Get the most from your Nintendo Switch
So, you just got a Nintendo Switch… or maybe you’ve had one for a while, have played your fill of Mario Kart and are now wondering what’s next? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered, our resident Nintendo Switch enthusiast is here to give you some top tips on how to make the most of your new favourite console.
Set up a Nintendo Switch Online account
A Nintendo Switch Online account is essential to play almost all Switch games online (with the only exceptions being a few free to play games but more those later), allowing you to test your Mario Kart skills on the world stage or join your friends for a few rounds of Splatoon. And if that’s all it did then the £17.99 for a 12-month membership (monthly options are also available) would still be relatively reasonable. However, a Switch Online account also comes with a few other added benefits that make the asking price a no-brainer in our opinion. Chief among these is the ability to back up you game save data to the cloud. With a console as portable as the Nintendo Switch comes the ever-present danger of dropping or losing your console and with it your 100+ hours of progress on Zelda Breath of the Wild, which would be heart-breaking to say the least! With a Switch Online account however, your data can be automatically backed up to the cloud, keeping it safe should any problems arise.
You also get access to the Nintendo Entertainment System, an ever-growing library of classic NES games that you can play anytime, anywhere. Take a trip down memory lane or see where your favourite franchises began with games such as the original Legend of Zelda or Super Mario Bros. Nintendo are also promising exclusive offers for Switch Online members and even more benefits to come further down the line.
Get money off your eShop purchases
We know that every penny counts, so saving money on the latest games is a real lifesaver. You can use your physical game collection to earn money off in the digital eShop. Simply insert the game card into your switch, highlight it and press the + button then navigate down to “My Nintendo Rewards Programme” and select “Earn Points (game card version only)”. By doing this you’ll be awarded Gold Points which can be redeemed for money off against your next eShop purchase at a value of 1 point to £0.01. Be aware though that game cards can only be redeemed once and the points you earn are based on the value of the game so will vary.
Connect your social media accounts to share your gaming highlights!
If you venture into your Switch profile page from the home screen, you’ll find the option to link your Switch with both your Facebook and Twitter accounts. By doing this you’ll not only be able to quickly and easily add your Facebook friends as Switch friends to play online together but you’ll also be able to share screenshots and videos captured on your Switch with the world. Never let a Fortnite victory go un-noticed and make sure everyone knows how much better you are at Mario Tennis than your younger brother!
Explore the System Settings
There are a few nifty features that can be found in the System Settings that you might be unaware of if you haven’t taken the time to explore your Switch fully.
First up you’ll find Parental Controls; download the Nintendo Switch Parental Control app for your Smartphone and you’ll be able to monitor and control things such as how long your family are allowed to play games for on a daily basis, or whether to grant access to age-restricted applications.
You’ll also find the option to change the Nintendo Switch’s theme. At the time of writing there are only the options of the Basic White theme that is set as standard and a Basic Black theme (my personal favourite). Hopefully, in future Nintendo will add further themes, so one to keep your eye on.
Visit the eShop and grab some great free games
The Nintendo eShop is home to literally hundreds of fantastic games you can download straight to your switch and whilst yes you would have to pay for 99% of them there are a few that you can pick up and play for absolutely nothing! Not only are these games free to play (they don’t even require the aforementioned Switch Online account) some of them are exceptionally good and are a great way to start building your Switch library without paying a penny. Here are a few of our favourites to get you started:
Fortnite – Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of years you must have heard of Fortnite. One of the biggest games in the world right now, Fortnite pits you in a battle to be the last one standing in a 100 player battle royale. Or team up with your friends and fight to become the top squad regardless of their console of choice as Fortnite allows cross platform play with Xbox, Playstation, PC and mobile.
Paladins: Champions of the Realm – Paladins is a team-based hero shooter in which players choose from various “champions” each with their own special skills and then team up to compete in a number of different game modes. Packed with content this is an easy one to pick up and play or pour hours into mastering.
