After years of anticipation, the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here. If you got the hybrid console, you’re probably already playing Mario Kart World or Donkey Kong Bananza, but did you get all the new accessories that go with it? Unfortunately, you’d need $185 worth of accessories to 100% complete Nintendo’s $10 Welcome Tour—a $55 camera, $40 Charging Grip, and $90 Pro Controller sounds like a lot to me!
But what about the accessories I already own for my Nintendo Switch? The ecosystems are largely the same, so why do I need to buy a new controller that looks identical to the one I already have? If I can use my Switch accessories with the Switch 2, that would save me a lot of money. Here’s what you can reuse and what you need to buy new.
Can I Use My Switch 1 Controllers With Switch 2?
You likely have several gamepads for the first-gen Nintendo Switch. I have a Switch Pro Controller and several Joy-Con controllers. The good news is I can use them with the Switch 2. The Joy-Con controllers and Pro Controller can be paired wirelessly with the new console. And you’ll likely want to hold onto them because Trump’s tariffs have caused Nintendo to increase the prices on many Switch 2 accessories, including the Joy-Con 2 and Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
While the Pro Controller can be connected to the Switch 2 dock via the USB charging cable, the Joy-Cons won’t be able to physically connect because they lack the magnets in the Switch 2. This likely applies to any third-party Joy-Con replacements as well. If I want to use my extra Joy-Con controllers for multiplayer, I’ll need a charging grip or charging station to juice them up. Speaking of which, the Grip and Charging Grip for the Switch won’t work with Switch 2 controls.
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
And if you own any of the retro controllers released by Nintendo, you’ll still be able to wirelessly connect them. The NES Controllers can’t connect to the Switch 2, so you’ll need a charging accessory to power it. However, the SNES Controller, Nintendo 64 Controller, and Sega Genesis Control Pad can each be connected to the Switch 2 dock via a USB cable for charging.
Note that you’ll actually need Joy-Con controllers for the Nintendo Switch if you plan to play certain games on the Switch 2. Ring Fit Adventure, 1-2-Switch, Everybody 1-2-Switch!, Game Builder Garage, Nintendo Switch Sports, and WarioWare: Move It! all require Switch Joy-Cons. If you have the Leg Strap or Ring-Con accessories, they can’t be used with Switch 2 Joy-Cons.
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Just keep in mind that if you decide to use any Switch controllers with the Switch 2, they won’t have the C button to access the new GameChat feature on the Switch 2, if that’s important to you. I personally don’t feel like I’ll use that feature all that much, so it may be worth it to save some money and just stick with my old Pro Controller.
(Credit: Nintendo)
What Should I Do With the Switch Dock, Charger, and Cables?
The Nintendo Switch came with a Dock, AC adapter, and HDMI cable in the box. But don’t expect to reuse these accessories for a more adaptable Switch 2 setup. The Nintendo Switch Dock and Adjustable Charging Stand are not compatible with the new console simply because it doesn’t physically fit. This is super disappointing to me, since I was hoping to use the old Dock to connect the Switch 2 to a secondary TV in my house.
The HDMI cable that came with the Switch 1 also won’t be compatible with the Switch 2, since it can’t handle the data transfers of the new console. Instead, you’ll need a cable capable of supporting 4K or 1080p and up to 120fps. There’s better news about the AC adapter: It can still charge the console in handheld mode, which is nice, but you won’t be able to connect it to the Switch 2 Dock and charge while in TV mode.
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(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Can I Use My microSD Card?
The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, a huge improvement over the 32GB on the original, in my opinion. However, one of the biggest blows to my theoretical Switch 2 setup is the fact that the microSD card I bought to store games won’t work with the new console. If I want to expand the storage capacity of the Switch 2, I need to buy a brand-new microSD Express card, because it’s the only format that works on the system.
Sure, the new cards will allow for faster reading and writing times—even for older games—but it would have been nice to at least be able to store and transfer my Switch games on the card I already own. Instead, I’ll need to do a console-to-console data transfer to move over any saved games. Right now, you can buy SanDisk microSD Express cards for $67 (256GB), $53 (128GB), and $119 (512GB). Samsung makes a Samsung-branded 256GB card for $54. Lexar is selling a 256GB card for $60 and also has a 1TB option, though it’s not currently available.
For a complete rundown on accessory compatibility, see Nintendo’s documentation.
Unboxing the Nintendo Switch 2
About Jason Cohen
Senior Editor, Help & How To
