A few disclaimers:

I know I'm late to the punch, and I apologize. I also know I'm going to look like a crazy person for throwing so many items at you, so I apologize for that as well. I may also seem vaguely arrogant by the end of this, so please accept a third apology. I just like to take care of my electronics is all. My only credentials are anecdotal evidence that despite my rather rough job I've never even so much as cracked the screen on my cell phone so I like to think I'm pretty good at the "how do I prevent breakages" question.

Okay. So, I'm gonna rattle off a few items that I've bought for my own Switch, and my reasoning behind them. You DO NOT have to buy all of these items, but they are all useful on some level for the console.

The Joy-Con Controller If you're looking to get a second controller, start here. I'm sure you've figured out by now that one Joy-Con (JC) can be reconfigured to work as two controllers, so simply by buying a second JC you're now able to hit the 4-player local maximum for many of the Switch's games (including Mario Kart!). You can get the spouse, another kid, or even some friends playing during a party.

The Switch Pro Controller A more traditional-style controller. It's slightly cheaper and it's much more comfortable on large hands, but it CANNOT be split into two separate controllers like the Joy-Con can. Well, unless you get a saw or something but then it won't work at all anymore. Besides that it does function exactly the same as the standard JC controllers. There is also a wired version available that is even cheaper, but I personally have become spoiled in this wireless age and don't like cables dangling across my living room anymore.

Fitian Charging Dock for Joy-Cons Pretty self explanatory. Normally you charge your Joy-Cons by plugging them into the Switch, but if you have a second (or more) JC, it becomes a slight hassle to keep them all charged up. A charging dock can be a godsend. This is the one I use, simply plug it straight into your Switch Dock via USB.

FastSnail Joy-Con Grips There's a gazillion different versions of these things floating around, but these are the ones I personally use. I like them cause the shoulder L/R buttons are massive, and the grippy parts are really comfortable for extended use. Simply stick your Joy-Con halves into the plastic holders for a more comfortable grip. Holds them securely but they're still easy to pop back out as needed, no latches or screws or anything.

Orzly Carry Case ONE option for a carrying case. I was a little hesitant to recommend this particular item, but I may as well cause again, it's the one I use. The case itself is fine: durable, carries your Switch plus some games and accessories, and keeps them safe through your standards drops and bumps. However, if you fill it up as much as is shown in the pictures there on Amazon... At best you're gonna feel like you're mashing something, at worst you're gonna have trouble zipping it closed. What I've ended up doing is putting my Switch with an attached set of JCs, the games, and my adjustable stand (see next item) into the case, and then tossing the case plus whatever other particular accessories I need into my backpack. This case is NOT good to haul a lot of Switch stuff, JUST the console itself plus a handful of small bits for maybe a day trip or something. If you want to carry everything, look elsewhere. I've seen a few cases mentioned, but I can't recommend anything as I haven't tried anything.

Younik Compact Adjustable Stand I love this thing. If you're playing on the go and don't feel like holding it (and don't trust that stupid little kick stand on the back), you can unfold this thing and prop up the Switch on any flat surface for a much more comfortable viewing able. When you're done with it, you can fold it back flat and it fits nicely pretty much anywhere (like, for example, in the Orzly case I mentioned previously). Nintendo makes a first-party adjustable stand, but I actually like this one better. It costs a couple dollars less and feels sturdier. Its a luxury item to be sure, but it's nice to have when you want it.

Findway Protective Case A protective "jacket" for the Switch itself. I like this one because it snaps on and off of the Switch and JCs super easily, and is a sort of bendable plastic. Only 3 pieces: one for the tablet, and then one piece each for the left and right JCs. Easy to clean, too. Only drawback is that you HAVE to remove the jacket any time you want to dock the Switch in its charger. However, you're going to find that this is the case for any jacket that you want to buy for your Switch. You do NOT need to remove the jacket if you're simply sticking it in the aforementioned Adjustable Stand.

Pleson Tempered Glass Screen Protector Not much explanation needed here. I'm neurotic about getting screen protectors for all of my portable electronics, and I love the tempered glass ones. This one is cheap, it's durable, and it's easy to install with a steady hand. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend, even if only to keep your Switch looking nice through the wear and tear. You won't need to remove it for the dock, unlike the jacket.

I think that's everything for now. Again, I know it's a lot being thrown at you all at once, but you don't have to buy everything. This is all just stuff I've amassed for my own Switch that I've found useful or that I recommend. Pick and choose as you see fit. Feel free to shop around as well, these are just examples of all the particular items and there are MANY choices available for almost everything listed.

If you have any questions, I'm always happy to help.

First, I agree with everyone else so far. The most important things are screen protector, micro SD card, and a carrying case. Second, what you buy will depend on how you will primarily play. If you are using it as your home console on a TV, you'll need different accessories than if you are going to play while travelling. And if you play while travelling, are you going to play tabletop with joycons detached or in handheld mode? Or you can do all 3 and buy everything :)

For the essentials, here's what I'm using right now

Butterfox Case: link

For your travel case, consider what you want with you. The case I use is great to throw in a backpack and have my Switch with me for quick gaming. If you want to travel with a dock so you can actually play everywhere with friends, you'll want something to accommodate that.

Screen Protector: link


One note on the micro SD card. You'll definitely want one with a good amount of storage if you plan on going digital. If you are mostly physical, you can get away with not having one for a while, but you'll probably need one. When purchasing one, make sure you get one from a reputable source. I just watched a YouTube video yesterday on how easy it is to essentially hack a micro SD card to say it has a lot more storage than it actually has. So anything extremely cheap coming from China might not be what you want.



For other accessories that are alittle more exciting, here's a list of the things I also recommend:

Portable Charger: You'll need one that has enough power to charge the Switch. Here's two that I have found work well. The Anker charger is significantly more expensive than the RAVPower, and neither are really cheap, but you'll get a lot of use out of it, and they can work for other electronic devices as well.

Anker

RAVPower

Portable Stand: The Switch's kickstand is pretty bad for tabletop mode. It's not adjustable and you cannot charge at the same time. Getting a portable stand fixes both of these problems. One like this is my personal favorite portable stand. You get more viewing angles than the plastic folding ones and you can use this with multiple devices as well. However, the Hori one or one similar to that works perfectly fine as well.

Pro Controller or Extra Joy Cons: Depends on your preference. I'd go with the Pro Controller if you're planning on playing mostly single player games. The extra set of Joy Cons are nice for multiplayer though as it allows 2 people to play with full controllers, or 4 people to play with a single joy con (aka Mario Kart).

If you go with the extra Joy Cons, I'd also suggest Joy Con Grips. While they might not look the best, it is a significant upgrade to holding the Joy Cons by themselves. They work perfectly fine for multiplayer Mario Kart.

As for games, with you just getting the Switch, I'd probably just stick with Odyssey and BotW for now. There's more than enough content for probably a couple of months depending on how quick you play through the stories. But if you're looking for multiplayer games, I'd probably start with Mario Kart. It's a classic that almost everyone loves and can play up to 4 players. Splatoon 2 is probably my next favorite to play besides Odyssey and BotW if that's your type of game and you really want something else. But everyone is different so if something stands out to you, then you'll probably know better than me what you'd like!

edit: formatting

I take my switch with me a lot, so my favorite accessory is my backpack. I have one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MS7DVLT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bO5UCb8GY83D0


It has specific pouches for everything. Multiple Joycon Controllers, your pro controller, your switch itself, your power cord and hdmi cord, your dock, your headphones, little zipper pouches for your games. Instead of putting my switch in the switch pocket, I leave it in my hard case, and I put a portible stand in the switch pocket.


Other accessories I enjoy:

-Pro controller for more comfort in docked mode, or for better control in fortnite and other multiplayer shooters.


-Portible stand for better tabletop play. The switch has a kickstand, but it can start to lose support and stop working, but it also is low to the table, only has 1 angle, and you can't charge your system while using the kickstand. I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9RTMWS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3T5UCbCYD20HR


-USB to usb-c converter. This is only if you have a wired controller like me. I like to play fortnite from time to time on my break, and I use my controller. But since it's wired, I bought the converter and I can plug it into my switch while I'm away from my dock. But it you get him wireless this won't be necessary.


-Screen protector. For obvious reasons 😁. Preferably a tempered glass one, not plastic.


-Car charger


-Carrying case. I prefer the medium thickness. Usually they're themed, I have a blue Zelda one. Hard shell is better, but usually not themed and is plain. I don't like soft cases at all.


Accessories I don't have but thought about buying:


-Dock Sock. Some people have had their system scratched by the dock, or have had someone else scratch it while docking it. The dock has hard plastic inside of it for some reason, and it can come into contact with the switch and scratch it if your not careful. The dock sock just adds a layer of cloth between the hard plastic and your screen. Not necessary, but can help, and you can find a ton of cool designs on etsy and other sites.


-Dock light. Can't be used with dock sock. Just makes the outside of your dock look cool.


-Better grip for handheld mode. A lot of people like them, I just didn't get one because it doesn't fit in my case and I'm too lazy to attach and separate them every time.


-Switch decals. Make your switch look cooler. I'd only buy from Nintendo as some 3rd party ones werent made correctly and fried people's systems.


-Replacement faceplates. Like decals, but it's completely new plastic casing. Some are awesome, like the ond school nes look or Gameboy crystal purple. They can be a pain to install though, and may void warranty (I don't know for sure, just a guess).


Games I like:


Solo:

-Zelda Breath of the Wild
-Stardew Valley (Now has multiplayer but I think online only, not split screen, could be wrong though)
-Hollow Knight

Solo I haven't bought but heard are good:

-Skyrim
-Dark Souls
-Cuphead
-Binding of Issac


Solo or Split Screen Co-op:

-Snipper Clips
-Overcooked
-Mario (Really any of them, though odyssey is less fun for player 2 as you just play as the hat)
-Minecraft
-Pokemon Let's Go

Solo or SS Co-op I don't have but heard are good:

-Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time
-Splatoon 2
-Boxboy Boxgirl


I'd also suggest you get him Nintendo online. It's free for a year if you have Amazon prime, or $20 a year if you don't. You can't play online multiplayer without it. You also get to download an app on your switch that has a bunch of old school games on it like super Mario, super Mario 2, super Mario 3, Dr. Mario, legend of link, legend of zelda, and a bunch of others. All of them are free as long as you have Nintendo online, and they add new games every month I think.

Long read, but hopefully it helps! Your giving him a gift he can enjoy for a long time, and there is so much to play on this system it's crazy. There are a ton of cheap indy games as well. So you could always just get him a Nintendo Eshop card and let him buy whatever looks good to him if you want. Tons of stuff $20 and lower, and there is always a ton on sale.

I looked online and saw prices ranging from $300-500. Is there any difference between these consoles other than the skin?

The $300 base model of the Nintendo Switch (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01LTHP2ZK/) does not include any games, but is still what you should most likely buy. More expensive models may have games bundled or free in-game currency (e.g. Fortnite), but they shouldn't be more than $350 (plus tax). At $360, you're not really saving any money, and anything more expensive than THAT is from a third party trying to make a quick buck. The console itself currently has few variations; most of your customization will depend on what color controllers you get with the console.

What type of accessories am I going to need?

This depends on your use case. I'd recommend getting a screen protector (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01N3ASPNV/). If you expect to bring the Switch out of the house a lot, also get a case (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MR63I6F/). Anything else, like special controllers (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0748S3GXG/) or a dock cover (https://www.etsy.com/listing/560319070/), is largely unnecessary right now; look into them when you find you need extra joy-cons (https://smile.amazon.comdp/B078GZM4H8/) or a tabletop stand (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01N9RTMWS/) for your Switch. In the end, you should not be spending more than $400 for the Switch, one game, and core accessories.

As for games, so far I planned on buying Smash Bros, Let's Go Pikachu, and One's Justice. Can you recommend any other games? I was never into Zelda but hear the new game is very good.

How old is your kid? Super Mario Odyssey (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MY7GHKJ/) is fun, and has a great co-op mode if you want to play together. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is also always a blast (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01N1037CV/). I'm also a huge fan of Splatoon 2 (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01N9QVIRV/), but it's probably better for older kids because it requires more dexterity. There's lots of games to recommend, but it'll help to know what your kid already likes... or what you want your kid to like ;)

Side note: To play online, you need Nintendo Switch Online (https://www.nintendo.com/switch/online-service/). It's $20 a year for one ACCOUNT, or $35 a year for 8 accounts. Each account also has separate save files, if multiple people will be playing on the same Switch. Smash Ultimate and Mario Kart both have online modes, but Splatoon's primary game modes are online-only.

Whats the difference between mario party and mario space odyssey?

Super Mario Odyssey is an action-platformer for the Nintendo Switch. Super Mario Party is a virtual board game for the Nintendo Switch. Super Mario Galaxy is an action-platformer for the Wii, a completely different console.

Let us know if you have follow-up questions!

I was Xbox forever, started a new job on the road and decided to go for the switch as well for portability. Good choice.

—-

Must Buys Accessories:

Screen protector - there is a 2 pack on amazon:

amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2017 (2-Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3ASPNV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_XMpaCbKXMWRXR


SD card (if going digital with games) - maybe go 256gb, amazon has a sale on them, you only need U1 speeds for the switch:

SanDisk 256GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter - 100MB/s, C10, U1, Full HD, A1, Micro SD Card - SDSQUAR-256G-GN6MA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0758NHWS8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GOpaCbW67RGST

Carrying cases - I have two, one for the whole collection (switch, joycons, dock, charger, hdmi):

AmazonBasics Travel and Storage Case for Nintendo Switch - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072C9BVTW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ePpaCbSBT7C1S

And one for the switch in handheld mode. I use both quite frequently:

Orzly Carry Case Compatible With Nintendo Switch - RED Protective Hard Portable Travel Carry Case Shell Pouch for Nintendo Switch Console & Accessories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y6DYRXF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dQpaCbHY3E5B4

Pro controller - easier to play games in docked mode than the joycons.

——

Smash is out next Friday, but it looks like the best game of the year material.

—-

Pokémon Let’s Go is a spin off, remake of yellow version, but it is a great game. Maybe not $60 great for gameplay, but for nostalgia. I’d say a fair price is around $40.

