The Nintendo Switch is in a class of its own when it comes to gaming. The handheld gaming console is small enough to fit in a bag, but powerful enough to run classic and action-packed games like the Mario Bros. franchise and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
First released in 2017 as a standalone console for gaming at home and on the go, the Nintendo Switch now has a universe of its own with gear and accessories tailored to its unique design. In 2025 that universe expanded when Nintendo released the highly anticipated Switch 2.
Below, we break down everything you need to make the most of your Nintendo Switch gaming experience. We also share the best accessories and games for beginners and experienced gamers alike.
What is the Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch is a gaming console that you play two ways: on its own in handheld mode or you can dock it and hook it up to a TV. The Switch runs on Nintendo’s proprietary operating system, which manages the memory, security and networking (among other features). It’s WiFi-enabled so you can connect to Nintendo’s eShop, through which you can buy and download digital games, but you don’t need WiFi to play games.
How we picked the best Nintendo Switch games and accessories
To put together this guide, we spoke to two gaming experts for their insight, and game and gear recommendations. NBC Select contributing writer Deanna Pai is also a longtime player of the Nintendo Switch, having been drawn in by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild when it was first released in 2017. Pai has since expanded her gaming to roguelikes (games where you repeatedly attempt the same playthrough while gaining experience and skills each time), social simulations and puzzles.
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Which Nintendo Switch model should you buy?
There are four versions of the Nintendo Switch: the new Nintendo Switch 2 and three versions of the older, original Nintendo Switch.
If you are buying a Nintendo Switch for the first time, all of our experts recommend the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo released it in 2025, and it’s a huge upgrade from the original model in terms of performance, comfort and connectivity. You can learn more in our Nintendo Switch 2 review.
The original Nintendo Switch has three types of gaming: handheld, tabletop (thanks to a kickstand) and on the TV (via the included HDMI cord). It has a 6.2-inch screen and comes with removable joy-cons. You can also play local co-op, meaning you can link your system to other friends’ Switches and game together.
This is effectively the same as the Nintendo Switch, but with a larger, 7-inch OLED screen. OLED screens have richer colors and color contrast than typically LCD screens, like the one in the original Switch. If you tend to play in TV mode a lot, then it might not be worth the upgrade since you won’t enjoy those benefits while playing on a TV.
This is more compact and lightweight, and is intended for handheld mode only. Unlike the other models, you can’t play local co-ops (although it still has a wireless option) and there are no removable joy-cons or separate grips. It comes in yellow, blue, gray, turquoise and coral.
The best Nintendo Switch 2 games and accessories
Below, we curated top-rated games and accessories you can buy for your Nintendo Switch 2. Every item on this list is either directly recommended from one of our experts or is a game or accessory that we’ve played ourselves.
NBC Select tech reporter Harry Rabinowitz has been using this travel case and it’s a great fit for minimalists seeking protection without bulk. It has a small mesh pocket inside for cables along with a fabric flap with storage for game cards.
Rabinowitz, along with both our experts, recommend investing in a MicroSD Express card to have enough space to keep all your digital games stored on the Switch 2 easily. Games are only getting bigger — the Switch 2’s 256 gigabytes of internal storage fill up faster than you think, says Rabinowitz.
Justin Masson, a co-host on the podcast Nintendo Dads and longtime Nintendo gamer, and Rabinowitz both recommend Mario Kart World as a great first Switch 2 game. Each race is now a competition between 24 racers (up from 12 in the previous Mario Kart game), and there are tons of new game modes like Knockout Tour and Free Roam, which are a blast to play solar or with friends.
This is one of Rabinowitz’s favorite games for Switch 2. In it, you play as Donkey Kong and explore a large underground world, largely by smashing your way through obstacles and enemies with your fists. This game was developed by the same team that made Super Mario Odyssey, and is full of charm, wonder and fun for all ages, says Masson.
Rabinowitz was a huge fan of the original Hades, and this sequel is an excellent buy for anyone who likes fast-paced action, beautiful and imaginative environments, hand-drawn characters and Greek mythology. You play as Melinoë, princess of the underworld, and battle to get revenge on Chronos, the titan of time.
