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WIRED
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- WIRED
These are 8 Best Switch 2 Accessories We've Tried
Skip to main content Looking to jazz up your portable gaming experience? Here are the best accessories we've tested for the Nintendo Switch 2. All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. The Switch 2 isn't like other consoles. If you were meant to take your Xbox Series X (7/10, WIRED Review) to the park, you'd probably need a very strange-looking backpack. For the Switch 2, portability isn't just a feature, it's a key selling point. With that in mind, there are two paths you can take to outfit your console for adventure, based on how you play. If your Switch 2 will spend most of its life in the dock or in your hands on the couch, I'd recommend an attachable grip case. Like your phone case, these clamp onto the console and Joy-Cons, providing a minor shield for bumps and bruises. They often add extra features like ergonomic grips, while still allowing access to commonly used ports. On the other hand, if you're a world traveler planning to take your Switch 2 on every flight, train ride, or road trip, I'd opt for a classic carrying case. These hold your console and games and usually have extra room for cables or adapters. You can toss these into your bag while packing up for a trip and know your console will make it safely to your destination. AccordionItemContainerButton One of the recurring complaints about the original Switch, at least for me, is that the Joy-Cons are super slim and not very ergonomic. Especially for folks with bigger hands, the Pro Controller made for a much better option. For handheld play, extra attachments became increasingly common further into the console's life, adding extra bulk and more traditional rounded grips to the Joy-Cons. Because the Joy-Cons are still flat on the back, many manufacturers have gone ahead and built these into cases right from the jump. This is, to me, one of the main draws of adding a case to your Switch 2, especially if you plan on playing primarily in handheld mode. AccordionItemContainerButton Unfortunately, you need a screen protector for your Switch 2, thanks to the built-in plastic cover that will likely scratch and scuff over time. In general, I'd recommend buying one from the same brand that you get your case or grip from, if they sell one. You'll avoid any issues with sizing or compatibility, and almost every accessory maker on this list offers some kind of discount if you buy them as a bundle, not to mention saving on shipping. There are still a few factors to take into consideration. Some dedicated manufacturers offer different finishes for specific situations, and applicators are also becoming more common, which help make sure everything is smooth and lined up correctly. AccordionItemContainerButton One of the major upgrades Nintendo made for the Switch 2 is a new kickstand. It runs the width of the console, with two firm hinges, and it's a massive improvement for playing on the go. Unfortunately, none of the case makers could figure out what to do with it, which is understandable. There's no clear attachment point, so most cases included double-sided tape and a kickstand-shaped chunk of plastic you could just stick to the back. I'd be more worried about lining it up wrong or potentially breaking the kickstand if you tried to remove it for some reason than I would about a slight gap on the back of the case. Because I had to swap through a bunch of cases, I generally skipped this step, and in almost all cases, the extra piece is only cosmetic. Instead, I briefly tested the included strips of adhesive on a single spot on the back of my Switch, just to make sure they didn't leave any obvious residue. I've had a chance to check out a variety of grip cases and bumpers of various sizes and weights, and the dbrand Killswitch 2 is the one I'll be using on my console. The unique texture on the outside is almost sticky without being uncomfortable, and it makes me feel confident carrying my brand-new $450 console around the house. It's the same finish and material found on the dbrand Grip, our favorite Pixel 9 case, and it works here just as well. The Killswitch 2 builds chunky, comfortable Joy-Con grips right into the case, which makes the console instantly more comfortable to play in handheld mode. Every Killswitch 2 includes a dock adapter, which cleverly slots into the official dock so you don't have to take the case off. Because it won't fit into most cases with the extra bulk, you can also buy a sturdy plastic lid that clamps around the front and protects the screen, while also holding up to 10 cartridges. I don't think I'd pack it in a suitcase like that, but I'll toss it in my backpack with other junk and go for a bike ride without worrying about it. Belkin Gaming Charger Case for Nintendo Switch 2 For a more traditional option, I'd go with Belkin's Charging Case. As the name implies, there's a battery pack that slides into its own compartment in the bottom of the case, with a short right-angle cable that fits perfectly into the console's lower charging port. I really appreciate the thoughtful design here, with little touches like a hidden Airtag compartment, and a kickstand groove so you can play in tabletop mode while still charging. The inside feels soft and cozy, and the outside is rigid enough that I'd feel comfortable packing it up in my carry-on. There's room for games, extra cables, and