The holidays are slowly creeping in and that means it’s time to buy new stuff in hope of offseting any seasonal affective disorder that might be setting in these cold months. And while your Nintendo Switch‘s screen doesn’t emit the same light rays as a seasonal affective disorder lamp, that doesn’t mean you should let it sit around. This Nintendo Switch holiday 2019 gift guide will help guide you through what items to buy for your Switch console. Keep in mind that not everything works for both the Switch and Switch Lite so there will separate links for each. Just be sure to double check which item is for which console.
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | Nintendo Switch
It makes sense to start with the actual console itself. The Switch is a well-received console and handheld hybrid with a large game library. The one linked below has the better battery life, too. It’s hard to go wrong with this core version of the Switch.
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | Nintendo Switch Lite
But what if you want a cheaper Switch and don’t want or need the ability to play on a TV? The Switch Lite might be for you or someone you know. It’s the same great handheld that may seem like it lacks features, which it undoubtedly does, but is a more focused machine. Sure, playing on a TV is fine but that ends up pointing out that it isn’t a PS4 or Xbox One. Playing only on a handheld screen puts the system in the best light, even if it means that the Switch can’t, well, switch,
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | AmCase Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch Lite
There are plenty of cases to jam your Switch into but the one from amCase strikes a good balance between price and functionality. It’s quite sturdy and has a flap in the middle that can hold around eight carts the elastic bands it has on the inside. They hold the games rather tightly so you shouldn’t expect to see your games get knocked loose.
ALSO: Switch Lite Review | One of the best handhelds ever made
And the accessory pouch, while not quite as snug, will fit mostly everything that isn’t a cart (even if space will be a little tight if you included the default charger. The Switch Lite fits snugly underneath that flap of games in case to give it some light protection once you unzip the case to grab your console. Given how you can bring your console, game collection, and accessories, this case hits all the basic necessities without breaking the bank.
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | HORI 24-Game Card Case
In case you want to carry a game case inside of your game case, you may want to pick up this large game holder. It can carry up to 24 carts and two microSD cards, meaning you should be able to carry all of your game library with you wherever you go.
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | Samsung 128GB MicroSD Card
Speaking of microSD cards, you’re going to need a big one if you want to hold a good portion of the Switch’s indie games on your system at one time. There are bound to be a lot of cheaper, more expensive ones, but Samsung has a relatively decent price on a 128 GB card. That should hold plenty of games.
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | Best exclusive games
But a Switch is only a cool wide paperweight without games. 2019 wasn’t the strongest year for the system but it did have some killer titles. Astral Chain was a solid action game from Platinum, a team that has repeatedly proved its chops in the genre. Super Mario Maker 2 may have been more of the same, but it’s still a fantastic idea and had enough small tweaks to make a huge different. And Luigi’s Mansion 3 finally realized the series’ potential, becoming the best of the three and a damn fine Switch experience.
Buy Super Mario Maker 2 now for $57
Buy Luigi’s Mansion 3 now for $57.95
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | Mumba Heavy Duty Slim Rubberized Case
Living with the fear of dropping your Switch is an ever present reality. But the heavy duty case from Mumba can help alleviate these fears because of how it protects your little console for a relatively low price. With a little force, it will snap right on and protect the back and sides of your Switch with a ton of rubber. Some cases tend to envelop the whole thing, making the shoulder buttons a bit harder to press, but this Mumba one makes sure each button is relatively easy to press. And aside from adding some protection to the handheld, it’ll also make it a little more comfortable to hold because of its slightly curved ergonomic design. It might not save your Switch from being run over by a car, but this should suffice for the occasional drop or two, which is all most people will need.
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | MANTO Screen Protector Tempered Glass Film Fingerprint Resistance Three-Pack
But these cases won’t protect the front of your system if you do drop it nor do anything about scratches. And while it’s tempting to buy cheap plastic covers, you’re better off getting tempered glass screen protectors for their extra protection. These will last longer and will protect against drops more than the bad ones while also still not dulling the touch screen. You should be able to get two or three for $10 or less.
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | Nintendo Pro Controller
Sometimes it’s hard to be the basics and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is one such example. It’ll give both Switch and Switch Lite users a more accurate gamepad even if it comes at a more expensive price tag than some third-party controllers. Those have a tendency to have some subpar features so it might be best to stick to Nintendo when you’re looking for a gamepad. It might not be the best controller in gaming but it’s one of the best for the Switch.
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | HORI Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro
If you want your Switch to be a huge, bulky boy, then you may want to look into the HORI Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro. This turns the system into a more ergonomic device by replacing the Joy-Cons with a more traditional-looking controller. Sometimes the Joy-Cons don’t quite get the job done so that is where this device is. Of course, these don’t quite work the same way sideways so this is really only for those who don’t miss HD rumble and want to play in handheld mode by themselves.
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | Nintendo Switch Dual USB Playstand
Since you can’t officially play the Switch Lite in tabletop, then you’re going to need to improvise. This kickstand not only props up your portable-only console, but also charges it. It’s even got two USB ports so you can plug two controllers into it and game on the go with a match of Mortal Kombat 11, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, or whatever multiplayer Switch game that has the initials “MK.” Nintendo has also officially licensed this piece of hardware, which is a good sign.
Nintendo Switch Gift Guide 2019 | eShop Gift Card
But what if you don’t know what to buy for yourself or someone else? The easy answer would be to just buy them an eShop gift card and either kick that decision down the road or let someone else pick their own gift out. These come in a variety of $5, $10, $20, $35, $45, $50, $70, and $99. There strangely isn’t a $60 denomination, which is a weird way to either get people to buy two cards or hope they have some money left in their account after buying a full-priced title.
GameRevolution is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
