It’s time to grab a Joy-Con as we check out the best Nintendo Switch gifts of 2022!
Currently the fifth best-selling console of all time – as of June 2022, over 111 million have been sold worldwide – the Nintendo Switch has absolutely obliterated the lifetime sales of its underrated, underappreciated predecessor, the Wii U (and for more on that excellent console, check out Retro Dodo’s very own best Wii U games list).
With so many Switch consoles out in the wild, even if you don’t have one yourself, you’re almost certainly going to know a Switch owner.
No matter the occasion, it’d be helpful to have a quick list of gifts for the Switch fan in your life, wouldn’t it? Or maybe you want to treat yourself – go ahead, we won’t judge!
In any case, let’s check out the best Nintendo Switch gifts of 2022!
18. Switch Game Cart Toaster
It says it on the front, but this little Switch Game Cart Toaster certainly is just for fun. It’s cheap but well made and holds two game carts.
Don’t worry, you won’t be burning any precious save files here!
Push the lever down to see your games pop up like slices of toast, albeit very burnt ones!
This is a really fun little gift to put in someone’s stocking this year. It’s not going to revolutionise your game storage, but it will put a smile on someone’s face!
17. Paper Mario Origami Sheets
The charming action RPG Paper Mario games have a wonderful visual style, with Mario – along with his supporting cast and the world itself – represented as paper-thin 2D characters who move around a 3D world.
Originally offered as bonuses at select retailers when pre-ordering Paper Mario: The Origami King for Switch, these sheet packs are now available separately.
They’re an excellent, creative diversion for Paper Mario fans who need a bit of time away from the screen.
In this set are 12 characters on flat, square sheets of paper – and these can all be folded, origami style, into more familiar shapes.
We’re big fans of the Paper Mario titles here at Retro Dodo (check out Paper Mario: The Origami King on our best Nintendo Switch games list) – and these origami sheets are a great, thematic way to bring the game off the screen and into the real world!
16. Nintendo eShop Card
It might not be the most exciting-looking of gifts, but I guarantee that this Nintendo eShop Card is a great present for someone who loves their Nintendo Switch.
Think about it; if you don’t know what to buy them, then there’s a very good chance there’s a game coming up that they’ll want to buy soon.
And, with credits for the eShop, they can put your gift towards downloading that game straight to their Switch to play anytime, anywhere.
An eShop card is more thoughtful than cash and even come with a cool Ninty character on the front too!
15. Super Mario Build A Level Light
There’s nothing quite like a bit of mood lighting when sitting down to enjoy a good gaming session – and how better to set a Nintendo-themed ambience than with this brilliant light?
With sixteen building blocks that all feature characters, items and scenery direct from the original Super Mario Bros NES game, it allows you to build and customise the scene however you see fit.
Elsewhere on Retro Dodo, you’ll see that we also recommended a similar light in our best Minecraft gifts list.
These buildable lights really are the perfect way for gamers to exercise a bit of creativity, as well as give themselves some appropriate illumination when sitting down to play on the Switch!
14. NES Cartridge Retro Drink Coasters
We’re big fans of practical gifts here at Retro Dodo – and they don’t come more practical than these fantastic coasters.
Shaped like actual NES cartridges – and featuring 8 coasters that look just like the original cartridges for Super Mario Bros 1-3, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Duck Hunt, Donkey Kong and Excitebike – they are perfect for Switch owners who also happen to be long term Nintendo fans.
After all, every one of the games on these coasters is also available to Switch players who subscribe to the Nintendo Switch Online service. Check out our best retro games on Nintendo Switch article for a look at the must play titles for subscribers!
13. Blue Shell Plush Toy
Undoubtedly the most controversial power up in the Mario Kart games, the Blue Shell is a concentrated piece of evil no matter what way you look at it.
The Blue Shell homes in on the player in first place and stops them dead; it can mean the difference between coming first and not placing at all!
Usually, the player who throws it isn’t in a position to get into first place anyway, so it just feels incredibly mean-spirited to use.
So why not bring that deliciously nasty power up into the real world – and wipe the smug grin off the face of the Mario Kart winner with an actual Blue Shell to the face?
That’s what you can do with this Blue Shell plush gift, which will either be incredibly triggering or very empowering – all depending on how good you are at Mario Kart (and you might get some assistance with that from our best Mario Kart characters article!).