—-

Games suggested:

Must Play Exclusives:

Zelda: BOTW (10/10) little bit of a learning curve, but open world game with 100+ hours of content

Super Mario Odyssey (9.5/10) very laid back and at times almost too easy, but overall very fun and creative. 30 hours of content

—————

Exclusives W/ Friends or Online:

Mario Kart 8 (9/10)

Super Mario Party Switch (8.5/10)

—————

Other Top Tier Exclusives:

Splatoon (8.5/10) (may be stressful online, but awesome game for both online play and “salmon runs”)

Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze (8.5/10) (tough game but such awesome level design, music; this game can become frustrating)

Mario Rabbids (8.5/10) (fun game, again, can become frustrating as it is a strategy, turn based game with Nintendo characters)

Pokémon Let’s Go (8.5/10) (fun game, super nostalgic trip back to the past of Pokémon origins but now in 3D with alolan forms)

We still don’t know about Super Smash Bros Ulitmate, but I can’t imagine it won’t be a 9 or 9.5 out of 10.

Golf story is the next exclusive game I’ll be getting some time down the road, very hit or miss with people however.

Disclaimer: I don’t really get non exclusives on switch, as I can get them on PC for cheap 9/10 times (except red dead). Also, I do not care for JRPG’s, so I can’t comment on Xenoblade, Octopath, Fire Emblem, Monster Hunter etc.

As others have pointed out, indies are great for the Switch, not too demanding to require further CPU or GPU Power to hinder gameplay, but you will pay the “Nintendo tax”. This is that Nintendo hardly has sales on games. But the point of the Switch is gaming on the go, so it’s a good trade off. If that’s not your reasoning, then stick with indies on stronger consoles or PC.

—-

Joycons are not too small, I would pair them with these if you want to use them single player (like Mario kart or Mario party):

FASTSNAIL Grips for Nintendo Switch Joy-Con, Wear-resistant Handle Kit for Switch Joy Cons Controller, 2 Pack (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XZ1PCKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_JQpaCbHVQ6NMH

When attached to the switch in handheld mode, you can use this to help:

Orzly Comfort Grip Case for Nintendo Switch - Protective Back Cover for use on The Nintendo Switch Console in Handheld Gamepad Mode with Built in Comfort Padded Hand Grips - Smokey Slate https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077V57CVV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xRpaCbJQ25TFS

On accessories - must haves definitely include (like everyone else said):

• microSD card (64GB minimum imo, 128 is what I have because I have a fair amount of digital games)
  
• A TEMPERED GLASS screen protector. This is easily the best screen protector on the market.
  
• A travel case. I would recommend a nondescript black one; you don't want something that says "STEAL ME PLS"
  
  Less important things:
  
  
• A stand (the one on the back of the Switch is pretty bad and if you use it a lot it will just snap off). The good ones are the HORI playstand with 3 angles and the official Nintendo charging stand.
  
• Power banks/chargers: u/queuebitt made a whole website for this and regularly posts charger/power bank deals on r/NintendoSwitchDeals.
  
• Extra controllers and Joy-Con grips: if you're going to play with multiple people you will need to get more controllers unless you want to play with the single Joy-Cons (which isn't a great experience). The Pro Controller you can find for around $60 now; in my opinion it's a really good investment.
  
  Before we get on to games, there's always the debate of physical vs digital. Indie games are often cheaper digitally because they have to partner with companies to release physical copies, but for most "big" titles physical or digital really depends on the game.
  
  
• Physical: the big advantage is that you can sell it once you're done with the game. This is good for games with low replayability, like Mario Odyssey; however, it comes with less convenience because you have to swap out the cartridge every time to switch games.
  
• Digital comes with convenience; you don't have to swap out cartridges and you don't have to deal with potential cartridge issues, but you're stuck with the game and digital games go on sale way less often that physical games. Digital is great for games you'll open and play for a few minutes or rounds, like Mario Kart.
  
  On to games. (these are the ones I have and can approve of)
  
  
• Breath of the Wild is a must have if you're going to buy a Switch. It also has fantastic DLC that you'll probably want to buy along with the game.
  
• Super Mario Odyssey is also really fun, but doesn't lend itself to multiple playthroughs very well. The first experience is amazing, but subsequent playthroughs don't have the same charm unless you're speedrunning.
  
• Super Mario Party is a good experience for the first few times you play it but it suffers from a lack of content. I'd say get it when it goes on sale.
  
• Mario Kart is a staple Nintendo game. Consider digital.
  
• Smash Ultimate is also fantastic for both large groups and 2 people, but the solo modes aren't as great.
  
• Overcooked 1 & 2 are so much fun, especially if you have 4 people. It quickly turns into a glorious mess and I love it.
  
• Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is actually surprisingly fun for a game with maniacal rabbits. It also goes on sale ALL THE DAMN TIME so that's also a thing.
  
• Splatoon 2 is a very creative, cute and charming game - but it's a team shooter game, so it's easier to get frustrated compared to other games. The DLC (Octo Expansion) is fantastic, though.
  
• Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Shovel Knight are all amazing games (especially for the prices you get them at) but they're basically digital only. I'd say get him an eShop card and let him decide which games he wants.
  
  TL;DR microSD card, screen protector, case. eShop card and get Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart at least.
  
  Also: don't buy anything "Nintendo Switch" branded! They're literally the exact same things as the unbranded ones, just priced higher because of the logo.

Definitely a Screen Protector

A Travelling Case would be nice.

I also added Dr Scholls Moleskin to the front of my dock to reduce the risk of scratching the screen protector. (Two small strips on the parts inside the dock that are raised.)

A Memory Card also helps for the digital only games.

What color Switch did you get? I got the grey switch then bought a pair of Red Joycons and another pair of Blue Joycons. So in total I have a grey, red, and blue L Joycon and a grey, red, and blue R Joycon.

If you got the grey switch and then buy the [two color Joycon packs] (https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Joy-Con-Neon-Neon-Blue/dp/B01N6QJ58Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493753597&sr=8-2&keywords=blue+joycons) then you won't be able to get one of each color for L/R without over paying. This is because the [two color Joycon packs] (https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Joy-Con-Neon-Neon-Blue/dp/B01N6QJ58Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493753597&sr=8-2&keywords=blue+joycons) are always Red L and Blue R.

If you bought a neon switch, then buy the [two color Joycon pack] (https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Joy-Con-Neon-Neon-Blue/dp/B01N6QJ58Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493753597&sr=8-2&keywords=blue+joycons) and a pair of Grey Joycons for all combinations.

Also, don't buy Joycons on Amazon, they are stupid expensive right now.

I don't have a pro controller yet, but people seem to love it.

Games:

Zelda = Must Buy

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe = Must Buy

1-2 Switch = Great for parties/friends

Snipperclips = Great for people who don't play games often (girlfriends/parents/kids). Secret here is to not explain how to play/what to do and let them have fun and try to figure out the puzzles on their own. Act like a support character and you'll have a blast watching them.

Binding of Isaac = I love this game, but put countless hours on the PC version. Mature themes

Super Bomberman R = Classic mode with easy CPUs is fun for roommates. I haven't played through the adventure mode yet.

Wonderboy = Cute/Fun side scroller.

Has Been Heroes = I don't have this yet, apparently very difficult.


Other notes:

I started collecting amiibos after getting a switch (Be very careful, it's easy to get addicted and drop a ton of money here).

I got a Joycon charging dock since the only way to charge extra pairs of Joycons without the Joycon charging dockis to rotate them in and out of the switch while it charges/docked.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

PS I love the Switch so much. It's definitely my favorite console ever.

Hardware:

A Switch is a Switch. The only difference would be what games might come bundled with it.

Extra controllers might help. The console will come with two Joycon controllers. Joycons are sort of "half" controllers. For most multiplayer games, using a single joycon is fine, albiet a bit uncomfortable for big hands. The "main" use of joycons is to link them together into one controller. Some games REQUIRE this setup. Naturally, you can play in "handheld" mode where you connect a joycon to each half of the Switch and use the screen itself to play on.

A second pair of joycons, or a pro-controller wouldn't hurt.

Beyond that, consider getting a sturdy carrying case if you plan on letting him take it with him on outings (It is a hybrid home/portable console after all) as well as some tempered glass screen protectors. The Switch is durable, but why take chances on something that expensive?

Software

Super Mario Odyssey

• The Switch game. An adventure 3D platformer that's going to set a standard for years to come.
  
• An absolute 100% must buy. Basically mandatory for Switch owners.
  
• A ton of different worlds, and almost every other character in the game can be "captured" and played as.
  
• Has some of the cleanest controls and platforming.
  
• Very non-punishing. There's no game overs or lives to worry about. No time limits. Dying always has you reappear very close by with little penalty.
  
• One of Nintendo's most polished games, and jam packed full of content.
  
• Do not skip this.
  
  Breath of the Wild
  
  
• The first open world game that's more about exploration than pointless tasks.
  
• Takes a close second for mandatory games.
  
• Massive open world that's gorgeously atmospheric.
  
• Far from being complicated, but kids under 7 might not understand what needs to be done in order to progress the game.
  
• The perfect game if kiddo just loves ignoring objectives and exploring. I sure did when I was young.
  
• A more serious toned game with more violence than the others. No blood though, and monsters shrivel up and poof away when they die. Link's horses can be killed either by monsters or falling off ledges, going limp and lifeless. Might be a bit heavy for youngest kids.
  
• If your kid is up to the challenge, another absolute must buy.
  
  Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
  
  
• THE party racing game.
  
• An absolute blast, and great for multiplayer.
  
• Has auto-steering and auto-accelerate options for the youngest gamers.
  
• 48 different racetracks and more characters and karts than he'll ever use.
  
• Mario Kart is part of the quintessential Nintendo experience, but things will get heated.
  
  Kirby Star Allies
  
  
• A co-operative adventure game for 1-4 players.
  
• Great for young kids, it's very easy and approachable.
  
• Tons of characters, easy controls, and can be played with up to four players working together.
  
• Kirby gets computer controlled allies that will almost play the game for him. It's VERY easy, but not a bad game by any means.
  
• A great first game for a kid.
  
  Super Smash Bros Ultimate
  
  
• A massively ambitious crossover party/fighting game.
  
• The must own Switch game of the season.
  
• A bit more violent and serious toned. Characters are going to use swords, guns, and explosives on one another. I don't know how young your child is or what sort of content you don't mind them seeing. There won't be blood or death, but it's a fighting game. The whole point is to beat one another up and knock opponents off the platform.
  
• Some of the characters are... A little lewd. Just something to keep in mind when deciding whats appropriate for your kid.
  
• There's a good chunk of singleplayer content, but it's intended for multiplayer.
  
  Super Mario Party
  
  
• A board game interlaced with minigames.
  
• Lots of variety and characters
  
• Not bad alone, but best played with friends and family.
  
  Pokemon Lets Go
  
  
• A turn based RPG
  
• An HD Remake of Pokemon Yellow from way back in the day.
  
  Minecraft Switch Edition
  
  
• One of the most popular games among kids this last generation.
  
• Encourages self appointed goal setting, creative building, and resource management.
  
• Imagine being able to shrink down and live in the lego houses you build and defend them from skeletons and zombies. Every kids dream.
  
  My Hero One's Justice
  
  
• I don't know a lot about this game, but it's a 1-on-1 fighting game based on the Anime Boku no Hero Academia. He might enjoy it more if he's familiar with the show.
  
  Fortnite
  
  
• I have to mention this one, as he's GOING to ask about it someday.
  
• Fortnite is a free to play battle royale game that's incredibly popular among kids right now. Every playground is full of kids doing dances from the game and talking about the game, and every kid's youtube channel is talking about tips and tricks and showing off promoted outfits and emotes that can be bought in the game. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being thrown around because of this game, and a lot of youtubers make a killing off of getting kids hooked on tips and tricks videos and such. Can't stress enough that youtube isn't safe for kids to browse alone.
  
• It's online-only, meaning he's going to be interacting with other players online. If he plugs a microphone into the switch's headphone jack, he'll be able to talk to strangers in game.
  
• Don't dismiss it entirely, but it's definitely something you should look into before letting him go at it, and probably supervise closely. Letting him go into the world of Fortnite is going to expose him to things beyond your control.

Get an SD card, something with data transfer speeds of 80MB/s or better. I recommend at least 128GB if you plan on buying digital moderately, and 200GB if you want to go mostly digital. You can find great deals posted here and on the Nintendo Switch deals subreddit of which I forgot the exact name of. Something like /r/SwitchDeals or something like that.

I would recommend a pro controller as well if you have it in your budget, I have been playing with the Joycons this whole time but I'm starting to feel their limitations for Mario Odyssey. Their tiny joysticks and limited range of motion kind of hurt for precise movements in the game. I played BotW just fine with the Joycons though.

Get a screen protector of some kind because the screen is an easily scratched plastic, not glass. It is more resistant to shattering and less brittle but it can get scratched quite easily. I recommend these:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MR725H2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

HORI officially licensed plastic scratch protector is cheap and effective (the one I'm using right now). Just make sure you apply it properly and remove the bubbles as instructed. Then THIS IS IMPORTANT allow the screen to cure for 24 hours before playing the Switch in docked mode so that the glue can bond solidly. If you play it docked right after application the glue will heat up with the console and become undone and develop bubbles.

Also this:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N3ASPNV/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tempered glass is a very popular protection option, as it offers the scratch protection of hard glass that the Switch doesn't come with. It even comes with 2 in case the first one shatters in a drop. This is the go to solution for most because it looks great and feels good to the touch while offering superior protection.

Be careful with the Joycon button extender and wrist strap attachment, lots of people put them on wrong early in the Switch's life and didn't know how to remove them as well. There are instructions on how to put them on and remove them on Nintendo's Youtube page. I personally don't use them at all to avoid the hassle.

Be aware the the Switch uses USB-C form factor for all connectivity directly to the console. That means if you want to charge it on the go you need to take that into account. Make sure you buy quality USB-C cables/extensions/adapters as well because a poorly made one could damage the Switch. Benson Leung has information on good USB-C accessories. The Anker Powercore 26800 is a great portable recharging solution to, if you wanna game on the go for long periods and don't have anything to plug into on the way.

Enjoy the Switch and the games! Hope you get lots of fun times out of it.

Hey Dad, also a Dad. I got a switch for each of my boys (9 year old and 6 year old). They love them. Here's some guidance.

Custom units/skins don't matter. Just buy whatever package has the joycon colors you think he/she'd like.

Mario Odyssey is excellent. Mario Party is just alright. Odyssey is a great 3D platformer ala Mario 64. Or... if you're REALLY that deeply ignorant of anything non-playstation... a better Crash Bandicoot. :D Mario Party is a mini-games ... game. It's just ok. Gets alot of love, but IMO, boring quickly... didn't last too long for the kids' entertainment either.

Zelda is a must buy. It is fantastic. Unless your dude/dudette is pretty young, do it. Also... clock yourself some gametime there... we're talking, Horizon Zero Dawn with a lighter atmosphere and a little less quicktime... but maybe better.

Smash is Smash.

No clue no One's Justice.

