Gifts for Switch 2 Owners: 24 Ideas for 2026

If you only buy one gift for a Switch 2 owner, make it this. The Joy-Con 2 that come with the console are great for handheld play, but a full-size controller is far more comfortable for long sessions on the TV. Its build is a clear step up from the original Pro Controller, with a premium feel, simple pairing and USB-C charging, and the GL/GR buttons let players keep their thumbs on the sticks while jumping or dodging. It also keeps the Joy-Con 2's C Button for GameChat and the Capture Button, so nothing is missing. It's one of the priciest Switch 2 controllers, which is exactly why it makes a good gift: it's the upgrade many players would put off buying for themselves.

The Switch 2 owner you are shopping for plays docked on the TV and spends long sessions on the couch. A full-size controller is far more comfortable than the Joy-Con 2, and this one keeps every Switch 2 feature, from the C Button for GameChat to the Capture Button, while the GL/GR buttons let them keep their thumbs on the sticks.

Many Switch 2 games are built around passing a Joy-Con to a friend, so a second pair is the simplest way to double the number of players without buying full-size controllers. Because they're the same official controllers that come with the console, everything works exactly as expected, including mouse controls in games that use them. The colored sets also make a nice visual change from the console's own Joy-Con 2, which is part of why they're a popular gift. The main drawback is cost, since a pair of Joy-Con 2 costs more than many full-size third-party controllers, so pick this when the person plays a lot of local multiplayer.

The person you are buying for plays local multiplayer with family or friends on one console. A second pair doubles the players without buying full-size controllers, and since these are the same controllers that come with the console, everything works as expected, including mouse controls in compatible games.

This is the best value full-size controller for a Switch 2 owner. It covers most of what the Pro Controller does, including motion controls, vibration and wake-on-shake, and adds things Nintendo's controller doesn't have, like a charging dock that keeps it topped up and RGB rings around the sticks. Its TMR sticks are designed to resist the drift that wore out many original Joy-Con. It's comfortable for long sessions and also works on Windows PCs, so it's handy for people who play on more than one device. Just plan to run the firmware update before wrapping it, so it's ready to use on day one.

The Switch 2 owner wants a full-featured controller with a dock that keeps it topped up. It covers motion controls, vibration and wake-on-shake, adds back buttons and extra bumpers, and works on a Windows PC too, which suits someone who plays on more than one device. Run the firmware update before wrapping it.

The Pro 3 is the gift for someone who plays a lot of 2D platformers, retro games or Nintendo Switch Online classics. Its D-pad is its best feature, clicky and precise, and the magnetic face buttons can be swapped to match the Switch or Xbox layout, which helps anyone who switches between systems. The charging dock means it's always ready, and the back buttons and extra bumpers can be remapped without software. It also works on almost every device in the house apart from PlayStation, so it won't sit unused. The trade-offs are face buttons that click a little loudly and rumble that's lighter than Nintendo's own controllers.

The person you are shopping for loves 2D platformers, retro games and Nintendo Switch Online classics. The clicky D-pad is made for those games, the magnetic face buttons swap between Switch and Xbox layouts, and the dock keeps it ready. It also works on almost every device in the house apart from PlayStation.

Mario Kart is the safest game gift there is, and this is the version built for Switch 2. Families can pick it up together in minutes, while the 24-driver Knockout Tour adds a tense elimination mode for experienced players, and Free Roam lets kids explore the world at their own pace and hunt for secrets. It's a game that gets played for years, both locally on the couch and online. The only real complaint is its price, which is higher than most Switch games, so it makes the most sense if the person doesn't already own it as part of a console bundle.

The family you are buying for plays together in the living room. Everyone can pick it up in minutes, the 24-driver Knockout Tour adds tension for experienced players, and Free Roam lets kids explore the world at their own pace. It is a game that keeps getting played, both locally on the couch and online.

This is the Switch 2's big 3D adventure and an easy gift for anyone who loved Super Mario Odyssey. Being able to punch through walls and dig tunnels makes exploring feel genuinely new, and it's one of the most creative platformers in years. It's colorful and inviting for younger players but has enough secrets and challenge to keep longtime gamers busy, and a second player can join as Pauline in co-op. It does get a bit tougher than Odyssey in places, so very young kids may need help with later levels.

The person you are shopping for loved Super Mario Odyssey and wants a new 3D adventure. Punching through walls and digging tunnels makes exploring feel new, it is inviting for younger players with enough secrets to keep veterans busy, and a second player can join as Pauline in co-op.

