Photo: Twelve South
Top product: Hori Split Pad Pro | $ 40 | Amazon
The thing that is so appealing about that Nintendo Switch is its flexibility. While other modern consoles are literal giants that only move if you guess their name correctly, the Switch is bespoke for every gamer. Whether you want to play at home or on the go, Nintendo has everything you need. On a personal level, I just play this thing undocked. As much as I love the idea that it can be plugged into a TV, I like it when I can take it with me on the go or play in bed. The idea of a fully portable console appeals to me.
That got me thinking: what would it take to make the Nintendo Switch the ultimate portable console? Let’s say you’ve really decided to do this thing as a handheld, or at least as a setup. What kind of buffs would you need to really get the most out of it? The obvious answer here is, “Just buy one Switch Lite, ”But your options are limited there. You can’t take that off Joy-conThis means that you are losing some of the versatility that tabletop mode offers. Instead, we want to create a versatile portable system that will maintain the normal functionality of a switch while addressing its shortcomings. After all, there are so many switch peripherals out there filling all sorts of loopholes in the console.
After months of combing through officially licensed third-party switch peripherals, I cobbled together the ideal portable switch console … I think. If nothing else, I’ve pulled a variety of peripherals that solve all of the problems a gamer would run into using the Switch exclusively on the go. This includes everything from battery issues to the system’s limited audio options. Here is the ideal Nintendo Switch. You may not like it, but this is what excellence looks like.
Image: Giovanni Colantonio
Problem: Let’s start with the controllers. The Joy-Con included with the Switch are perfect for casual gaming. However, those looking to use the Switch as a hardcore system know they won’t cut it. They’re tiny, don’t have a proper D-pad, and have a serious drift problem. To get the most from your consoles, consider upgrading to a more creative controller setup. The official Pro Controller is a good bet, but it doesn’t lock onto the switch itself.
Solution: There’s no shortage of third-party controller options, however Horis Split Pad Pro solves many of these problems. It has a more traditional controller design with handles, but it still snaps onto the switch. In addition, it has a real D-pad, rear shutter release and a turbo function. While you can only use the regular Joy-Con here, the Split Pad Pro offers an excellent solution for those who want to experience the feel of a console without compromising the ability to hold it in your hands.
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Image: Giovanni Colantonio
Problem: Before we get excited, let’s cover a really basic problem. When moving your Switch in and out of an enclosure, you need to take care of the screen. The Switch screen is a bit fragile, unfortunately. Even if you put it in the dock, it can cause small scratches on the system’s screen. If you want to commit to a completely portable life, you need to make sure this screen is safe and solid.
Solution: Like I said, nothing special here; You just need a good tempered glass. Is your best option amFilm’s Switch Glassthat is cheap and easily adheres to your display. It’s thin and scratch-resistant without affecting your ability to use the system’s touchscreen. This product has over 76,000 reviews on Amazon and a five-star rating so you can count on it.
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Image: Giovanni Colantonio
Problem: There are actually two issues that we need to address here. First, the switch’s stand isn’t the most rugged way to support your system in tabletop mode. It’s weak and doesn’t offer flexibility in the angle at which you can place it. As a completely separate issue, the Switch has terrible battery life. Play a game like Breath of the wild and you have to plug it in within three hours. What if there was a way to kill two birds with one stone?
Solution: There are! There are some table stands on the market that will actually charge your Switch while you play. I’ll go with you for that Nintendo’s official charge level. It’s a simple little stand, but one that gives you a range of angles while charging your Switch. There are a few others on the market, but this little design makes it easy to set up and tuck away when you’re done.
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Image: Giovanni Colantonio
Problem: The most noticeable problem with the Switch is the lack of Bluetooth support. That means you can’t use AirPods or wireless buds with them. There must be some big old wire hanging around while you’re playing. This is especially a problem for people who want to use headphones while playing the docked system. In our “ultimate portable” scenario, we would ideally want some kind of bluetooth system. In order to achieve this, we must third or go bankrupt.
Solution: After scrolling through tons of different options, I’ll go with that Twelve South AirFly Here. While there are many other adapters on the market that are more discreet, the AirFly has one distinct advantage: It plugs into the system’s headphone jack. Most other Bluetooth adapters designed for the device use the USB-C port. However, this means you will lose access to the charger (which defeats the purpose of the charge level you just selected). Some headphone jack adapters don’t play well with the Switch dock either, so this is a consideration here as well. The AirFly solves all of these problems, making it the best Bluetooth choice for those who want to share their USB-C while they still grab something that works on the go and at home.
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Image: Giovanni Colantonio
Problem: Okay, so you have every accessory you need to create the perfect portable Nintendo Switch. The only problem is … how are you going to carry this damn thing around now? With all of the added dongles and buffs, your Switch is now too unwieldy to fit in your standard slim carry case. Carrying cases is generally a pain as you have to find a balance between something that isn’t too big but can still hold whatever you need. And since we’re making it big, what we essentially need is a bag that easily goes with any add-on.
Solution: For this particular scenario, I’ll go with you iVoler Mega Switch carrying case. It’s huge compared to your standard switch case, but there are good reasons for that. It fits on top of the console itself, the bulky charger, a Pro controller, and even the TV stand. In addition, it has space for 18 playing cards and a mesh bag in which you can store an HDMI cable or headphones. There’s a lot of room in there, which means it’s one of the few cases where you can really do all of your setup on the go.
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