My 12 year old son is saving up for a Nintendo Switch and nearly has enough $$$$ to buy one.
What are some cool/recommended/must have accessories we should get him?
Thanks in advance
Edit: Minecraft, Pokemon and Mario Kart I imagine will be the games he primarily plays.
Any ideas on which Pokemon games would be good to go for?
None. Don't spend money on unnecessary accessories (except maybe a travel case if he's taking it outside).
Get him more games instead esp as many are on sale at the moment (some sales end today).
Definitely thinking a case is a must for when travelling
Depending on what games you're playing, I highly recommend a pro controller.
Games where I prefer the Pro Controller:
Zelda BotW
Links Awakening
Tetris 99
New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe
Mario Kart
Games where it doesn't work - You must use joy cons:
Mario Party
Just Dance
50 Worldwide Games
Pro controller is expensive though. Worth waiting for it to be on special at Amazon. You can get a wired PowerA controller but this is missing vibration and gyrometer (?) for aiming by moving controller. These vary, but about $30. They have to come from USA so come with shipping costs.
Other accessory worth considering is a decent game card case, especially if you prefer purchasing physical games. I would recommend one with foam inserts (rather than plastic clip-in type) so the cards are easy to get in and out.
[edited to correct grammar and added note re case]
He is into Minecraft, Pokemon and Mario Kart
The only of those we have here is Mario Kart. I find it much improved with the pro controller but it's not essential whereas I would say that for some of the others e.g. BotW, SMB.
Realistically, start with the basics then see what you need.
Depending on his friends circle, it my be worth considereding and on-line membership too.
just got my first switch…
(still a wii original player)
are there any specials to get the online membership worth waiting for?
it seems you also get a couple of free game coupons if you sign up for $135/yr?
so that's pretty much the value of 2x physical games from amazon.. or am i missing something?
leaning towards downloaded games so my kid doesn't need to keep swapping cartridges (they are bound to get lost!)
@daft009: If you plan on going digital-only, you're going to spend more money (usually) on first party titles and require a large MicroSD card.
The game vouchers which are seperate to the online membership known as NSO) allow you to get two first party games for $135 rather than the RRP of usually $79.95 per game, so you save about $15.
The online membership (NSO) only costs about $30 a year and allows you to play games online, access the NES and SNES library of games, have your save data backed up to the cloud and occasionally play week-long trials of games. Worth noting that free games (e.g. Rocket League, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warframe, etc) do not require a paid online membership.
Pro doesn't work with Pokemon either (at least not with Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee). Need to use joy-cons or the poke ball plus.
Depends how he's using it
Handheld mode - maybe a screen protector
TV mode - maybe a pro controller
I would get a screen protector no matter what - the dock it comes with will scratch the screen in TV mode unless you're super careful or mod it
Definitely recommend an amFilm tempered glass screen protector. Goes on super easy!
Tempered glass screen protector and a carry case. Buy from ebay for under $20 for a set.
I found the stand on the Switch to be questionable on anything that is not firm (i.e. bed), a stand wouldn't be a bad idea if you travel a lot.
We picked up:
Extra controllers.
Controller charging station.
Handsfree wrist Joycon holders. (1 each for Just Dance)
2 x Large wired controllers. (for Mario Kart)
The dock for HDMI thingy, but that came with the unit.
It really depends on what games he'll be using.
Forgive me for my ignorance but with a switch plugged in tv mode is the wired controller at the tv or does it plug into the handheld bit?
(I'm normally a PlayStation player. Never used a switch)
We plug the wired controllers directly into the dock for the switch. We've only used them for Mario Kart. The little controllers are too small to use for my large clunky hands.
Myself, I'm not much of a console gamer, so it might work other ways too.
The dock has 1 port for HDMI, 1 Charger port (USB-C), and 1 USB A port.
I have a USB-A to USB-C cable from nintendo, not sure whether that came from the Pro Controller or the Switch itself.
My guess is the controller, but I am not too sure it's been a while.
Wait, my bad, there was 2 more USB A ports on the side as well that i missed.
Any ideas on which Pokemon games would be good to go for?
If my wife is any indication: All of them would be the appropriate answer. If you were going for only one, Sword or Shield (she says they're pretty much the same game).
Thanks for your input much appreciated :)
If you/you kid has never played a Pokemon then Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee is great for beginners. It's basically an update of the original game with Pokemon Go catch gameplay.
Just want to chime in and say make sure you get him Super Smash Bros. Ultimate if he isn't already planning to grab it. (He probably is.) It's pretty much the, well, ultimate Switch game. Crazy fun, classic multiplayer game where you play as characters from tons of popular game franchises, including Mario, Pokemon, and Minecraft. It's currently on special on Amazon, and doesn't often go much cheaper https://www.amazon.com.au/Super-Smash-Bros-Ultimate/dp/B07DW…
But not the ultimate SSB game (according to some die hard enthusiasts at least) haha.
Case so it doesn’t get wrecked when he goes to his mates house.
Extra memory card
Extra controller maybe?
Could also get a USBC battery pack for charging on the go!
Mainly buy a gift card when discounted at 15% off and wait for games to be discounted heavily. Check the dekudeals lowest price ever for an indication. They cycle.
For example, Trials Gold regularly goes on sale at 50% off. With discounted gift cards it's pretty good value.
Join mynintendo and you get a bit of credit back to go towards future purchases.
