Nintendo Switch Games, Consoles and Controllers

Which Switch you own decides almost every other choice

Several kinds of Switch are in circulation and accessories are not always interchangeable. The standard Switch and the OLED model have detachable Joy-Con controllers and a dock for the TV. The Lite is handheld only with fixed controls, so docks and detachable Joy-Con do not apply. The Switch 2 is larger, with a bigger screen, and most cases and screen protectors made for the earlier models do not fit it.

Games are mostly shared. Most Switch games also play on the Switch 2, but games made for the Switch 2 need that console. The platform field and the box tell you which. Rating labels from E for Everyone to M for Mature help with family play, and editions named Standard or Limited usually differ in extras, not in the game itself. Check that your controllers cover the number of players you want.

Where the area branches: consoles, games and add-ons

Hardware and software live in separate branches: Games for Nintendo Switch for cartridges and downloads, and Switch Controllers & Add-Ons for Joy-Con, pads, cases and wheels. Consoles and bundles sit in their own branches. Tell Switch and Switch 2 listings apart by the platform wording. Start with the console model, then storage: game cards are physical, while downloads fill the console's memory, so check what memory card the console accepts.

Questions about Nintendo Switch Games, Consoles and Controllers

Will my old Switch games run on a Switch 2?

Most Switch games are supported on the Switch 2, but games made only for the Switch 2 will not run on the original console. Check the platform field of each title and the console's compatibility notes.

What is the difference between Switch, OLED and Lite?

The standard Switch and the OLED model both dock to a TV and have detachable Joy-Con, and the OLED has a larger screen with deeper contrast. The Lite is smaller, handheld only and has built-in controls, so games that need detached controllers do not work on it without extra pads.

Do I need extra controllers for multiplayer?

Many Switch games offer local multiplayer with one pair of Joy-Con, one for each of two players, but larger groups need extra pads. Check the game's player count and whether it works with a single Joy-Con per person.