Pikachu should be alright... I'd only recommend that if he/she's already a Pokemon fan. If not, get the real full fledged Pokemon a year from now.

Added recommendation... StarLink is a fun open world exploration game that isn't super difficult and doesn't take tself too seriously. Stereotyping a bit here but, if your kid's a 8-12 year old boy, it's pretty tough to beat flying around with space ships and exploring planets and shooting bad guys. You can safely ingnore the additional toys, or get into it. They actually did a great job of allowing a pretty cheap digital purchase of all the toys, and you don't even have to do that... you can unlock pretty much everything in-game.

Anyhoo... good luck. Spend some time yourself on Breath of the Wild. You won't regret it.

OH! And buy this case: https://www.amazon.com/NINTENDO-SWITCH-DELUXE-TRAVEL-CASE-MULTI-GAME/dp/B01MY9JB2U/ Available iin multiple styles. Great case, most of the other really suck. Those ones are very well made.

You need to get an original Switch, not the Lite to play on the TV. Out of the box you can play multiplayer, but the joycons are a little uncomfortable to play on sideways (although maybe with 6 year old hands they wouldn't be?). If you don't want to use joycons, you'll need at least 1 extra controller, either another set of joycons or pro controllers. The benefit of joycons is you can use them either as one controller or split them for two, so if you got 2 sets of joycons you could split them into 4 controllers. I wouldn't recommend that for an adult, but if you son has friends over maybe it'd be comfortable in their tiny hands.

Everything else is optional, but there are some other things you might want to get. Joycons charge by being attached to the Switch, so if you end up with more than 2 joycons, you'd need to swap them out to charge the other set, so you might want to get a joycon charging stand if you go that route. If you get pro controllers instead, you can charge with any USB-C charger, so you might already have some extra lying around the house.

Memory cards are helpful if you want to get games digitally. The Switch comes with 32GB of storage, but some games are pretty large. Smash Ultimate is 14GB. Also game saves only go on the internal memory so you might want to save the internal storage for that instead. Memory cards are cheap so might as well get one. Any micro SD card is fine, the Switch doesn't support super high speed cards so a basic class 10 card is all you need. Also, you can always delete games to free up space and it won't delete your save file. You can download it again later.

As far as physical vs digital, each have their benefits.

Physical: can be played on any number of Switches on any account, can be resold, requires physically moving the game to each Switch, may require large updates anyways depending on the game.

Digital: can only be played on any account on one switch, can be played on the owning account on any number of switches one at a time. You can actually play the same game on two switches at the same time if you play one on the owning account and one on a different account, and you can even play online multiplayer across the two switches if you have Nintendo Switch online (local multiplayer is locked down if you play on the same copy). That might be something to consider if you end up with another household Switch down the road.

For online play, Nintendo Switch online is $20 a year for one account or $35 a year for up to 8 accounts. It's tied to the account not the system, so if you get the single account subscription you'd have to share an account for online.

You might want a screen protector, I recommend this one, it's very easy to install.

My advice, get a tempered glass screen protector. Sure, the screen is plastic and isn't going to shatter, but with a console that you can reasonably plan to be using for 3-5 years you want to make sure that nothing is going to scratch that screen, and you might as well not skimp on protection when it's only about 10 bucks.

You should also get a case. I'm using the hybrid case that you can buy from nintendo, but I honestly cant recommend it, while it protects my switch in transit, and acts as a better kickstand, it is uncomfortable to play with in handheld mode, and is annoying to take off the switch to dock it. Also while you can charge the switch while it is inside the case, it is cumbersome. Most of the zippered pouch cases you see will do the job, bonus points if it is hardshell.

The kickstand is okay at best. It can be flimsy at times, and doesnt provide for multiple viewing angles. I recommend the hori stand, because you can play and charge (something you cant do with the default kickstand) and have multiple viewing angles.

Avoid cheepass(tm) charge cables. USB-C can be picky, and not all type-c cables are made equally. Just because it fits, doesn't mean that it is up to the same standard as what's in your box. Your best bet is to check reviews on these before you buy. If you just get the cheapest thing, you might not charge as fast as you should, or worse you can damage your switch.

As for games, You already got BotW and MK8D. If you need more to play, give Shovel Knight a try, as well as Binding of Isaac and Graceful Explosion Machine. All the Neo Geo games are great. Snipperclips is great if you have friends to play it with, and if you have friends AND alcohol, 1,2 switch can be entertaining for a few hours.

Well, first things first: congrats on getting your Switch! Also, thanks for doing this giveaway, it's pretty cool from you.

Best advice I can give you: don't trust the guys that say that cartridges taste like candy... for some odd reason when the Switch first launched there was a trend of tasting the cartridges... apparently they taste awful. Apart from that, go in blind in the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the game is about exploration and exploring it it's actually the best thing to do in the world. I'd love to be able to replay the game as if it was the first time.

In case you don't like Zelda, or even if you do and really like metroidvanias as well, go for Hollow Knight, the game is dirt cheap at $15 and it's an amazing game. Same as with Zelda, go in blind, I've been doing that and it's an amazing experience.

As for party games, you obviously have Mario Party, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been the most succesful game for my friends and also for my wife's friends, there's just something to it.

The Switch's Eshop can be a bit chaotic to say the least, the indies are overflowing and it gets hard to find stuff that came out a while back, so try to wishlist everything you're mildly interested in, that way you can actually remember it exists. Trust me on that one. Also, for some odd reason thigns you buy don't dissapear from the wishlist, so do some clean up now and then.

As for protection: get a tempered glass for the screen, I've got this one AM Tempered glass on launch and the first one still looks like I've just applied it, so it's a great value.

Needless to say, get an SD card, a big one. It'll save you the trouble of swapping cartridges or even sd cards if you go for a smaller one.

Finally, enjoy the Switch to your heart's content, it's a great system and it has some amazing games. A not so hidden but sometimes hard to actually convince yourself to buy gem is Mario + Rabbids. I got it on an Ubisoft sale and can't believe what a great game it is.

As for offers, I do have like a bazzillion platinum points (well, maybe only 1000ish) on My Nintendo, in case you like any of the rewards just let me know.

​

​

​

It'll be possible but I don't think it would be realistic to have more than 2 people play at a time. It wouldn't work well if all 4 people spread across 4 want to play at the same time. Remember, this is a 6.2 inch screen we're talking about. If you wanted more than 2 people to play you would also need to buy additional controllers.

• You'll want to make sure you get the newly revised Switch with better battery life.
  
  There's still some older model Switchs on the shelves, you want to make sure you get the new one.
  
  The old model box has a Switch and TV on a white background.
  
  The new model box has a Switch and TV on a red background.
  
  It's model number is HAC-001(-01), sometimes that's listed on the description if you're buying online.
  
  
• Unless you're buying and packing more controllers you'll need to make sure whatever game(s) you get support single Joycon play.
  
  The Joycons on the Switch slide off to become two separate controllers, but since they don't have all the buttons of a regular controller not every game can be played with a single Joycon. There's a lot that can though, such as Mario Kart 8, Snipperclips, Kirby Star Allies, Super Smash Bros. If you need recommendations or aren't sure if a game supports single Joycon play I'm sure we can answer that for you.
  
  
• The Switch can charge off a portable battery bank to make it last longer.
  
  However the charging port on the Switch is on the bottom, so if you have it standing up using the kickstand you won't be able to plug it in. You can get a stand to put it on which would both put it at a more comfortable height and make the charging port accessable.
  
  If you're not already bringing a battery bank with you on your trip you really should be. Couple things to note here.
  
  Most flights are going to limit you to a single battery with at most 100 watt hours and it has to be in your carry on luggage. 100 watt hours is typically gong to be 26800mAh.
  
  26800mAh would net you an additional 12 hours of play in addition to the built in battery in the older less efficient Switch. So that would definitely last you the whole flight. You could probably get away with a 10000mAh battery and have the Switch last the whole flight but that might be pushing it slightly.
  
  If the battery bank doesn't charge at at least 5v3a the Switch will use charge faster than the battery bank will supply it. It'll still extend the battery life because it'll be pulling power from the battery bank, but the charge % will still go down on the Switch. Again, if you have questions about specific banks we can answer them.

I highly recommend a glass screen protector: https://www.amazon.com/amFilm-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Nintendo/dp/B01N3ASPNV/

Not only will this protect the Switch display but it makes the device feel much more premium like a smartphone.

The Pro Controller is excellent. I have two DualShock 4s (my least favorite), two XB1 controllers for my PC (love them), and IMHO the Switch Pro Controller is one of the best out there. Its a luxury purchase but its worthwhile if you put in as much time as I have.

As for indies, I own many on Steam and will be rebuying as many as I can justify on my Switch. I have Shovel Knight on four platforms and the Switch is my favorite place to play it.

I currently recommend Shovel Knight, Binding Of Isaac Afterbirth+, Gorgeous Explosion Machine, Thumper, Jackbox Party Pack 3, and GoNNER. In the future I'll be buying or rebuying Enter The Gungeon, Overcooked, Stardew Valley, Towerfall Ascension, Rocket League, DUCK GAME, Hollow Knight, pretty much anything I can justify buying twice on top of what I already have on Steam.

Going forward I'll prioritize indie purchases on Switch over Steam unless there is a multiplayer component I need for my PC gaming group or it just plays better with mouse and keyboard.

For non-indies I recommend Puyo Puyo Tetris and Disgaea 5, at least if you're a fan of competitive puzzle games or tactical RPGs. :)

Cheers

I feel like I'm posting about USB too much here, but people keep asking because it's easy to get confused about it. I just copied the table I made a while ago in a comment and added FAQs and notes for outside the US.

I hope this answers what people are really looking for better than the other threads.

Do you have some specific need I didn't answer? Have a USB-C charger you're curious about that isn't listed? Ask in a comment. Just keep in mind that (other than the iPad one) USB-A chargers won't give you good speeds. This includes the chargers bundled with even the most recent phones by Samsung, Apple, Sony, LG, and HTC.

I'll use this comment to note some USB-C chargers I'm aware of but don't recommend:

---------

Charging speeds vary

These chargers can give the Switch great speeds sometimes, but usually they're closer to just "okay". It seems to be random every time you plug it in. If the Switch is completely turned off (not just in sleep) when you plug it in, you'll almost always get those "great" speeds for as long as you keep it plugged in even after turning the Switch back on and playing. This happens because Nintendo's implementation of USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is very buggy. They're a hassle to use right for now, so I don't recommend them, especially since there are better alternatives now.

Charger|Price (USD)|Link|Notes
--|--|--|--
Anker PowerPort+ 5|$39.99|Amazon|Use the USB-C port. It also offers 4 USB-A ports. No USB cables included.
RAVPower 26800mAh USB-PD battery|$79.99|Amazon|
UGREEN 30W USB-PD charger|$17.99|Amazon|No cable included.

----------

Safety issues

These don't damage the Switch, but they can damage other USB-C cables and devices, especially if you plug them in to something that doesn't make sense, like another charger. If you know how to use them right and you're careful, you won't damage anything, but why risk it? Get something else.

Charger|Link|Notes
--|--|--
CHOETECH USB C 15W charger|Amazon|
Anker PowerPort+ 1 USB-C QC3.0|Amazon|Any USB-C port that offers QC3.0 has known issues

----------

Great but expensive

If you have a USB-C laptop, feel free to get one of these, but otherwise don't bother. Plenty of chargers in my OP work just as well with Switch and are much cheaper.

Charger|Price (USD)|Link|Notes
--|--|--|--
Google 60W USB-C charger|$59.99|Google|Bundled with Chromebook Pixel 2, great for laptops, very long 12ft cable
Apple 61W USB-C charger|$69|Amazon, Apple|Bundled with 2016 13" MacBook Pro, no cable included when bought on its own. The 15-inch model's 87W charger is probably great too.
Apple 29W USB-C charger|$49|Amazon, Apple|Bundled with non-Pro MacBooks, no cable included when bought on its own. Poor speeds with most other non-Apple devices.
Innergie 45W USB-C charger|$59.99|Amazon|Works with the dock, great with laptops and phones too.

---------

Unconfirmed speeds (and expensive)

These chargers are also too expensive to recommend. They probably work great, but I haven't seen any reports of people actually trying any of them. They all probably work with the dock too. If anybody has one of these, please tell me if it works with the dock.

Charger|Price (USD)|Link|Notes
--|--|--|--
Dell 45W charger|$49.99|Dell|Included with some Dell laptops.
Dell 45W Plus|$59.99|Dell|Use the USB-C cable. There's also a USB-A port for charging other devices.
Dell 65W charger|$69.99|Amazon|Included with some Dell laptops.
Dart USB-C charger|$99.99|FINsix|
Razer 12800mAh battery|$149.99|Razer|Use the USB-C port.

For accessories, some kind of carrying case is probably a must-have unless you're planning to just use it at home. I don't have any specific recommendations, but there are plenty of them out there and they are all more or less fine. Pay attention to the size -- there are some larger cases that will have room for cables/AC adapter, and smaller ones that just fit the Switch + some games. Which one you go for is up to you.

Other accessories you might want are a screen protector (I'm using this one and it's great) and maybe a Pro Controller if you want a more comfortable docked experience. An SD card isn't necessary unless you plan to download a lot of games instead of buying carts. (Digital-only indie games are generally pretty small.)

The two Joy-con controllers (the things that attach to the sides of the tablet) can be held horizontally and used as independent controllers in a lot of local multiplayer games, so you can do multiplayer out of the box.

The Switch is pretty popular, so MK8DX has plenty of people playing. Zelda is extremely good, and is a perfect jumping-in point for the series. I highly recommend both games.

Some other good games that you might like, depending on your tastes:

• Splatoon 2: A team-based shooter where you are trying to cover an arena with your team's color of ink. This is primarily online, and doesn't have local multiplayer.
  
• Mario + Rabbids: A turn-based strategy game in the vein of XCOM, if you're familiar with that. It's fairly accessible, so if you like turn-based games or strategy games at all, you're probably enjoy this.
  
• Snipperclips: A local multiplayer puzzle game where you and your partner cut your paper bodies into different shapes to solve puzzles.
  

Similar to you, but for the carrying case there is a much better one. (Nintendo's own one is too soft, so the thumb-sticks are a bit vulnerable in there from getting bashed). While I love the stand feature on it, I hardly ever use that, as there are better ways of doing it where you can access the cable from underneath, like you can with the separate foldaway stands. Also, there's not much room in Nintendo's case to carry any extra stuff (so is no good for the stand, and not even enough room to carry so much as a charging cable).