For a Pokémon fan, this is the obvious pick. The real-time battle system makes fights faster and more strategic than the turn-based games, and it's the kind of game players sink hundreds of hours into collecting, battling and exploring wild zones around Prism Tower. Buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition when shopping for a Switch 2 owner, since it's enhanced for the new console. The main criticism is that the whole game takes place in a single city, so players who want a sprawling region may find it a little confining.

The Pokémon fan you are buying for loves collecting, battling and exploring. The real-time battles make fights faster and more strategic, there are wild zones around Prism Tower to explore, and the Switch 2 Edition is enhanced for the new console. It is the kind of game players sink hundreds of hours into.

This is a great gift for families and friend groups who want something a little different from Mario Kart. The controls are simple, since your machine moves forward automatically and you mainly boost and turn, so younger kids can join in quickly, while City Trial turns every session into unpredictable chaos. It's the long-awaited sequel to the GameCube's Kirby Air Ride, so it's also a treat for longtime Nintendo fans. Big matches can get visually busy, and racing purists may find it less precise than Mario Kart.

The family or friend group you are buying for wants a party game with a different flavor. The machine moves forward automatically, so younger kids can join in quickly, and City Trial turns every session into unpredictable chaos with machine hunts and Field Events. Longtime Nintendo fans will enjoy the nod to the GameCube original.

Storage is the least exciting gift on this list, but it's one of the most appreciated. Switch 2 games can be large, the built-in storage fills up fast, and older microSD cards can't be used for Switch 2 games, so most owners eventually need one of these. This SanDisk card is designed to work with Switch 2, sets up easily and gives a noticeable speed boost over older cards when loading and downloading. Make sure you buy a microSD Express card specifically, like this one, rather than a regular microSD card.

The Switch 2 owner buys digital games and the built-in storage is filling up. Switch 2 only works with microSD Express cards, this one is designed for the console, sets up easily, and gives a noticeable speed boost on loading and downloading over older cards.

If you want to be completely sure the card will work, an officially licensed model is the safest gift. This Samsung card is made specifically for Switch 2, reads quickly enough to cut loading times, and makes it easy to move games over from internal storage. It's a practical gift that removes one of the most common frustrations for new Switch 2 owners: running out of space for downloads. As with the SanDisk card, 256 GB is a good starting point, but heavy digital buyers may want more.

You want to be completely sure the card will work in a Switch 2. It is officially licensed, reads quickly enough to cut loading times, and makes it easy to move games over from internal storage, which removes a common frustration for new owners running out of space.

For a no-fuss gift that covers two needs at once, this is hard to beat. The case is slim, fits the console snugly and protects the screen from scratches in a bag, and the included screen protector adds another layer of protection to the display. It's practical and good quality, which is what most people want from a case. Its slim design leaves little room for extra accessories or a large collection of game cards, and its padding is designed for everyday carrying rather than serious drops.

The person you are shopping for wants a simple, official way to carry their Switch 2. The slim case fits the console snugly and protects the screen in a bag, and the included screen protector adds another layer for the display.

This is the case to give someone who travels with their Switch 2. The hard shell can go straight into a backpack, the soft interior protects the screen, and it still fits the console with a skin and thick thumbstick caps attached. The AirTag pocket is a clever touch for school bags and airports. It costs a bit more than basic cases, and a small number of units have shipped with uneven zippers, so check it when it arrives.

The gamer you are buying for carries their Switch 2 every day, to school or on trips. The hard shell goes into a backpack, the velvet interior protects the screen, 12 slots hold their games, and it still fits with a skin and thick thumbstick caps attached. The AirTag pocket is handy in school bags and airports.

The Switch 2 is already a fairly large console, so a case that doesn't add bulk is a thoughtful gift. This one hugs the console closely while still protecting it from bumps and drops, and it holds a good number of game cards. It also keeps its looks well over months of use. It's one of the pricier cases, and the light colors can pick up dirt, so a darker option is better for kids.

The Switch 2 owner wants strong protection without a bulky case. This one hugs the console closely, protects it from bumps and drops, and holds 12 game cards. It keeps its looks over months of use.

This is the gift for someone who plays handheld a lot. The raised grips make the console much more comfortable to hold for long sessions, it adds drop protection to the back and corners, and because it fits in the dock, it can stay on all the time. It's light, so it doesn't make the console feel heavier. The main drawback is that detaching the Joy-Con 2 takes more effort with the case on.

The person you are shopping for plays handheld a lot. The raised grips make long sessions comfortable, the case adds drop protection to the back and corners, and because it fits in the official dock, it can stay on all the time. It is light, so the console doesn't feel heavier.

It's an inexpensive gift that protects the most fragile part of the console, which makes it a perfect stocking stuffer. The alignment frame takes the stress out of installation, so even first-timers can get a clean, bubble-free fit, and with four protectors in the box there are spares if one gets scratched or installed crooked. It stays clear and responsive to touch.

