We're quickly approaching the Nintendo Switch launch on March 3. While you've (hopefully) locked in your console pre-order, there are a few other things you might want to grab ahead of time for your Switch.
Below we've broken down our picks for microSD cards, Ethernet adapters, charging cables, and anything else we can think of that you'll want to have on hand when your Switch arrives.
micro SD card
The Nintendo Switch can theoretically hold microSD cards up to 2TB (although 256GB cards are currently the largest size on the market). When choosing your storage, keep in mind that microSD cards are not the same and their specifications include much more than just storage capacity.
Use what you have:
The best memory card for your Switch is of course probablythe one you already have at home. The switch is compatible with SDXC cards, which are backwards compatible with the older smaller capacity SD and SDHC cards. So pretty much any microSD card you have lying around from an old Android phone or digital camerashouldwork in the switch. You must format and erase the contents of the card before you can use it. So first make a backup of everything you want to keep.
Or buy new:
If you want to buy a new card specifically for the Switch, we have some recommendations for that too. Now, Nintendo hasn't released the exact specs of the Switch's SD card support, aside from the 2TB and SDXC details. That said, the company licenses accessory maker Hori to make custom Nintendo Switch-branded cards, so we'll use these specs as our guidelines for what class of microSD cards to look for for now.
The Hori card is a smaller microSDHC card in terms of storage, but we care about the speeds: it is a UHS-I slot (indicated by the Roman numeral I) with a Class 10 Speed Class (the 10 in the circle) and Class 1 UHS Speed Class (the 1 in the u-shaped box). We've reached out to Nintendo for more details, but until we hear otherwise, we'll focus on cards with roughly these parameters.
(It's possible that the Switch can use other microSD cards. For example, a Class 1 UHS promises a minimum speed of 10 MB/s. But a Class 3 card promises a minimum speed of 30 MB/s. Here too, the Switch can these use higher class cards, but it's unclear if the hardware will benefit from the faster speeds in any way.)
Best value: For a 64GB card, it's hard to beatLexar 300xmodel, which costs $20. However, the 300x has a top speed of 45MB/s, almost half of the$ 25 PNY Elite(up to 85 MB/s read speed), the$30 Samsung Evo+(tot 80 MB/s), of$30 SanDisk Extreme(up to 90 MB/s read speed), which are all good options.
Best storage: We don't know how big the average Switch game is, but as a benchmark:The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildis apparently a 13.4GB download (or almost half of the Switch's 32GB built-in storage). That said, you may want a larger map if you plan to download a lot of games.
If you want the best card, with the fastest speeds and the most storage, you want it256GB Samsung Evo+. It costs around $160 on Amazon and meets all the speed criteria (and then some) for the Switch. Alternatively, Microdia theoretically sells one512 GB microSD card, but it will cost you $1,000.
All in all a good deal:Samsung's 128GB Evo+is probably the right place. At 128GB, it offers a quadruple of your Switch's built-in memory with a comfortable amount of storage space. Samsung's Evo+ line is also highly rated with a recommendation oftesthold over klThe wire cutter. It costs about $50 on Amazon, just a little more than a slower $40 SanDisk card of the same capacity.
USB-C-kabels
The Switch comes with a USB-C charger that plugs directly into the console or dock. But if you plan to charge your console away from your TV and wall socket, a few extra USB-C cables can help.
AnchorsUSB Type-A to USB-C cableare cheap and reliable enough that you don't have to worry about frying your new console. Alternatively, you can holdsome $7 microUSB adaptersand reuse some of your existing cables instead. And if you've already made the full leap to USB-C, buy an extra oneUSB-C to USB-C cable.
And if you go the full USB-C route, you'll probably want oneextra charger for your wall, Also.
Sagging
The Switch's biggest selling point is the ability to take it with you on the go. You'll probably have a case for that purpose. There are already plenty of pre-order options online, but without trying them out, it's hard to say for sure which one is good. That being said,PDP's option for $15it looks like it should do the job for basic protection for your new console. The fact that it's not an eyesore helps.
Ethernet-adapter
If you plan to connect your Switch to the internet via Ethernet, you will need a USB adapter for use with the Switch docking station. Nintendo has its ownBrand name one for $30, but you probably want to skip that and just use onecheaper solution instead.
Nintendo Switch First Look
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