The MEGA Nintendo Switch Hardware and Accessories Buyers Guide
So you’ve learned all you can about the Nintendo Switch in our first guide, now here’s everything you’re going to buy for one.
We’ve scoured the internet for as many Nintendo Switch deals and accessories as humanly possibly. Listed below is a range of items coming to Australian stores for March 3rd. We could go worldwide and find every single case, cable and colour out there, but we’re focusing local for now.
If you see a great deal on a the Switch, the Joy-Con controllers, cases or other accessories let us know in the comments below. We’ll be keeping this guide up to date right up until launch.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook for any bargain alerts.
Prepare your wallet.
[row]
[column lg=”6″ md=”6″ sm=”6″ xs=”12″ ]
[/column]
[column lg=”6″ md=”6″ sm=”6″ xs=”12″ ]
[/column]
[/row]
The Console
The Nintendo Switch comes in two colour configurations. The main tablet is the same colour but the two Joy-Controllers are different. There is an all grey or the neon configuration. Both configurations have exactly the same contents and should be the same price between the two.
There seems to be a lot less competition or room to move on the Switch and no stores are yet offering bundles. You’ll have to find savings on the games and accessories.
Price Guide
- Official RRP from Nintendo – $469.95
- Costco – $450 – Membership Required
- Big W
- EB Games – $469.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $469.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $469 – Link
- Target – $469 – Link
Importing
Because the Nintendo Switch is region free it opens a lot more purchasing options from overseas. The problem we found when starting this guide we couldn’t find a online store that didn’t have a crazy markup or actually had units available to preorder.
Controllers
At first glance you can look at the all the controller options for the Nintendo Switch you’ll be forgiven for being a little confused. What do I need for multi-player? Is one singular Joy-Con enough? Do I need two? What about this strap thing? What is the Pro Controller? Does that have HD Rumble? How do I charge these things?! So many possible questions!
Joy-Con
On each side of the Nintendo Switch is a Joy-Con controller. An L version and an R version. Together they can be used as one controller, separate they can be two. They can be played vertical or sideways similar to an SNES pad. They both contain the capability for motion controls. Some games need both controllers together, some you can play with them separate with two players or a combination of both.
Nintendo sells Joy-Con controllers as a set of two, or you can buy grey ones separate. You’re only likely to need that if one breaks.
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Pair Grey
- Costco – $110
- Dungeon Crawl – $110.11 – Link
- Big W – $99 – Link
- EB Games – $119.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $119.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $119 – Link
- Target – $99 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Pair Neon Blue
- Costco – $110
- Dungeon Crawl – $110.11 – Link
- Big W – $99 – Link
- EB Games – $119.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $119.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $119 – Link
- Target – $99 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Pair Neon Red
- Costco – $110
- Dungeon Crawl – $110.11 – Link
- Big W – $99 – Link
- EB Games – $119.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $119.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $119 – Link
- Target – $99
[/column]
[/row]
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
– Link
Joy-Con Pair Neon Blue and Red
- Costco – $110
- Dungeon Crawl – $110.11 – Link
- Big W – $99 – Link
- EB Games – $119.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $119.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $119 – Link
- Target – $99 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con L
- Dungeon Crawl – $64.22 – Link
- EB Games – $69.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $69.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $69 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con R
- Dungeon Crawl – $64.22 – Link
- EB Games – $69.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $69.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $69 – Link
[/column]
[/row]
The Joy-Con Strap is an optional accessory for the controllers. It slides in on the rail system of the controller and not only adds a handy strap to controller (ala the Wii Remote) but also rounds out the top of the controller and makes the shoulder buttons a little more ergonomic.
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Strap Grey
- Dungeon Crawl – $13.73 – Link
- EB Games – $14.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $14.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $14 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Strap Neon Blue
- Dungeon Crawl – $13.73 – Link
- EB Games – $14.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $14.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $14 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Strap Neon Red
- Dungeon Crawl – $13.74 – Link
- EB Games – $14.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $14.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $14 – Link
[/column]
[/row]
The Joy-Con Charging Grip is the same as the one that comes with the system with one difference. You can actually charge the Joy-Cons as you play. The Pro Controller for the Nintendo Switch contains all the same technology as the Joy-Con controllers. It comes only in one colour, transparent grey.