Any Switch 2 owner, especially in a family with kids, who wants to protect the most fragile part of the console. The alignment frame makes installation easy for first-timers, and with four protectors in the box there are spares if one gets scratched or installed crooked.

Joy-Con 2 slotted into the standard grip don't charge, so this official version solves a real problem for anyone who plays on the TV with Joy-Con. It also adds the GL/GR buttons from the Pro Controller, which makes it a nice middle ground between the basic grip and a full Pro Controller. It's a smaller gift that fits well alongside a game or a pair of Joy-Con 2.

The person you are buying for plays on the TV with Joy-Con 2. Joy-Con slotted into the standard grip don't charge, but this official version does, and it adds GL/GR buttons you can map to any button. It fits well alongside a game or a pair of Joy-Con 2.

For families with several sets of Joy-Con, this is one of the most practical gifts on the list. Controllers snap on magnetically, it keeps them organized next to the console, and the indicators make it obvious when they're ready. Its lighting adds a nice touch to a gaming setup, and the strip light can be turned off if it's too bright in a bedroom.

The household you are shopping for has several sets of Joy-Con 2. Controllers snap on magnetically next to the console, the indicators show when they are ready, and the lighting adds a nice touch to the gaming setup. The strip light can be turned off for a bedroom.

Battery life is the biggest limit when playing Switch 2 away from home, so a power bank that stays attached while you play is a genuinely useful gift for commuters, students and anyone who travels. Its 30W output is designed to match the console's charging speed, and because it doubles as a phone charger it won't sit unused. It does add weight to the back of the console during long handheld sessions.

The commuter, student or traveler you are buying for plays handheld away from an outlet. A detachable magnetic clip holds the power bank to the back of the console while they play, the 30W output is designed to match the console's charging speed, and it doubles as a phone charger.

If the person plays online with friends, a camera makes GameChat much more personal, and it adds a new layer to camera-enabled games like Mario Party Jamboree TV. It's simple to set up: plug it in and it just works. Its picture is solid rather than exceptional, which is fine for video chat.

The person you are shopping for plays online with friends and family. Plug it in and it works, the wide lens can be angled to fit everyone in the room, and it adds a new layer to camera-enabled games like Mario Party Jamboree TV.

This is the more playful camera pick, and it makes a great gift for Mario fans. It does the same job as a standard camera for GameChat and camera games, but it looks like a collectible on the shelf, and closing the mouth is a simple privacy cover. Its 640 x 480 resolution is lower than Nintendo's camera, so picture quality is basic, and it's smaller than it looks in photos.

The Mario fan you are buying for wants a camera with personality. It does the job for GameChat and camera games, looks like a collectible on the shelf, and works in TV, tabletop and portable modes. Closing its mouth acts as a simple privacy cover.

Wireless audio on Switch has always been awkward, so an officially licensed headset built for Switch 2 makes a great gift. It avoids cables in both docked and handheld play, the 40-hour battery covers a week or more of gaming, and Bluetooth means it doubles as a headset for phone calls and music. For more options, see our guide to the best headset for Nintendo Switch 2.

The Switch 2 owner you are shopping for wants wireless audio without cables, in both docked and handheld play. It is officially licensed, the battery covers a week or more of gaming, and Bluetooth means it also handles phone calls and music.

This is an easy, affordable gift for kids and teens who play online with friends. It's light and comfortable, the mic picks up voices clearly, and flipping it up mutes it instantly, which younger players find simple to use. It's a solid choice for anyone who wants to try GameChat without spending much.

The kid or teen you are buying for wants to try GameChat or play online with friends without a big spend. The light headset is comfortable, the mic picks up voices clearly, and flipping it up mutes it instantly, which younger players find simple.

A gift card is the safest gift when you don't know which games someone already owns, and a digital code can be sent at the last minute. It lets the person pick a new release, a sale or downloadable content. It's less personal than a wrapped game, so pairing it with a small physical gift like a screen protector works well.

You are shopping at the last minute or aren't sure which games they own. A digital code can be sent instantly, and it lets the person pick a new release, a sale or downloadable content. Pair it with a small physical gift like a screen protector for something to unwrap.

Most online multiplayer on Switch 2 requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership, so a year's subscription is a gift that gets used every time the person plays online. The Expansion Pack tier adds a large library of retro games, which makes it especially fun for parents who grew up with the N64. Check whether the person already subscribes before buying.

The person you are shopping for plays online or loves retro Nintendo games. A year of membership gets used every time they play online, and the Expansion Pack tier adds a large library of retro games, which is especially fun for parents who grew up with the N64.