Technologies
These Nintendo Switch Accessories Make Gaming Better at Home or Outside
From controllers to charging to protection, here are our recommendations to make your Nintendo Switch more fun.
The Nintendo Switch is already beloved for its excellent plug-and-play gaming experience. However, gaming with the Nintendo Switch gets even better once you’ve picked up some of the right accessories. This list takes you through some of the best Nintendo Switch accessories you can buy right now, from microSD cards and controllers to grips and docks.
Keep in mind that these products are all designed for the original Nintendo Switch console, which you can play on your TV or in handheld mode. While many of these might work with the Switch OLED and smaller Switch Lite, such as the controllers, several items on the list won’t because of the size differences in design and screen or lack of video output. (There may be other versions to buy that are compatible with the Switch Lite.)
Also see: Nintendo Switch OLED Restock: Where to Find a Console
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Nintendo’s Switch Pro Controller feels better to play with than any other third-party full-size Switch controller we’ve tried. The Switch Pro Controller is also between $60 and $70 to buy. The PowerA wireless controller comes closest to the feel and design of Nintendo’s Pro controller, and you can normally get it for $40 to $50, depending on the design, from Amazon, Best Buy and other sources. The PowerA wireless controller doesn’t have HD Rumble, IR or Amiibo NFC support like the Switch Pro controller does, but it does have motion controls. It’s also available in game-themed versions including Animal Crossing, Mario and Pokemon.
Its one added feature is two extra buttons on the bottom of the controller that can be mapped on the fly. Also, while the original version of the Enhanced Wireless Controller ran on AA-size batteries, the newest models have a built-in rechargeable battery for up to 30 hours of gameplay.
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Attach the tiny USB-C dongle to the Switch and you’re good to play with this lightweight, comfortable gaming headset. It uses the company’s lossless 2.4GHz wireless for ultralow-latency wireless connectivity. I never experienced any dropouts or lag while using them, but SteelSeries includes a cable if you want to use it if you don’t want to risk it. The noise-canceling mic is detachable and the earcups turn and lie flat for easier travel. These will work with the Switch Lite, as well.
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This splashproof hardshell case is just about all you need to protect your Switch if you want to play on the go. Slim, light and form-fitting, it barely adds any bulk. It might not look like a lot of protection but my kids and I have dropped them several times and the Switch survived unscathed. Aside from the added protection, there’s an organizer attached inside with storage for up to 10 game cards. And it’s available in a bunch of fun color combinations. Tomtoc also makes a version that works with the Mumba case and the Hori Split Pad Pro controller so you stay protected when traveling and playing. But you guessed it: This won’t fit the Switch Lite.
Josh Goldman/CNET
It’s pricey at just under $100, but Hyper’s all-in-one hub for the Switch is worth it for its simplicity and design. Connect up your Switch, external display (the HDMI out supports up to 4K resolution at 60Hz) and a controller, plug in the HyperDrive for power and you’re done. One of its USB-C ports can be used for powering and charging the Switch and there’s an extra USB-C port for charging a wireless controller or your phone or tablet. It’s small, too, and the power cable detaches, so traveling with it is no problem at all.
Josh Goldman/CNET
You can recharge your Switch with just about any power bank, but you’ll want something like this giant Anker battery to keep playing while you charge. The PowerCore Plus can deliver 45 watts of charging power through its USB-C port. It can also charge up other devices like your phone through its USB-A ports. The package also includes a 60-watt USB-C wall charger that can refill this massive bank in less than three and a half hours.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Binbok’s Joypad is a combination of Nintendo’s Joy-Cons and its wireless Pro Controller. There are left and right Joy-Con-like controllers that can slot onto the sides of the Switch, similar to Hori’s Switch Split Pad Pro. This gives you the comfort and larger controls of the Pro controller while you use the Switch handheld.
However, unlike Hori’s controller, the Binbok Joypad can be used off the Switch because each has a built-in battery and Bluetooth. Their design makes them awkward to hold as Joy-Cons but it can be done, and each has adjustable rumble and motion controls. They both have a mappable button on the inside of their grips as well as turbo buttons. The Home button can wake the Switch when you’re ready to game and you can even change the color of the LED light rings around the thumb sticks.