I've bought and tried quite a few different pouch and accessory combinations in order to solve this, and the best case so far out of all of them is the Orzly Hard Pouch Carrying Case (as there's tones of extra joy-con room aswell as room for lots of extra stuff like cables, games, battery pack, etc, aswell as my foldaway stand).

It's also padded extremely well on the inside whilst being a hard shell on the outside. Yet they've done all that whilst doing an exceptionally good job of being the most space conscious on the inside compared to all the other ones I've used, whilst also not making it too big on the outside.

And the best foldaway stand by far is this one...

BEST STAND:

https://www.amazon.com/Multi-Angle-Nintendo-Switch-Lamicall-Playstand/dp/B01LZAYH58

So the best case for it to fit in with the switch and everything else inside that I use 100% of the time is this one...

BEST CASE:

https://www.amazon.com/Orzly-Carry-Compatible-Nintendo-Switch/dp/B01NAUKS62

(1) I prefer Estore games for three reasons:

() you can't lose the game(tied to your account)

() you don't have to carry the game with you

() you don't waste time switching out the cartridge

Also, I've seen some comparisons that say that games installed on switch/sd have a bit faster loading times, but that's a minor thing.

Some games can be found cheaper on cartridge though, and you can resell the cartridge.

Plus, you can create e.g. japanese eshop account to buy games not available in europe/usa.

(2) Depends on the game and your connection.

(3) I got this glass protector( https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Protector-amFilm-Tempered/dp/B01N3ASPNV ) which is something you're probably going to need, since switch has plastic screen. You get two for ~10$, I have no use for the second one lol. Don't know about the "shock" protection and I try not to scratch it anyway. It's a bit thicker(it's a glass after all), but does not interfere with dock or anything.

(4) I haven't noticed anything out of ordinary. The bummer is that you need to power your switch in the dock in order to display it on other screen(or at least I had this issue), so if you get your dock, be sure to take usb-c charger as well. You might want to check out the mini-docks that came out recently.

(5) BOTW is great, but there are many other great games. I love Slaptoon 2, there is Has Been Heroes which is quite nice, Mario Kart 8 and Disgaea 5 are also great(the latter has demo at eshop). Snipperclips are fun to play with anyone. There are other games depending on what you want, and more are coming. BOTW is great game though, definitely must have.

No games or apps built in.

Along with what Joshua said, I'm a huge fan of Death Squared and Human Fall Flat. I play with friends and we have a blast, we love the humor of the games and are always laughing at what everyone's doing in the games. Puyo Puyo Tetris is a great single or multiplayer puzzle game. Astro Bears Party is a quick, fun multiplayer game, I picked mine up on sale for under a dollar. All offline.

Crash Bandicoot is a difficult 2.5D platformer, if you haven't played and are into that. I like it, some levels do get a bit frustrating. Snake Pass is one of my favorite games, you control a snake and it very much relies on weird controls and puzzles you have to figure out, based on the weird controls. If you like Portal, you'll love Chromagun. It's like Portal but with colors. Celeste is a death-happy, 2D platformer with the difficulty set on hard. If you want a challenge, Celeste is your game. All offline, all single player.

Online - I just started playing Fortnite and Rocket League, both seem pretty fun so far. Fortnite is a free download, too!

I travel a lot and LOVE this case. It's super small, it has 8 game pouches(and you can probably double up games in each pouch
too), hardshell, water resistant, looks nice and sleek, and I feel safe with it. I'm also just not an accessory person though -- I have just my switch, 3 physical games, thumb grips(like these)(totally unnecessary, just a personal preference), a screen protector(I've heard putting the switch in/out of the dock can scratch the screen), and that case. The case also came with an accessories pouch, but I've never used it.

I don't know what all her factors are, but I would think that the most accessible way to play the Switch would be to use regular Switch and a larger TV screen via the "full" Dock, with an appropriately ergonomic controller. The Switch Lite screen is pretty small. Plenty of people--even people whose sight isn't great--can still use it enjoyably because, as a handheld, you can hold it pretty close to your face. However, that means you're using the built-in controls, which are decent, but probably not the most ergonomic for people with big hands and (possibly?) knuckle issues.

If you want to use an external controller, you'll have to use a stand. If you want to use the 8bitdo adapter, that stand will have to also be a mini-dock with USB ports. In either case, it requires a table or flat surface and you'll need enough room for you to hold the controller at a comfortable level and then have the Switch screen at some distance that's likely further away than that...unless you do something interesting, like sit on a low chair at a table, having the Switch more at head or neck level, and then hold the controller closer down by your lap.

Summary: the Lite works great as a handheld, but might be a little small as a tabletop console.

Another option for optimally positioning the Switch without worrying about your table level is a gooseneck stand like this one.

As far as controllers go, is this the one she likes?

A PS4 controller matches that layout. So does the 8bitdo SN30 Pro+. Keep in mind if you think the gooseneck stand idea is interesting, you probably couldn't use that with the Lite's charging dock (which has the USB ports the 8bitdo PS4 adapter would need), so you'd be limited to controllers that functioned directly with the Switch, sans adapters. So the SN30 Pro+ would still be an option.

Here’s my loadout:

First, I like being able to play in tabletop mode as I like having the joycons removed and separated while I play on the go, I carry the straps (though I removed the strap part so it’s just a way to add extra width to the joycons) and this tablet stand because I do like the normal one.

Next up, I use a portable USB-C charger with a PD port on it. I used to use a third party Switch charger since I’m not using it to dock, but I like having the option to charge my phone as well.

Finally, I use a case to carry everything in. The normal slim ones definitely aren’t enough, so I use one like this that fits everything so I can have everything on the go in a compact space.

TLDR: I keep a tablet stand, joycon straps, and a portable charger in a large case for when I’m on the go with my Switch. None of these are must haves, but I enjoy them all.

P.S.
One ESSENTIAL accessory is a screen protector. I got a small scratch on my bezel from my dock and it still bugs me I didn’t get a screen protector immediately. It baffles me that there’d be a design flaw like that, but it happens.

Finally, a lot of people like the Satisfye grips. While I’ve never found them necessary, a lot of people have. It would also be worth getting the bundle with the carrying case since it wouldn’t fit in a normal one.

Hope this helps or gives you some ideas of what you might want.

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One that supports USB-C power delivery will give you the best results, but TBH if you want to save some money, USB C to C battery packs that don't support power delivery will work well too, it just won't charge quite as fast. You'll still be able to play games like BOTW while charging the battery.

For example, this is a power delivery battery.. Currently around $75. This is an external battery that will provide USC C to C charging at 3A but does not support PD. Currently at $50.

So it's up to you whether or not the $25 is worth it. I have the 2nd, non PD, battery pack here, and used the USB C port on 2 separate 5 hour flights, playing BOTW during the majority of both flights (minus 1 or 2 quick naps). It worked perfectly the whole time.

So it's up to you. You might want the faster charging, but you also may want to save $25.

EDIT: Worth noting that the $75 charger here comes with a C to C cable. That usually costs around $8 - 10 separately. That may make the purchase worthwhile for you.

It is really up to you to make the decision, I, myself, have young nephews, my mom ran a daycare for many years, and I started gaming from an early age. The Switch has parental control features that will help you out. Moderation will be key and tailoring their time towards their behavior is a good way to keep them behaving well. I think they can enjoy it at their age, but sharing and discipline will be key.

I'll go with accessories first, screen protector is no 1 buy for young kids and expensive products.


https://www.amazon.com/amFilm-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Nintendo/dp/B01N3ASPNV/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1511199334&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=switch+screen+protector&psc=1

A travel case and possible grips would also do you well. Other things like the wheel are more game dependent and preference dependent.

As for games, Mario Kart and Mario Odyssey are great choices right out of the gate. Cars 3 driven to win is also a competent racing game. Lego games are also good choices Here is a link to commonsensemedia, take it with a grain of salt and look more at the content than the suggested ages.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/reviews/category/game/platform/nintendo-switch-66151


Hope some of this helps!

Edit: grammar and new link

#1 Suggestion, buy your girlfriend her own switch. This will give you 2 more Joycons for 4 player action in Mario Party. Too many great games to share one console.

#2 Buy a pro controller, get one that is a special edition (Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Smash Bros., etc.) as the original has D Pad issues.

#3 Buy Physical copies of games when available, or if you have to buy digital wait for a sale.

#4 Register with my.nintendo.com and start earning gold coins. These gold coins can be used to get discount on digital games.

#5 Xenoblade Chronicles 2 <- A must!

#6 DeadCells if you are a rouge/metrovania lover.

#7 Purchase a carrying case protection

#8 Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild is a great game, but you need the Amiibos to get exclusive gear. Get these NFC to get the full experience and save you cash!

There is always more info that can be helpful, but the best advise is to enjoy the system the way you want and not what anyone else says. GLHF!

​

P.S. Name 4 renaissance painters.

​

Don't know any?

​

Name the Teenage Mutant Turtles. See you did know :p

Hello, I literally just got my Switch yesterday! I'm assuming your son is ~10 years old. Hopefully this can help;

1. "Updates" only took 1 minute for me. I'm unsure if the console was already up-to-date to a certain point, but updating was practically instant. Same with my Super Mario Odyssey update, took an extra 1 minute. So 2 minutes total doing updates and then I was playing a game.
   
2. I highly recommend one. I got the tempered glass amFilm one from Amazon. Really nice screen protector and you get two for ~$10, this one specifically: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N3ASPNV/
   
3. I personally recommend a rubber TPU case for the switch/joycons, this is the one I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0716KM5BB/
   
   I recommend the rubber case because it'll protect the device itself from small drops and scuffs that can occur if the user of the device isn't careful. I'm in my early 20's and I'm extremely careful with my phones(haven't dropped any phones for about 3-4 years now).
   
   I bought this rubber case for my Switch just in case someone else is using it and drops it. The console and joycons all have their own rubber piece, but the joycons can still snap onto the Switch, however the Switch cannot dock into the TV Dock enclosure with the rubber case on. So if your son wants to play on the TV constantly then this case isn't worth the hassle in my opinion.
   
   

Since it sounds like you have a tight budget, this is my recommendation:

1. Yes to case if you are bringing that out often. Otherwise, skip the case.
   
   
2. I recommend this MicroSD card since it's a good price for a decent card. I don't really recommend cheaping out on MicroSD card with read speed below 80mb since it could impact game performance: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Select-Memory-MB-ME128DA-AM/dp/B01DOB6YW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488044138&sr=8-1&keywords=samsung+select
   
   
3. Battery pack - Skip for now. Until there are more information on what battery will work safely on the Switch, you may end up with something that can end up being incompatible. My prefer brand is Anker. Again, if you don't plan on bringing the Switch out often, skip it.
   
   
4. Don't get the Pro controller, not yet. It doesn't look like you will be building up a collection of intensive games.
   
   
5. Skip digital only games. Wait for sales on eShop card. Best Buy or Ebay have sales on digital currency once in a while.
   
   
6. Mario Kart 8 is a good game. If you're looking for a meatier game, Splatoon 2? (But keep in mind that starting Fall, online play will require subscription). I also recommend Puyo Puyo Tetris.
   
   If you're playing to spend at least $120 in games in the next two years, I recommend getting a GCU membership at Best Buy. The 20% saving will cover the $30 membership fee after 3 games at $60, plus ~$2-3 in saving.
   
   The discounts also stack on sales and other discounts (except BF deals). GCU also works on Amiibos.
   
   And if you wait for the Visa Checkout promo (about once every month or two), you can easily achieve 40% off on new games, day 1.

Hi guys,
I really need your help. I was thinking of gifting someone a nintendo switch after a few months but I know little to nothing about video games or consoles. I didn't grow up playing video games and have never owned a console. I was hoping you guys could help answer some of my questions and help me.

• First, is it too late to gift it in several months (around Jan 2018)? Would it be old/out of trend or whatever? In what intervals (months/years) do new designs/consoles come in the video game world?
  
  
• What should I buy? Should I just buy the bundle, does it come with games, should I try to buy some games, if so what are commonly liked ones?
  
  
• How much does it cost exactly? I googled it but the retailers on the nintendo website have varying price. Amazon has it for about 400 bucks, target and gamestop have it for 299 bucks. Why is it so different? Is it the same thing regardless?
  
  
• How is it? How would you describe your experience? Is it much better than consoles in the past? Was it worth the cost?
  
  Thanks in advance.

Definitely get a case for your switch. I got this one and really like the designs plus it comes with game cases for you switch.

It only holds the switch, 8 games, and then a small pouch to put the joy con straps in. I literally bought this so I could not worry about it falling off of a table or me dropping it or anything like that. Its great for just carrying it around from room to room. Definitely protect your investment.

I would also get a tempered glass screen protector. The switch can scratch if you are not careful removing it from the dock. The glass I bought literally had one of the best screen protector application directions/processes I have ever had to use.

Welcome to the switch club my friend

Case link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y2JCVNP/ref=twister_B01N14XHML?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Tempered glass link:
https://www.amazon.com/amFilm-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Nintendo/dp/B01N3ASPNV/ref=sr_1_3?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1502991731&sr=1-3&keywords=switch+tempered+glass

• Screen Protector. I suggest a tempered glass screen protector
  
• SD Card. Dpending on how committed you are to digital vs. physical, a 64gb or 128gb should hold you over. Wait for them to go on sale, they go on sale pretty often.
  
• Carrying case. I recommend the ButterFox carrying cases, they come in different sizes so pick one that suits you.
  
• A stand. By stand I mean something that will hold your Switch and provide access to the USB port for charging. Some recommend the Hori play stand, for me that's a bit too bulky and went with one meant for cellphones, works wonders.
  
• Portable battery pack, look for ones with at least 2.1A output to sustain gameplay when charging.
  
• Pro controller, it's essential on most games, literally night and day from the joy cons. I suggest getting the Xenoblade version because it has an updated D-Pad that the original has.
  
• Another dock, theres a lot of controversy here. There are 3rd party options out there they have been noted as dangerous to your Switch and may brick it and render it useless. From my experience, I've had great success with the Nyko dock and the Best Buy Insignia dock, use these at your own risk. You could play it safe and buy another official Nintendo dock. it's not as cheap however.
  
  Links for all the items I got for your reference:
  Screen Protector
  Memory Card
  Case
  Stand
  Battery Pack
  Pro Controller
  Nyko Dock
  
  

Any tempered glass screen protector from a reputable maker for one.

The Pro controller is one of the best feeling controllers I've ever had.

A high end battery pack if you can afford it. Should support USB-C/PD charging. I managed to snag this RAVPower battery on sale.

For Splatoon players who like split Joycon play, grips can be helpful to add comfort. I personally have Nintendo's official battery grip, provides a pretty nice girth extension.

