The Nintendo Switch has been an experiment that reveals how convenient game consoles can really be. Three years later, it looks like the project was a success, especially for group play. It has allowed gamers to seamlessly go between a handheld gaming experience and one they can enjoy on their televisions.
Even though the console has been out for a while, there are still some tricks you may not know about that can make your gaming experience all the more enjoyable. So, whether you are new to the Nintendo Switch, or bought it early on, here is a look at some helpful DIY tricks to use when you boot up this console.
10 Charge Your Phone While You Play
Want to charge your phone and enjoy some Breath of the Wild? Well, you can. If you have a USB-C cord, connect the charging end to the bottom of your Switch, and then be sure to plug up your phone. You will have created your own DIY charging station, enabling you to enjoy playing some excellent games while you get some juice into your phone to text some friends about those new weapons you found.
9 Stay Up-To-Date On Battery Life
It’s truly a bummer when you are in the middle of taking on a boss battle away from the Switch charging hub only to run out of battery. Fortunately, there is a trick to preventing this. Hold down the home button, and a menu will show up. This will allow you to check where your battery currently is. You can also have the battery percentage up permanently by selecting this option in the Systems menu.
8 Fix Screen Glare
Screen glare is a common problem with handheld gaming devices, and the Switch is no different. Nevertheless, while you will have to deal with this if you are gaming outside or around a light source, the Switch allows you to diminish the problem.
If you go to settings and disable “auto-brightness,” you can set the brightness higher, allowing you to decrease the glare. It will not solve the problem entirely, but it will help.
7 Go Easy On Your Eyes In Dark Mode
That blue light can be a burden to your eyes. Just think about how many screens you look at each day and the various lighting you are exposing your eyes to. The developers at Nintendo have made this less of a problem, and you can fix it with one DIY trick. Head to settings and themes to select “Basic Black.” This action will turn the layout black so that you won’t have to deal with as much of the bright blue light that comes with most screens.
6 Make Your Own Dock
5 Turn On The Switch And TV At The Same Time
Who would have thought that using a game console to turn on the television would become such a modern convenience? The Switch allows you to do just this.
If you have a newer television, head to settings and look for a feature: called HDMI synch. If you select this, it will allow you to only have to press the home button on your JoyCon to start up your television.
4 Use A USB Keyboard
Typing on most gaming consoles can be a challenge, but this is especially true for a handheld device. You can overcome this by grabbing a small keyboard and hooking it up to the Nintendo Switch. You can connect the two through a USB port. So, before you know it, you will be quickly typing out paragraphs and communicating on the Switch. While it won’t be a substitute for a laptop, it can enhance gaming experiences that require you to type out communications.
3 See International Games
Did you know you can gain access to games that are not in your country? All you have to do is to go to your Settings to change the region of the device. Once you do that, you will have the option to view and even purchase games that were released in other countries. It’s pretty cool that you don’t have to be limited because of being in another location. So, pull out that Switch and start checking out some foreign titles.
2 Play With A Playstation Or Xbox Controller
Maybe you want to experience playing the Switch with another console’s controller. We can’t blame you! Fortunately, there is a way to do this. All you need is a Bluetooth dongle. From there, you can wirelessly connect your PlayStation, Xbox, or even Wii controller to the Switch.
Because of the Bluetooth connection, you don’t even have to sacrifice feeling the vibrations brought on by the games. Again, this is a cool little trick if you want a different gaming experience.
1 Turn Your JoyCons Into Other Items
Did you ever want to play the Ocarina or take a turn with a lightsaber? Well, your Switch JoyCon can do this. Certain Switch games allow you to turn your JoyCon into fun and iconic items that will make the playing experience even more enjoyable. Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition and Nintendo Labo are just some of the titles that can transform that JoyCon into something special.
NEXT: 10 Most Graphically Impressive Nintendo Switch Games, Ranked