there was even enough extra space inside that some of the smaller joy-con grips, like the Spigen Nano Pop, can stay on. The bonus compartment has room for my headphone pick, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. This is the kit I'd pack up for flying or a road trip, where I might be away from outlets and navigating busy areas, but usually parked in one spot while I actually play. While you could certainly opt for any number of bulky over-ear gaming headsets, I think the Switch 2's portable nature pairs perfectly with the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds (9/10, WIRED Recommends). The slim adapter plugs right into the console's USB-C port for low-latency 2.4GHz audio, and the SteelSeries app has equalizer profiles for Switch games that help improve the already impressive sound quality. I also found they fit right into the extra compartment on the Belkin Charging Case, which helps turn that compact carrying case into a fully-equipped portable gaming station. These are way easier to carry around than any over-ear option, super comfortable, and a natural companion for making sure you hear that blue shell coming, even on a full flight. For an attachable grip case that's a bit slimmer than our primary pick, Spigen's Nano Pop case provides light protection from bumps and scratches. It also includes Joy-Con grips which add just a little bit of extra bulk to the controllers, making them more comfortable for handheld play without limiting your other case options as much. They come in a variety of fun colors too, which adds a little pop to the Switch 2's more serious face. It technically fits into the official dock, but it's a tight squeeze, and you'll need to carefully situate everything to get it seated, although it fits in the Belkin Charging Case just fine. I think these are a great option for someone who rarely plays docked, but still wants some extra ergonomic benefits and a shell for minor scratches. My only minor complaint here is that quite a few pieces of double-sided tape were involved in the installation. It's generally worth buying a screen protector from the same manufacturer where you get your case. Most of the brands mentioned above will offer a discount or bundle if you buy them together, and you'll avoid any fit or compatibility issues. I didn't find any of the options compelling enough over the others to warrant going out of my way to find it. That said, the Spigen EZ Fit had an easy application process and went on perfectly straight, and after that I forgot it was there. I appreciate the inclusion of a proper cleaning wipe, which I find does a better job preventing dust or particles from getting stuck underneath than just a basic microfiber. You get a two pack for $25, so you can share with a friend, or keep one on ice in case the unthinkable happens. The Switch 2 has 256GB of internal storage, but games are getting bigger in a hurry, so it's likely you'll need to add more before you know it. The MicroSD card from your old Switch won't work, however, so you'll need to pick up a new MicroSD Express card. I wrote up a guide explaining the new standard and its benefits, and in a quick game transfer, the SanDisk was slightly faster. I recommend at least 256GB, since you only have one slot. Our favorite gaming TV, the Samsung S90D QD-OLED (9/10, WIRED Recommends), has a great feature set that takes advantage of the Switch 2's improved video capabilities. It supports resolutions up to 4K and up to 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision HDR, so there's plenty of headroom over the console's primary settings. QD-OLED panels are my favorite for gaming, with incredible colors and black levels that video games are naturally equipped to utilize. Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set At the moment, if you need an extra dock, you'll have to go with the official Nintendo option. I've tried a few USB-C hubs, and while some charged the system, none of them were able to output video. The good news is that the official dock from Nintendo is noticeably wider and less tippable than the Switch 1 version, and it's easier to get plugged in. The bad news is that the only place to buy a replacement or additional dock is currently directly from Nintendo, and you'll likely need to log in to your qualified Nintendo account. It costs $120, which feels pretty steep for a charger, HDMI cable, and chunk of plastic. Spigen Rugged Armor ($30): This molded grip case has heavy bumpers and thick Joy-Con grips, but it was tough to remove, which you'll have to do a lot because it won't fit in the dock with the case on, and you can't separate the Joy-Cons either. This would be a good case if you're buying the console for a younger kid who you don't trust to treat it gently. Belkin TemperedGlass Screen Protector with Blue Light Filter ($30): While I liked the look of this screen protector, and the blue light filter is great for late night gaming sessions, the lackluster applicator frame isn't quite as nice as the other options. It's also a bit expensive, at $30 for just one. dbrand Prism 2.0 ($35): I liked the Prism 2.0 screen protectors and their application process as much as the Spigen option. Unfortunately they're slightly more expensive and only available directly from dbrand, so if you buy them on their own you'll have to pay shipping. If you're buying anything else, like a case or a skin, you'll get a discount and likely qualify for free shipping, making these well worth it.
