Do normal microSD cards work in the Switch 2?

Not for storing games. The Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards for extra game storage, so the microSD card from an original Switch won't do that job.

Will my old Switch case fit the Switch 2?

Usually not. The Switch 2 has a bigger 7.9-inch screen, so cases and screen protectors need to be made for the Switch 2 specifically.

Do I need a Pro Controller for the Switch 2?

No. The console comes with Joy-Con 2 controllers. A Pro Controller is a comfort upgrade for long sessions and fast games.

Do I need Nintendo Switch Online?

For online play and GameChat, yes. Nintendo says online services need a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Best Switch 2 Accessories UK: Case, Storage and Controller

The best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories: a case that fits, the microSD Express card it needs, a screen protector and the Pro Controller, plus kit to skip.

The Switch 2 is the console on a lot of Christmas lists, and the accessory aisle around it is crowded. Some add-ons are close to essential, a couple are nice to have, and some of the kit from the original Switch simply won’t work. Here’s what’s worth buying, in the order we’d buy it.

The short version

A microSD Express card if you'll install lots of games, because ordinary microSD cards won't store Switch 2 games. A case and a screen protector made for the Switch 2's larger screen. A Pro Controller only if you play for hours at a time. Skip anything labelled only for the original Switch or OLED.

1. Storage: it has to be microSD Express

The Switch 2 has 256GB of built-in storage, which fills faster than you’d think with big downloads. To add more, it uses microSD Express cards, a newer, faster type. The standard microSD card from an original Switch won’t work for storing Switch 2 games.

Nintendo sells licensed cards made by SanDisk and Samsung: the Nintendo SanDisk microSD Express and the Nintendo Samsung microSD Express. Any genuine microSD Express card should work; the licensed ones just remove the guesswork. If you mostly buy physical game cards, you may not need extra storage at all.

2. A case that actually fits

The Switch 2’s screen is 7.9 inches, so it’s bigger than the original Switch and the OLED. Cases made for those consoles won’t fit. The Orzly Switch 2 case is one of the most-rated accessories we track, with screen padding and slots for game cards and microSD cards. For something slimmer, the tomtoc slim case is a popular hard shell. Check the listing says Switch 2 before you buy: many sellers sell the same case in several sizes.

3. A screen protector

A tempered glass protector is cheap insurance against scratches, especially for a console that goes in and out of a dock and a bag. Multipacks with an alignment frame, like the daydayup 4-pack, make fitting easier and leave spares for a second go.

4. A Pro Controller, if you play long sessions

The console comes with Joy-Con 2 controllers, which are fine for most players. The Switch 2 Pro Controller is a comfort upgrade for long sessions and fast games. It adds a C button for GameChat, two rear GL/GR buttons you can map to any button, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It only works with the Switch 2, not the original.

What you can skip, or need to check

Original Switch microSD cards won’t store Switch 2 games.
Original Switch and OLED cases and screen protectors won’t fit the bigger screen.
“Switch 2” in a product name doesn’t always mean Nintendo. Loop sells “Switch 2” earplugs, which have nothing to do with the console.
Online play and GameChat need a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership, according to Nintendo, so factor that in if the console is a present.

Browse our Nintendo Switch 2 rankings for live prices and ratings on all of these. If you’re waiting for Black Friday, our guide to spotting a real deal shows how to check whether an accessory has actually dropped in price.