Gifts for Nintendo Switch Owners: 27 Ideas for 2026

For someone who has played their original Switch for years, this is the ultimate surprise. The Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Switch games, so their library comes along, and the new Joy-Con 2 controllers attach magnetically and work like a mouse in supported games. The included membership unlocks online races and GameChat, Nintendo's voice and screen-sharing feature. Just keep in mind that the Switch 2 expands with microSD Express cards only, so an older Switch memory card won't carry over.

A longtime Switch owner who has played the original for years and is ready for Nintendo's next console. Their compatible physical and digital Switch games come along, and Mario Kart World plus three months of online play gives them something new to race in right away.
The Joy-Con 2 controllers attach magnetically and work like a mouse in supported games, and the 7.9-inch screen adds HDR for handheld play.

If the house has one Switch and two kids fighting over it, the Lite is the fix. It's small enough for younger hands, slips into a backpack and costs less than the full-size models. It's also a smart pick for adults who mostly play in bed or on trips and want something lighter than the full console.

A house with one Switch and two kids fighting over it, or a first console for younger hands. It is small enough for kids to hold and light enough for a backpack.
It also suits adults who mostly play in bed or on trips and want something lighter than the full console.

If there's one Switch game that works for the whole family, this is it. The Smart Steering option keeps cars on the track, so even small kids can race grandparents and win once in a while, and the battle mode adds a second way to play at parties. It's also a must-own for solo players, with loads of tracks and unlockable karts, wheels and gliders. It's worth checking first that they don't already have it.

A family or couch multiplayer crowd, or someone new to the Switch. Smart Steering keeps cars on the track, so even small kids can race grandparents and win once in a while, and four-player split screen runs on one TV.
Solo players get loads of tracks and unlockable karts, wheels and gliders.

This is the Mario game to give when you want everyone in the house to play together. Up to four people can team up on one Switch, and younger or less experienced players can pick Yoshi or Nabbit, who don't take damage, so nobody gets left behind. Solo players get plenty out of it too, and when they play online they can see other players' silhouettes and get help on tough levels.

A household where everyone wants to play together, with parents sitting down alongside kids. Younger or less experienced players can pick Yoshi or Nabbit, who do not take damage, so nobody gets left behind.
Solo players get plenty out of it too, and online they can get help on tough levels.

For an older kid or adult who loved Breath of the Wild, this is the natural next gift. The building tools turn every puzzle into something creative, so no two players solve it the same way, and there's enough to explore to last well into the new year. It's rated E10+, so it suits tweens and up.

An older kid or adult who finished Breath of the Wild and wants to return to Hyrule. The building tools turn every puzzle into something creative, so no two players solve it the same way, and there is enough to explore to last well into the new year.

Smash is the game that turns a living room into a tournament. Anyone can mash buttons and have fun, while experienced players can dig into perfect shields and air dodges for years. Solo players have plenty to unlock too, and the CPU difficulty is adjustable. It even supports GameCube controllers, so a fan of older Smash games can play the way they remember.

Friends and siblings who love couch competition, and longtime Smash fans. Anyone can mash buttons and have fun, while experienced players can dig into perfect shields and air dodges for years.
Solo players have plenty to unlock, and fans of older Smash games can play with a GameCube controller the way they remember.

This is the perfect gift for someone who wants to unwind after school or work. Because the game runs on a real clock, there's always something new to check each day, from seasonal events to new fish and bugs. Players can also visit each other's islands with up to eight people online or over local wireless, which makes it a lovely way for friends and family to stay connected.

A cozy gamer, younger kid or decorator who wants to unwind after school or work. Real-time seasons bring new events, fish and bugs every day, and friends and family can visit each other's islands to stay connected.

It's one of the newest big games for the Switch, which makes it a safe bet they don't own it yet. The real-time battles feel fresh even for players who have caught them all since the beginning, and the city setting, with shops, restaurants and wild zones, gives them lots to explore. This is the regular Nintendo Switch version, which is the one to buy for an original Switch or Switch Lite.

A Pokémon fan or kid who wants the newest game on their list. Even players who have caught them all since the beginning get something fresh from the real-time battles, and the city's shops, restaurants and wild zones give lots to explore.
This regular Switch version suits an original Switch or Switch Lite.

