Global sales of gaming consoles continue to rise as more and more people stay at home due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Nintendo Switch has been out in the market for three years now and continues to be one of the best-selling consoles in the market today.
The console is nearly sold out in every major retailer and even the prices of used units are at an all-time high. It is hard to get one due to the current limited supply.
If you do manage to purchase a unit, it is recommended that you also purchase accessories such as a tempered glass screen protector, a Switch case, and a microSD card for digital game purchases.
Here are some must-have Nintendo Switch accessories ranging from protective cases to controllers.
Nyko Wireless Core Controller
The Nintendo Joy-cons may sometimes feel small in your hand and can be uncomfortable during long gaming sessions. That’s the reason why full-sized controllers are still a must for the Nintendo Switch.
The Nintendo proprietary Pro-Controller (ProCon) costs US$69.99 [AU$110] which might seem expensive. Good thing Nyko has created its own Switch controller that retails for $29.99.
The Nyko wireless controller has a programmable turbo functionality and it easily syncs to the console. It also provides great vibration and feedback. Plus it has a gyroscope.
Nyko claims that this wireless controller has a battery life of up to 20 hours. It is charged by the included USB-C cable.
For more than half the price, this controller gives a more comfortable gaming experience. The other $40 saved from getting the Nyko may then be used to purchase another game and this is a win for consumers.
PowerA Nintendo Switch wired controller
When searching for an extra controller for playmates, a good budget wired option is the PowerA wired controller. It only retails for $24.99, which is a great value for a wired controller.
For a fraction of the ProCon’s price, this budget controller feels comfortable, plays great, and looks stunning. There are a lot of color options available for those who want color coordination with their accessories. It has smooth sticks and the buttons feel tactile.
However, there are downsides to it as well. First, it is wired which means the cables limit the freedom of movement while playing. Second, it is micro-USB, which in this day and age should be obsolete already.
The pros greatly overweigh the cons and this is one of the best controllers available out there. It is licensed by Nintendo too, so it definitely passes the company’s standards.
amFilm tempered glass screen protector
The Nintendo Switch is made to be docked to a TV or monitor. However, the constant sliding in and out of the Switch dock might scratch the screen.
In order to prevent micro-scratches, the AmFilm Tempered Glass Screen protector is a great option for protection. It retails for $8.99 and comes with two protectors, wet wipes, microfiber cleaning cloth, squeeze card, and installation guide.
Tomtoc Ultra Slim carrying case
A carrying case is a requirement if you plan to bring your Switch anywhere. This Tomtoc hardshell case is the perfect partner for lugging it around. It is splash-proof so some water spills or light rain will not damage the console.
The Tomtoc case has an organizer inside that fits 10 physical game cartridges. The slim profile does not take much space.
It currently retails for $19.99 in Amazon and it comes in five color choices: black, grey, pink, red, and camouflage.
Samsung 256 EVO Plus microSD
The Nintendo Switch only has 32GB of internal storage. That is not enough when someone has a lot of games installed on their digital game library. Luckily, there is a microSD slot for storage expansion.
Picking the right SD slot can be troublesome as there are reports that the Switch does not accept all SD card brands. The Samsung 256 Evo Plus is the top recommendation when it comes to SD cards.
The 256GB storage is enough for a huge game library. However, it is not cheap. The 256 Evo Plus currently costs $42 at Amazon.
Even though it is priced quite high, the performance of this microSD card is top-tier. It offers read speeds of up to 100MB/s, and write speeds of 90MB/s with UHS-1 interface. It also has 4-proof protection, which means it is waterproof, temperature proof, x-ray proof, and magnet proof.
If your budget for a microSD card is lower, the 128GB Evo Plus is a great alternative. The 64GB Samsung Evo Select offers minimal memory but it only retails for $12.
Best Switch case: Mumba case
Last but not the least, your Switch will need protection from accidental drops. Aside from protections, the Mumba Case also adds extra comfort when playing with your handheld.
It is made of thermoplastic polyurethanes and it offers protection from all sides of the device. This case also allows access to all controls and functions without the need to remove the Switch from the case.
The only downside in using this type of case is that you cannot dock your Switch while using the Mumba Case. This case is available on Amazon for $15.99 and it comes in black, blue, green, and red.
Images used courtesy of Pixabay/Pexels, Mumba, Nyko, PowerA, AmFilm, Samsung