Switch Tips

Things worth knowing before you buy a Switch, and how to keep it running well after: models, regions, eShop cards, care and battery.

Five consoles side by side, the Japan-only Switch 2 to avoid, and what to check on a second-hand unit.

What you lose, the exact steps, and why the console itself doesn't need a region change.

The one rule that matters, which card to buy for your account, and how to redeem the code.

Heat, humidity, scratch-free docking, the right charger and what to know about third-party docks.

How long each model lasts, settings that stretch a charge, and habits that keep the battery healthy for years.

Looking for what to buy? See our buying guides.