And I guess a case, though beanies are pretty convenient to slip your console into.

Edit: Would also like to add a tablet mount for lazy bed gamers. Position it above your face, take off the Joycons, and relish in the comfort while feeling like you're in Wall-E.

If you plan on playing it in table top mode, get a good stand, as the built in one leaves much to be desired. I have the Hori one linked below, which has been good, but I plan on upgrading to an aluminum one.
https://www.amazon.com/Compact-Playstand-Nintendo-Switch-Officially-Licensed/dp/B01N9RTMWS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1519660340&sr=8-4&keywords=nintendo+stand+switch

Also, if you plan on playing docked, you need a pro controller. I have found that the range of movement on the joycon analog sticks leaves much to be desired.

The system is an Indie power house and I love it. If you are in to Rougelites like Gungeon, there is always Binding of Isaac and Darkest Dungeon. Stardew Valley is amazing and is one of my personal favorites. People will recommend Golf Story, but i personally couldn't get into it. If you are into Minecraft, I would recommend Steamworld Dig 2, its a 2D Mining/Metroidvania that surpassed every expectation I had. Runner 3 is going through the certification process, but that's another indie I can't wait for.

I would like to get one of these carrying bags for my Switch because I have a lot of accessories for the Switch and more coming but I'm not sure which one is better. I would like to go with this one ($57.18 CAN) since it is cheaper than this one ($69.99 CAN) but I'm not sure if I would be giving up anything essential. Can anyone with either one of these weigh in with their opinion? Just for reference I'll be carrying the following in the bag:

• 1 Switch tablet
  
• 4 Joy Cons
  
• 1 Pro Controller
  
• 1 Dock
  
• 1 HDMI Cable
  
• 1 AC adapter
  
• 1 Pokeball Plus
  
• 1 Switch Gamecube Controller adapter
  
• 1 Joy Con Grip
  
• 2 Gamecube Controllers
  
  Thanks to anyone that can help!

It’s really honestly recommended to use one. If your Switch gets scratched or scuffed over the years, you’ll be SO glad it’s on a protector and not the actual screen.

I promise the tempered glass ones are super easy to put on and they are made to not bubble easily. They are only about $8 and it’s a very worthwhile investment. It comes off pretty easily so even if you did mess up, you can take it off without ruining your screen.

You could probably even buy one at Best Buy or another tech store and ask someone there to help you put it on if you didn’t want to do it yourself.

I really recommend Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Both games are some of the greatest in their respective series, and are outstanding games overall. I also highly recommend a tempered glass screen protector, like this one. If you're interested in multiplayer games, Mario Kart and Smash Bros are the best you'll get.

ANY Tempered Glass screen protector will work well. Personally I have Orzly on my Switch but have used Spigen on phones in the past. Both are top notch and have been doing screen protectors for handheld electronics forever.

..

The Docks Bands can also help ensure the Switch is not coming into contact with the dock, especially if you have younger kids.

..

The other big accessory to consider early on is a hard sided carrying case. Anyone will do. Personally I have the Hori Tough Pouch. Being a step ahead means if for some reason the Switch is leaving the house there is at least a carrying case ready.

..

If you know the Switch will be used on long road trips, etc. a battery pack like Ravpower 26800 PD is also great to have around put is much more optional.

..

In terms of the SD card, I have had my Switch since launch, have about 12 games now and buy physical cartridges when possible. I have still not exceeded the built in memory and needed an SD card. That said if you are buying one only buy from Best Buy or Amazon and if buying make sure you aren't buying from a third part seller. Also look for a UHS-I or UHS-II card (UHS = Ultra high speed). Sandisk and Samsung are two more reputable brands. In terms of size, go with the largest size that doesn't make your wallet scream as this is something you want to buy only once if possible.

https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Game-Traveler-Deluxe-System/dp/B01N23OP50/ref=sr_1_10/145-9781408-3087933?ie=UTF8&qid=1519561659&sr=8-10&keywords=nintendo+switch+case I have this carrying case if you are in the market for one. Super heavy duty, comes with a mesh bag that has two Micro SD card holders and two game holders that each hold 4 cartridges each. It can also carry the switch, dock, cables, joycon grip, and anything else you want to throw in there. You can usually find it at target or Best Buy for ~$30 USD. As for controllers... joy cons are easy to order online through Nintendo or you can get them at Target/Walmart or anywhere that has a video game section. As for holding case, I have this heavy duty grip case. I have dropped my switch before and it’s been perfectly fine with this thing on, so I definitely recommend it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_btf_aps_sr_pg1_2?ie=UTF8&adId=A0148261R5SAG6IFJ04X&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMumba-Nintendo-Switch-Rubberized-release%2Fdp%2FB071ZRM6C1%2Fref%3Dsr_1_19_sspa%2F145-9781408-3087933%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1519561659%26sr%3D8-19-spons%26keywords%3Dnintendo%2Bswitch%2Bcase%26psc%3D1%26smid%3DA1D6JCE5X9R16U&qualifier=1519561659&id=8600541413204391&widgetName=sp_btf
Also, a screen protector is recommended to prevent your screen getting scratched when you dock the console.

Don’t get too addicted to BOTW! XD

Edit: Also, all you have to do to charge your controllers is connect them to the switch while it’s docked.

The kickstand is nearly useless but there's a very inexpensive accessory that addresses the issue you mentioned and gives you some more flexibility to get the switch up at a better angle for your neck/back anyway. I am sure you're aware of this, and this doesn't invalidate your criticism but I think the kickstand was likely kind of an afterthought and it's nice to have in a pinch. Amazon link to item

Nintendo is exceptionally good at getting people to buy extras for their consoles, whether first party or third party. I have a closet full of random plastic holders for Wii controllers that were arguably completely unnecessary but for some reason I thought playing Wii Sports with a fake tennis racket was more fun. Not to mention the earlier gameboys, I had so much shit strapped to my OG gameboy that Nintendo arguably could have built into the device (light, better speakers, battery packs, etc) too. This is how Nintendo has always done it.

Edit: forgot to link to the accessory I bought to address the kickstand issue. Added.

Get a tempered glass screen protector ASAP. The switch's screen is plastic. Plastic scratches easily. Amfilm and orzly both make excellent protectors.

If you'll be getting any digital games, consider getting a microsd card. 128GB is a good price to size value.
Get whichever of these is cheaper:
128GB Samsung Evo Select MicroSD Card
128GB Sandisk Ultra MicroSD Card

Get a carrying case if you'll be traveling a lot with it; the rds and butterfox cases are great. If you do travel with it, resist the urge to bring every game with you in that case (unless you went digital obviously). If you lost that case with your switch, the games are also gone. So better to carry only a few with you than all your eggs in one basket. With digital this isn't an issue; if you lose your switch, when you get a new one, you can just redownload your digital games.

If you find the joycons too small/uncomfortable to use, the pro controller is amazing. Worth every penny.

Mario Odyssey, xenoblade chronicles 2, mario+rabbids and bayonetta 1+2 (or just 2 if you played 1 on PC) are all excellent games.

Enjoy!

Well, good luck adjusting to Nintendo’s button layout!

If you’re wanting some game recommendations then you can’t go wrong with the popular ones. BotW and Mario Odyssey are fantastic singleplayer games, and Splatoon 2 and Mario Katy 8 are fantastic multiplayer games. The console exclusives are a great place to start

It’s also recommended that you have a screen protector because some users had issues with the dock scratching the screen. amFilm is a commonly recommended brand.

Other than that, the pro controller is great, especially because it’s a more traditional controller like the Xbox controller.

There are only a few updates right out of the box, and they dont' take long at all. I didn't get my console on a big holiday, however, so depending on how many people are trying to connect to Nintendo's servers on Christmas, it might take significantly longer.

A screen protector is very nice to have. I haven't got one myself, but I plan on getting one. Until then, I'm just very careful when docking/undocking my console.

For accessories, it depends. If you travel a lot or on a regular basis, a traveling case is definitely worth it. I got this one, and it's great. It's a tad bigger than the one found on Nintendo's website (even though it is an official Nintendo product), and comes with two four-cartridge cases and two SD card cases.
Depending on what games he has, your son might also want a pro controller. I got the $70 one here, but there is a cheaper $30 option if you really want it (but personally I wouldn't recommend it). I primarily use my pro controller for MK8D and Splatoon 2.
The last major accessory you might want is an SD card. Depending on how many games he wants to download as opposed to using a physical copy, an SD card might be worth it. I think the best option is a microSDXC UHS-I card, but I don't remember. The size depends on how much money you can spend and how many games you wanna download. I wouldn't really go for anything below 64GB, but that's just me.

>Awesome thanks lol. And yeah Im thinking of going with this:
>
> https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-128GB-microSDXC-Memory-Adapter/dp/B073JYC4XM/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=micro+sd+card+128&qid=1574515038&s=electronics&sr=1-3
>
>Which looks to be a class 10, at least as far as I can tell. And yeah I usually prefer my games physical, but for the Switch Im pretty sure Im going to be using it mostly as a handheld system, and Im a bit of a butterfingers which is why for my New 3DS I pretty much went all digital for that system. Just to avoid constantly swapping out my games and potentially losing one while traveling or at a friends house lol.
>
>I have another question for you though. When I was reading up on it, it said that the system can be expanded to have up to 2TB of memory. The wording confused me a bit. Im thinking in terms of every other system where you have to outright replace the memory unit. But this sounds like the initial 32 is embedded, and you have something like additional slots to fit the extra SD cards. Is that true?

congratz dude!

I highly recommend a tempered glass screen protector as well! Someone already linked the screen protector from amFilm,it's the one I use as well and it's really great!

There have been some reports that people got their screens scratched by simply getting the Switch out of its dock. So having a screen protector should be your number one priority.

Honestly, you don't need anything else, at least not right now.

If you do feel like you'll often take the switch with you when you head out then by all means get a travel case as well. Hold off on getting any extra joycon or pro controller. Both aren't exactly cheap, I'd hold off on them unless you really need them.

And just for your interest, the switch is not region locked.

Which means, if you want to buy anything from the nintendo e-shop then check out this site beforehand. https://eshop-prices.com/?currency=EUR

This site compares all the prices for a title through all the different e-shops.

You can simply go on the nintendo website and change your country in the websites settings. Then you have to re-log into your nintendo account on your switch and then you can proceed to directly buy the game through the other nations e-shop.

I've gotten several games for super cheap that way.

Nintendo Switch Game Traveler Deluxe System Case https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01N23OP50?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I have this one, which is very similar to the one posted above. I have to say i love it but it doesnt fit the procontroller very well but can fit the joy con grip with a set of joy con installed perfectly. The one the other poster posted above seems to be a bit bigger but soles the controller issue

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MY9JB2U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZgAOBb4YHCXS5

This one will not hold your charger, but I highly recommend it because it is a hard case. People have had issues with their switch turning on in their cases and overheating because buttons get pressed and turn on the system. This one keeps the system totally secure and prevents that from happening. It is super durable and nice looking as well. It holds 8 games plus whichever one is in your system. There is a soft flap that protects the screen and it has a zipper enclosure to fit earphones or a few more carts.

Hi Dad, Dad, Dad, and Dad. Dad here also. The screen protector I agree is a must have. Mario party and Mario cart are a must for Family fun. I completely agree. BOTW could be to complicated for him but then again, it could not be. Its Fun and I think he could grow into it.

Here is the case I use. It fits everything really well and I am super happy with it:

https://www.amazon.com/NINTENDO-SWITCH-DELUXE-SECURELY-COMPLETE-INCLUDING/dp/B01N23OP50/ref=sr_1_12?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1541442745&sr=1-12&keywords=Switch+Case

​

I use this when I travel on The plane also. It fits perfectly over the handle of my suitcase.

​

I've been going overboard with accessories. Here's what I picked up so far:

Glass screen protector - Just in case.

128GB microSD card - I rarely buy physical games

Pro Controller - I love it. So comfortable.

PowerA Hybrid Case - I basically use this as a stand for my Switch when I'm on the go.

JDeal portable dock - It works. Make sure to follow the instructions. Works with my Nexus5x 5v 3A portable charger.

[Retractable HDMI cable] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019J96PSI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Hestia case - The Switch with the PowerA Hybrid Case, portable dock, portable USB-C charger, and retractable HDMI cable all fit in this.

USB 3.0 LAN Adapter - Faster speeds when on the official dock.


Gooseneck tablet holder - Ultimate comfort. Play while in bed.

Magic NS Wireless Adapter - I had originally bought this so I could use my PS4 controller. This was before I picked up the Pro Controller. It works. There was a recent firmware update that gives gyro support for PS4 controllers and it works well with Splatoon 2.

On the way:


Mumba case - For better comfort/protection while playing in handheld mode.

Hey! Your friend is pretty lucky! Here's some of my recommendations:

1. Only 1 version of the switch. Joy con come in different colors. No difference in performance. Just go for favorite color.
   
   The most common combinations in box are the grey joy con and the neon blue and red joy con boxes.
   
   
2. Typically there aren't any deals for the switch that I'm aware of but I did see another post where Toys R Us was listing 10% off for the switch as part of stores closing
   
   
   
3. Get a screen protector. There's a cheaply priced one on amazon. I've copied the link Here. I'd also get a case for the switch. There's a list of cases that can be found on the wiki. Lastly, I highly recommend the pro controller. It's definitely not required but it has significantly improved my gaming experience.
   
   

The "best" power banks for Switch are the ones with USB C output cause its 5V 3A, that means it would charge while you are playinng. PD power banks are even better, but cost more.

The one that you linked is really good, its 5V 2.4A that would charge the Switch but slowly like 1% every 10-15 minutes.

The best you can get are these 2:

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerCore-Ultra-High-Capacity-Portable/dp/B014ZO46LK/ref=sr_1_4?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1493959978&sr=1-4&keywords=power+bank+usb+c

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LRQDAEI/ref=psdc_7073960011_t2_B014ZO46LK

But they are a little pricey. Just because they are the best doesnt mean that others are bad. Anything with 5V 2.4 A USB A to C output is good, but i would recommend USB C to C output because it would actually charge your Switch. I have this one and works wonders:

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Charger-16750mAh-Nintendo-External-Battery/dp/B01KHDFXCE/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t

Hmm, so both the U number and the circle number are write speeds? Confusing, but good to know.

So on this card for example, the read speed isn't on the card, but digging through the description tells me 80 MB/s (if I'm understanding it correctly) -- that's the number I'm looking for to see if it'll actually play games well? And do you think that speed would work well for playing games on the Switch, or would it be advisable to try and find one a little higher?

