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Much ado has been made about the cost of the Nintendo Switch 2, from its $450 price tag toMario Kart Worldcosting $80. However, what you end up actually paying could double this, especially when you consider that many of the Switch 2’s hidden costs add up over time.
The good news is that some of these hidden costs are only relevant to portable or docked play, and you may find suitable solutions in tech gadgets you already own. Still, it’s good to know what you’re getting into when buying a Switch 2, as gaming on one looks to be more expensive than on its predecessor.
1More Expensive Games
Gaming on the Switch 1 was affordable relative to its competition. Nintendo retained a $60 price point for years after other platforms bumped up to $70. That’s changed with the Switch 2, and Nintendo’s new pricing model is now arguably the most aggressive in the console market.
For starters, the new base price for a Switch 2 game is $70. Expect to pay this for your average Nintendo-made Switch 2 title and most third-party releases. It’s possible niche titles might cost less, but what’s more likely is tentpole games surging higher. This was the justification the company used to priceMario Kart Worldat $80, and I’d anticipate the likes of a new 3DMarioorZeldato do the same.Tears of the Kingdomhas already set the precedent for this as the Switch’s sole $70 first-party game.
There are also“Switch 2 Edition” upgrade packsto consider. These are paid upgrades for Switch 1 games that vary in price and content. The $10 Switch 2 Editions forThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomsupplement graphical and performance upgrades with mobile app integration, while the $20 upgrades toSuper Mario Party JamboreeandKirby and the Forgotten Landare glorified DLC expansions. However,Pokémon Legend: Z-Ais upcharging for only better visuals and performance, and third parties are similarly adopting this model. So, while your games may play better on a Switch 2, they’ll cost more for the same content.
It’s worth noting that some games have received entirely free updates to take advantage of the more powerful hardware, withPokémon Scarlet and VioletandSuper Mario Odysseybeing among the most noteworthy. Also,Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Timeonly charged $2.59 for its upgrade, showing the market hasn’t quite settled on a model yet.
2microSD Express Card
The microSD card you use for your Switch won’t work for playing games on your Switch 2. In fact, you probably don’t even own one that will, as themicroSD Expressstandard that the Switch 2 requires is very new and very pricey.
Companies are only just starting to make these ultra-fast chips, which means they cost more now than they ever will. The256 GB Samsung card sold by Nintendofor $60 is the standard market price for that size. Less-common 512 GB cards go for around $100, and good luck getting your hands onLexar’s perpetually sold out 1 TB cardwhich costs $200(!!). You may find some cheaper versions of cards manufactured by major retailers, though I’d advise sticking to trusted brands here. Not every card is made equal.
Lexar 1TB Play PRO microSD Express
The Lexar 1TB Play PRO microSD Express Card benefits from the same performance as its 512GB counterpart, but with a substantial amount of space. Just one of these cards is nearly four times the Switch 2’s internal storage.
Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSD Express
With 512GB of storage, the Lexar 512GB Play PRO and 900MB/s read speed, it’s both a high-capacity card with exceptional performance. It writes at 600MB/s, too, ensuring faster game installation from the get-go.
Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card
Samsung is no slouch when it comes to expanding storage, and this one is Nintendo-branded, too. Not only is it fast, it matches the Switch 2 in capacity, doubling the amount of storage it has.
The Switch 2 has eight times the internal storage of the original Switch at 256 GB, so you may be able to get by without a microSD Express card until you find one on sale. At the same time, Switch 2 games take up a lot more storage space, and the advent ofgame-key cardsmeans you’ll need more games installed on your system. This makes it an inevitability that you’ll need to expand your storage unless you can live with the inconvenience of regularly deleting and re-downloading games.
3Controllers (Pro, Third-Party, and Joy-Con 2 Replacements)
The Joy-Con 2 controllers that come bundled with the Switch 2 are an upgrade over the original Joy-Con, but even when using the bundled grip, they’re still no match for the comfort of a more traditional controller.
The good news is that your existing Switch Pro Controllers and many third-party models will connect to the Switch 2. The bad news is that Nintendo greedily left out some basic functionality like their ability to turn on the console. If you can live with that, you’re good to go with the controllers you already own. If not, your only wireless option is theSwitch 2 Pro Controller.
While I believe this to be the best controller Nintendo’s ever made, it’s also prohibitively expensive at $85. The per-game back paddle customization, headphone jack, andGameChatfunctionality do make it a genuine upgrade beyond its improved ergonomics. This added value will justify the cost for some. However, if you’re new to the controller market (and if you play in TV mode, you probably will be), third-party options like the8BitDo Ultimate 2offer even greater quality in some regards, especially when it comes to variousmagnetic joystick technologiesthat highly reduce the chance of drift.
