POWER Button
Volume buttons
6.2 inch capacitive touch screen
Speakers
Game card (sold separately)
Audio jack
For connecting commercially available headphones, microphones or headsets.
Game card slot
Rail
Brightness sensor
Stand
By adjusting the stand, the console can be propped up independently on flat surfaces such as floors and tables.
microSD card slot
Supports microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC memory cards. Game data that cannot fit on the console's system memory can be stored on these.
Please note: an update via an internet connection is required to use microSDXC memory cards.
Rail
Use this groove to attach Joy-Con.
USB Type-C connector (base)
Connect devices such as an AC adapter or Nintendo Switch dock here.
Nintendo Switch console
USB ports (side)
Connect accessories like the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (sold separately) or the Joy-Con charging grip (sold separately).
TV output LED
Turns on when image is being output to the TV.
System connector
Insert the Nintendo Switch console to connect.
AC adapter port
USB port
Works with USB 2.0. USB 3.0 support is planned in the future.
HDMI port
Back cover (shown open)
By closing the back cover, you can hide the connecting part of the various cables for a simpler presentation.
Nintendo Switch dock
L Button
− Button
Left Stick
Can be pressed down and used as a button.
Directional buttons (Up/Down/Left/Right Buttons)
Capture Button
Takes a screenshot or video during play.
Rail
Used to attach the Joy-Con to the console or Joy-Con strap accessory, etc.
R Button
+ Button
A/B/X/Y Buttons
Right Stick
Can be pressed down and used as a button. Can also be used as an NFC touchpoint to read and write amiibo data.
HOME Button
Suspends software and opens the HOME Menu. Lights up when a notification is received.
ZL Button
ZR Button
Release buttons
Used to detach the Joy-Con from the console.
IR Motion Camera (on bottom-facing side)
SL Button
SR Button
SR Button
Player LED
Indicates the player number for each Joy-Con.
SYNC Button
Pairs the controller to the console and can also be used to reset the wireless connection.
SL Button
Joy-Con (L)
Joy-Con (R)
SL/SR Buttons
The particular button changes depending on whether the strap is attached to the left or right Joy-Con.
+ mark/− mark
You can use any Joy-Con strap with either the left or right Joy-Con. Please use the + and − marks for reference when attaching.
Rail
The groove for attaching and removing a Joy-Con.
Strap lock
Locking the strap close to your wrist helps ensure you don't lose your grip on the Joy-Con during play.
Player LED
Displays the controller number assigned to the Joy-Con.
Slide lock
Press it until you feel a click to lock, ensuring the strap doesn't separate from the Joy-Con. Pull on it to release the lock, allowing you to remove the Joy-Con.
Joy-Con strap
Player LED
Displays the controller number assigned to the Joy-Con.
Rails
Grooves for attaching and removing the Joy-Con.
Strap attachment
Joy-Con grip
Change the way you play with different play modes
Nintendo Switch can be played while connected to the TV as a home console, but actually there are three different play modes you can choose from, depending on the situation.
TV mode
Place the Nintendo Switch console into the Nintendo Switch dock, hook up the HDMI cable to your TV, and you’re ready to play games on the TV.
Tabletop mode
Prop up the stand attached to the back of the Nintendo Switch console to play games on its built-in screen. This mode is useful when you’re on the go without a TV, and two people can even play together by taking control of a Joy-Con each.
Handheld mode
Attach the Joy-Con to the Nintendo Switch console and play it on the go. Play wherever you like, however you want, using the 6.2 inch screen.
HOME Menu
From the HOME Menu, you can start games and select game settings. In addition to managing friends and user accounts, you can also change your system settings here.
News
The latest news about games will be delivered to your Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo eShop
You can purchase digital versions of games and downloadable content by accessing Nintendo eShop. You can also get more information about games by viewing commercials and promotional videos here.
Album
Here you can view screenshots you’ve captured during gameplay. You can freely add text to the images and effortlessly post them to social networks.
Capture screenshots and videos in an instant
By pressing the Capture Button on Joy-Con (L), you can capture screenshots during gameplay instantly.* By holding down the Capture Button, you can also capture up to 30 seconds of video in selected games.**
*Some games may have sections where it is not possible to capture screenshots or videos.
**Video capture and video sharing is available for consoles with system menu version 4.0.0 or higher. Find out more.
An internet connection and a Nintendo Account are required to use the News, Nintendo eShop and social network screenshot posting services.
Multiplayer
Link your consoles together
By connecting with other Nintendo Switch consoles, you can enjoy local multiplayer.
Connect via the internet
Go online* and play with far-off friends and users all over the world via Wi-Fi. With a LAN adapter, you can connect to the internet via a wired connection when playing in TV mode.
By tapping an amiibo (sold separately) to the NFC touchpoint on Joy-Con (R), you can read or write data to the amiibo.
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