The included holder joins the two controllers together to form a single Pro-like controller like Nintendo’s Joy-Con Comfort Grip. Unfortunately, this won’t allow you to charge both controllers at the same time; each of the controllers needs to be charged separately through their USB-C ports or while attached to the Switch when it’s charging (you can leave the controllers attached when docked). The holder is unusually wide, too, and with the controllers attached it’s actually larger than a Pro controller. There’s some flex where the controllers slot onto the holder giving it a tenuous feel. That flex, combined with its lightweight, makes the whole thing feel flimsy. Still, it’s not like Nintendo’s Joy-Cons are known for their reliability and overall this is an excellent option if you want to pay less and do more.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Want to use your Bluetooth headphones with your Switch, but worried about lag? Creative’s adapter gets around that with aptX Low Latency codec support. Just pop the adapter into the USB-C port on the Switch, press its button and connect to your headset. I tested with the Tribit QuietPlus ANC headphones, which is on our best noise-canceling headphones under $100 list and supports aptX LL. Insert the included analog microphone into the Switch’s headset jack and you’re ready for voice chat during multiplayer games that support it like Overwatch and Fortnite. (A quick firmware update is needed for it to work, though.)
If you also have a PS4 or PS5, the mic can be plugged into your controller for voice chat with that console. Plus, Creative includes a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter so you can connect your Bluetooth headphones to the PS4.
The adapter also supports regular aptX and aptX HD codecs as well as SBC (subband codec). You just press the adapter’s button to choose. And while you might buy this for your Switch (or PS4) you can just move the adapter to your phone or computer and instantly use your headphones with those without having to connect all over again. For $35, the little kit is a pretty good deal.
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Adding this Nintendo Switch case not only takes some of the creak out of playing a video game handheld, but gives you some much-needed extra controller grip for your game. It’ll also give you a little side, top, bottom and rear drop protection. This will not fit the Switch Lite, which is a little smaller than the regular Switch.
Sarah Tew/CNET
If you want to dock your Switch as well as expand your laptop’s port options when you’re not gaming, the Dock Pro 60 is all you need. The slim, small, lightweight Nintendo Switch dock has two USB-C ports, one of which supports power input. Connect your Switch to the other USB-C port and use the dock’s HDMI port to connect to a TV or external (resolutions up to 4K UHD will work) and you’re ready to start gaming with friends and family on a bigger screen. There are also two USB-A ports if you want to use a wired controller or charge wireless ones.
Note, though, that this does require a USB-C 15V/2.6A power supply such as the YCCTeam adapter below or the one that comes with your Switch.
Bonus for Samsung Galaxy device users: The Dock Pro 60 supports Samsung DeX so you can use your phone or tablet with an external display and a desktop-style experience.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Not all USB-C chargers will support charging the Switch as well as powering it while docked. This one does, and at a fraction of the cost of Nintendo’s. Plus, it has a 5-foot charging cable so you have some room to plug in the Switch and continue to play handheld while you charge.
Josh Goldman/CNET
The Little Wireless Controller — yes, that is its actual name — is slightly bigger than a Joy-Con but so much more comfortable to use. The buttons are firm and responsive and there’s no mushiness to the D-pad, either. The thumbsticks are taller than the Joy-Con’s, which gives you greater accuracy. The rear buttons, despite being directly on top of each other, are shaped perfectly to make sure you hit the correct one. There is no rumble or NFC support but it does have motion control. The rechargeable battery is rated for up to 40 hours of wireless use and is charged via a USB-C port in the back. It’s a super little travel companion.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Carelessly sliding the Switch in and out of its dock all the time can eventually result in some scratches to the display screen, and nobody wants a scratched screen. If you spend money on one piece of protection for your Switch to enhance your gaming experience, make it an inexpensive Nintendo Switch screen protector. The AmFilm tempered glass screen protector is easy to apply and doesn’t interfere with touchscreen performance. The bottom line is, if you have a Switch, you need a tempered glass screen protector, and this is a great tempered glass screen protector. Note that this screen protector won’t fit on a Switch Lite, which has a smaller screen.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The Switch’s kickstand is fine in a pinch, but this is much better for tabletop play with your device. It adjusts to three positions, folds flat for travel and has a passthrough in front so you can charge while you use it with all of your video games. There is a cheaper AmazonBasics one, but the Hori is sturdier and more stable for not much more money.