Android Authority
09-06-2025
- Android Authority
Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons have a serious pinching problem
TL;DR Nintendo Switch 2 users are reporting pinched fingers from Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons. The magnets are strong enough to cause minor injuries, especially in children. Nintendo was aware of this and included a warning in the Joy-Con 2 instruction manual. Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons might not have Hall Effect sticks, but the magnetic attachments are generally considered a highlight of the new design. However, users are reporting that the magnets are so strong that they're pinching fingers, causing minor injuries. Most of the reports are coming from Japan (via Automaton), but several users on Reddit have suffered the same fate. Essentially, holding the Joy-Cons with your finger overlapping the edge risks getting pinched between the Joy-Con and the console. The same is true when attaching the Joy Cons to the controller accessory, which also features magnets. The Switch 2 Joy-Cons magnets are very strong and designed to be difficult to remove. Unlike the original Joy-Cons, they have no mechanical component and are held onto the console exclusively by magnets. A small lever on the back separates the Joy-Con for removal, but if your grip wraps around the Joy-Cons and onto the console itself, it's very easy to pinch your fingers. Watch the video above and feel the pain second-hand. Nintendo is apparently aware of the issue and included a short warning in the Joy-Con instructions. It reads, 'Keep the area between the Joy-Con 2 and the console clear, careful not to get your fingers or other body parts pinched.' Nintendo is aware of Joy-Con pinching, and includes a warning in the instructions. It appears that this is simply an unintended side effect of the new Joy-Con design, so the only remedy is to take extra care when attaching Joy-Con 2 controllers. Those who have children should be extra careful. Have you had your fingers pinched in your Nintendo Switch 2? Drop a comment below to share your experience. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Do Switch 1 controllers work on the Nintendo Switch 2?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If you're a long-time Nintendo Switch owner who's eyeing up a Switch 2, or (like many on the T3 team) you've just taken delivery of the newer console, you might be looking at your collection of old controllers and wondering if they're now obsolete. Good news – I've been researching and testing, and working out whether you can keep hold of those controllers for use on the Switch 2, and the outlook is pretty positive. Nintendo indicated before the console's launch that many controllers would continue to work, and it looks like that's the case. I'll go category-by-category for the sake of simplicity, though. This is the big one – every Switch 1 owner has at least one pair of Joy-Cons that they might be hoping to use as multiplayer controllers on the Switch 2, and for the most part, that should work fine. Old Joy-Cons can connect wirelessly to the Switch 2, and work just like you'd hope they would – although there's no way to dock them with the Switch for charging. They'll also work when slotted into a grip, so you should be good to go. You can use them in Switch 1 or Switch 2 games, as well, but there's one big exception – mouse controls. These have been added to both new Joy-Cons, and if you use Switch 1 versions, you therefore won't be able to use the mode. It's not impossible that we'll see some Switch 2 games launch without compatibility with old Joy-Cons down the line. Nintendo has released a few controllers for the Switch 1 over the years, from the Pro Controller to NES, SNES and N64 wireless controllers for use with its back catalogue of retro games. The good news is that all of these will again work without any issues on the Switch 2 – although, like the older Joy-Cons, some of them will lose the ability to dock with the console. Even the Nintendo GameCube Controller adapter will work when plugged into the new dock. The Pro Controller is really similar to the new version for the Switch 2, in fact, basically only missing out on higher-fidelity rumble capabilities and the new C button for GameChat. This is probably the biggest category of controller out there, since many third-party options from the likes of PowerA and 8BitDo undercut the official Nintendo controllers handily. Again, it's good news for some people. If you use a controller wirelessly on the Nintendo Switch 1, there's a good chance that your controller will work the same on Switch 2 – although in some cases it may require a firmware update to do so. 8BitDo has confirmed that some of its controllers can be updated now to work as intended, so it basically boils down to a case-by-case situation.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
