofitted with Bluetooth and Switch compatibility.
Controllers start at around $25, with everything from NES and SNES gamepads to kits to convert your existing controllers into Switch-ready accessories. And with Nintendo’s Switch Online service just around the corner, the company will be launching even more classic titles to help put your retro controller to use.
HORI USB Ethernet Adapter: $22 |
The Switch’s Wi-Fi is great most of the time, but downloading new games or updates isn’t always the fastest. And depending on your connection, online games like Splatoon can suffer as well. Outfitting your Switch with Ethernet is surefire way to solve your connection woes though.
When I first picked up my Switch last year, I thought buying any old USB Ethernet dongle would do the trick. But it turns out that only certain adapters can get the job done. For this, we recommend Hori’s option which sells for around $22. While you could pick up a more affordable adapter on Amazon that may work, spending a few extra dollars on an officially licensed dongle gives you the guarantee everything will work just fine.
Anker 20100mAh PowerCore Charging Pack $50 |
For those who find themselves more often than not using the Switch when out and about, worrying about running out of juice is definitely a pain. Anker’s PowerCore Portable Charger is a highly rated solution that packs 20100mAh of power to always keep your Switch charged up. At $50, it’s on the pricier side, but over 13,000 customers have given it a 4.6/5 star rating, making it one of the most highly regarded options out there.
Have a favorite accessory for your Nintendo Switch? Tell us about it on Twitter @Electronicsforward or let us know in the comments below!
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