Though it’s far from being the most technologically impressive gaming system in the market, the Nintendo Switch is still going strong as it approaches its sixth year. With the likes of The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom still inciting this much excitement in the gaming community, the console has ensured healthy longevity, but there are still a variety of accessories worth looking into for the most streamlined experience going into 2023.
Nintendo certainly offers solid accessories itself, like the widely praised Switch Pro Controller. However, third-party companies also offer some worthwhile accessories — from controllers to portable docks and more — that are as good as any first-party device.
HORI Split Pad Pro
One of the most inventive things about the Nintendo Switch is the fact that it’s a hybrid console and handheld, including the fact that the Joy-Cons attached to its sides adapt to either form factor. However, it’s also not unreasonable to say that using the Joy-Cons can be uncomfortable to some due to their small size and lack of grips.
That’s where the HORI Split Pad Pro comes in. This inventive device functions as a sort of replacement for the existing Joy-Cons — at least in handheld mode — as they provide much bigger, more comfortable controllers with equally ergonomic new buttons and triggers. These could also be a way to circumvent Nintendo’s notorious Joy-Con drift issue.
SanDisk Or Samsung MicroSD Cards
Whether it’s an accessory for Valve’s Steam Deck or the Nintendo Switch, having at least one sizable microSD card is a must for players who plan to expand their library of digital games. Since Nintendo games have never been on the high end of the technological spectrum, players can at least rest assured they won’t have any single game that takes up 100GB of storage, but all of those comparatively smaller games definitely add up.
Thankfully, there are a few reputable microSD card manufacturers that will easily bolster the Switch’s storage longevity. SanDisk and Samsung are perhaps the two most popular choices, and they come in respectable sizes from 126GB all the way up to a whopping 1TB — and at affordable prices.
8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller
There’s a strong argument to make that Nintendo makes among the best modern gaming controllers with the likes of the Switch Pro Controller, but there are close contenders on the third-party front. So should players want to look into less pricey alternatives to the Pro Controller, 8BitDo makes some of the most popular controllers in the gaming industry, regardless of the platform of choice.
The 8BitDo Pro 2 Controller is a fan-favorite, complete with a stylish retro design, programmable buttons, and an app that can also configure controller profiles to make this controller even more personalized. It’s even more fitting of a choice considering the controller’s heavy Super Nintendo inspiration.
amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector
When it comes to many portable electronics nowadays, protection is important. Especially so for the given device’s screen, making a screen protector arguably one of the first accessories players should invest in for the Nintendo Switch. Considering how often they can be taken in and out of the dock, brought on trips, etc., the odds of falling or getting scratched are naturally higher.
amFilm has proven to be one of the most reliable screen protector manufacturers, and they have a 2-pack of tempered glass protectors for the standard and OLED model Switches. They’re extremely affordable and come with the new Hinge Stickers that make applying screen protectors so much more user-friendly.
Marseille mClassic Video Game Upscaler
Some of the best Nintendo Switch games are quite the lookers, but that’s thanks to their deft use of lighting and fitting art direction rather than the console’s technical power. And while the console and its catalog of games will never reach the graphical fidelity of the PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series X|S, there is a solid device that can at least make Switch games look a bit better than they currently do.
It’s an admittedly more niche accessory, but the Marseille mClassic Video Game Upscaler is a good way to make the native resolution and detail on Switch games upscale to 1440p or 4K. Getting a 1440p monitor will yield the best results since 4K TVs generally don’t support the former resolution, and players will see diminishing returns by trying to upscale Switch content to 4K. But even upscaling to 1080p sees noticeable graphical improvements.
RREAKA Multiport Hub
The dock that comes with the Nintendo Switch certainly works well as intended, but alternatives are great to have too. Particularly if players intend to move the console around portably often. There are also more expensive third-party docks that achieve what the first-party one does (like standing it upright), but the RREAKA Multiport Hub is a cheaper, no-nonsense option that gets the job done.
It isn’t especially fancy, but it comes with a USB-C, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and an HDMI port. As far as making the portable Switch experience as seamless as possible for on-the-go gaming, this dock is an affordable and low-profile option.
Orzly Carry Case
For more protection, having a carrying case for the Switch is another easy accessory purchase to make. It also makes carrying the Switch around as a portable setup more practical, as it can help house any physical cartridges and the like in one safe space. That being said, buying a simple case shouldn’t be a lavishly expensive accessory if players don’t want it to be.
That’s why the Orzly Carry Case is a great cost-effective choice that allows players to take everything they could want to comfortably have on the go. For less than $20, this case has space for the console itself, pouches for game cartridges, and a larger pouch for any cables and extra Joy-Cons.
PowerA Car Charger
The Switch is one of the best gaming consoles to have on road trips. Its relatively lightweight and thin design makes it extremely friendly for such occasions, though, it also means a compatible charger on hand for those longer rides is a necessity.
PowerA is known for making some of the best budget-friendly third-party controllers in the gaming market, but their Car Charger is another good product on offer. The cable is six feet long for excellent flexibility, it can charge the console or the Pro Controller, and 5V 3A sockets for fast-charging compatibility.
Turtle Beach Recon 70 Headset
Headsets are a popular accessory for discrete gaming, and there is a wide variety of them from different manufacturers. Like with other gaming accessories, there are higher-end and more expensive options that are viable for players willing to splurge a bit more. However, there are also cheaper variations that give a sound quality that most should feel more than happy with.
Turtle Beach has a long history of making gaming headsets, and their Recon 70 Headset is perhaps the best budget-friendly option. They come in several stylish color variants, are lightweight, have comfortable cushions for each earcup, have immersive sound, and do a great job of canceling outside noise.
HORI Joy-Con Racing Wheel
It’s more of a specific choice, but given how popular and addictive the Mario Kart spin-off series is, having a racing wheel controller grip is more popular than one might think. Mario Kart Wii even came bundled with its own racing wheel for the Wiimote, and HORI comes in once again for a low-cost modern version.
It’s a simple, yet effective design that’s wide enough to be practical and ergonomic for gameplay. The shoulder triggers are responsive enough and the textured grips on the wheel itself are comfortable for extended sessions, perfectly complementing the likes of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe‘s gyro controls.
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