Buying advice: The right accessories for the Nintendo Switch
21.8.2019
Translation: machine translated
Play video games when and where it's fun. The concept of the Nintendo Switch not only appeals to me, but also to millions of other gamers worldwide. With the right accessories, you can maximise the fun of the console. Whether you're gaming at home or on the go.
The Nintendo Switch is currently my number one choice when it comes to video games. While Sony and Microsoft are focussing on maximum performance with their consoles, the Nintendo Switch focuses on the ability to pick up the game where you left off at home, in addition to the fun of playing. The concept is ideal for me as a commuter. However, I don't just put my Switch in my rucksack and set off, I always have the right accessories with me. That's why I'll show you in this article:
- The right bag
- The right power bank
- The right memory card
- The right controller
When travelling with the Nintendo Switch: Safety first
I bought a case together with the Nintendo Switch. As with a smartphone or tablet, the touchscreen is the most important component of the Switch. If it breaks, that's the end of the mobile gaming fun. I even took more time choosing the right case than I did when deciding whether I'd rather have the console with coloured or grey Joy-Cons. (I ended up with the coloured ones.)
I wanted the console not only to be well protected, but also to be able to take the games I bought physically rather than digitally with me at all times. The original Nintendo bag offers both. In addition to the console, there is space for up to five games and two wrist straps for Joy-Cons. The bag also functions as a kickstand. The manufacturer also includes a screen protector. If the black bag looks too boring for you, you can also get it in a more colourful "Splatoon" version with green and pink edges.
The bags from BigBen are even more colourful. The third-party manufacturer offers cases in the design of "Super Mario Odyssey" or "Mario Kart 8", for example. A partition on the inside protects the console screen and provides storage space for Joy-Con loops. The manufacturer also includes four small boxes. Two of them can each hold four games, while the other two can each hold two microSD cards. Also practical: the carrying strap.
If style is more important to you, you should also take a look at the cases from PowerA. The cases are available in a beautifully stylised "Zelda" version or in a "Super Mario" design with classic characters from the series. Inside, the case offers space for five games. The storage space for Joy-Con loops and the like is slightly smaller than the other two bags. If you already know that you will be travelling for a longer period of time, you should also take a look at the Storage Case from BigBen. As the name suggests, it offers plenty of space - not only for your console, games and Joy-Cons, but also for an additional controller and power supply unit.
Memory cards for the digital game collection
If you want to make sure that you don't lose your games when you're out and about despite having a bag with a suitable device, you can also buy them online from Nintendo and load them directly onto the console. There's no fancy box for the shelf, but you don't have to keep changing cards if you want to play a different game. In the settings, you can also specify that screenshots are saved to the memory card in future.
From the factory, however, the Switch's memory is limited. Depending on the file size, there is only enough space for very few games. You should therefore consider a memory card. You can use the Nintendo Switch with microSD, microSDHC or microSDXC cards with up to two terabytes of memory. For microSDXC cards, however, according to the manufacturer, you need to be connected to the internet briefly in advance to download a small update. Nintendo itself recommends that gamers use a "High Speed microSD" card that supports at least UHS-I and offers a read speed of 60 to 95 megabytes per second, although more is always better in this case.
The Samsung Evo+, for example, is a memory card that fulfils all requirements. The 128 gigabyte version is currently available at a very favourable price. If you realise at some point that 128 gigabytes is not enough for you, you can also invest in a larger memory card and transfer the data you have collected up to that point to the new card via the computer. This way you don't have to deal with multiple cards. In addition to Samsung, there are memory cards from SanDisk in sizes up to 512 gigabytes. Incidentally, I myself use a card with only 64 gigabytes.
Extend the fun with the right power bank
With the right bag and enough memory, the Switch is now well equipped for use on the go. The problem: you can take the Switch with you wherever you go, but there are limits to the mobile fun. If you like playing graphically intensive games such as "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild", you will know that the battery needs power again after three hours at the latest (four hours in some cases with the new version of the console). However, power sockets are in short supply on regional trains, for example. However, the problem can be easily solved with a power bank, i.e. an external battery.
