Getting a Switch 2and not getting these accessories is like buying a sports car and skipping the tires. The console’s great.Nintendofinally fixed a bunch of things people have been complaining about for years. But out of the box, it’s still kind of… incomplete.

You’re eithercharging your Joy-Consawkwardly, cramming loose game carts into a pocket, or realizing too late that your case doesn’t even fit the new dock. That’s where this list comes in. They’re the missing pieces that make the Switch 2 feel like a finished product. Small upgrades. Big difference.

Image of Nintendo Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip on a white background.

8Nintendo Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip

You know what’s annoying? Your Joy-Cons dying right when you’re about to beat a boss. This charging grip basically eliminates that problem by keeping your controllers juiced while you play. The GL/GR buttons on the back caught my attention.

They’re lifted straight from the Pro Controller design, and they’re more useful than I expected. Great for accessibility options or just remapping controls to your preference.

Image of Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case on a white background.

It appears that we have no textured backing either, which would’ve been nice for those sweaty summer gaming sessions. Still, if dead controllers are ruining your gaming experience, this solves that headache completely.

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7Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case

If you don’t want to mess around too much with third-party options, this carrying case is the answer. It holds everything - console, dock, Joy-Cons, cables, and six game cards without turning into an unwieldy mess.

The six-game card limit might be a little annoying to deal with, especially if digital storage prices don’t drop as quickly as everyone hopes. The dock pocket also adds considerable bulk, so this isn’t exactly a sleek option. But for basic protection and organization, it’s hard to argue with this pick.

Image of NEXT Joy-Con 2 Quad Charging Station on a white background.

Magnetic charging for Joy-Cons was such an obvious idea, which is why I’m glad the Switch 2 has it already. NEXT’s quad charger uses pogo-pin rails with magnetic alignment - just drop your controllers in, and they snap right into place.

Individual LED rings show charging status for each slot, and the weighted rubber base keeps everything stable on your entertainment center. Build quality feels solid at just over half a pound.

Image of SanDisk Express 256GB microSD on a white background.

The charging station looks clean enough that you won’t want to hide it behind your TV. My only concern would be heat buildup during continuous charging cycles, but for typical use where you’re just topping off controllers between sessions, this thing works beautifully. Your Joy-Cons will always be ready to go.

5SanDisk Express 256GB Card

Storage speed actually matters now that Switch 2 games are getting beefier. This SanDisk Express card brings SD Express with PCIe 3.1 NVMe to the table, plus full backward compatibility with UHS-I devices. The speed claims are 880 MB/s read and 650 MB/s burst write, which should be enough to work with.

The ThermAdapt shell handles heat management well, and the IP rating means it’ll survive water, shock, temperature extremes, and even x-ray exposure. Not to mention that the included 2-year RescuePRO Deluxe recovery software is nice insurance for your save files.

image of Elgato 4K X 4K144 External Capture Card on a white background.

For most people planning to go digital with their Switch 2 library, this is a solid choice to go for. You might not notice the difference in every single game, but when you do, it’s huge enough to matter.

4Elgato 4K X 4K144 Capture Card

Obviously, we need to cover content creation as well, which is where this capture card comes in. Headline features show 4K 144Hz capture, passthrough with HDR10, VRR, and all the modern display features you’d expect from a $250 device.

The cross-platform compatibility covers Mac, Windows, and iPad via USB-C, so you don’t have to worry about adjusting it to your streaming setup. The built-in tone-mapping automatically handles HDR content without manual tweaking, and the OBS detection is pretty much plug and play.

Image of Nintendo Joy-Con 2 Strap on a white background.

The included HDMI 2.1 cable and USB-C connection mean you’re ready to stream right out of the box.

Basically, for all your typical streaming scenarios, this capture card handles everything the Switch 2 can output without breaking a sweat.

Image of NEXT Game Vault Case on a white background.

3Nintendo Joy-Con 2 Strap

Wrist straps are one of those accessories that seem pointless until you actually need them. These serve one purpose - keeping expensive controllers attached to your wrists during active games. The enlarged SL/SR buttons are actually more comfortable to press than the tiny ones on the controllers themselves, which makes motion-controlled games more enjoyable.

The quick-release slider mechanism works smoothly, though the new lock tab feels noticeably stiffer than the original Switch version. Whether that’s an improvement depends on how secure you want that connection to be. The woven lanyard material matches Nintendo’s previous design, so it feels familiar if you owned the original Switch.

Image of Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller on a white background.

For games like Mario Kart where you’re actively moving the controllers around, these straps are a great failsafe to have. Not the most exciting purchase, but necessary if you regularly play motion-controlled games.

2NEXT Game Vault Case

The problem with having a penchant for keeping things analog when it comes to game storage, is that you’re going to find yourself absolutely submerged in all sorts of cartridges and SD cards. NEXT’s Game Vault is here to solve exactly that, with a capacity for 24 game cards plus 24 microSD cards in a surprisingly compact format. The dual-layer silicone tray system inside a hard plastic shell keeps everything sorted and accessible.

At 6.1 × 3.54 × 0.59 inches and just 0.31 pounds, it remains pocketable despite its high capacity. The impact-resistant core should give you decent protection, backed by a one-year warranty. The magnetic flap closure keeps everything secure.

1Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

Nintendo finally got their controller right.Don’t get me wrong, the Pro Controller was already solid, but this one adds stuff people have been asking for forever. That C button for GameChat might feel weird at first, but you get used to it fast. The GL/GR buttons on the back are perfect for competitive players who need extra customization.

But the headphone jack - that’s the big win here. It took Nintendo long enough to add something every other controller has had for years. The rumble feels way better than before too, more detailed but not overwhelming. Still has all the motion controls and amiibo support you’d expect.

If you’re serious about Switch 2 gaming, this controller fixes pretty much every gripe people had while throwing in some really useful new stuff.

FAQ

Q: Do my old Switch accessories work with the Switch 2?

Most of them, yes, but not all. Joy-Cons from the original Switch technically connect, but they don’t have hall-effect sticks or the new trigger layout. If you’re serious about responsiveness (or just tired of drift), you’ll want to upgrade.

Q: Do I need HDMI 2.1 for the Switch 2?

Need? No. But it helps. Especially if you’re capturing content, gaming on a high refresh-rate monitor, or using HDR passthrough. It’s one of those things you don’t notice until you go without it.

Q: How do I protect the screen without ruining the look?

A matte screen protector does wonders. It kills glareandfingerprints without making it look like you covered it in plastic wrap. Just make sure that you invest in a good one,like this model from Spigen.