The Nintendo Switch 2’s price will bring sticker shock to fans. With a starting price of $449, it’s one of the most expensive machines that the company has put up for sale. The barebones system won’t come with any games, and it will have minimal accessories included with the box.

If you’re looking for ways to get the biggest bang for your buck, here are ways to get maximum value:

1. Buy a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription: This is the company’s version of Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus. For $49.99, users gain access to select NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and Sega Genesis games. It’s a large library of games. It also opens up GameChat service so that players can use it beyond the March 31, 2026, free trial date.

More importantly, it unlocks the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” and “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” at no additional cost. If you need a game to show off what the new console can do, these modern classics are Nintendo at its best.

2. Reuse those old controllers: Original Switch owners can use their old Joy Cons on the original system. If you have friends over for a game of “Mario Kart World,” there’s no need to buy additional Joy Con 2 controllers, which run at $94.99. Additionally, the original Pro Controller and third-party devices work with the Switch 2 as well.

3. Don’t immediately buy a microSD Express Card: The Switch 2 has an expansion slot for those who want to add more storage to its built-in 256 GB of space. The device uses a microSD Express card, which is not compatible with the original Switch. The new format has faster speeds that are required for modern games. Right now, the top-end cards hold 1TB of data, but they sell for up to $220.

It’s better to wait for Black Friday sales or bide your time because these types of cards grow more affordable over time, and you can find better deals in the future.

4. Don’t buy the official Nintendo Switch 2 camera if you already have a webcam: Because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the Switch 2 price of accessories has gone up, including the official camera. Instead of paying $54.99, players can get by with a webcam they have it home.

Of course, the device needs a USB-C plug to install into the top or users can plug it into the USB-A plug on the dock, and it will work fine. A list of compatible cameras has been compiled on the Nintendo Switch 2 subreddit.

5. Save your battery life: Similar to the current iPhones, the Switch 2 had a battery setting that sets a charging cap at 90%. You can enable it via Settings and going to System option at the bottom of the menu. This will preserve the device’s battery life, so a few years down the road, the battery can remain closer to its original capacity, and you won’t have to replace it.