Sarah Tew/CNET
This little adapter pops into the USB-C port so you can use your Bluetooth headphones while you play your Switch, including Apple AirPods. A built-in mic on the bottom of the adapter adds lag-free in-game chat, and you can connect up to two headsets simultaneously for a better gaming experience when you’re playing Smash or any other game on your Switch online in multiplayer games. An equally small USB-C to USB-A adapter can be used to plug into the Switch dock so you can use your headphones when docked, too. The Creative adapter’s design mentioned earlier in this list is better for multipurpose use, but if you’re just looking for use with the Switch, this is a great pick.
Sarah Tew/CNET
The CitySlicker is a discreet way to travel with your Switch and accessories. The case looks more like a high-end travel bag than gaming gear, but it is made specifically for the Switch with five game card storage slots in front, a microfiber-faced interior pocket that swipes your screen clean when you insert and remove your Switch, and a zippered pocket on back to hold a power bank, cleaning cloth or earbuds. The two inside pockets are big enough to hold an extra set of joy-cons and cables. The case is available in three sizes for the Switch Lite, Switch and Switch Max, which is large enough to hold the Switch while it’s in the Skull & Co. GripCase or any similarly sized protective case. It’ll even fit the Defway dock listed above.
Our friends at GameSpot also have a roundup of the best Nintendo Switch controllers.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Saturday, July 19
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 19.
Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Today’s Mini Crossword is a delight. I was thrilled to spot a cute salamander with a funny name in the clue for 9-Across. Good thing I remembered how to spell it! Keep reading for help with today’s Mini Crossword. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: See-through
Answer: CLEAR
6A clue: «Anybody home?»
Answer: HELLO
7A clue: Winged horse of Greek myth
Answer: PEGASUS
9A clue: Salamander known for its regenerative abilities (and adorable appearance)
Answer: AXOLOTL
10A clue: Texting format, for short
Answer: SMS
11A clue: Birthplace of bossa nova
Answer: RIO
12A clue: Even score
Answer: TIE
13A clue: Insect seen in Dalí’s «The Persistence of Memory»
Answer: ANT
14A clue: Directory abbr.
Answer: EXT
15A clue: Metroid console, for short
Answer: NES
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Party snack made with cereal and pretzels
Answer: CHEXMIX
2D clue: Gift with many interlocking pieces
Answer: LEGOSET
3D clue: Airline whose name comes from the Book of Hosea
Answer: ELAL
4D clue: Election loser
Answer: ALSORAN
5D clue: Stand-up comic’s act
Answer: ROUTINE
7D clue: Command that uses the «V» key
Answer: PASTE
8D clue: Pulling their arms might win you money
Answer: SLOTS
Technologies
It’s the End of the Road for Microsoft Store Movies and TV Shows. What It Means for You
Microsoft has abruptly stopped offering rentals and sales of TV shows and movies on its media platforms.
Microsoft is exiting the market for selling and renting TV and movies across its platforms. There was no reason given for the abrupt change, with Microsoft simply posting the news on a support page on its Xbox website.
«Microsoft has stopped selling new movie and TV content. Existing customers can continue to access their previously purchased content on Windows and Xbox devices,» Microsoft said in the post.
The company said playback and download options will continue to be available for shows and movies people bought previously, but it’s the end of the road for new sales.
On the same page, Microsoft directed users to sign up for Movies Anywhere if they aren’t already members, which makes purchased content available across platforms, and to shop at other media stores including Amazon’s Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home.
A representative for Microsoft didn’t offer additional comment, but pointed CNET to a similar support blog post on Microsoft’s website.