The Nintendo Switch 2 may face steeper repair costs — Japanese listings show up to a 92% increase in prices for replacement parts
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Nintendo's long-anticipated and likely most leaked handheld, the Switch 2, is set to hit shelves today. If you plan to purchase one, handle it with care, as replacement parts are expected to become more expensive, via Notebookcheck. Nintendo Japan's pricing indicates a massive surge of up to 92% for replacement parts, affecting components like the mainboard, LCD, dock, Joy-Cons, and even the new Pro Controller. Since Nintendo has only disclosed these prices on their Japanese storefront, a direct comparison for U.S. customers is not possible. We have, however, drafted a table outlining the replacement parts for the Switch 2 alongside those for the Switch OLED, Switch V1 (HAC-001), and the Switch Lite from Nintendo Japan. With some expected variations, we may probably see a similar spike globally as well. (U.S. prices are conversions purely for reference) Replacing the main board, which houses the Tegra T239 SoC along with 12GB (2x6GB) of LPDDR5x-8533 RAM, and 256GB of TLC-based UFS 3.1 storage, will run you 27,500 Yen ($175), or about 67% more expensive than the original Switch V1 from 2017. Even with an IPS panel, the Switch 2's display costs 30% more to repair than the Switch OLED (or 60% more than the Switch V1), attributable to its 120 Hz, HDR10, and VRR capabilities. To Repair Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch OLED Nintendo Switch Lite Nintendo Switch V1 CPU Board 27,500 Yen ($175.76 USD) 16,500 Yen ($105.46 USD) 14,300 Yen ($91.49 USD) 14,300 Yen ($91.49 USD) LCD 15,400 Yen ($98.44 USD) 12,100 Yen ($77.38 USD) 9,900 Yen ($63.31 USD) 9,900 Yen ($63.31 USD) Other Parts 9,900 Yen / 7,150 Yen ($63.31 USD / $45.71 USD) 6,050 Yen ($38.70 USD) 6,050 Yen ($38.70 USD) 6,050 Yen ($38.70 USD) Dock (Cover Damage) 880 Yen ($5.63 USD) 550 Yen ($3.52 USD) N/A 330 Yen ($2.11 USD) Dock (No Video Output) 6,930 Yen ($44.30 USD) 3,960 Yen ($25.33 USD) N/A 3,300 Yen ($21.10 USD) Joy-Cons 3,960 Yen ($25.33 USD) 2,860 Yen ($18.29 USD) N/A 2,860 Yen ($18.29 USD) Pro Controller 6,490 Yen ($41.50 USD) 4,290 Yen ($27.44 USD) 4,290 Yen ($27.44 USD) 4,290 Yen ($27.44 USD) Replacement for parts excluding the CPU board and LCD were consolidated into a single package previously, but now Nintendo will charge different prices depending on the affected components. A faulty game card slot, Type-C port failure, or a battery replacement will cost Japanese consumers around 9,900 Yen ($63), or 65% more. Meanwhile, audio-related issues or a broken SD card reader are priced at 7,150 Yen ($45), or 18% more expensive than previous models. Similarly, resolving video-output issues with the new dock will cost $44, a 76% increase compared to the Switch OLED dock's $25 repair fee. Despite not featuring hall-effect joysticks, the new Joy-Cons will cost $25 to repair, making them 40% pricier than their Switch OLED/V1 counterparts. Lastly, the Switch 2 Pro Controller will set you back $41.50 in repair costs, making it 50% more expensive than its predecessor. Most of these changes can be attributed to increased manufacturing costs and new features, but the clear takeaway is the importance of carefully handling your console. Given the Switch 2's MSRP increase from $299 to $449, higher repair costs were almost a guarantee. Aside from authorized repair, iFixit has lowered the original Switch's repairability score from 8/10 to 4/10, citing issues with parts availability, repair manuals, and design challenges. It remains to be seen if the Switch 2 will improve upon this or achieve an even worse rating. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Digital Trends