It's funny -- I hadn't thought about it this way before, but as a photographer and video producer, I'm realizing that the specification numbers that were most important to me were the write speeds, since that was the bottleneck for capturing my footage at the highest quality possible. In this situation, I need the inverse, but it's a little tricky to find that info! Thanks again for all your guidance.

There are videos of the Pokemon game online if you want to check it out. If you played the Gameboy games, it looks a lot like those but with realistic graphics. And apparently you can now see the wild Pokemon hiding in the grass so that you can somewhat avoid them (that was the worst part about the original games).

Screen protector--someone mentioned the amfilm one. While they're close, I chose the Orzly tempered glass after reading a bunch of research and reviews. It's a decent percentage thinner and supposedly has a better coating. But they're the top 2 from what I read. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9RG3XS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_C9qaCbYQN7X1N

Protective case-- I chose the Mumba heavy duty case, though they make a few kinds. I plan to eventually get the Mumba carrying case as well. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZRM6C1?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

As for other games, people already mentioned many but I just want to second getting Zelda. It's pretty much the sole reason I got the console. That and Mario Odyssey, which are the top 2 rated games in the last few years (out of any console) on many sites. They're also pretty high on the top games of all time on any system on metacritic--which compiles reviews from top sources rather than just 1 reviewer. This is there best all time switch games list:
https://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/all/switch/filtered

Metacritic all games list:
https://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/all/all/filtered

What we know:

The built in storage is 32GB.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is approximately 13.4 GB.

What we do not know:

How big VC games, DLC, etc will be.

With that being said micro sd cards are relatively cheap for the capacity a 128GB one is on Amazon for ~$40 (US With Prime, free shipping tax not included). Eventually we'll start to see cheaper 256+GB cards (right now the same make/model but 256GB is nearly $200!).

So 40 bucks to add 4x more capacity to the system knowing that a game like BotW takes about 40% of the internal storage seems like a good bet/idea even if you plan on getting only physical games (or a majority of physical games.)

What I do hope is that in the future there's an easy way to copy data (or that there's nothing preventing us from just using our PCs to copy data from card to hdd to card or even card to card if you have the ability to have two microsd cards mounted at once) so that when 512+gb cards are cheap in a few years it's relatively painless to do a capacity upgrade.

Tl:dr: 128GB cards are cheap and add a ton of capacity, no reason to not grab one imho.

*EDIT -- The Amazon.com $40 microsd card: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Select-Memory-MB-ME256DA-AM/dp/B01DOB6YW4?th=1

Skull and co gripcase https://www.amazon.com/Skull-Co-GripCase-Set-Comfortable/dp/B078WH32Y7

Yeah price wise it’s steep if you only want the carrying case but the gripcase is easy to slip off and on your switch if it won’t dock for you.

The other case https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Game-Traveler-Deluxe-System/dp/B01N23OP50


Though I may snag https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Game-Traveler-Deluxe-System/dp/B01N23OP50 at some point since it would fit the pro controller and a joy con grip.

Of course the empty grips can really be packed in anything. They won’t break without a good deal of force.

Probably comes down to how often you would use the joy cons in their grip vs just using the switch in hand held mode.

GET A Tempered Glass Screen Protector NOW. The screen is plastic and can scratch when taking it in and out of the dock


I can testify on those controller grips, but the model I got had larger trigger paddles. There are a lot of manufactuers of the design - seems some have better triggers than others. Here is the AmazonBasic branded one.




it is also worth pointing out that there is a "Pro" controller that is shaped like a normal console controller.

More general wisdom; If you buy a 2nd dock - be on the lookout for Chinese knockoffs. The Switch does NOT use a normal USB C plug - the voltage is different. (even though it is shaped identically). Using the wrong plug can fry the system (much like first gen USB-C phones. Do research first.

There are cases for the switch to protect when traveling - but not useful when dropped. Examples

There are Grip cases - but they will not protect from a fall. And the joycons will be in the case. Example Which may affect any travel case - if you use one. The Amazon page claims drop protection, but I'm doubtful on any of these. And the Joycons "popping" off when dropped may be a safety feature intended by Nintendo. (much like the console sitting vertical when docked for heat distribution)

There is no drop proof case. IMO.

Also, keep an eye on Bionic, they make some cool joy con chargers. Easiest way is to just leave it connected to the switch charging.

The pro controller will charge via micro USB like a Xbox controller.

I've been looking around for a good portable power bank for my Switch and I've seen a couple of reddit posts about them but I still have a couple of questions that I hope someone can help answer.

I'm stuck between 2 chargers:

Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerCore-Portable-Nintendo-Delivery/dp/B01MZ61PRW/ref=sr_1_7?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1505591552&sr=1-7&keywords=Anker+PowerCore%2B#Ask

RAVPower 26800 PD https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LRQDAEI/ref=psdc_7073960011_t4_B01IVONCAG

What I don't understand is the $30 price difference though it looks like they come with the same "stuff" so why would you pay the extra amount to get the Anker?

Does anyone have either (or both) of these chargers to help determine which would be the best for the Switch specifically?

Is there anything worth buying one over the other?

Get him a screen protector, any that say they are "tempered glass" should be good.

​

Gte him a carrying case, I've got this one, it's good enough and portable https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MS7AI9G/

​

Get him the 2 games you know he wants, then get him a gift $50 (or higher) eShop card if you don't mind spending the money.

​

If you want to really impress, and you haven't gone broke yet, get him a Pro Controller as well, you guys can play together more comfortably too, you with the two joycons, him with his pro controller https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Pro-Controller/dp/B01NAWKYZ0/

​

Oooh, and a Micro SD card, at LEAST 128GB ($20) or higher https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-400GB-microSDXC-Memory-Adapter/dp/B073JYC4XM/

​

Let him open it first, and run the updates and set it all up, to me, and as a result, my kids too, it's part of the fun of getting a new electronic toy.

The only must haves are probably a screen protector and carrying case. These are good:

Case: https://www.amazon.com/ButterFox-Switch-Carrying-Cartridge-Holders/dp/B06WGSKRKL

Screen Protector: https://www.amazon.com/amFilm-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Nintendo/dp/B01N3ASPNV

Nice to Haves:
Micro SDXC Card if you plan to do a fair amount of digital games. The internal storage should last you a good bit unless you go 100% digital. If you're 100% physical type of person then you won't need an SD for a long while.

I'd give the joycons in the grip (and separated, no grip) a fair shot for a couple of weeks. If you would like improved comfort, the pro controller is excellent.

Almost all games allow for 2 player with each player using a 1 joycon. So it really depends what you want to spend. If you want more than that, then your decision is Pro Controller, extra joycons, or both.

I just expect better design from a company as big as Nintendo. Especially when I see 3rd party DIY docks that look like This. Now that imo has a much more practical design that won't scratch the switch and honestly just looks prettier and more professional than the shit they gave us. I would gladly pay the 60 if the original looked anything like that.

If you're mostly going to be playing at home, I would HIGHLY suggest getting the Pro Controller. I know that is a tough money pill for your wallet to swallow, but it is worth every penny. It is ergonomically better than the Joy Con in the grip, and it will serve you well for long play sessions.

Also, even though you are mostly going to buy games physically, I recommend picking up a microSD card anyway for games that are only on the eShop and DLC. A 32GB or 64GB microSD card will be good for your needs.

As for game recommendations:

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
  
  
• Splatoon 2
  
  
• Steamworld Dig 2 (currently eShop only)
  
  
• Rocket League (currently eShop only)
  
  
• DOOM
  
  
• Skyrim (which releases this Friday)
  
  EDIT: Formatting.
  
  EDIT 2: I personally don't use screen protectors, but others will recommend this to you
  

Its plastic, so its pretty low on the scratch resistance scale. Nintendo went plastic over glass probably becasue its less likely to break with kids dropping it, but the downside is that its much easier to scratch.

For only $9 you can get two top rated glass screen protectors. If you care about keeping the screen scratch free, its worth it. You can even do like I did and sell your spare one to a friend for $5 or so.

Just a heads up if you're in the US (I think some other countries do it also but not sure which) Black Friday is coming up so it might be a good time to pick up some accessories and microSD cards and maybe games.

This is the screen protector I got for my switch and it has worked great so far. It even comes with two, assuming you don't mess 1 up like I did. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N3ASPNV/

I would recommend opening the bundles and turning the switches on to do their updates as well as download their respective digital games. If you get any other games, they may have updates as well and all you need to do is put the cartridge in and launch the game.

Just to add on, if you travel a lot or plan on taking it on the go, a case would be a good investment. Personally, this case has worked great for me https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Game-Traveler-Deluxe-Travel/dp/B01MY9JB2U/ref=sr_1_3?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1498246383&sr=1-3&keywords=switch+case . Also congrats on winning a Switch that's pretty awesome.

This site is a great read for chargers, power banks, cables, and has a few gift/traveling guides that you might find useful.

I love the Pro Controller (you may need two, I have a feeling you and your wife will fight over it.)

I don't know if it's to everyone's liking, but I find Diablo 3 an absolute blast and you can do local co-op docked or undocked with 4 people (each person can use 1 joycon, 2 joycons [one in each hand or both in a holder], or a different controller altogether.)

This is the tempered glass screen protector that is most often recommended on this sub. I like these Joy-Con holders - they make the Joy-Cons feel more like full-sized controllers and you can charge them right in the holder. You might want to get a bag to carry everything around in easily.

Which is the best slip-on case for Nintendo Switch that will also work with a play stand (so I don’t have to keep on removing the slip case each time I put it on the play stand)?


I was thinking of getting the Hori Play stand and the Orzly hybrid cover.

However, I am not sure if the Switch will fit in the play stand once the Orzly hybrid cover is on it and also if there will be enough ventilation for the slots on the back once the covered Switch in on the play stand.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

Honestly, I'd just get this (I picked one up myself)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XWZWYVP/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

You won't need the extra performance for the Switch, but it's objectively a better for the same price so why not? It future proofs it for whatever reason. Say an updated Switch comes out that can utilize it (not likely, but hypothetical) or you just upgrade from 128 and repurpose your "old" Switch card as backup storage for your PC or something. Like you, I tried finding deals for new Switch memory cards specifically but this seems to be the best overall deal I could find. In normal circumstances, the U1 card would probably be cheaper and the better buy if you're using it exclusively for the Switch; but considering this is just an upgrade for the same price there's not really a reason to look at the U1.

Tempered glass screen protector and a nice case are must haves.

I use a Hori Tough Pouch and an Orzly Tempered glass screen protector. I would also recommend thumbgrips, the one on the switch are a bit slippery and it'll prevent wear and tear as well like this. I use Skill & Co. Skin set.

I haven't gotten the pro controller because I spend most of my switch time on the transit and the grip has been okay for home. My friends have all said it's a must have, I'm just waiting for a sale to grab it.

Because you've played botw already, I say get the controller. Better yet, get another game on your list instead! I'd recommend a multiplayer game so you can use the switch for what it's meant for.

Second this. Had it on my Switch since shortly after launch and it’s amazing. Looks good, feels good, and is super easy to apply. I’ve seen/felt others in person and none of them were near as good. Amazon link if you need it:

amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2017 (2-Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3ASPNV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6TW.zbCWW742B

If you're worried about the dock scratching the screen, you could pick up a tempered glass screen protector. Bonus: also improves the look and feel of the Switch's plastic screen! I would not recommend DIY solutions like the "dock socks".

For the Joycon straps, don't use the button on the back of the Joycon to attach/unattach them. They have their own mechanism, the little white peg on the bottom. When you attach it they should go on from the top down - check the + or - inset on the strap if you want to be sure, the symbol facing you should match the button on the controller. (I don't find the straps that useful, unless you're going to have an extended Mario Kart session with split Joycons or something.)

Some additional tips:

• You can switch to a dark theme in the settings.
  
• Controllers occasionally get updates as well, but the system won't prompt you for them. Usually there'll be a post here, though.
  
• Some physical games require a digital download - they'll usually say so on the box.
  
• A Pro Controller is absolutely worth it imo, especially for games like Splatoon 2 and Enter the Gungeon that rely heavily on the triggers. If you get one and notice your D-pad misfiring, there's a simple and effective DIY fix.
  
• If you do get Splatoon, consider an ethernet adapter to help with wifi connectivity problems.

My #1 tip for a new Switch owner would be to invest in a screen protector and a good carrying case. They don't have to be expensive to be good, and there are a bunch of different options so you can choose the style, color, etc. that fits with how you'll use your Switch. Here are the links to the screen protector and case I use—I would highly recommend both:

amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector
Butterfox Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch


My #2 tip for you specifically would be to always keep your eyes open for games you can play with your girlfriend. My wife and I have played and enjoyed all the following games on Switch (and there are many more):

• Snipperclips
  
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
  
• Death Squared
  
• Overcooked (and Overcooked 2)
  
• The Adventure Pals
  
• Picross S
  
  Welcome to the Switch family, and enjoy!

Good luck. The currently state of things is that most people avoid any 3rd party docks like the plague since Nintendo didn't follow the USB 3.1 standard exactly, and because of this it was not an uncommon occurrence for a 3rd party dock to end up frying the Nintendo Switch.

Your best bet would be to get an official Nintendo Switch dock, disassemble to remove all plastic so that you have just the circuit board, and put that board into a more portable form factor. Something like: https://www.amazon.com/BASSTOP-Portable-Replacement-Nintendo-Original/dp/B071YVC3NJ/ref=asc_df_B071YVC3NJ

​

EDIT:I did purchase Best Buy's Isginia third party dock and use it regularly. It does the job. I've used it for about 5 months now and my Switch is still working.You do occasionally have to completely unplug the thing to reset it, as it will occasionally not recognize the Switch is being docked. But since it is primarily for portability, it likely will be unplugged often anyway.

1. Comes with all DLC and everything unlocked. So that's up to you if it's worth it over the Wii U
   
   
   
2. shrug
   
   
   
3. shrug
   
   
   
4. carrying case, portable charger, tempered glass if stickler for this, stand
   
   
   4.5. Just so you don't get hounded for this, keep these type of questions to daily question thread. Many actually hang around there and are very helpful. :)
   
   
   
5. welcome to the family and hope your experience will be awesome!

Switch online is not necessary to go to the eshop and buy games, but some games may require it to play them so be careful of that. For accessories definitely get a screen protector for it cause the dock is able to scratch the screen. I like this one amFilm Nintendo Switch Screen Protector (2 Pack), Premium Tempered Glass Screen Protector Film for Nintendo Switch (2017) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3ASPNV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OPa3DbGG878H4 . Also I'd recommend at least one more set of controllers whether that's a pro one which or another set of joycons. Ans on a side note joy cons will be on sale for 60 bucks everywhere for black Friday I think.