Microsoft has partnered with many companies over the years to distribute video content since the early 2000s. The move comes as the company has been experiencing mass layoffs and cost cutting across many divisions, including its gaming studios, resulting in the cancellation of multiple upcoming Xbox games.
What happens to content I’ve bought from Microsoft?
Although Microsoft says previously purchased content isn’t going to be unavailable, there are some things to be aware of. According to the support page, you can’t transfer your purchases to another service (although they can be accessed on other services if Movies Anywhere makes them available, but that doesn’t apply to TV shows).
Microsoft isn’t offering refunds for any purchased content, either.
Microsoft says that downloads of movies and TV shows will still work and will be available, «on Windows and in HD max resolution.» Movies and TV shows will still be playable on the Microsoft Movies & TV app.
The company says anyone who is having trouble accessing their purchases can reach out to Microsoft Support.
Technologies
Microsoft Will Erase Your Passwords in 2 Weeks: What to Do Now
If the Authenticator app is your go-to password manager, you’ll need to pick a new one soon.
Microsoft is axing passwords starting in August — and if you use its Authenticator app, you’ll want to be prepared.
For years, Microsoft Authenticator has been a go-to for managing multifactor authentication and saved passwords. However, starting next month, it will no longer support passwords and will move to passkeys instead. That means your logins will soon rely more on things like PINs, fingerprint scans or facial recognition.
Using a passkey can make your account safer, and it’s a move I’m excited about. I recently uncovered that 49% of US adults have risky password habits that can open the door to scammers getting access to your sensitive data.
If you’re a fan of Authenticator and not sure where to start before the switch, here are other password managers CNET recommends and steps you should take before August.
When will Microsoft Authenticator stop supporting passwords?
Microsoft Authenticator houses your passwords and lets you sign into all your Microsoft accounts using a PIN, facial recognition like Windows Hello, or other biometric data like a fingerprint. Authenticator can be used in other ways, such as verifying you’re logging in if you forgot your password, or using two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security for your accounts. In June, the company stopped letting users add passwords to Authenticator.
Starting this month, you won’t be able to use the autofill password function. And next month, you’ll no longer be able to use saved passwords.
If you still want to use passwords instead of passkeys, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, CNET experts recommend adopting passkeys during this transition. «Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts,» Tomaschek said.
Why are passkeys a better alternative to passwords?
So what exactly is a passkey? It’s a credential created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance that uses biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity and access your account. Think about using your fingerprint or Face ID to log into your account. That’s generally safer than using a password that is easy to guess or susceptible to a phishing attack.
«Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks,» said Attila Tomaschek, CNET’s software senior writer and digital security expert.
Passkeys aren’t stored on servers like passwords. Instead, they’re stored only on your personal device. More conveniently, this takes the guesswork out of remembering your passwords and the need for a password manager.
How to set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft said in a May 1 blog post that it will automatically detect the best passkey to set up and make that your default sign-in option. «If you have a password and ‘one-time code’ set up on your account, we’ll prompt you to sign in with your one-time code instead of your password. After you’re signed in, you’ll be prompted to enroll a passkey. Then the next time you sign in, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your passkey,» according to the blog post.
To set up a new passkey, open your Authenticator app on your phone. Tap on your account and select «Set up a passkey.» You’ll be prompted to log in with your existing credentials. After you’re logged in, you can set up the passkey.
Other password manager alternatives
Since Microsoft will get rid of all of your passwords in two weeks, you’ll need a new place to store your passwords safely. Tomaschek has a few of the best password manager recommendations after testing and reviewing several.
The top recommendation is Bitwarden for its transparency. It’s open-source and audited annually. From a price perspective, the free plan lets you store infinite passwords across unlimited devices. The free plan also includes features most password managers would charge for, including password sharing and a username and password generator.
Bitwarden’s upgraded plans have other upgraded features that could be worth the cost, too.
Personally, Tomaschek has been using 1Password for a while, and he likes the interface and family plan. Even though it’s second on the list, Tomaschek says it’s just as good as Bitwarden.
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