Just unwra🐓pped a new console or looking to spruce up your old setup? Here's what I'm buying this holiday season
(Image credit: Future)
Whether you've just unwrapped your first handheld or you're looking to revitalize your old setup this holiday season, there are plenty of Nintendo Switch accessories to take advantage of. I spend the year testing all the latest gadgets to hit the shelves, storing up ideas for my post-holiday shopping spreeဣ🐻 to start the new year right.
Thankfully we've had a particularly special year for gadgets and gizmos in 2023. With new releases from some of the biggest names on the shelves, and a few handy refreshes to boot, there's a massive range of controllers, docks, grips, cases, and chargers to chooꩲse from. A new piece of kit doesn't have to cost the earth either - simply swapping out your screen protector or upgrading your thumbstick toppers can leave you with that shiny console feeling.
After 12 months of hands on time with the biggest releases from Hori, Nintendo, Genki and more, here are the six 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Nintendo Switch accessories I'm buying this season. You're browsing at the right time as well - a few of these have been caught up in 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Christmas sales this year.
I didn't review the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:CRKD Nitro Deck - that pleasure went to Duncan our hardware editor and controller expert. However, having spent enough time with my 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Hori Split Pad Pro over the course of the year I'm ready to try something different. The Nitro Deck packs much more than just the larger🔥 (and far more comfortable) gamepad controls, though. You're keeping rumble and motion controls in here, two features the Hori model drops, and you can even plug it directly into your dock when you're playing on the big screen. Considering the Split Pad Pro requires a separate attachment accessory to be used in docked mode, that's excellent value for pretty much the same money.
I was a little wary of that extra bulk - so this isn't going to be one for those who regularly travel with their console - but🦂 for playing on the couch or in bed at home, I'm giving it a shot this holiday season.
This is a pre-order job as the new 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Genki Covert Dock doesn't hit the shelves until January 8 2024. However, if you're keen to get out and about without having to worry about being locked into the small screen, this is a must-have accessory. I tested the previous model, a l𝔍arger all-black device, last year and fell in love with the simple approach to docking the handheld on the go. Simply throw in an HDMI, connect the Switch using the supplied USB-C cable and you've got a fuಞlly functional dock in your pocket. There's even a USB-A port for controllers or other accessories.
It's functional, super portable, and incredibly handy - and the newer white m꧂odel is also slightly cheaper at $59.99 as well. That's a massive win for next year.
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter
Wee𝐆kly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Pre-order the new Genki Covert Dock for
(Image credit: SanDisk)
3. SanDisk Ultra 400GB Micro SD
Six times the Nintendo Switch OLED base storage
☆☆☆☆☆
Specifications
First party game storage: 60 - 70
Read speed: 120MB/s
Reasons to buy
+
Holds a solid game library without breaking the bank
+
Fully compatible with Nintendo Switch
Reasons to avoid
-
Not worth it if you mostly buy carts
I've bulked out my 200GB Nintendo Switch memory card this year, what with Super Mario RPG, Super Mario Wonder, and Tears of the Kingdom dropping on top of my already struggling SD. So, i'm doubling up ahead of 2024. This 400GB SanDisk card comes in much cheaper than the official Nintendo stamped one - the only real difference is that lack of N𝔍intendo colorway or iconography. You're not going to be seeing that branding when it'♛s inside your console, though - these SanDisk Ultra cards have been saving me money over the official versions for years now.
I've tallied up the average game size of first party releases (you can find the full results in our guide to the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Nintendo Switch memory cards), and it looks like m༒ost titles hit around 6GB. That means this 400GB card will fit between 60 and 70 bigger first party games (allowing for usable space) - a solid library of digital downloads.
(Image credit: Zadii)
4. Zadii Hard Carrying Case
An all-in-one carry case for bigger trips
Reasons to buy
+
Holds all your accessories
+
Durable hard shell storage
Reasons to avoid
-
Not for lighter everyday travel
Yes I'm going to be using the Genki Covert Dock when I'm travelling with my Nintendo Switch next year, but if I'm on the road for a while I'll want to take a Pro Controller, a few extra cables, and some Joy-Con alternatives like the Split Pad Pro and Nitro Deck. That's where a chunkier carry case comes in. I've been eyeing up this Zadii Hard Carrying Case for a while now, having previously used a friend's PS5 case from the same brand. There's plenty of foam inserts 🔯to♑ keep everything in its place (and to make sure I remember to pack everything back up again) and a solid hard shell design for safety as well.
(Image credit: Anker)
5. Anker PowerCore 26800mAh
A high capacity portable charger for longer play sessions
☆☆☆☆☆
Specifications
Capacity: 26,800mAh
Output ports: 3x USB-A
Input ports: 2x USB-C
Dimensions: 3.2 x 7.09 x 0.87 inches
Weight: 1.1lbs
Reasons to buy
+
Massive capacity to keep Switch topped up
+
Doesn't take up too much of your bag
+
Additional USB-A ports for other accessories
Reasons to avoid
-
No USB-C output
I'm getting on a plane in 2024 - I haven't got anything booked yet, but I'm making sure I do. When that moment comes, I want to be ready with a fully charged Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, the handheld's battery life isn't going to see me t♏oo far into any particularly long journeys, which is where a portable powerbank comes in handy. So far I've been using a Belkin Boost 20,000mAh device - but it's given up the ghost in the last few months and it's a particularly bulky number. The Anker PowerCore 26,800 adds additional charging time to my pocket and reduces the overall footprint in one fell swoop. It's a little annoying that there's no USB-C output here (those two ports are for charging input only), but with three USB-As to wield, I can keep my 💫phone, Switch, and tablet juiced up the whole way.
That's my old Switch 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Pro Controller up there in that image, moments before disaster. Last September I got a puppy - that puppy liked the taste of thumbsticks. I've sp𒅌ent the last year playing with toppers wedged awkwardly (they don't quite fit over the chewed up plastic) onto both of my Pro Controller's sticks. That I can live with. However, since it fell victim to a teething pup's curiosity, my left thumbstick has started grinding, losing the soft sweep and super fast snap I enjoyed in my pre-furball days.
That🉐 means Iﷺ'm going to bite the bullet this holiday season, picking up a new Pro Controller and handing my old janky frankenstein down to a younger family member. The response of those thumbsticks was what made me fall in love with the gamepad in the first place, and considering I regularly use it for both Switch and PC gameplay its slick performance has been sorely missed in this last year of making do.
Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRad𝐆ar. In between, I've written for Tom&rsq🎃uo;s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector.