The best option is generally agreed to be to just gut your original Dock and put its components into a shell. About as small as a pair of Joy Cons side by side, still gives you access to all the ports, surprisingly easy to get done with the right instructions, and removes the risk and annoyance of scratching and overheating with the original dock. Also, and this is just a personal thing, I like the far better customization options with it and the fact it displays my Switch a lot more prominently. Sure you lose the signature look, but I think it better represents just what the Switch really is and the power of the tablet itself. Bottom link is the one I used since July and I haven't regretted it since. Top one offers more air flow and probably is worth the extra 2 bucks.

https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Portable-Replacement-Requires-Original-Electronics/dp/B0746QJZC6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519597009&sr=8-2&keywords=switch+dock+shell
https://www.amazon.com/BASSTOP-Portable-Nintendo-Replacement-original/dp/B071YVC3NJ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519597009&sr=8-3&keywords=switch+dock+shell

Hey I am looking for a new travel bag for my switch and accessories. I currently have carry bag, and this body case. I like this setup as often when I am away from home, I play my switch handheld in the bed. Once I am done, I like putting back in the body case on the night stand or use the case for when I am just moving around a house/room. The carry bag worked cause it held the switch in the case, pro controller, power cord, and the joycons edges, all while being easy to carry or small enough to fit into a small duffel bag.

​

However, more and more of late I keep finding myself wishing that I brought the dock too and/or the joycon grip. There is no room in the carry bag and I don't like putting the dock in the duffel as I fear it getting crunched accidentally. Anybody recommend a bag that can hold the switch in the body case, while having room for the pro controller (and joycon grip if possible but not needed), dock, power adapter, and HDMI cable securely and safely for the devices without being the size of a messenger bag? If I need another case for the switch handheld itself, that's fine, I just prefer the harder shelled ones. Really if my current bag was just a couple inches thicker to hold the dock too it would be perfect, but it cannot.

​

Thank you!

5th game should be rocket league. You already know you love it. Xenoblade is a big game like Zelda and, for me, I can’t have two games like that to play. I’ve heard a lot of mediocre things about Pokken.

As for the screen protector, get the amFilm screen protector. I’ve been using it for over a year and have had no issues. It’s by far the most popular for a good reason.

Enjoy the Switch!

Here you are friend! It's pretty basic but I actually love it. It's a sort of harder shell and keeps the Switch pretty secured. The little mini cases are underneath where the Switch sits.

https://smile.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Game-Traveler-Deluxe-Travel/dp/B01MY9JB2U/ref=sr_1_4?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1518210899&sr=1-4&keywords=nintendo+switch+case

Probably the best thing to buy is a tempered glass screen protector to make sure you get no scratches at all. I think that's the only must have thing.

Asides from that you can get a carrying case, stand like this or something like this and portable charger (if you're taking it on the go).

From reading a lot of experiences, even if you intend for it to be mainly docked some people found themselves gravitating towards handheld mode just because of how easy it is. So even if these aren't must buys for you it's something to keep in mind if you find yourself using handheld mode a lot.

Otherwise the only other thing you might get for couch co-op is a pro-controller. If you're going to be doing 2 player especially with mario kart, need a 2nd controller and you know a traditional controller never hurts when playing zelda!

Also definitely buy snipperclips, from personal experience that's just hours of fun to play especially with your SO.

I haven’t applied this one without doing the shower trick so I can’t really say. I’ve applied these to two different switches and had great results using the shower trick but if you don’t have a particularly dusty house (no carpet or pets) you could probably go without. Here’s the one I’m talking about by the way.


amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2017 (2-Pack)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3ASPNV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oWpxDbFXJYZRY

Oh! The one thing I will say is that you’ll have much better luck wiping the screen with a prepackaged lens wipe like what you get from the eye care section at Walmart or your grocery store than you will using the included wipes. They’re too wet and streaky.

Yes. That is the exact card I bought for my Switch, from Walmart too. But here's the catch: I didn't realize until after I ordered it that Walmart goes through a 3rd party seller to get you that price, and the one I happened to get it from had a no returns/refunds policy. Luckily it looks like the card I got is fine, but frankly counterfeit cards are common enough that they could even slip by a big retailer like Walmart going through a 3rd party.

SO: if you want that card I would actually recommend you get the 128gb EVO Select from Amazon, it's the exact same card ("Select" is just what Amazon calls an EVO+), it should be the same price (maybe a little cheaper) and you're buying it directly from Amazon and should be able to return it if you have any problems.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Select-Memory-MB-ME128DA-AM/dp/B01DOB6YW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487873759&sr=8-1&keywords=evo+select+128gb

I have this one and it's pretty good. Sturdy, easy to carry around both in your hands or a backpack without fearing it might be damaged. My only complaint is that removing the Switch from the case is kind of hard, but that is because it fits way too well, especially with the space for the shoulder buttons.

The top half is pretty big too and it can fit a USB-c cable, the joycon straps, a 8bitdo controller easily and a fabric for cleaning the screen, for example. You won't fit a grip, dock or charger, but those don't necessarily need to be that portable. You can fit a Power Bank though, such as this one.

TO EVERYBODY COMPLAINING - If you have $60, buy this 200gb micro SD card.

If you don't, then instead of paying for online for however many months (I haven't looked since I don't plan to use it), save up and spend that money instead on this 200gb micro SD card. Yes that's the same link as before. It's a good deal.

edit: added words to make gooder english

soapbox edit: Before I get downvoted out of sight let me just say this - Copying saves wasn't an intentional feature. Memory cards was a product of its time. If Playstation had the space to add the extra hardware to save in the system I'm sure they would have. Microsoft has made their products Windows-like because they're Microsoft. Cloud saving costs the companies money. This was just a matter of time, yall. I'm sure Nintendo is keeping us from messing with the save files for some reason or another - cheating or hacking or whatever. Costs of things keep rising (or inflating or however the economy works) so, yeah, we're gonna have to start paying for shit we are taking for granted.

Now, could they enable us to access/copy/whatever this data with a patch? I'm sure they could. Even allowing us to put it on the SD would save us hassle. But they don't have to. They never had to. And don't argue being nice or whatever, companies, moreso everyday, are out to make a profit. That's why they exist. Speech over.

I don't know enough about the Google Pixel but I believe you'll be fine with either the RAVPower 20100 QC 3.0 or the Anker Powercore+ 20100. Quick Charging is, by definition, a Qualcomm technology so you're good on that front if the Pixel supports it.

Honestly, I believe all the powerbanks I listed will charge the Switch at some rate. I'm hoping to figure out which one will allow it to charge the safest and fastest and I unfortunately can't say anything for sure until I run some tests.

Reposting this because it got buried in the last thread.

I need help on deciding a case. I've narrowed it down to four, but I suppose if none of them are great, I could go for a fifth option.

Protection is a big thing here, so if any of these are flimsy, let me know.

PDP Nintendo Switch Premium Console Case

RDS Industries, Inc Nintendo Switch Game Traveler Deluxe System Case

Orzly Carry Case for Nintendo Switch

2017 Switch Hard Shell Carry Case

While I like the portability the smaller ones have, the big one being able to carry everything is a big bonus. Protection is a huge factor too.

Yep. Got this one which comes with 2 glass protectors. The first one actually came with a bit of dust on the sticky side which meant I had to throw it away. The second protector worked like a charm. I made sure to apply it on a flat, clean, desk with a lot of light. They included a hard cardboard card which I used to smooth out bubbles from the center of the screen to the edges.

Loving the protection it gives. Touchscreen works perfectly although it leaves noticeable smudges when the Switch is powered off. Not sure if this is true without the screen protector or not. Regardless, it blends right into the console. People don't even realize I put on a screen protector

I'm looking to buy a Switch through Amazon. I notice the cheapest options (all the options under $300) are from "Just Launched" sellers and mostly are shipping straight from China.

The price of a Switch is a bit high for me, so I want the cheapest option, but am I right to be wary of the cheapest Amazon offers (Found here)?

Any advice on how to get a Switch for the cheapest price? I see it is $300 on Best Buy - is that my best option?

I have two different 3rd party docks, I've been using both for months now without issue. Here's a brief review for you...


Fastsnail dock

Pros:

• Smaller than the original dock
  
• Works with any power adapter, if it doesn't get enough juice it will drain your battery while in docked mode.
  
• Very cheap alternative
  
  Cons:
  
  
• I can get this to fit in my case but I wish it was a little smaller
  
• No problems with it yet but the build quality feels very 3rd party.
  
  Link
  
  
  C-Force 2
  
  Pros:
  
  
• Smallest Dock available
  
• Very nice build quality, same engineers that worked with Nyko on their dock
  
  Cons:
  
  
• Only works with 15v power adapters, which are generally much larger and out weigh the size advantage.
  
• Expensive, $70 and doesn't come with any cables
  
  Link
  
  
  Ultimately I use the Fastsnail dock when I travel. I can fit the dock, an Aukey power adapter, headphones, usb cable, slim HDMI cable, 4 straps, and an extra pair of joycons into this case. Which basically gives me everything I need to have a 4 player console on the go. I don't use C-force for travel because most of the 15v power adapters are too big to fit into the case.

Ill build two routes handheld gaming and docked.

Docked

Switch - $300


Pro Controller -$65


Legend of Zelda BOTW - 44.99

Mario Kart 8 -$55

Total - $ 464.00

Handheld

Switch - $300

Legend of Zelda BOTW - 44.99

Nintendo Official Wall Charger - $28 (I choose this because I am very picky about power options with consoles and I know this will function)

Switch Case - $15 (This can be hit or miss a lot of people love butterfox but my two smelled like shit and opted for a better version, but for the price it is unbeatable, worth the risk of the smell)

Mario Kart 8 -$55

Total - $443

Games can be changed in and out but imo BOTW is the best game on the switch and Mario Kart 8 is loads of fun. I personally do not have a pro controller, mainly because I play strictly handheld but from what I have been told it is a must for docked gameplay.

Edit: In the future you are going to need a SD card. Especially if you are going the Digital route, again personally I prefer physical and the at of collecting the games but that is me.

Personally this is what I got: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-MicroSD-Adapter-MB-ME128GA-AM/dp/B06XWZWYVP/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1519751908&sr=1-2

What else is there to say other than it just worked? Seems to work great with the Switch. I paid $40 which is pretty good. The SanDisk one is also supposed to be pretty good and it's on sale as well:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073JYC4XM/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B073JYC4XM&pd_rd_wg=McSxg&pd_rd_r=ADV7GPX471ZECMDXKH5K&pd_rd_w=V9zfJ

I would personally go with one of those two.

Size is subjective. I got 128GB to be on the larger size. Wasn't a huge jump in price and figured with the way I'm going to use Switch I will most likely need it. So rather than buy another later on I just spent the extra to get the big one.

Personally, I think that having a Switch with very young children could very be risky, but, that's your decision. Definitely buy a screen protector, and maybe you will want to consider modifying the dock additionally. Doesn't have to be anything huge. I don't have a protector, but what I did was used double sided tape and taped a piece of a paper towel on the part of the dock that scratches the Switch. If you want a screen protector, apparently this one is good: https://www.amazon.com/amFilm-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Nintendo/dp/B01N3ASPNV/ It's on sale too. Best games for 5-6 year old would probably be LEGO city undercover, Mario Kart, and Cars

As far as Amazon goes, best advice is to be on the ball. You can go HERE to click the [Email Me] button, ensuring that you're updated when preorders go live. A solid guess is that it will go live after the Jan 12th presentation, but you better have it now to be sure.

As for in-store, I'm calling Gamestop one of these days to see if they already take pre-orders. People have reported that SOME stores are taking pre-orders now, and others will obviously wait for the Jan 12th presentation. So if you want a midnight release or in-store release, make sure to call some places now just to be sure.

Sure -- I'm using this case by RDS Industries paired with this screen protector. I bring along a USB adapter for charging my Switch when I'm working in my studio.

The case that I use is decent -- hard shell exterior, inner binding straps, and a near-edge fit keep the switch from jostling around. There's an inner mesh-bag for holding extra joycons and protected SD cards. The 2 game card holder cases that it comes with are questionable. They both hold four game cards each, and fit into crevices on one interior side of the Switch case. What doesn't work about them is that they often pop out of the crevices they were designed to fit and they never completely hold on to the game cards placed in them -- when you open the cases, the cards pop out of their place pretty easily. This got annoying to me as I took the Switch out of the case frequently, so I DIY'ed some cheap adhesives to both the outside and inside of the card holder cases, which ended up working very well. All in all, the case does its job -- I'd say that newer cases would probably be better, however, as companies have had the chance to iterate on the models they've developed. It also gets brownie points from saving my switch from a leaky bottle of water that I had in my backpack. Not sure if it's entirely waterproof, though.

Get a screen protector for sure, I got this one. Then look into a case for gaming on the go. Butterfox makes an awesome carrying case and it holds 19 games.

For a first timer I would recommend to go physical. It means that you can trade things in if/when they get old to you and you will be downloading E-shop games for sure anyways.

As for games all I can say is do some research. We can all say to go get all of our favorites but you know your own taste best. I would watch some youtube videos to figure out which games are to your liking. That being said you need Zelda, Mario Odyssey, Hollow Knight, and Smash(coming soon).

Well, I said "dock", but they're more like "small boxes with a cable" like this one.

Either way, yeah, since the Switch has been proved successful, Nintendo failed to provide an alternative to the standard dock and it's now known that Nintendo just uses an unusual protocol, we are now seeing a few of those popping around, likely with more to come.

I'm still waiting for one that comes with an external battery, attaches securely to the Switch and can double as a stand to play in tabletop mode, it'll happen eventually.

Hey all! I’m hoping to get a Switch this holiday season so I’m doing what I can upfront to allow me to get started right away.

First thing, I’m looking at storage. I’ve found this on Amazon SanDisk Ultra 128 GB microSDXC Memory Card. Is 128gb a good amount to get started with a mix of physical and digital games? The price ~£15 seems excellent so want to make sure it’s not slow or unreliable.

Also, are there likely to many sales around Black Friday? Be that for the console or games? Additionally, can I start buying eShop games that are in sale, so that when I get the console, I can log in and download them all?

Thanks!

Dude, you need a tablet holder, it will 100% solve your problems. I got this one:

Tryone Gooseneck Tablet Stand
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AUQ33LG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_h-TFDbXDM9JKF


And it is fantastic. I lay on my back and put the Switch in it, position it over my head, and hold the joy-cons in my hands with my arms relaxed. Ok, it kind of makes me feel like one of the humans in Wall-E, but it's sooooo comfortable.