This is the controller most Switch owners wish they had bought on day one. The larger shape is much more comfortable than Joy-Con, especially for people with bigger hands or anyone who plays docked for hours, and because it's made by Nintendo, every feature works, from motion aiming to tapping amiibo. The battery lasts a long time between charges, so it's ready to grab whenever they want to play.

A teen or adult with bigger hands who plays docked on the TV for hours, or a longtime Switch owner still using Joy-Con. The larger shape is much more comfortable, and the battery lasts a long time between charges, so it is ready to grab whenever they want to play.

Stick drift is one of the most common Switch complaints, which is what makes this controller such a thoughtful gift. The Hall Effect sticks are built to avoid it, and the extra R4 and L4 bumpers can be mapped to any button without software. It's rechargeable, so there are no batteries to buy, and it also works on Switch 2 after a quick firmware update, so it stays useful if they upgrade.

A player who has had Joy-Con drift, or anyone wanting a solid second controller. The Hall Effect sticks use magnets, the extra R4 and L4 bumpers map to any button without software, and a quick firmware update makes it work on Switch 2 too.

This is a great pick for kids or for building up a set of controllers for family game night. PowerA makes it in lots of designs featuring Nintendo characters, so you can match it to their favorite game, and the AA batteries mean you can swap in fresh ones mid-session instead of waiting for a charge. It also comes with a two-year limited warranty.

Kids, casual players and families building a stack of controllers for game night. Designs feature Nintendo characters, so you can match one to their favorite game, and AA batteries can be swapped for fresh ones mid-session instead of waiting for a charge.

Paired with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, this is one of the most fun gifts you can give a family. Turning a wheel makes racing easier for little kids to understand, and having two in the box means two players can race right away. The wheels are small and lightweight, which makes them a great fit for kids' hands.

A family with young kids who race in Mario Kart. Turning a wheel makes racing easier for little kids to understand, and two wheels in the box means two players can race head to head right away.
The small, lightweight wheels fit kids' hands well.

Running out of space is one of the most annoying parts of owning a Switch, especially a Switch Lite with only 32GB built in. This card fixes it in seconds and lets them stop deleting games to make room for updates. It's backed by a lifetime limited warranty. Just make sure they have an original Switch, OLED or Lite, since this card does not work in a Switch 2.

An original Switch, OLED or Lite owner who keeps deleting games to make room for updates, especially a Switch Lite with only 32GB built in. The card fixes it in seconds, and the Super Mario artwork makes it a little more fun than a plain card.

A good case makes a Switch feel ready for every road trip and flight. This one holds everything in one place, from the console to games to cables, so nothing gets lost in a backpack. The white version is designed to match the white Switch OLED, and other colors are available too.

A Switch OLED or original Switch owner who travels, commutes or takes their console to school. The console, games, spare Joy-Con and cables all travel in one place, so nothing gets lost in a backpack.
The white version is designed to match the white Switch OLED.

For families with several pairs of Joy-Con, this solves the constant problem of finding a charged controller. It keeps all of them in one spot, the lights are easy enough for kids to read, and it's powered over USB, so it can sit on a shelf next to the TV. It also comes with a two-year limited warranty.

A family with several pairs of Joy-Con that never seem to be charged. All four slots sit in one spot on a shelf next to the TV, and the red and green lights are easy enough for kids to read.

Headsets make a thoughtful gift for families, since they let kids play without filling the room with game music. This one simply plugs into the 3.5mm jack, so there's nothing to pair or charge, and the light design is comfortable for younger players. Because it also works on Switch 2, it'll still be useful after an upgrade.

A kid or teen who plays handheld or chats online, and a parent who wants a quieter house. The light design is comfortable for younger players, and the headset simply plugs into the 3.5mm jack, so it works on Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED and Switch 2.

This is the gift for the adult Switch owner who grew up with a Game Boy. It's a quick, relaxing build that most people can finish in an evening, and the finished model makes a great centerpiece for a desk or game room. Little touches like swappable screens make it more than a static model.

An adult or older teen who grew up with a Game Boy and loves retro Nintendo and LEGO. It is a quick, relaxing build that most people can finish in an evening, and the finished replica makes a great centerpiece for a desk or game room.

It's a clever way to get a kid who only wants to play Mario on the Switch to sit down for a family board game. The spinner tells players how many blocks to stack or layers to climb, which keeps every turn different from regular Jenga, and the molded plastic blocks have fun Mario details.

