Happy Switch 2 Launch Day! It’s been eight years since Nintendo released the original Switch back in 2017. Today, we say goodnight to an old friend and welcome in a new one—the Nintendo Switch 2. Many folks lined themselves up outside of GameStops, Best Buys, and more for the midnight launch, while others are expecting packages to arrive later today or tomorrow from online pre-orders. Whether you have console in hand or not, right now is a great time to stock up on some of the new accessories that released alongside the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
The Joy-Con controllers are a fun gimmick, but sometimes you just want a dedicated piece of hardware for long gaming sessions in front of the TV. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is here and has some improvements over its predecessor on the previous console, such as programmable back buttons, an audio jack, and enhanced rumble.
Charging Grip
If your two Joy-Con controllers in grip with the console docked is the way you plan on primarily playing your Switch 2, it can become cumbersome over time to keep having to remove the controllers from the grip to be attached back to the console and charge. This charging grip fixes that issue, letting your just plug it in like any other controller. This means you can even play and charge at the same time.
Nintendo Switch 2 Camera
Something new Nintendo is touting for this generation is the communication the system allows. Each controller has a dedicated chat button which can upon up a Discord-like interface that allows for video calls from the console. Some games even integrate your camera footage into the game itself, like Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV. Only catch is you need to grab a camera separately, which you can do here.
HORI Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2
Third parties have also gotten into the fray with some cool accessories already. If you don’t like the boring aesthetic of the official camera, consider this fun one from HORI designed after one of Mario’s most iconic enemies—the piranha plant. The mouth can even open and close like a shutter on a laptop webcam when not in use.
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller
Nintendo is expanding its Nintendo Classics collection of games on the Switch 2 with the inclusion of GameCube games like Luigi’s Mansion, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness. To honor the occasion, a new GameCube controller is now available. It adds gyroscope controls, an extra Z-button, and wireless so you can play with modern comforts and even hop into some Switch and Switch 2 games with it.
Nintendo Switch 2
Most retailers are sold out on the console, still fulfilling orders from April. Though be sure to periodically check as you may get lucky with stock as inventory rolls back in or other folks cancel their orders.
Nintendo Switch 2 Console + Mario Kart World Bundle
Likewise, you can try your luck with the Nintendo Switch 2 bundled with the launch title Mario Kart World. Since the Switch’s mainline kart racer for Mario and his friends was just a port of the Wii U title, this actually marks the first new Mario Kart game in over a decade.