Christmas came and went you managed to snag the hottest gift of the season: the Nintendo Switch. If fall into this lucky category, you’re probably wondering, what the do I do next?
Which game should I buy? Should I buy a microSD card? I really wanted some Neon Joy Cons, can I buy them separately?
Don’t worry, we at TechnoBuffalo have you covered. That’s because nearly everyone in the company owns a Switch and some of us have owned one since day one. We don’t consider ourselves experts, but we are well-versed in all-things-Switch.
You can do any number of things now, but the list is not short. It’s impervious to start with finding the perfect game, but that’s just step one of the process. To fully maximize that brand new Switch of yours, you need to find the right blend of games and accessories.
Lets jump in.
Games
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Price: $59.99
- Where to buy: Retail stores, Nintendo eShop
My choice for the first Switch game anyone should own is none other than the game of the year: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Nintendo bypassed all of the previous Zelda staples and instead implemented an open world gameplay system that lets you explore the Hyrule countryside to your heart’s content.
If you want a game that will keep you occupied for weeks, if not months, Breath of the Wild is that game. There are endless places to visit, Shrines to find and adventures to go on. And there’s a new DLC (downloadable content) that expands the game even more with more missions and weapons to use.
Your ultimate goal is to defeat Calamity Ganon, and your quest to do so will be filled with non-stop action. Once you pick up this game, you will not be able to put it down.
Super Mario Odyssey
- Price: $59.99
- Where to buy: Retail stores, Nintendo eShop
Another game of the year contender, Super Mario Odyssey follows Breath of the Wild’s footsteps in delivering a superb marquee Nintendo game. The 3D platform game is loads of fun playing as the whimsical Mario. Just like any Mario game, you will need to save Princess Peach from the diabolical Bowser, but you do so in an open world you are free to explore.
Along the way, you will need to travel to Kingdoms and collect as many Power Moons as you can. The game makes excellent use of the Switch’s Joy Cons, making it a necessity to use their motion tracking to get through some levels.
Super Mario Odyssey is loads of fun. It will make your Switch that much more entertaining.
Rocket League
- Price: $19.99
- Where to buy: Nintendo eShop
This game is not a game of the year contender, it’s not even a new game. It’s actually a few years old, but it’s just as fun as it ever has been. Rocket League is quite simple: It’s soccer with cars. Intrigued yet? Well, you can also buy any number of classic cars like the Back to the Future DeLorean or the Fast and Furious Ice Charger to score goals.
It’s super simple to use and features an intuitive online system that lets you play with players on other platforms. The best part about Rocket League is that it doesn’t cost as much as the other games we’ve included. It makes a great second game after you purchased a flagship game like Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey.
Accessories
MicroSD Card
- SanDisk MicroSD Cards
- Price: $20-$70 (depends on storage)
- Where to buy: Amazon
The Nintendo Switch only comes with a paltry 32GB of storage. That’s nothing, but luckily, it has a microSD card slot (behind the kickstand) to expand the storage. There are many options out there you can buy, including Switch-branded ones. Do not buy these. I repeat, do not buy these. They are outrageously overpriced. Instead, you can get way more bang for your back with standard cards.
SanDisk’s 64GB microSD card comes in at just over $20 and the 128GB at $47, but if you want to set storage worries away for good, the 200GB version costs around $70.
Glass Screen Protector
- amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector
- Price: $8.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
You may or may not remember the early chatter when the Switch was first released in which the dock was accidentally scratching the display. Many users, including us, noticed the issue and recommended screen protectors. That’s still the case now.
amFilm sells a tempered glass screen protector at a fantastic value. You get two screen protectors with the installation tools for just $9. Plus the screen protector is ultra high quality. It’s the one I have protecting my Switch screen.
Carrying Case
- Hori Tough Pouch
- Price: $13.49
- Where to buy: Amazon
The Switch is a portable console but it’s not small by any means. You’ll likely want to invest in a carrying case to minimize the damage your Switch takes. There are a ton of options you can choose from, and most of that come in at a solid price.
I’ve used a few, but my favorite is the Hori Tough Pouch. It’s one of the slimmest cases you will find, and it also has the Switch insignia with a dot pattern on the front. That’s because it’s licensed by Nintendo, so you know it’ll be a good product. Inside lives a sliver that houses up to five Switch cartridges and one USB-C cable.
However, if you want a bigger option to carry more cables and charging bricks, consider the official Nintendo Switch case with multiple themes.
Other things you should buy
Switch Pro Controller
Price: $69.99
If you want to game seriously on the Switch, you should definitely pick up a Pro Controller. Offering the same functionality you’ll get from the Joy Cons, but with the fit and finish of a true console controller, the Pro Controller will let you take your gaming to the next level.
I found it infinitely easier to defeat the Breath of the Wild Divine Beasts with the Pro Controller than the included Joy Con Comfort Grip.
More Joy Cons
Price: $79.99
You managed to snag the Switch for Christmas, but unfortunately, you got stuck with the Gray Joy Cons and you really wanted the Neon ones. No need to worry, you can buy Joy Cons separately, but it will not be cheap.
Starting at $80, you can buy the Neon Blue and Red or the Neon Yellow. The price goes up if you want Splatoon 2 Neon Pink and Green Joy Cons. But at least you can buy those. The special edition Red Super Mario Odyssey Joy Cons only come with the Switch-Odyssey bundle. We’re holding out hope Nintendo sells them as a standalone purchase, but that probably won’t happen any time soon.
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