You could also use it to hold the Switch in front of you when you're sitting up. Detach the joy-cons and prop up the Switch and play all day. I think it would really help you.

Can someone recommend the best SD card to get? I have a 32 but it is full and want to upgrade... I'm not very tek savvy, besides size what else should I be looking at?

Like why is this one https://www.amazon.ca/SanDisk-microSDXC-Nintendo-Switch-SDSQXAO-128G-GN6ZA/dp/B075RH8PTL/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2JBR75SWCA1XL&keywords=memory+card+for+switch&qid=1566319735&refinements=p_85%3A5690392011&rnid=5690384011&rps=1&s=electronics&sprefix=memory+card+for+swit%2Celectronics%2C141&sr=1-2

more than double the cost of this https://www.amazon.ca/SanDisk-Ultra-microSDXC-Adapter-SDSQUAR-128G-GN6MA/dp/B073JYC4XM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JBR75SWCA1XL&keywords=memory+card+for+switch&qid=1566319735&refinements=p_85%3A5690392011&rnid=5690384011&rps=1&s=electronics&sprefix=memory+card+for+swit%2Celectronics%2C141&sr=1-1

​

Thanks for you help!

Best case available IMO

pretty good game to pick up

another great game. this one is a bit hard but it's got basically infinite replay value and is a great game to play on the go

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073JYC4XM/ref=psdc_3015433011_t1_B06XWZWYVP

I would assume this is your listing then. When you scroll down to popular reviews there are 2 from 2017 saying how great the product is, but then 5 in a row 1 stars saying they were fakes. But when I filter by date on all reviews there seems to be plenty of 5 stars in the same time-frame as well. So I was just asking around. Glad to see you got a good one! might take my chance as well. Considering sold by amazon I could always return just didnt want any issues with my switch.

I have the licensed switch case (https://www.amazon.com/Industries-Nintendo-Switch-Traveler-Deluxe-Travel/dp/B01MY9JB2U)

and it's great imo. Very sturdy, you get small carrying cases for games and SD-cards, there's an extra pouch inside that can fit an extra set of joycons (it's a tight fit, but it still easily closes) and that pouch has an extra layer of padding on the screen.

And a nice bonus is that it's really cheap.

One of us... One of us...

Seriously though, congrats and welcome. Glad to hear you are enjoying it so far.

Besides all the game recommendations above, you might want to start thinking about some accessories as well.
First and foremost, grab a screen protector for that bad boy. The Switch's screen is made of plastic, so while you don't have to worry about it shattering, its a good idea to keep scratches from ruining your experience. I personally have been rocking an amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector since launch, and have never looked back. Good price, great quality, and comes with a spare should anything happen (like an incompetent owner failing at installation.......like me).

Next, decide on if you want to buy any games from the eShop. If so, try and get a hold of a decent capacity SD card. The storage space included with the Switch is....practically nonexistant, TBH. Its going to be a little pricey, but being able to play dozens of Nintendo and Nindie games wherever you go without having to carry/swap cartridges is a damn good feeling.

That also leads in to my final point: physical storage. Truthfully, your Switch is quickly going to gather a load of very small items that you are not going to want to lose. Also, as a semi-handheld, your new console is going to be put into far riskier situations that most homebound systems. For both these reasons, it would be wise to invest in some kind of carrying case to house all the various knickknacks when you inevitably begin traveling. There are virtually dozens, if not hundreds, of options available, so take your time and find one that works best for you.

Ugh, apologies for the wall of text.
TLDR: Think about getting a screen protector, SD card, and carrying case. They will serve you well. :P

i would recommend you this one.. but there is tons of SD card that would work great on the switch, and the size really depends on how much games you have, and mostly if you prefer digital games over physical..

The main thing you should look for are that is an UHS-I or better or with U1 or better..

​

This one is another option, its a little more expensive due to better data speed, but specially for the switch both will work exactly the same

Wipe it with a dry microfiber cloth.

To clean it a little better, use a damp microfiber cloth.

To get it as clean as possible without damaging the screen, just use a microfiber cloth with some cleaning solution (such as this overpriced solution which I use). You could also make your own by creating a 50/50 blend of water and isopropyl alcohol, soak the microfiber cloth in the blend, and then wipe the screen with it.

You should also get a tempered glass screen protector (this is the best one—it comes with two protectors) if you don't have one already.

Would definitely recommend a pro controller, so much more comfortable than joy-con. I got joy-con comfort silicone grip things that go on the joy-con, but even then my hands absolutely kill me from playing Switch. If you just want to play as soon as you can, I guess get silicone comfort grips for your joy-con, and a comfort grip controller. Also definitely get a glass screen protector, and this case.. For games, I'd recommend BotW, Splatoon 2, and Odyssey (I assume by the time you have enough saved up odyssey will be out, it comes out in a month)

Yes definitely, as the screen is plastic and scratches easily. I'd recommend this one - easy install, looks great and adds a premium feel to the Switch.

I had the same issue as you. I have way to much switch gear and there aren't any cases out there that have the capacity to carry it all. Then, I found the Nintendo Switch PDP backpack and it is hands down the best solution for those of us with a ton of switch accessories. Here's the link


https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Switch-Elite-Player-Backpack-PDP/dp/B01MS7DVLT


The backpack has specific pockets for 1 switch, 1 dock, 4 joycons, 1 pro controller, HDMI/Power adapter and headphones. But even after putting everything in it's proper pocket, you still have a ton of space inside the backpacks zippered sections to just throw everything else in.

I store all the standard switch components, along with an extra pro controller, 6 joycons, 3 joycon grips, 2 8bitdo wireless NES controllers for Nintendo switch online games, a battery pack, a playstand, full sized bluetooth dongle/headphones, and still have plenty of space for the pokeball plus and any other misc accessories I didn't list above.


This is hands down your only real solution when the nintendo switch gear starts to pile up yet you want to make sure you bring everything you've got in the event that a social gathering turns into a small co-op party. I hope this helps!

1. Most new systems won't be from launch
   
2. Only if your dock is warping towards the inside, but I would recommend getting a screen protector just in case
   
3. If you're talking about the joy-con grip on the front of the box, then yes
   
4. The joy-cons maximum length is around 33 ft, so you're fine.
   I hope i answered all your questions! Oh, and here's a good screen protector: amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2017 (2-Pack) (https://www.amazon.com/amFilm-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Nintendo-Switch/dp/B01N3ASPNV/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1521517701&sr=8-2&keywords=amfilm+switch+screen+protector)
   

Hi OP, I have been noticing your posts and following your recommendations. I saw that you received a request to put together a list of recommended powerbanks.

There is one that I have that I believe ISN'T fast charging, quick charging, etc.. It is one I own and I hope gets the OK. I primarily use this to occasionally charge my MacBook 12" USB-C to USB-C, so it would be cool if I can have it also as an option for the Switch. (Any USB-C cables I use I've been careful to make sure they were OK'd by Benson Leung). Thanks for helping out the community!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014ZO46LK/

this is an older card that offers only 45MB/s reads. if you go far back in amazon reviews you can see people testing them and having slow speeds at 45MB/s and some reviews state that the write speeds were bad often dropping like a rock.

You really want to invest in a good card . I own this one

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Select-Memory-MB-ME128DA-AM/dp/B01DOB6YW4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_sims?ie=UTF8

if you scroll down to customer images you can see someone was nice enough to benchmark it . He was getting 92.5MB/s sequential reads and 25.26 writes. That and the 512k scores 84/45 respectively are the most important.

I recommend you don't buy anything because we don't know what the switch can take advantage of. So here is an expensive card that I use in my surface pro 4
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U77V5KU/ref=twister_B00WECRAF0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This is double the price of the first card I linked for the same capcity. Its sped ? 150MBs/ 55/ MB a second. The problem is the need for a UHSII card slot.

So like I said don't go out and buy until you know. I know for me I rather have faster loads than more storage. I will always have a case with me so I can always keep multiple micro sd cards

Writes should not be that important since games will only really write to save and when downloading games you may be limited by your connection anyway.

Depends on the game you play. Zelda will get you MAYBE 3 hours of battery life in handheld if your brightness is down and the wireless is off.

But something like shovel Knight would be an easy 4 hours. Even with wireless or your screen brightness on.


Joycons last 8 to 15 hours sometimes. It helps that they can charge whenever they are attached to the system, so they rarely die on me.

And yes, you can use any micro SD card. The only requirement is that it has a read speed of 60 mb/s or more. Otherwise you risk your installed games running slower than intended or simply not working. This is the SD card I always recommend.

If that's the case, using the Anker 10K should do just fine. I have this model and the battery will dip slightly when playing games, but it's like 1% every 30m or so. I haven't done legitimate calculations, but it's certainly worth bringing along when using the Switch away from home. Just don't forget to get a stand, since the cable runs through the bottom of the Switch. I really enjoy the one I bought; the cable can run right through a gap in the front and up to the Switch.

EDIT: Oh, and the cable that comes with the Anker 10K won't work on the Switch, so you'll need to buy a USB A to C cable.

I will say I'm very impressed with mine.

Nice snug fit for the Switch+joycons and room for plenty of games and a little mesh pouch I put my joycon straps in. The zipper is nice and meaty and I love the look and feel of the hardshell and case in general overall. I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

So I've been eyeing up one of those gooseneck clamps for the switch (like this one), but my main concern that I haven't seen addressed too much is how much pressure it places on the switch.

Does anyone have anything like this and can comment on if the pressure seems too great/it feels like it might bend the switch after prolonged use? Also if anyone can recommend one thats good, that would be great.

I got mine just a bit ago from Indiegogo. It arrived the same day they showed up on Amazon, and when i looked at the Amazon listing that same day there were only 3 left.

Unfortunately it looks like they burned through all the stock they sent Amazon prior to Chinese New Year celebrations.

Admittedly, i was bummed when i saw the announcement about new years, assuming i was going to have to wait a month or more. Strangely, it showed up really quickly from China, and the form and fit has been great. No issues docking or with shoulder buttons as some people have said.

The base entry price includes the carrying case, and to be frank, you're going to need it. It's pretty much a thicker version of this case with a few added bells and whistles. It's thicker because the grip considerably changes the form factor of your Switch and will no longer fit into any of the original cases provided.

Long story short, buy it from Indiegogo and you'll probably be as happy as i am currently. Would buy again.

When I have to take a lot of stuff with me, like the Switch, the 2DS, wallet and more; I usually carry it in my NES bag. For the Switch itself, I have a Orzly case, it's pretty good, I can fit my stick grids replacements, my SD card with the adapter, the Joy Cons wrist straps, my screen cleaner cloth and my earbuds; basically all I need and use.

You forgot:

• I finally got a Nintendo Switch! Which accessories should I buy for it before it gets here? Most people recommend a screen protector and a carrying case. As for the most frequently recommended carrying cases, there's this one from RDS Industries and this one from Butterfox.
  
  
• What's the biggest, cheapest, most reliable microSD card I can buy for the Switch? There's no best answer, but a lot of people on this sub recommend this one from Samsung.
  
  
• Should I buy a Nintendo Switch? What about all of the problems I heard about? Maybe? I don't know. That's your call, friend. There are problems, as there are with any new piece of technology, but Nintendo has a great warranty with excellent customer support, and the issues aren't quite as widespread as it seems (people are most vocal when there's a problem; they typically won't say anything if there's nothing wrong).
  
  
• What games are coming out for the Switch? There's a link in the sidebar on desktop, but for mobile users, check here.

SanDisk 128gb for $43.99: https://www.amazon.com/Sandisk-Ultra-128GB-Micro-Adapter/dp/B073JYC4XM/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1510292143&sr=1-2&keywords=128+gb+micro+sd+card

Samsung 128gb for $44.99: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-MicroSD-Adapter-MB-ME128GA-AM/dp/B06XWZWYVP/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1510292143&sr=1-3&keywords=128+gb+micro+sd+card

SanDisk 128gb for $29.99 available via Best Buy: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sandisk-ultra-plus-128gb-microsdxc-uhs-i-memory-card/4471009.p?skuId=4471009

Edit: the best value is the one from Best Buy. The one downside is the read speed is 80mbs/sec compared to 100mbs/sec of the other cards. However, this will barely affect load times in games.

I got the Butterfox carrying case. Sturdy, holds 19 games, and a pocket for accessories. Great case for a great price.

If you want to use the Switch in tabletop mode, definitely go for the Hori Playstand. The Switch's built-in kickstand has several issues: it's flimsy, blocks the charging port when set up and only has one viewing angle. The Playstand fixes all of those things and yes, it does fit in the Butterfox case's accessories pouch.

If you want to be playing it in the car, you'll want a car charger. I personally got the PowerA charger. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but it is officially licensed by Nintendo. I also got this car mount; just make sure you put the Switch into it in such a way that you don't block the holes on the back. Those are not speakers, they're air intakes and you never want to block them while the system is running (you're fine in sleep mode).

Very necessary. The screen is plastic and scratches very, very easily. See this video for more - https://youtu.be/XJP6gERPmMk

I bought the Orzly one, was like 6 bucks and you can't even tell it's on there - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9RG3XS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_386qXP2SPLs3o

The amFilm one is supposed to be good too.

Make sure to use the shower/tape hinge technique, described in one of the answers for the amFilm one on amazon. Worked great for me.

I absolulely LOVE the amFilm protector (I bought the two pack here). Yes, it is thick but you'll never notice it - I can run my finger from the protector to the body of the Switch and can barely feel the height difference. It is very clear and rugged. One of the best products I've purchased in a long time.

Im getting my switch in about a week and a half, so i've started to look for accesories, and I think i need some help :P

Initially ill be getting Mario Kart, so im going to buy the official Joy Con Wheel x2 thing.

I was also going to buy a carrying case, and I saw this one, which looked nice.

The last thing I was going to buy for now was a screen protector, since i've heard they can get scratched easily when placing/removing the console from the dock, so I was thinking of buying this one. I also saw a Hori screen protector, but it has horrible reviews (Mostly complaining about it unsticking at the bottom of the switch because of the heat when being docked).

So, are these good choices or should I buy some other one instead?

Also, ill probably end up buying a controller, however, I find the pro controller to be too expensive, so I was thinking of buying the Hori one which is much more affordable, but is it any good? Are there any other good controllers? And I was looking at Hori stuff, so I stumbled upon the Playstand, and the game case. Are they worth buying?


 


Sorry if this comment is too big, im very hyped for the Switch, and I dont want to ruin my experience with bad accesories =)


 


EDIT: I forgot to ask, Is a big SD Card worth it? How much space would you recommend if it is?

This is the best one.

I personally have this one and it will charge the Switch while I play on full brightness. Thanks to it I played 12 hours straight on a flight to China.