12. Banjo-Kazooie Cable Guy
Cable Guys aren’t just decorative figures – they’re practical too!
They’re designed in such a way that they’ll safely hold your electronic devices – for this list, the most appropriate example would be a Pro Controller.
Handily, it also comes with a USB-C charging cable.
We opted to feature the Banjo-Kazooie version here – due to their Nintendo 64 heritage and the availability of their first adventures on Nintendo Switch Online – but there’s plenty to choose from.
11. OIVO Switch VR Headset for Nintendo Switch
These VR glasses for the Switch are a neat little gift for anyone who wants an alternative Nintendo Switch experience.
It doesn’t matter whether they wear glasses either; this headset is suitable for all to wear. It’s light, adjustable, and lets you experience Switch games in a whole new light.
Just loop the straps over your head and go. Keep the joycons in place while watching YouTube clips or take them out for free control when playing games like Mario Odyssey or Breath of the Wild.
Bear in mind that this is only suitable for ages 12 and up before you purchase!
10. Mario X-Rocker Gaming Chair
Let’s face it, posture is incredibly important, particularly when you’re playing over long sessions. You don’t want to end up with health problems just because you were addicted to collecting Moons in Super Mario Odyssey, do you?
This Nintendo themed gaming chair by gaming chair specialists X-Rocker (who feature heavily on our best floor gaming chairs list) is for younger players – and though there’s a big range of Nintendo characters to choose from, we’ve opted for Mario because, well – it’s Mario!
9. Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
No longer do you have to imagine how cool it would be to have actual Mario Kart races around your home – that’s exactly what you can do with the awesome Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit.
You can choose from either Mario or Luigi versions – but they’re essentially the same (and if you have both, along with two Switch consoles, you can race them against each other!
You can use the included track markers and Start/Finish line to create whatever crazy layout you fancy throughout your home, though be warned – the size of the physical Kart means that you’ll need a lot of floor space!
8. Ring-Fit Adventure
Having used Ring-Fit Adventure extensively during lockdown – and then beyond – we can attest to just how good it is as a genuine way to stay in shape.
It handily gamifies exercise by wrapping everything you do in layers of action RPG style, with levelling up, boss fights, quests and even crafting thrown in for good measure.
Pretty much anything you do necessitates using the included leg strap and resistance ring in some way, with the ring itself offering encouragement and keeping you motivated as you make your way through the increasingly difficult stages of the adventure.
Custom workouts outside of the main story mode are also available if you just want to hop in and exercise in specific ways.
Nintendo really did think of everything with Ring-Fit Adventure – it’s an excellent tool that keeps you wanting to work out; it’s a perfect gift for any Switch player who wants to play on their console but keep active as they do!
7. Switch Pro Controller: Splatoon 3 Edition
If you’re a serious player of first person or third person shooters, RPGs or other action adventure games that require significant time investment, getting hold of a Pro Controller is a no-brainer.
Though relatively inexpensive and reliable third party options are out there in droves, our recommendation is for the recently released Splatoon 3-themed Pro Controller.
Though expensive, it’s got a really nice design – with a well-implemented colour scheme that matches the game’s teams – and it feels like a premium product too.
It’s not lacking in features either, with motion controls, HD Rumble and even Amiibo functionality all present and correct. With an estimated 40 hour battery life, it’s no slouch when it comes to longevity either!
6. HORI Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro
The versatility of the Switch – being able to use it on the move as well as on the big screen – is one of its biggest selling points, but after extended play in portable mode, those Joy-Cons can feel a little cramped.
Step in HORI, who’ve been at the forefront of producing brilliant third party peripherals for decades. Their Split Pad Pro is a work of genius – allowing players to get the Pro controller experience while using the Switch as a handheld.
With full size analogue sticks, a solid and responsive d-pad, large shoulder buttons and even Turbo functions, the Split Pad Pro is essential for gamers looking to get the best out of their games on the move.
5. Lego 71360 Super Mario Adventures Starter Set
The Lego Super Mario range has grown massively since it was first introduced in 2020, but the best place to start is still with the Super Mario Adventures Starter Set.
It comes with an electronic Mario, who reacts to different block types – with electronic expressions on the LCD screens in his eyes and mouth – and collects coins, all shown on his little tummy display.