This open-world adventure expands on the Pokémon formula with new locations and real-time battles, a first for the series, says Masson. Any fan of the Pokémon franchise should find something interested to latch onto, especially with the extra power and performance of the Switch 2.
Anyone seeking comfort and precise control during long Switch 2 gaming sessions should consider picking up a Switch 2 Pro Controller. It has a comfortable shape and premium feel, says Masson, plus has programmable rear buttons and a port for wired headsets.
The best games and accessories for the original Nintendo Switch
Pai has been using the original Nintendo Switch for years. While most of its games are compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2, many of its accessories are not.
A thin, yet sturdy cover can protect your screen from scratches and dings. (Different Nintendo Switch models require different screen-protector sizes.) “Much like a screen protector for a phone, [this is] a good idea to reduce damage to the screen if dropped,” says Masson. It comes with wet wipes, a cleaning cloth and a squeeze card for easy installation.
This Nintendo Switch case is just the right size, says Pai. It’s big enough to house the Nintendo Switch charger and dock (along with the actual Switch) and has enough space to pack all of her cartridges, but still fits into a backpack. She took it on a 10-hour flight, and like that the hard shell keeps everything safe. It has a built-in stand, a padded screen protector and cases for both game cartridges and microSD cards.
If you want to have all your digital Switch games downloaded onto your console at once, a memory card like this one is essential, says Rabinowitz. This card has 256 gigabytes of storage — he’s never run out of space in his years of owning a Nintendo Switch.
Vela likes to have extra joy-cons on hand, since some party games allow for many players. That way, you’re not stuck passing around a single joy-con to everyone. “Plus, joy-cons come in a variety of colors and skins, so you can find ones that fit your personality,” he says.
The game that sold Pai on the Nintendo Switch, Breath of the Wild is an open-world masterpiece. (Masson calls it “boundary-breaking.”) The kingdom of Hyrule has vast fields, forests, deserts and even a volcano filled with enemies and charming NPCs (non-playable characters) alike. In it, you can fight your way through four major bosses to get to the final Ganon, or become a virtual errand-runner for everyone you encounter and enjoy the playthrough for as long as possible. (Pai loves its sequel The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which dropped this year, but it’s worth playing this one first.)
Masson calls this a “cozy game,” where you create a life on a deserted island. “You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean,” he says. “The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises year-round.” You can also play co-op and visit your friends’ islands.
This puzzle-based game is all about logic; for each puzzle, you get a statement with certain conditions that you have to make true. I love that you can play as a group without having to pass around the joy-cons; people can simply offer up potential solutions. The puzzles get increasingly harder as you progress, and the art and music are adorable — which is helpful to offset the inevitable frustration when you get stuck, says Pai.
This 3D take on Mario “is one of the better-looking games on the platform,” says Downey, who also says that the controls are extremely responsive. Mario gets new moves, like capture and cap throw, to aid his efforts to rescue Princess Peach, along with hidden collectibles and new kingdoms. “Even after finishing the game completely, I’ll still jump into the game here and there just to run around as Mario in the different worlds,” he says.
This is the ultimate crossover fighting game — you can control almost any Nintendo character you can think of and fight against friends, family and competitors online to be the last one standing. It has 82 characters to choose from across franchises like Super Mario, Pokémon, Minecraft, Final Fantasy, Street Fighter, Animal Crossing and more. You can play it with up to eight players, making it an excellent choice for big groups.
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Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Justin Masson is a gaming expert and co-host of the podcast and YouTube channel Nintendo Dads, which has reviews, commentary and insight about Nintendo games. He’s been gaming for 35 years, starting with Nintendo’s NES, and has been playing the Nintendo Switch since it was first released in 2017.
- Jakin Vela, Ph.D., is a sociologist, gaming industry expert and the executive director of the International Game Developers Association.
Why trust NBC Select?
Deanna Pai is a contributing writer for NBC Select who has been a Nintendo gamer for years.
Harry Rabinowitz is a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology, fitness and gaming. He’s covered the Nintendo Switch 2 extensively before and after launch, and plays new Switch 2 titles to get first-hand experience.
For this article, Pai and Rabinowitz spoke to gaming experts and drew from their own experience to explain the Nintendo Switch and recommend games and accessories for the system.
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