With the Nintendo Switch, the clue is in the name. It’s a console that lets you switch things up – quickly swapping between handheld, tabletop, and TV modes. This is a hybrid console that’s as at home with the kids in the car as it is with a serious gamer on the sofa.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Here’s everything you need to know about the Switch…
What is the Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch was released all the way back in March 2017. And, even though it doesn’t quite have the power of the PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series X or Series S, the Switch has a heck of a lot going for it.
For one, because it’s a Nintendo console, you can play their amazing catalogue of games. So, if you’re a Mario superfan, or a Pokémon player, it’s got all the great titles you know and love.
Then there’s the fact you can choose how you play – depending on your mood, where you are, and who you’re with. Want to use the Switch at home with friends? Plug it into the special dock, hook it up to your telly, and use the detachable Joy-Con controllers for some exciting couch co-op. Or, if you’re heading out and want to use it as a portable gaming console, just remove it from the dock and off you go. That’s one way of levelling up your morning commute!
If you’re in the middle of a game, it’ll even change its output from the TV to the console screen – and vice versa – so you can pick things up exactly where you left off.
What comes in the box of a Nintendo Switch?
Here’s what you’ll find in the box:
Tablet – with a 6.2” screen.
TV dock – to connect the console to your telly.
HDMI cable and USB-C charger – helps you plug everything in and top up your battery.
Controllers (Joy-Cons) – with a handy detachable design.
Joy-Con grip – pop on both of the Joy-Cons for a more traditional controller.
Straps – so you don’t accidentally throw a Joy-Con into your TV!
And there’s tons you can do with the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers:
Hand one to a friend for competitive or co-op action.
Strap them to your wrists and hold one in each hand to play a game on your own.
Slot them into the Joy-Con grip and turn it into a standard game pad.
For gaming on the go, attach each one to the sides of your tablet.
Does the Nintendo Switch come with games?
That all depends on what kind of Switch package you buy. Some come bundled with the latest and greatest titles – think Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Mario Kart 8, and Animal Crossing. Others just come with the Switch itself. So, if you want to get gaming from the get-go, we’d recommend picking up a bundle.
How to charge a Nintendo Switch
You can charge the console in a couple of different ways:
Plug the USB-C charger into the Switch itself and the adapter end into a power socket.
Whenever you’re playing in docked mode.
How to charge Nintendo Switch controllers
What about the Joy-Cons though? Well, in point one above, your Joy-Cons are charging too. But in point two, they’re not attached to your tablet, so will be gradually using up their battery.
To charge your Joy-Cons either:
Make sure they’re connected to your tablet, and make sure the tablet is plugged into the USB-C charger.
Use the Venom Charging Station for Nintendo Switch, which lets you charge up to four Joy-Cons at once.
Is the Nintendo Switch backwards compatible?
Not at the moment, no. The Switch has such a unique form factor that it exists very much on its own and isn’t compatible with the Wii U or 3DS and their library of games. There is some good news though. Old fan-favourite titles get ported to the Switch all the time, so keep an eye out for some classic blasts from the past.
What are the best Nintendo Switch games?
That all really comes down to personal preference. But here’s just a handful of the most popular titles you can play on Switch:
Legend of Zelda
Zelda and Nintendo go hand in hand. While The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild changed open world gaming forever - and is still one of the best Nintendo Switch games ever made, despite launching all the way back in 2017 – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is even more next-level. In 2023s sequel, Princess Zelda needs your help yet again and as Link, you’re the only one who can save her. Are you up to the challenge?
Mario Games
Our favourite Italian plumber has been a Nintendo staple for donkey’s years now. And he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Mario Kart 8. Mario Strikers: Battle League Football. Super Mario Party. Super Mario Odyssey. Mario + Rabids Sparks of Hope. He’s got more video games than we’ve had hot dinners. But with so many different types of game under his belt, there’s bound to be one here for you.
Minecraft
The only limit in Minecraft is your imagination. In each randomly generated world, you’ll mine for resources and construct amazing structures from scratch. Whether that’s a towering medieval castle, or a simple cottage. While in survival mode, you’ll also have to craft weapons and armour to fight off the incoming mobs as you build. So, keep your wits about you.
Pokémon
Pokémon has come a long way since the days of Blue, Yellow and Red on the Game Boy Colour. We’ve gone from an old-school top-down view with an 8-bit soundtrack, to full 3D open worlds in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It’s time to go and catch them all!
What is Nintendo Switch multiplayer?
With the Switch, you can play locally against your mates (using each Joy-Con as a separate controller), or head online and take on players around the world. If you are planning to play online, just make sure you’ve got yourself a Nintendo Switch Online Membership. Otherwise, you won’t be able to.
How to connect Nintendo Switch consoles for local wireless play
You can also link multiple Nintendo Switch consoles together for an even bigger local multiplayer experience. With ad-hoc multiplayer, you can game with friends without being connected to the same (or any) network. As the Switch’s connect to each other wirelessly, you can fire up some private matches even when you haven’t got access to any Wi-Fi.
Not all games offer local wireless play (you can check the back of the game box to see if it supports this and how many people can play at once). If it does, you can go head-to-head right next to each other, but on separate consoles. Game on!
