It’s been about a year and a half since the improved Nintendo Switch OLED model came out, with a bigger 7-inch screen, longer battery life, and some much-needed design changes. Even though it’s not a must-have upgrade from the first Switch, it’s the best buy for people who have never owned a Switch before. But you’ll want to make the most of your $350 investment with a few well-chosen Switch OLED accessories, whether you’re new to the system or moving from the five-year-old first-gen model. Here are some of our favorites.
Since the Switch OLED only has 64GB of built-in storage, you’ll need a microSD to store downloaded games, save files, and photos. And the new slot makes it easier than ever to put the card in or take it out of the system. You can use almost any microSD card with your Nintendo Switch, but the ones made by SanDisk for Nintendo are good, and you can get a 256GB model for a price that isn’t too bad right now. They’ve been tried with the system in mind, so you can be sure they’ll work well.
8Bitdo Pro 2
With the OLED Switch’s better stand on the back, it’s now much easier to play on a tabletop. But you still have to use the old Joy-Con controls, which might be too small for people with bigger hands. If that’s the case, you’ll need to get a better joystick. Yes, there is Nintendo’s Pro Controller, which is still the best choice for your Switch if you can get one. However, 8Bitdo’s Pro 2 is also great, and it’s also very flexible because you can use it with an Android device as well as a PC or Mac laptop. And it costs $20 less than the choice made by Nintendo.
8Bitdo Lite 2
The original Pro Controller and the Pro 2 are both full-featured gamepads, but they are not small. That makes a big difference when you don’t have much room in your bag but want to play with something a little bigger than the Joy-Cons. Then I’d suggest the 8Bitdo Lite 2, which has a real d-pad, two joysticks, shoulder triggers, and even motion control, so you don’t lose any utility. It has the same color scheme as the Switch Lite, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work well with your Switch OLED. If you like 2D games, you might want to try the original 8Bitdo Lite, which costs $25 and has two d-pads.
FastSnail grips
A pair of ergonomic grips from Fastsnail is an easy way to make your Joy-Cons more comfy without spending a lot of money. Because they are made of rubber, they are easy on your hands and very sturdy. This makes them a must-have for parents with kids who like to play rough and break things. But adult gamers will like how much easier they are to hold than a plain Joy-Con and how easily they slip on and off, making it easy to clean and carry. The only thing we don’t like about them is that they aren’t white like the Joy-Cons that come with the OLED system. However, there is a pair of black grips that should still look good.