Warframe – Warframe is a cooperative third-person action game that casts players as what are basically space ninjas in an epic story that sees you traveling the cosmos shooting and slashing your way through hordes of alien enemies to save the galaxy. Whilst you can play this one alone its best enjoyed with a group of friends , working together to complete missions and unlock new gear. This is one of most graphically impressive games available on the Switch and the fact that its also incredibly fun to play, filled with stuff to do and free is an absolute wonder!
Grab some great multiplayer games and invite your friends over for the ultimate game night
The Nintendo Switch was built from the ground up with multiplayer in mind, hence why the individual Joy-Con can be used as their own separate controller and why we ship all our bundles with and extra pair. Whether you’re at home, on the move or on your work lunch break (how we like to play at Let’s Connect) the Switch begs to be played with friends or family. Here are some of our favourite multiplayer games that you and your pals should be getting stuck into:
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – If you own a Nintendo Switch and don’t own Mario Kart yet what is wrong with you? Just kidding but seriously there is a reason why this is one the highest selling Nintendo Switch games to date. The 8th and arguably best entry into the series so far, Mario Kart 8 is an absolute blast of a party game that just about anyone can easily jump into and play. Whilst some players may have more experience or skill with the series Mario Kart 8 adds a bunch of new features that can level the playing field for new comers alike.
Mario Tennis Aces – A mainstay in the Let’s Connect office since its release, Mario Tennis Aces is hugely enjoyable take on the tennis formula with all your favourite Mario characters, some crazy courts and spectacular special moves. Easy to pick up and play with the option of using motion controls to swing your controller like an actual tennis racket the game also offers a huge amount of depth to sink your teeth into and master.
Super Smash Brothers Ultimate – Everyone is here! At least that’s the slogan for the latest entry in Nintendo’s premier fighting series. Featuring over 70 fighters from some of gaming’s biggest franchises and 100 stages on which to battle the amount of content here certainly earns its Ultimate title. Ever wanted to know who would win that age-old battle of Mario Vs Sonic? Why not throw in Pac-Man, Pikachu, Ryu from Street Fighter and Cloud from Final Fantasy while you’re at it.
Make sure you never have a boring commute again with some incredible single player experiences
The Nintendo Switch is home to some amazing single player games and the best part is these can be enjoyed at home on the big screen or whilst on the move in portable mode. No matter whether you’re taking the train to work or are 40,000 feet in the air on route to some exotic destination these are our favourite games to lose yourself in and watch the time fly:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Step into the vast open world of Hyrule and explore a land filled with mysteries and wonder in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. You play as the legendary hero Link who after awakening from a 100-year slumber finds the world he once knew on the brink of chaos, its then up to you to fight back the evil forces of Ganon and save the realm however you can with unprecedented levels of freedom.
Super Mario Odyssey – Mario’s latest outing sees him embark on a world spanning adventure with his newest partner the anthropomorphic hat Cappy. Climb aboard his flying ship the Odyssey and visit every corner of the Mushroom Kingdom in search of Princess Peach and his long-time foe Bowser. Along the way you’ll come across all manor of colourful characters and crazy challenges to complete.
Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! – The classic Pokémon RPG experience comes to Nintendo Switch with stunning graphics that bring all of you favourite Pokémon to life like never before. This latest entry features gameplay that’s easy for newcomers to jump in and start capturing but deep enough to keep even long time Poké fans coming back for more. You can even connect your Switch to the Pokémon Go app on your smartphone and transfer and trade between them.
If you haven’t already, you can pick the Nintendo Switch through your Technology Benefit scheme. As well as the console, our range of Switch bundles also include a choice of the latest games, an extra Joy-Con controller, Switch starter pack with carry case, plus extended warranty for that extra peace of mind. Keep your eyes peeled for your next order window and check out our wide range of games consoles and exciting home technology online.