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Charging Grip
- Dungeon Crawl – $36.67 – Link
- Big W – $TBC
- EB Games – $39.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $39.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $39 – Link
- Mighty Ape – $35 – Link
- Target – $34 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Comfort Grips (Black)
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Comfort Grips (Red)
[/column]
[/row]
[row]
[column lg=”6″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
[/column]
[row]
[column lg=”6″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Pro Controller
- Costco – $90
- Dungeon Crawl – $92.23 – Link
- Big W – $85 – Link
- EB Games – $99.95 – Link
- Gamesmen -$99.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $99 – Link
- Target – $89 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”6″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Wheel Pair
[/column]
[/row]
microSD cards
The Nintendo Switch supports microSD cards to expand its storage, there is a slot on the back under the kickstand to put the memory in.
The important thing to remember, maybe more so than space with the microSD card you buy is to look for speed. Memory cards may be advertised at a certain speed but if you get a cheap one off eBay there’s no telling how fast it actually is.
What you’re after is a microSDHC or microSDXC with the following;
- The fastest read speed you can find ( at least 80MB/s)
- Class 10
- The most memory you can afford.
If we find any cheap deals we’ll put them on our Twitter accounts, here and here.
Storage and Protection
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Official Nintendo Switch case and Screen Protector
- Dungeon Crawl – $27.54 – Link
- EB Games – $29.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $29.95 – Link
- JB Hi-FI – $29 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
@play Nintendo Switch Starer Pack
- EB Games – $39.95 – Link
@play Nintendo Switch Starter Pack Plus
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Nintendo Switch Starter Kit – Mario Edition Accessory Pack
- EB Games – $29.95 – Link
[/column]
[/row]
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Nintendo Switch Premium Console Case – Zelda Edition
- EB Games – $19.95 – Link
Nintendo Switch Premium Console Case – Mario Edition
- EB Games – $19.95 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Switch EVA Carry Case
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Deluxe Carry Case (Zelda)
- Big W – $25 – Link
- JB Hi-Fi – $29.98 – Blue Link
- Gamesmen – $29.95 – Black and Blue Link
[/column]
[/row]
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Nintendo Switch Game Traveller Deluxe Travel Case
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Nintendo Switch Messenger Travel Case
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Switch Game Traveller Deluxe Carry Case
[/column]
[/row]
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Nintendo Switch Zelda Collector’s Edition Skin Set
- EB Games – $24.95 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Nintendo Switch Game Traveller Mini Bundle
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Nintendo Switch Zelda Game Card Case
- EB Games – $19.95 – Link
[/column]
[/row]
Charging
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Official Nintendo Switch AC Adapter
- Dungeon Crawl – $36.67 – Link
- EB Games – $39.95 – Link
- Gamesmen – $39.95 – Link
- JB Hi-Fi $39 – Link
- Target – $34 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Car Chargers
- Play and Charge Car Adapter – EB Games – $14.95 – Link
- Big Ben Car Charger and Cable – Gamesmen – $22.95 – Link
- Big Ben Car Charger and Cable – JB Hi-Fi – $22.98 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
USB-C Cables
From EB Games
- @play Nintendo Extra Long Cables – $19.95 – Link
[/column]
[/row]
Miscellaneous
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Nintendo Switch Compact Playstand
- EB Games – $24.95 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Nintendo Switch LAN Adapter
- EB Games – $49.95 – Link
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Joy-Con Charging Station
[/column]
[/row]
Japanese Accessories
There’s wide variety of cases available in Japan, really – they got some really crazy designs and cool colours. Here’s a selection of cases from Play-Asia we’ve found that aren’t available outside of Japan.
Guide last updated: February 26th, article contains affiliate links to certain retailers.
Does the JoyCon strap fit the left or right JoyCons? It looks that way to me…
Ive only seen them available in pairs/sets – so you should get both even though it’s not stated.
They look like they are keyed to the respective left and right Joy Cons in that there is – and + embossing on both the Joy Cons and strap edges. Have a look at the individual and paired Joy Con box art at the top of the Joy Con photographs.
Yep, but I was wondering if the – is on one side and the + on the other?
The listings don’t mention if the strap is a “Left Strap only” for instance. But they don’t say if it suits left and right either…
I guess it doesn’t matter that much, I was just curious.
It looks like the strap/rope part is meant to be at the opposite end of the – and + ends from the box art for the individual L and R Joy-Cons (side panel box comparisons). Without having a 3D model or used one myself, it could be keyed to only one side and direction. From photos it looks like you slide the strap on downwards onto the Joy-Con so that the – or + align and the end of the sliding motion. Sort of like the Joy-Con becomes the tablet (majority mass component) when you add/remove the Joy-Cons when docked. I’m not even sure the strap buttons are semetrical to try upside down and swapped sides.
The strap can fit either the left or right JoyCon. One side fits into the left Joycon, while flipping it allows it to fit into the right Joycon.