It’s worth noting that Nintendo is still using the same technology that caused the original Joy-Con sticks to drift, so you may also end up needing to replace your Joy-Con 2, especially if it’s your only controller. That’s a major expense in itself at$55 for oneor$95 for the pair.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro is a welcome upgrade from the original, with chunky buttons, and two extra triggers at the back that are remappable. Additionally, it has the same functions as Joy Con 2, minus being a mouse.
4Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
If you want to play any game online that isn’t free-to-play, you’re going to need a$20/year Nintendo Switch Online subscription. The same is true if you plan to use GameChat after its free trial period that ends after March 2026. However, you’ll need the $60/year Expansion Pass tier if you want to access GameCube games, one of the Switch 2’s most enticing offerings.
At present, there are only three GameCube games on offer (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker,Soulcalibur 2, andF-Zero GX), with more announced to come at an undisclosed time. These are upscaled to look great on modern TVs and feature the same online multiplayer with friends that other Nintendo Switch Online emulators offer. If you really want to go the distance, Nintendo sells a $65wireless GameCube controller. Other controllers often require button remapping to work properly with GameCube games, but the replica of the original works without issue.
One tip: a family pack allows up to eight people to split a subscription, making it significantly more affordable.
5External Battery Pack
The Switch 2’s battery life is easily its weakest point, lasting only 2 hours on average. If you plan to play undocked for long periods of time or travel with the Switch 2, it’s an absolute must that you have a USB-C battery pack on-hand to keep it running.
There are some important factors to consider here. The Switch 2 has a roughly 5,000mAhbattery, so a 10,000 mAh pack—which will have about 6,000 mAh of usable battery—is going to give you one extra full charge and change. This makes 10,000 mAh the minimum capacity for a Switch 2 battery pack, and even then, we’re only starting to approach the uptime of older Switch systems. At the same time, higher-capacity battery packs start to get pretty hefty and cumbersome.
There’s no perfect solution here, and it’s worth doing your research before buying tofind the option that’ll be the most tenable for you. Alternatively, use a pack you already own, as any will work with the Switch 2.
6Screen Protector
While Nintendo has designed the Switch 2 dock to combat screen scratching, that shouldn’t be taken as an excuse not to use a screen protector. It’s the least you’re able to do to ensure you don’t end up bummed out after accidentally damaging the vital component of your $450 investment.
If you’re worried about applying the screen protector, they usually come with tools that make the process quick and foolproof. The actual mistake is buying a plastic one over tempered glass. The latter is more touch-sensitive, feels great, and has no impact on image quality. My personal recommendation isamFilm’s screen protectors, and I strongly recommend against using the plastic screen protector that Nintendo bundled with its official Switch 2 case.
7Cases
There are two reasons to get a case: for travel protection or handheld mode grips. If you want both, you may find yourself double-dipping in this category.
Carrying cases are a must if you ever plan to throw your Switch 2 in a backpack or suitcase. It prevents the Switch 2 from clashing with other items or the bag’s materials, which is just asking for damage. I personally liketomtoc’s fitted shells, but any case that snugly encloses the Switch 2 will do the trick. It’s worth noting that the Switch 2 does not fit in a Switch 1 case.
There are also grip cases. These cover your Switch 2 in a typically plastic casing and add controller grips behind the otherwise flat Joy-Con 2. In my experience, this is more pertinent to the Switch 2 since its increased size makes it tougher to handle (and that’s even with my big hands). The most lauded cases in this category include thedbrand KillswitchandGenki Attack Vector, though there are plenty of cheaper options. One thing you’ll want to look for in any purchase is that the Joy-Con 2 can be detached without removing the case.
Some grip cases have optional plastic covers that protect the screen for travel, but a carrying case still offers better protection for that use-case. Therefore, you may find yourself needing both.
8USB-C Webcam
A USB-C webcam is largely used for video calls through GameChat, though its uses do expand to a few games, likeSuper Mario Party Jamboree TVandNintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. This functionality is all a bit niche, but if it applies to you, it’s unavoidable.
Luckily, many USB-C webcams work with the Switch 2, so you may not need to make a separate purchase. If you don’t already have a compatible one, there’s anofficial 1080p camera from Nintendo, as well as an officially licensed camera from Hori that looks like a Piranha Plant. I wouldadvise against buying Hori’s optionas its 720p camera is a marked downgrade despite the product costing more. Make sure to similarly keep the resolution in mind if you’re shopping for third-party webcams.
It’s worth noting that the Nintendo-branded cameras do work as computer webcams as well, so your purchase extends beyond the Switch 2.
While these hidden costs do make the Switch 2 more expensive than its $450 implies, it’sa console worthy of the extra investment. If the original Switch is anything to judge by, the price you pay now should hopefully last for the better part of a decade.
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the company’s latest hybrid home console, with more powerful graphics and processing, a larger 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR, and more online features.