Don't think your kid will need many accessories tbh. Travel case and maybe an extra controller at the most.
Get him some gift cards so he can peruse the eShop. I've lost hours just searching the endless catalogue of games, although it can turn into an expensive ordeal.
Our first accessory was a case and glass screen protector, then followed by a sd memory card (don’t skimp get a u3/a2)
https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/sandisk-ex…
We then got the extra controls… stopped the kids always arguing
The sd card is essential. The eShop has quite a few trial software (eg rayman) which keep them entertained for quite a while but the downloads fill the internal memory very very quickly
Thanks everyone for your input.
Will look at travel case and screen protector and put more money towards games
a good micro sd card. I had 64gb on mine and it wasn't enough. upgraded to 128gb for $19.5
Definitely a plastic shell and a tempered glass screen protector to protect the console. You can get both on eBay for <$20 in total.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/143461075436
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/182521145935
Also highly recommend a microsd card (would recommend no less than 128gb if he's going to play more than about 2 or 3 games, and if he buys any on sale (~$25-$30 max)
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/333682917906
Would also recommend a carry case (zip up ones are the best I've found) that can also store game cards (~$20 RRP)
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/264177016348
Would also recommend thumb grips to prevent the actual thumb sticks from wearing the nub at the top out and saving him having to buy new joycon controllers which would be quite a dent in him pocket money (these cost ~$5 or less).
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/312789237340
So all up around $75 worth of accessories, but they are essential in my opinion and prevent you from damaging the console (which is reasonably fragile). I've included links which I hope help too, but they were the ones I bought or similar ones I'd think would be appropriate.
Thanks for the advice
Tempered glass screen protector.
Make sure to buy one before he opens the box and apply it ASAP.
The screen on the Switch is plastic making it very prone to scratching.
The idea is that although it is prone to scratching it's more resistant to shattering, which for a system owned by many children makes sense.
But I'd advise to put a cheap glass protector on it from day 1. They're cheap and will offer peace of mind.
Screen protector and carry case, especially if you have kids.
Memory card, pro controller, and Taiko No Tatsujin drum controller lol
If you have any controllers from other or older consoles (PS3, PS4, Xbox One, WiiU, etc) then buy one of these:
https://www.amazon.com.au/8Bitdo-Bluetooth-Raspberry-nintend…
Or this:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Mayflash-Magic-NS-Wireless-Control…
It's much cheaper than the "Switch Pro Controller" and gives you a great choice of controllers.
I prefer the mayflash (has usb input and was first to support the DS5), but the 8bitdo is more popular.
It's 1 dongle per controller btw
Picked up a $299 Switch in the recent ebay sale.
Can anyone recommend a LAN Adapter for Nintendo Switch? (USB to ethernet)
Licensed Hori/Nintendo or third party (usb 3.0)
Mostly only play old school games eg. N64
Have no interest in using the joycons - is the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller a complete replacement or not compatible with certain games etc?
The pro controller could be considered a complete replacement. The only games I can think of from the top of my head that require joycons are Super Mario Party, 51 Clubhouse Games, 1-2 Switch and Labo.
I use a LAN adaptor I got on a clearance sale at JB that is meant to be for Wii U (which I believe is itself a rebranded Wii LAN adaptor).
Worth looking for any of those. Mine has worked perfectly.
Edit:
Also if you're looking to play N64 games, you may be disappointed (so far) with what the switch has to offer. I can only think of Turok, Turok 2, Doom 64 (all built from the ground up for modern platforms), Star Wars Episode 1 Racer (remastered) and Super Mario 64 on the Switch currently.
Cheers I got a Wii LAN adapter for $10 off gumtree. The pro controllers are also working great. $50 each on ebay (one second hand great condition and one from the recent ebay plus tuesday special)
Sold the joycons for $85 (new unused) and the controller grip for $15 - when I turned the Switch on for the first time it wouldn't work cause it needed joycons (just for the initial setup) so I had to borrow a pair. All good after that.
I've accumulated the following accessories since I bought my switch in 2017:
4x pro controllers (for local multiplayer), the pro controller or something similar (e.g. ebitdo controllers are great too) is definitely a massive improvement for playing in docked mode
Screen protector for switch console
PowerA pro controller and joycon charging station (got it on sale for like $25 2 years ago so just a nice to have for easy charging)
2nd set of joy-con controllers (only useful if you play games that only require joycons like Super Mario Party, Arms etc.)
Hori split pad pro controller grips (awesome controller grips, so much comfortable when playing handheld for longer trips & travelling)
2x carry bags, one small one just for the switch + some game carts and a larger one laptop sized bag for carting around the switch + dock + controllers
USB lan adapter (search Ugreen USB lan adapter on Amazon or Ebay, usually around $15-20)
Cartridge storage case
MicroSD card for storage (I use a Sandisk 400gb one)
An anti-scratch dock sleeve (or dock sock) to prevent any scratches when constantly docking and undocking
A portable charging brick for travelling
Obviously most of these things aren't required, just the useful things I've acquired over time and mostly during Ebay/Amazon sales. Pick and choose the things you think you'll need based on your intended play style and gradually get what you want, there's absolutely no need to rush out and buy heaps of accessories before playing for a while.
so any other games apart from mario kart for little kids (who can't read yet)?
Extra controller(s) for multi player games, with his mates/you.