The Nintendo Switch 2 has been available for over a year now and while the launch of the console itself went fairly well, the roll-out of the various third-party cases, screen protectors, charging bricks and more was considerably less smooth, with many companies rushing unfinished or poor quality products to stores in an effort to be among the first to have accessories available for Nintendo’s newest console.
Though Belkin had a few things ready for the Switch 2 soon after its release, including a screen protector and two carrying cases, its options in 2025 weren’t exactly the most robust. However, a year after the console’s debut, the accessory brand is launching some high-quality Nintendo Switch 2 add-ons that I’m happy to say were worth waiting almost a year for.
QuizNintendo handheld consoles
Trivia challenge
From the Game Boy to the Switch — how well do you know Nintendo’s legendary pocket-sized gaming machines?
HardwareHistoryGamesFeaturesRecords
In what year did Nintendo release the original Game Boy in Japan?
Correct! The original Game Boy launched in Japan on April 21, 1989. Designed by Gunpei Yokoi, it went on to become one of the best-selling handheld consoles of all time, selling over 118 million units worldwide.
Not quite — the original Game Boy launched in Japan in 1989. Designed by the legendary Gunpei Yokoi, it hit North American shelves later that same year and went on to define portable gaming for a generation.
Which Nintendo handheld was the first to feature a dual-screen design with a touchscreen on the lower display?
Correct! The Nintendo DS, released in 2004, introduced the dual-screen design with a resistive touchscreen on the bottom display. It became one of the best-selling gaming devices ever, with over 154 million units sold globally.
The correct answer is the Nintendo DS, launched in 2004. It pioneered the dual-screen format with a touchscreen lower display, a design so successful that Nintendo carried it forward into the 3DS family as well.
Which iconic game was bundled with the original Game Boy at launch in North America?
Correct! Tetris was bundled with the Game Boy in North America, and many credit this decision as key to the console’s massive success. Nintendo’s Minoru Arakawa pushed hard for the Tetris deal, recognising its broad, universal appeal.
The answer is Tetris! Nintendo bundled it with the Game Boy in North America, a strategic masterstroke that helped the console appeal to players of all ages. Super Mario Land was available at launch separately but was not the pack-in game.
How many cameras did the Nintendo 3DS feature when it launched in 2011?
Correct! The Nintendo 3DS launched with three cameras — one on the inside facing the player and two on the outside arranged side by side to capture stereoscopic 3D photos. It was one of the more novel features of the hardware at launch.
The Nintendo 3DS actually had three cameras. Two outward-facing cameras worked together to capture stereoscopic 3D images, while a single inner-facing camera was used for augmented reality games and video calls.
Which Nintendo handheld holds the record as the best-selling dedicated handheld gaming device of all time?
Correct! The Nintendo DS family sold over 154 million units worldwide, making it the best-selling dedicated handheld console ever. Its combination of dual screens, touch input, and a massive game library made it an enormous global hit.
The Nintendo DS is the record holder, with over 154 million units sold globally. While the Game Boy line was hugely successful in its era, the DS surpassed it thanks to its broader appeal and innovative dual-screen, touch-enabled design.
What was the name of the virtual reality accessory Nintendo released for the Game Boy in 1995?
Correct! The Virtual Boy was Nintendo’s ambitious but ill-fated attempt at portable virtual reality, released in 1995. It displayed red monochrome graphics in a stereoscopic 3D format but was a commercial failure, selling fewer than one million units.
The answer is the Virtual Boy, released by Nintendo in 1995. Though technically a standalone unit rather than a Game Boy add-on, it was Nintendo’s first foray into virtual reality gaming. It flopped commercially but remains a fascinating curiosity in gaming history.
Which handheld console did Nintendo release as a direct successor to the Game Boy Advance?
Correct! Nintendo positioned the DS as the successor to the Game Boy Advance, though they initially called it a ‘third pillar’ alongside the GBA. Its revolutionary dual-screen design marked a bold new direction for Nintendo’s handheld lineup.
The Nintendo DS was the successor to the Game Boy Advance, launching in 2004. Nintendo initially described it as a ‘third pillar’ rather than a direct replacement, but the DS quickly took over as the company’s primary handheld platform.
The Nintendo Switch can be used as both a home console and a handheld device. What is the name of its detachable controllers?
Correct! The Joy-Cons are the Switch’s signature detachable controllers. They slide onto the sides of the console in handheld mode and can be removed for TV play or used individually as separate mini-controllers for multiplayer gaming.
The correct answer is Joy-Cons. These clever detachable controllers are central to the Nintendo Switch’s versatility — they click onto the console for handheld play, slot into the grip for home use, or separate entirely for two-player local gaming.
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Belkin’s Charging Grip for the Switch 2 solves multiple problems at once
A better grip and more power make for a winning combination
One of the reasons I strongly prefer playing Switch 2 games in docked mode (aside from the visual upgrade) is that I find the Switch 2’s flat body hard to grip for long periods of time. Fortunately, Belkin’s Charging Grip for the Switch 2 adds detachable ergonomic grips to the Switch 2 that make it a lot more comfortable to hold without a bunch of extra weight.
However, as you might have guessed from the name the real selling feature of this grip is its ability to magnetically hold a charging brick to the back of the Switch 2, giving you the ability to more than double your playtime with the console. Instead of averaging only around 90 minutes before needing to top off on power, this grip lets me go almost 5 hours, which is pretty impressive and helps the Switch 2 feel more like a truly portable console, which is perfect for me as I have frequently been bummed out by the console’s poor battery life when taking it out for a day at a theme park.
Once the charging brick is depleted, it easily snaps off the back of the grip for easy wall charging, and I was able to slide the whole unit into the Nintendo Switch 2 official dock. I will say the fit in the dock feels a little tighter with the grip attached (and the Switch 2 runs a little hotter in the dock with the grip attached) but after placing it in and out several times there were no scratches on my screen protector or on the charging grip itself, and I didn’t notice any immediate performance issues due to the temperature.
Though I’ve only used this accessory for a week, it already feels like a natural part of my Switch 2 set-up and I can’t imagine taking it off any time soon.
- Battery
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10,000mAh
- Charging Port
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USB-C
A snap-on ergonomic grip for the Nintendo Switch 2 that includes a magnetic power bank.
Belkin’s Travel Bag for Nintendo Switch 2 gives you room for everything you need on the go
Pockets and compartments galore
Though I swear by my Charging Case Pro when I’m bringing my Switch 2 out into the world, Belkin has also made another carrying solution if you want to bring your full Switch 2 setup (and potentially other things as well). The company’s new Travel Bag for Switch 2 has a sling bag style loaded with pockets and compartments that fits not just a Switch 2, but also game cartridges, controllers, charging cables, and more. It also has extra space for your wallet, keys, and even an AirTag. Areas specifically meant for your Switch 2 are reinforced with extra soft fabric, which should keep everything secure and scratch free.
I haven’t really been able to road test the backpack outside just yet, but simply packing things up in my home was easy enough, and I was surprised how many hidden pockets there were in this thing. The sling style was comfortable to wear and carry around the house for short periods of time, and I imagine the next time I need to bring my full setup to a friend’s house for a Mario Kart Tour session, this will almost certainly be my go-to solution.
- Brand
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Belkin
- Height Adjustable
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Yes
- Colors
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Black, Olive Green, Lilac
A spacious carrying bag with room for a Switch 2 console, games and more.