Authentic in-game sounds can be heard as you move the satisfyingly chunky, Bluetooth-connected Mario around the course you build, with the ultimate goal of defeating Bowser Jr. and getting to the end of level flag. it’s incredibly tactile and satisfying.
An app allows you to easily see how to build each part of the course and keep track of coins collected too.
Other sets more recently made available have characters such as Luigi and Princess Peach – plus, there’s even boss battles against Bowser that can be purchased as well!
4. Monopoly: Animal Crossing: New Horizons Edition
Let’s face it – the cutthroat nature of Monopoly is completely at odds with the chilled out nature of Animal Crossing’s exploration, gentle collection and charming friendship building.
So it’s great to see that the Animal Crossing Monopoly game isn’t just a straightforward, lazy reskin of the standard Monopoly game at all.
In this Animal Crossing edition of Monopoly, rather than greedily hoarding properties to run the finances of your friends and family into the ground, players instead visit islands and collect resources that’ll be familiar to players of the video games – as they’ll pick up bugs, fish, fossils, and fruit.
Resources can then be sold for Bells; the ultimate aim being to earn Nook Miles to win.
It’s a beautifully designed game from a visual standpoint – and though it isn’t the deepest or most strategic title, it’s a nice way to take the Animal Crossing experience onto the tabletop and gently compete with other players face to face!
3. Question Block Switch Game Card Case
These unofficial, unlicensed game card cases are brilliantly designed accessories – and perfect for safely storing those tiny Switch game cards.
Though not authorised by Nintendo, the case does look legit – and its clever unfolding design sees it hold up to 16 game cards at a time.
Though we’ve chosen the Question Mark Block design as our favourite, other options are available – such as Mario, Pokemon, Zelda or even Minecraft-based blocks!
2. SanDisk 256GB microSDXC Card for Switch
One thing that the Switch doesn’t have a great deal of is internal memory – and before long, once you have a few digital games installed, along with save files, screenshots and game clips, you’ll find yourself running out of space.
Thankfully, the Switch does have a handy SD card slot that’s really straightforward to use – and you’re able to choose the level of expansion that you need to.
Being such obsessive, constant gamers here at Retro Dodo Towers, we’ve opted for the 256GB SD card here – but 128GB is usually more than enough for most people.
These particular cards are officially licensed by Nintendo too, which is why each of the different sizes is coloured and illustrated with a Nintendo -specific design.
Buying SD cards can be a bit of a minefield, as numerous third party cards don’t have anywhere near the advertised space on them; they can also be prone to failing and losing data – which is something you definitely don’t want to happen to you 200 hour plus Breath of the Wild save game!
So though these particular examples won’t be the cheapest options out there, SanDisk are fast, reliable and official options that you can trust.
1. Switch Accessory Bundle Kit
Do you know anyone who’s going to be receiving a Switch as a gift? Or a new Switch owner who hasn’t the faintest clue about what they might need to enhance their gaming?
This impressive third party bundle kit seems to have absolutely everything covered – and it won’t break the bank either.
No matter what you may need as a Switch owner, it’s pretty much going to be here.
First up is a carry case (with room for the console, extra Joy-Cons, cables and game cards. There’s two tempered glass screen protectors, along with a soft comfort grip to make the console really comfortable to play in handheld mode.
A controller charging dock and stand is also included, as well as a multi-angle stand to use the Switch on the move without having to physically hold it.
A further game card holder (with room for 24 games), in-ear headphones, USB-C cable for charging the console and thumbstick covers – in three different sizes – to make the Joy-Cons a little more comfortable to use are also in the already-impressive bundle.
Lastly, there’s a ballpoint pen – which doubles as a stylus to use on the Switch touchscreen. Just don’t get the two ends of the pen mixed up – we here at Retro Dodo can’t be held responsible for scratched or ink-covered screens!
So there you have it – our choices for the best Nintendo Switch gifts of 2022!
Jason – who lives in the UK – has had a lifelong interest in video games, which all started when he discovered Space Invaders in the early 80s. The first game he ever completed was Wonder Boy in Monster Land on the Sega Master System – which remains one of his proudest gaming achievements. Jason is a passionate writer – and has been writing about gaming since the late 90s. He currently runs pop culture blog midlifegamergeek.com, which he updates on a daily basis (and has written more than 700 articles on the blog alone!).
Outside of video games, Jason is a keen tabletop gamer, film buff and comic book fan.
