Editors’ Observe, April 26, 2026: With this replace, we added the SanDisk 256GB microSD card. The prevailing picks have been vetted for forex and availability.
The bigger and extra highly effective Change 2 is Nintendo’s focus proper now, however the authentic Change (and OLED Change) continues to be an excellent recreation system and the least costly of any main recreation consoles by far. It has a deep library, a cool console-portable hybrid design, and loads of new titles steadily popping out. That stated, you may make the Change higher with beefier controllers, extra storage, and a sooner community connection, simply to call just a few potential enhancements. If you happen to’re able to degree up your Change, begin with these beneficial equipment and peripherals. And in the event you’re questioning what to play, try the perfect Nintendo Change video games.
Beneficial by Our Editors
Greatest First-Get together Gamepad
Nintendo Change Professional Controller
Nintendo makes glorious equipment, and the Change Professional Controller is among the firm’s finest. It feels good in hand, performs properly, and has virtually all the similar options because the Pleasure-Con, together with the motion-sensing and Amiibo-scanning tech. If you happen to primarily play a docked Change, it is a way more ergonomic selection than utilizing the Pleasure-Con and grips.
Nintendo Change Professional Controller Evaluation
Greatest Price range Nintendo Change Professional Controller
The Change Professional Controller is an effective gamepad in its personal proper, however the extra reasonably priced 8Bitdo Professional 2 beats it on virtually each entrance. It really works seamlessly with the Change, PC, and Android units; options programmable rear buttons; and helps full management remapping with macros by way of its Home windows app, all for lower than $50. It could possibly’t scan Amiibo, however it’s in any other case a Change Professional Controller killer with much more to supply.
8Bitdo Professional 2 Evaluation
Greatest Nintendo Change Arcade Stick
The Change has many traditional arcade video games, so you may wish to seize the genuine really feel with a stick. The 8Bitdo Arcade Stick is simply that—a sturdy joystick controller that connects to the Change or a PC by way of Bluetooth or a USB transmitter. It really works properly, and although it won’t have the genuine part bona fides of extra “critical” struggle sticks, it is also a lot inexpensive than that class of aggressive controller.
Need extra buttons? 8bitdo additionally affords a leverless, Hit Field-style All-Button Arcade Controller that replaces the persist with buttons. It is an reasonably priced various for anybody inquisitive about stepping into combating video games.
8Bitdo Arcade Stick Evaluation
Greatest Pleasure-Con Alternative
Pleasure-Con controllers are intelligent and versatile, however they are not essentially the most comfy enter units. Nevertheless, the Hori Break up Pad Professional is a superb various for once you’re utilizing the Change as a handheld. These Pleasure-Con-like controllers solely work when related on to the system, however they’re giant, satisfying to carry, and have a well-designed path pad for taking part in combating video games and platformers.
Hori Break up Pad Professional (for Nintendo Change) Evaluation
Greatest Price range Wi-fi Headset
The Change helps Bluetooth, however not all headphones deal with a number of connections properly. The Razer Barracuda X does, utilizing a USB-C transmitter that works with the system and might present even higher sound than most Bluetooth connections. It additionally has Bluetooth, so you turn between your Change and your telephone with the push of a button, all for properly underneath $100.
Razer Barracuda X (2022) Evaluation
Greatest for Increasing Your Change’s Storage
The Nintendo Change and Change Lite every have 32GB of storage, and the OLED Change has 64GB. That is sufficient to get you began within the early days of Change possession, however not sufficient to construct a good recreation library that does not require you to consistently uninstall video games to make room for brand new ones. Happily, the Change has a microSD card slot that accepts commonplace microSD playing cards as much as a formidable 2TB. MicroSD playing cards have gotten pricier up to now 12 months, however you’ll be able to nonetheless get a 256GB card like this SanDisk unit for lower than $80. It does not need to be a Nintendo-branded card, both; any UHS-1 microSD card will work with the system.
Greatest for 4K Video Seize
The Seize button on the Change enables you to seize screenshots and quick video clips, however that is not sufficient for streamers and different content material creators. If you wish to document or stream your gameplay, you want a separate seize machine just like the Elgato HD60 X. This small field enables you to seize video coming from the Change whereas nonetheless displaying it in your TV by way of an HDMI pass-through. It helps 4K video at 30 frames per second, however the 1080p60 mode is extra vital for Change video.
Elgato HD60 X Evaluation
Greatest for Wired Networking
Nintendo Change Wired Web LAN Adapter
That is an adjunct that is particular to the unique Change, since its dock does not have an Ethernet port just like the OLED Change or the Change 2. The Change’s Wi-Fi is dependable, however if you need the quickest web speeds when the console’s docked, you want a wired community connection. This Hori-made Ethernet adapter plugs into the Change dock so you’ll be able to join a cable out of your router. Now, get pleasure from silky multiplayer motion.
Nintendo Change OLED Mannequin and Metroid Dread: We Evaluation the Upgraded Handheld