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
The Switch 2's biggest game changer for old titles isn't its performance boost
With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, I was initially focused on playing all the new Switch 2 launch games. Mario Kart World dominated my first day with the device, but I already had a list of original Switch games I wanted to return to on the newer hardware to see how they benefited from the improved hardware. Aside from the games with bespoke Switch 2 Editions, I was curious to see how big a difference the experience would be for these older games with improved stability and maybe a bit of a visual bump. As impressed as I was with how much better nearly all my old titles ran on the Switch 2, it is an accessibility option absent from the Switch that turned out to be the biggest game changer. Recommended Videos Accessibility on demand One of the driving criticisms of the Switch was its power. As the generation went on, the issues only became more prominent, with games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet being prime examples of games that buckled to the point of breaking on the underpowered device. Third-party ports were especially downgraded compared to their PS5, Xbox Series, and PC siblings, and even Nintendo's best first-party offerings were starting to show cracks. The Switch 2's power is more than enough to brute force its way past almost all of those issues, even for games without dedicated upgrades or patches, but it doesn't solve the big issue I had with so many Switch games: the controls. I love the Joy-cons, and the Pro Controller is arguably my favorite modern gamepad, but those can't alleviate the lack of accessibility options in Nintendo games. There's a larger argument to be made for how far behind Nintendo is compared to the likes of PlayStation and Xbox for players with greater accessibility needs, but what always baffled me was how even the most basic options had been ignored. Specifically, I'm talking about remapping controls. There are tons of examples to pull from, but my personal biggest gripe was with Tears of the Kingdom. By default, the game maps the jump button to X and dash to B, which are the north and south buttons, respectively. That makes the act of dashing into a jump a particularly uncomfortable and unintuitive action, despite how frequently the player is likely to do it. The only alternative control scheme the game offers is to swap jump and dash, which in no way solves that problem. That leaves players to either remap their buttons on the system-level in the Switch options — assuming you know that is even available — or hope you eventually get accustomed to it. Playing these older games on the Switch 2 doesn't magically add fully rebindable buttons to old games, but it does make it much more convenient to work around it. Button remapping on the Switch 2 works nearly identically to the Switch, but with one key difference — the Quick Settings shortcut. By holding the Home button, you can bring up a few settings to tweak without having to exit your game and dig through the system menu to find them. By default, button remapping isn't included in that list, but if you take a moment to add it then you can give yourself a quick and easy workaround. Combined with the ability to save specific control schemes as profiles, jumping into a game like Tears of the Kingdom, swapping controls, and then going back to the default on the fly is about as good of a solution as I could hope for. It can't be understated just how much my experience with certain games was improved over my original playthrough once I wasn't fighting the controls. Compared to that, better frame rates and resolution are just icing on the cake. This isn't an excuse for future Switch 2 games to neglect this feature. For as much as Nintendo prides itself on creating experiences that are fun for everyone, its lack of accessibility options has always felt like a glaring omission. We're just at the start of the Switch 2 generation and have to see if this changes, but I hope this workaround isn't treated as a solution for what should be an expected feature in future Nintendo games.