The separate straps come with *one* strap from what I can see. On some websites, you may see an image of two straps, however, this is merely illustrating the fact that the strap can be affixed to either Joycon (one side displaying a + symbol while the other -), otherwise, the box would have clearly indicated that it included strap(S) or that it was a “twin pack”. There is no such indication on the box. I understood from the get go that it only came packaged with one strap yet some here seem to believe that the box includes two (if only that were the case as they’re quite expensive).
If you read the product descriptions on either the Joycon box or strap box on EB’s website it clearly states its a “pair”.
Nice post! Thank you for the effort. Really didn’t expect many discount prices tbh..
I am waiting for target and big w reveal their price for games:) The travel case is 59.95 at EB games:)
The Gamesmen also has tempered glass screen protectors (https://www.gamesmen.com.au/nintendo-switch-tempered-glass-screen-protector) that I haven’t seen anywhere else yet. After installing tempered glass protectors on my friends and family smart phones, I’m going to use one for my Switch as soon as practical as they have certainly saved our phone screens more than once.
Will be going back through and adding screen protectors in soon! Thanks for the link.
Hi Vooks. JB-HiFi are also listing tempered glass screen protectors for the Switch (https://www.jbhifi.com.au/games-consoles/platforms/accessory-pack/screen-protect-kit-tempered-glass-for-nintendo-switch/335321/).
I’m pumped for the Switch but it’s going to take some serious coin to get it kitted out. There’s an extra controller, (screen only) carry case, charging dock for both controllers, joy grip etc. Hopefully the LAN adapter from the Wii U will at least be compatible with the Switch.
Regarding SD cards, I’ve got my eyes on the SanDisk Ultra 200GB Micro SD (SDSDQUAN-200G-G4A). You can get it for < AUD$120, which is cheap for the storage size, but again, it's a big chunk on top of a bitsy shopping list as it is!
Oh and who asked for the steering wheel? haha That thing won’t die.
cubic.com.au is selling the switch for $459.95 and the pro controller for $89 with ~$11 shipping
Autocorrect, I meant cubox.com.au
So…does the joycon come with a strap? Cos if I get that optional strap, would that mean the joycon would have 2 straps instead of one? Just wondering if I need the strap or not
The console, joycon pairs, and single joycons all come with a grey strap for each joycon.
Coloured straps are sold in pairs as a separate purchase.
Correction: the straps that come with the joycons are black.
The separate straps are sold *individually*. That’s ONE strap per purchase. The box clearly reads “Strap” (not plural, and no mention of it being a “twin pack”). All sources that I have checked online indicate that there is only one in the box, and while many websites have two images of the strap, this merely serves to illustrate the opposite sides of the strap (as the straps can fit onto either Joy-Con simply by flipping it around). The separate Joy-Cons however, include Grey straps in the box.
The only source indicating that it is a two-pack is EB Games, which is in *error* as they have a tendency of making assumptions without clarifying the contents of their products with the actual supplier. For example, EB recently started taking pre-orders for the Zelda Limited Edition, indicating that it would come with the Sheikah Switch case *before* confirming the actual contents with Nintendo of Australia first (this of course angered a lot of customers).
They don’t appear to be interchangeable. The left/right straps have minus/plus buttons and the strap loop is near the R/L buttons respectively.
The UK store has a pretty good picture here:
https://store.nintendo.co.uk/nintendo-switch-accessory/nintendo-switch-joy-con-controller-straps-red/11396102.html
Correction to my earlier reply: The straps have plus/minus symbols to correspond with the plus/minus buttons on the joycons.
This is illustrated here:
https://store.nintendo.co.uk/nintendo-switch-accessory/grey-joy-con-controller-set-l-r/11396093.html
There is evidence of the double sided straps (+ and – on corresponding sides) here http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=1338288 part way down. Rather expensive to get colour matching straps for multiple Joy-Cons but maybe people will sell/trade black (not grey) straps as they appear to be the default when purchasing any Joy-Con combination (bundled with console, single and pair of actual Joy-Cons, not the separate strap items).
Image I referenced about double sided straps (see thread I linked for context) http://i.imgur.com/MTtAbT1.png
Hey Vooks, I think the Countdown Until Switch is an hour off (early), even for AEDT time zone for those lucky enough to go to a midnight launch.
I feel like I missed something.
When did we see confirmation from Costco on pricing? I was in maybe 2 weeks ago but didn’t see anything.
We asked, they didn’t have it advertised yet.
So did you just ask Costco about their prices and they told you? and Do you know how much Breath of the Wild will be there?