Official accessories such as the Anker PowerCore Nintendo Switch Edition are also available. The power bank offers a capacity of 20,100 mAh and has one USB and one USB-C port. A suitable USB-C cable is also included with the battery. According to the manufacturer, the power bank charges the console two and a half times and thus extends the playing time by up to 15 hours, or in the case of "Zelda", by around eight hours. The PowerCore is also available with the same capacity without the Switch logo on the battery. It is then significantly cheaper. However, instead of a USB-C connection, this variant only offers two USB ports - and a cable is not included. However, the PowerIQ technology, which is designed to ensure the fastest possible charging on the go, is also included with this model.
Both batteries should be used with caution if you want to take the Switch with you on holiday and travel by plane. External batteries with more than 100 Wh or 20,000 mAh are not permitted on many aircraft. The reason for this is a recommendation from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). According to this, passengers should only be allowed to carry power banks in their hand luggage that together do not exceed the 100 watt-hour limit. In Germany, for example, Lufthansa adheres to the recommendation. You need the airline's permission to carry a battery with more than 100 Wh in your hand luggage. Batteries of this size are not permitted in checked baggage. You can find out whether this rule also applies to your flight from your airline.
The Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2 is right on the 20,000 mAh limit, but if you want to be on the safe side, you can also buy a smaller battery such as the Anker PowerCore with 15,600 mAh. The advantage of the smaller capacity is that the battery itself is smaller and lighter and therefore fits better in hand luggage. You should steer clear of supposed bargains from street vendors. Incidentally, mobile charging also comes with a small disadvantage. Because the power connection on the Switch is on the underside, you can no longer use the kickstand when charging on the move. Multiplayer games on the train will then unfortunately have to be cancelled.
More controllers for more fun
Other than that, however, the Switch is well equipped for multiplayer games. You can use the two Joy-Cons included in the scope of delivery as two individual controllers in many games. However, for large hands (and I speak from experience), the small Joy-Cons can be a challenge from time to time. However, they are quite suitable for games such as "Super Mario Party". If you can cope with the size and want to play with several friends, you can buy a pair of additional Joy-Cons and expand your household with two more controllers. Nintendo offers the small controllers in many bright colours. This way, you can give your Switch an additional visual boost - a positive side effect, so to speak. If you have bought several Joy-Cons, it is also worth taking a look at a charging station for the small controllers so that nothing stands in the way of spontaneous multiplayer sessions.
For single-player sessions, you can also combine the Joy-Cons into a gamepad thanks to the supplied holder. However, you should then make sure that you start when the Joy-Cons are fully charged. If the battery of the small controllers is empty, you can only charge them ex works on the console. You can then either continue playing on the small screen on the couch or take a break. Alternatively, you can purchase the Joy-Con Charging Grip from Nintendo. The holder is basically the same, just with the addition of a power connection. As with the Playstation 4, for example, you can then continue playing on the Switch while the Joy-Cons are charging via the USB cable.
Personally, however, I recommend investing in an additional controller. Nintendo itself has a very good gamepad on sale in the form of the Pro Controller, which shines with its good workmanship and long battery life and offers something for the eye with its transparent look. For "Zelda" fans, there is even a secret message to discover. An alternative to Nintendo's gamepad is the controller from PowerA, which offers a similar button design. However, it has the disadvantage that AA batteries are required for operation. Alternatively, you can also get the controller in a smaller and wired version in many game designs. However, this restricts your freedom in the living room.
In addition to "normal" controllers for the console, there are also special editions that are particularly suitable for individual games. The Hori Battle Pad, for example, comes in the design of the GameCube controller and is therefore particularly appealing to fans of Super Smash Bros. A good thing for fans of the series: the controller is available in a range of colours to match your favourite character.
For passionate Pokémon collectors, the PokéBall Plus is practically indispensable. In the Switch games "Let's Go, Pikachu" and "Let's Go, Evoli", you can use the special controller to move your character through the game world and catch Pokémon by throwing them. If the throw is successful, the PokéBall vibrates and lights up, allowing you to hear your captured pocket monster. You can also use the controller for the smartphone game "Pokémon GO". If a Pokémon is nearby, the controller vibrates and lights up. To catch it, simply press the button. A pulsating light shows you whether you have caught the Pokémon or not. In this way, the PokéBall Plus epitomises the Nintendo Switch. Just like the console, it provides fun on the go and at home.
After finishing my dust-dry teaching degree early, I actually wanted to work in radio. Along the way, I just wanted to get a brief taste of the tech field. That was over seven years ago.