Every game that supports local wireless has a slightly different way of setting it up though. Here’s a quick example of how to do it on Rocket League:
Go to the main menu.
Hit ‘Play’.
Select ‘Play Local’.
Then pick ‘Join Local Lobby or Host Local Lobby’.
When you choose to host a lobby, your Switch creates a small local network automatically.
Your friends’ consoles can then connect to this. You’ll want to be sat fairly close to each other to guarantee a better, more reliable connection.
And you’re done - let the rivalry commence.
Nintendo Switch VR and compatible games
While the Switch isn’t quite on the level of dedicated VR headsets – think the PSVR2 and Meta Quest 2 – you can still get stuck into the world of virtual reality with Nintendo’s Labo VR kit. With the kit, you’ll make six Toy-Con creations – and then play a bunch of different VR games using your new builds.
One of these is the VR Goggles, which you’ll need to slot the Switch tablet into. When you combine them with the other Toy-Cons (like the Blaster or Camera) you’ll use movements and gestures to fully immerse yourself in the game. Push back the alien hordes with your Blaster, or snap photos of deep-sea creatures with the Camera. It’s a great way to play VR at a fraction of the cost of other more traditional headsets.
What is Nintendo Labo?
Nintendo Labo is a whole new way to game. Made up of various cardboard ‘kits’, once built, you can use them with the Joy-Cons to play a whole load of great games. Labo is aimed at boosting kids’ creativity – but if crafting is your thing, there’s nothing to say that adults can’t get in on the fun!
Can you connect a Nintendo Switch to a TV?
Yes, you can. With the Nintendo Switch docking station, you can connect your console to a TV, monitor or projector.
Here’s how to connect Nintendo Switch to a TV:
Flip open the side panel on the dock.
Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the dock, then plug the other end into your display (monitor, TV, projector etc). You’ll want to keep the dock fairly close to your TV so that the cable can easily reach it.
Now plug the USB-C end of the power cable into the dock and connect the adapter to a power socket.
If you’ve done everything properly, the image on your tablet should show up on your screen in a few seconds.
Nintendo Switch vs Switch Lite
The standard Nintendo Switch lets you play in three different modes. TV mode (does what it says on the tin really) lets you play games on your telly by popping the Switch into the dock. Disconnect the controllers and prop up the screen for tabletop mode – perfect for getting in a quick game of FIFA with your mate wherever you are. And then, of course, you can leave the controllers attached to the screen for handheld mode.
On the other hand, the Switch Lite is a slightly more compact, all-in-one console - kind of like the PS Vita (if you know, you know). So, the screen and controls are fixed together. Making it the perfect option for gaming on the bus, train, or plane.
This different design does mean that you won’t be able to detach the controllers or hook it up to your TV though. But that helps to make it even more affordable. If you’re looking for a cheaper entry point to Nintendo Switch, this might just be it!
What’s the difference between the Switch and the Switch OLED?
Nintendo Switch vs OLED. Are they really that much different? Well yes, but they do both share all the same play features, with Joy-Con controllers that slide off the screen, the same battery life, and a TV dock.
The main differences come down to the hardware. The classic Switch has a 6.2” LCD screen, while the Switch OLED has a bigger 7” display, and as you might have guessed, it’s OLED instead of LCD. That means your games will be brighter and sharper, with much more vivid colours. Rainbow Road has honestly never looked so good.
The OLED version also packs twice the storage (64 GB instead of 32), so you’ve got even more space to store your games and precious save files. While enhanced audio makes weapons boom and magic spells crackle.
What is a Nintendo Switch account?
Your Nintendo Switch account (also called a Nintendo Account) is an online account for all things Nintendo. With it, you can access all their essential gaming services – from buying new games on the eShop, to playing online multiplayer with your friends.
How to create a Nintendo Switch account
Creating your account is incredibly easy. Just head to the Nintendo website, follow the account creation steps, and then link your account to your Switch.
How to delete a Nintendo Switch account
To delete your account, log into your Nintendo Account on their website, go to the ‘Data Management’ section and follow the instructions to delete it.
FAQs
Does the Nintendo Switch have Bluetooth?
Yes, it does. Bluetooth is used for connecting wireless controllers and other accessories.
Can you watch Netflix on Nintendo Switch?
Unfortunately, you can’t watch your favourite Netflix shows on the Switch at the moment. The console is more focused on gaming than streaming.
Can you watch films on Nintendo Switch?
The Switch doesn’t support streaming services, so you won’t be able to catch any films on it.
What age is a Nintendo Switch for?
The Switch is great for absolutely anyone – from kids to adults. There a loads of games designed for different age groups, so there’s something here for everyone.
So, now you know absolutely everything you need to know about Nintendo Switch. But what if you fancy yourself as a bit of a streamer? Here’s how to stream from your Nintendo Switch to YouTube, Twitch and more. Or maybe you want to find out more about games for Nintendo Switch? If you do, head over to ShopLive. You’ll be able to chat to one of our in-store gaming experts, who’ll be able to recommend some top titles for you to play.
