These are the 6 Nintendo Switch accessories I'm buying this Christmas
Dec. 25, 2023Just unwrapped a new console or looking to spruce up your old setup? Here’s what I’m buying this holiday season
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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 spree to start the new year right.
After 12 months of hands on time with the biggest releases from Hori, Nintendo, Genki and more, here are the sixNintendo Switch accessoriesI’m buying this season. You’re browsing at the right time as well - a few of these have been caught up inChristmas salesthis year.
Our expert review:
I didn’t review theCRKD Nitro Deck- that pleasure went to Duncan our hardware editor and controller expert. However, having spent enough time with myHori Split Pad Proover 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.
Our expert review:
It’s functional, super portable, and incredibly handy - and the newer white model is also slightly cheaper at $59.99 as well. That’s a massive win for next year.
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Pre-order the new Genki Covert Dock for$59.99 at Amazon
I’ve tallied up the average game size of first party releases (you can find the full results in our guide to thebest Nintendo Switch memory cards), and it looks like most 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.
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.
Our expert review:
That’s my old SwitchPro Controllerup there in that image, moments before disaster. Last September I got a puppy - that puppy liked the taste of thumbsticks. I’ve spent 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 I’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.
If you unwrapped a different console this holiday season, we’re also rounding up all thebest PS5 accessoriesand thebest Xbox Series X accessoriesas well. If you’re in the UK you’ll also find all the biggestBoxing Day salesavailable now.
Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I’ve written for Tom’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.
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