Gamers have been eagerly waiting to get their hands on the Nintendo Switch since the new console was unveiled last October.

The reviews have already hit the web and many, ours included , have walked the balance between praising Nintendo's hardware and cautioning there's more to spend.


That's because the Japanese company only gives you the bare-bones console for that £279.99 asking price.

If you want the full experience then you're going to need a few accessories - here are the five essentials you should snap up to go with your new console.

1. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

The Switch arrives with a couple of JoyCons that can be used as a main controller or as two separate smaller ones. But for serious gaming sessions, especially if you're using the TV, you'll need something more.

The wireless Pro Controller comes in at £64.99 and is much more akin to an Xbox or PlayStation 4 controller. It charges via USB-C and uses Bluetooth to connect to the Switch. There's also rumble and motion controls built-in.

2. MicroSDXC card

Much has been made of the fact that the Switch only has 32GB of internal memory - and a portion of that is taken up by the operating system.

If you plan on downloading games digitally then you're going to have to up the storage. After all, there's already a Switch game available that requires more than 32GB to store.

You're certainly going to need a MicroSD card. These can be found all over the place, but we'd recommend the 128GB SanDisk Ultra card that can be picked up on Amazon for £37 at the time of writing.

3. Carry case

The Switch is designed to be a portable console. But even the remarkably tough build quality won't stand up to days spent knocking around inside your bag. The simplest way to avoid the car key scratches or knackered buttons is to pick up a carry case.

The one that caught our eye was the Nintendo Switch Tough Case. It's pretty self-explanatory and, at £15 , won't break the bank.

4. Nintendo Switch JoyCon Charging Grip

There's a JoyCon Grip included in the Nintendo Switch but unfortunately it'll only hold the brightly coloured controllers, it won't charge them.

It's not as essential a purchase as the Pro Controller but it will be a decent addition to your Switch arsenal. And it's handy to have if you decide to buy another set of JoyCon's down the road.

5. SteelSeries Arctis 3 headset

If you're going to be taking the Switch out and about, then you're going to need a decent pair of headphones to block out the mundaneness of reality.

SteelSeries has created a headset that it believes offers "the industry’s best audio drivers, our exclusive athletics-inspired ski goggle suspension headband and AirWeave ear cushions, for performance and comfort."

All we know is that they look cool and, at £80, don't cost the Earth.