A family with a Mario fan who would rather stay on the Switch than sit at a table. Players move character pegs up the tower, collect coins and try to reach the top to defeat Bowser, and the spinner makes every turn different.

For younger Switch players, this is a perfect first board game. Monopoly Junior is faster and simpler than the classic version, and the Mario sound effects keep kids excited from start to finish. It's a nice way to share their favorite game with grandparents or siblings who don't play video games.

A kid aged 5 and up who loves Mario and is ready for a first board game. They buy properties like Yoshi's Hill and Rock-Candy Mines, collect coins, and press the Coin Sound Unit when the power-up die says so.
It is a nice way to share a favorite game with grandparents or siblings who do not play video games.

Alarmo is the kind of gift a Nintendo fan would love but probably wouldn't buy for themselves. Its motion sensor lets them snooze with a gesture and only stops the alarm once they actually get out of bed, which makes it great for teens who sleep through phone alarms. It also plays themed hourly chimes and calming Sleepy Sounds at bedtime.

A Nintendo fan of any age, or a teen who sleeps through phone alarms. Pick a scene from Super Mario Odyssey, Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 3, Pikmin 4 or Ring Fit Adventure, and it only stops once they actually get out of bed.

Kirby games are some of the most kid-friendly on the Switch, and Meta Knight is one of the series' most popular characters, which makes this an easy win. It fits nicely in a stocking, looks great on a shelf and pairs well with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where Meta Knight is a playable fighter. Little Buddy also makes Kirby and other characters if they want the set.

A Kirby or Smash fan, or anyone filling a stocking. Meta Knight is one of the series' most popular characters and a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and the 5.5-inch size fits right in a stocking.

Pair this with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, or give it to someone who has already spent hundreds of hours on their island. It's soft enough to use as a pillow on a bed or couch, and the size makes it feel like a real gift, not an afterthought. Club Mocchi Mocchi also makes other Animal Crossing characters, so it's easy to start a collection.

An Animal Crossing fan who has spent hundreds of hours on their island, or a plush collector. Tom Nook is soft enough to use as a pillow on a bed or couch, and the 15-inch size makes it feel like a real gift.

It's a fun way to bring the Mushroom Kingdom into a gaming setup or bedroom. The flexible neck lets them aim it at a desk or controller shelf, and it gives off enough light to work as a real desk lamp. It also suits a younger kid's Mario-themed room.

A Mario fan decorating a bedroom, desk or game room. The Piranha Plant rises out of a green pipe, and the flexible head can be aimed at a desk or controller shelf with enough light to work as a real desk lamp.

Zelda fans love this book because it's both a reference and a coffee-table piece. It's the third book in Dark Horse's Zelda trilogy, so it also makes a great addition if they already own Hyrule Historia. Keep in mind it covers the classic games, not Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, so it suits fans who've followed the series for years.

A longtime Zelda fan or collector who has followed the series for years. It covers the first 30 years, from the original game to Twilight Princess HD, with maps, screenshots and rare sketches, and it is the third book in Dark Horse's Zelda trilogy.

It's a great gift for a Zelda fan who also likes puzzles, especially over a long winter break. The multicolored map is genuinely tricky, so it lasts far longer than a typical 1,000-piece puzzle, and the finished map is worth gluing and framing as wall art.

A Zelda fan who enjoys puzzles and wants a project over a long winter break. The antique-style Hyrule map is genuinely tricky, so it lasts longer than a typical 1,000-piece puzzle, and the finished map is worth gluing and framing as wall art.

If you don't know which games they already own, an eShop card takes the guesswork out of it. It's also a great add-on to a hardware gift, since they can grab a new game right away. The balance can be shared across Nintendo systems but stays on a single eShop account, so make sure it goes to the right person.

Someone whose game library you cannot see. The balance can go toward new games, classics, indie titles and DLC, and it pairs well with a hardware gift so they can grab a new game right away.

Many Switch games, from Mario Kart to Smash to Animal Crossing, need Nintendo Switch Online to play with friends over the internet, so this gift unlocks a lot of fun they might be missing. The classic games library is a bonus for parents who want to share the games they grew up with. Nintendo also offers family memberships for up to eight users.

A player who wants to race, battle and visit islands with friends online in Mario Kart, Smash or Animal Crossing. The classic games library is a bonus for parents who want to share the games they grew up with, and family memberships cover up to eight users.