Nintendo Switch Holiday Gift Guide 2017: MicroSD Card, Controllers, And More

One of the biggest stories out of gaming in 2017 was the launch of the Nintendo Switch. The console-handheld hybrid has been wildly successful and already has an exceptionally strong library of games only nine months after launch. For the majority of the year, Switch systems have been consistently hard to find, but if someone you know was able to pick one up, there are plenty of accessories we'd suggest getting them this holiday season (if they're on your nice list).

If you're the type of person who primarily downloads their games, the 32GB of storage on Switch won't cut it for long. Zelda: Breath of the Wild has a digital download size of 13.4 GB, and the recent port of L.A. Noire won't fit on the internal storage if you buy it from the eShop. For added storage, the SanDisk Ultra 128GB microSDXC card is an excellent value. And even though it tops out at 80MB/s, that's plenty fast for downloading and playing Switch games.

Retail price: $50

Since the Switch has a 3.5mm audio jack built in, any headset or pair of headphones with the proper connection will work on it. However, voice chat has been a tough problem to solve on Nintendo's system, which is what makes the SteelSeries Arctis 3 with Bluetooth a great option for Switch owners. It has the standard 3.5mm connection but can also connect to a second device simultaneously through Bluetooth. Ideally, you'd be connected to your voice chat app of choice wirelessly while staying plugged in to get game audio. Not to mention that the Arctis 3 is comfortable, light on the ears, and provides decent sound quality.

Retail price: $130

There's no better gamepad for Switch owners than the official Nintendo Pro Controller. It can be used wirelessly or wired, lasts around 40 hours on a full charge, includes motion controls, and is ergonomically superior to the Joy-Con. The tactile feel of the triggers and bumpers is a definite upgrade and the precision of the analog sticks will make games easier to control. The Pro Controller has a nice, substantial weight with grippy rubber handles to top off its quality build.

Retail price: $70

There's a less-costly controller option for Switch that comes from PowerA. One of these will run you $30, but know that modest price tag comes with a few compromises; they only work through a wired connection and do not have motion controls. If neither of these shortcomings are a problem, then these make for great gamepads. The Zelda Edition has a matte black finish with a sketch of Link aiming his bow and the Hylian Crest at the center. The Mario Edition features a red paint job and a mosaic of iconography from the famed franchise.

Retail price: $30

Not only do 8bitdo's SF30 Pro and SN30 Pro make a neat gift that will send anyone who had a Super Famicom/Super Nintendo on a nostalgia trip, but they're fully-featured gamepads. While it sports the classic look and build, it has two triggers, two bumpers, dual analog sticks that click downward, and the Switch's home and screenshot buttons. The controllers connect through Bluetooth and charge via USB-C--they can last up to 16 hours on a full charge. Just note that the vibration produces an audible rattle noise.

Retail price: $50

Downloading games and playing online through WiFi might not be ideal, which makes an ethernet adapter worth considering. The Hori LAN adapter plugs into one of the Switch dock's USB ports with an ethernet port on the other end of the device. Wired connections will improve download and upload speeds greatly and offer a more consistent connection for multiplayer games.

Retail price: $30

Anyone who takes their Switch places without a case is running a risk. You can prevent a disaster for a Switch owner by gifting them a proper carrying case, and we'd recommend a licensed one from RDS. It's a semi-hard zipper case that straps the console-handheld hybrid into place with room for the Joycons attached. You'll also be getting your giftee two hard shell game card cases and SD card cases since they're all packaged together.

Retail price: $20

The Switch doesn't close up like the 3DS to guard the screen so you'll want to be extra careful not to scuff the system's display. PowerA's anti-glare screen protector two-pack will do the trick; the protector itself is a semi-hard plastic shield that'll fit the screen just right. It also comes with a cleaning cloth to prep the screen and an applicator wedge to make the process easier and help ensure no air bubbles get stuck underneath.

Retail price: $10

The Switch makes long trips much more fun by the nature of its portability, but if there isn't an opportunity to dock it or plug into USB-C charger, you'll eventually run out of juice. Anker's PowerCore+ battery pack helps solve that problem and the 26800 mAh version holds enough juice to charge the Switch up from 0 to 100 six times over if the bank itself is fully charged.

Retail price: $83

Another solution for charging the Switch on-the-go (if one is traveling by car) is a car charger. The officially licensed one from Hori features a six-foot USB-C cable that plugs straight into the cigarette lighter socket (an antiquated, but proper designation). The DC 5-volt / 3.0A output also offers a speedy charge for the console.

Retail price: $20

Amiibo figures aren't just there to look cool, they also give in-game bonuses depending on the particular Amiibo and game. The Switch's built-in NFC reader will recognize Amiibo when they're placed on top of the system. For example, you'll unlock outfits and costumes in Super Mario Odyssey and specific items in Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Do a little research and see if there's a particular Amiibo your gift recipient would love!

Retail price: Varies based on specific amiibo

If you can't really decide on Switch accessories for the holiday season, don't worry, a simple eShop digital card would be much appreciated. These are used as currency in Nintendo's digital storefront and your giftee can pick out whatever game or add-on they want. The eShop cards are offered in $10, $20, $35, $50 amounts and are all printed with Mario characters for an aesthetic touch.

Retail price: $10, $20, $35, $50