Nintendo may not create the most powerful or graphically jaw-dropping consoles on the planet, but whatNintendo consoleslack in sheer grunt, they usually make up for in innovation. The Nintendo Wii, for example, sold in the millions despite being far less capable than rival consoles. That’s because it introduced a completely new way to play, with Wii controllers that you could wave around instead of just pushing analog sticks and mashing buttons.
TheNintendo Switchfollowed in the same vein. The raw power and graphics of the Switch can’t come close to matching current consoles such as the PlayStation 5, but the Switch is still a hugely popular console. That’s because it’s actually two consoles for the price of one. You can play games on your Switch by using it as a handheld device, but you can also connect it to your TV just like with a traditional console. It means you can start playingThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomon your TV, pull the console out of the dock, and take it with you to continue from the exact same point in handheld mode when you’re riding the train or in the back of a car.
Not all Nintendo Switch models have this capability. TheSwitch Liteis a cheaper model which, among otherdifferences from the regular Switch, is handheld only. If you own the standard Nintendo Switch, or the new Nintendo Switch OLED, however, then you get to choose whether to play games handheld or on your TV. Playing handheld is pretty self-explanatory; just fire up your Switch with the Joy-Cons attached, and you can start playing.
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Playing on your TV requires a little more effort, but not that much. It’s really simple to set up; if you’ve ever connected anything else to your TV such as astreaming boxor sound bar, then you’ll have no problems. Once it’s set up, you can, ahem, switch between the two modes in an instant. Here’s how to connect your Nintendo Switch to a TV if you want to enjoy the beautiful vistas of Hyrule on a bigger screen.
What you need to connect your Nintendo Switch to a TV
A dock, some cables, and a TV to plug your Switch into
There are only a few things you’ll need to connect your Nintendo Switch to a TV. They include the following:
The good news is that nearly all of the things that you need come included with your Nintendo Switch when you buy it. The only thing that isn’t included is a TV, more’s the pity.
You’ll also need a controller in order to play games, but once again, you get twoJoy-Con controllersincluded when you buy your Switch. you’re able to also purchase other controllers, such as theNintendo Switch Pro controller, or even retro-styled controllers for playing older games on your Switch.
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How to connect a Nintendo Switch to a TV
Connect the power and HDMI cables and put your Switch in the dock
Once you’ve got everything you need, it’s time to connect everything up. All you need to do is connect a few cables in the appropriate places, and you’ll be ready to start enjoying some Nintendo gaming action on your TV.
When you’re fiddling around with cables, it’s all too easy to put the power cable into the USB port by mistake. You’ll know if you’ve done so, as you won’t see your Switch screen displayed on your TV. The power cable needs to go into the top port of the three.
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Q: Which models of Nintendo Switch can be connected to a TV?
All models of the Nintendo Switch except the Switch Lite can be connected to a TV. This includes the original Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch OLED model. The Switch Lite is designed exclusively for handheld play and does not support TV connection.
Q: Can I connect my Switch to a TV without using the dock?
Yes. You can connect your Switch to a TV without the dock, which is great if the dock is broken, missing, or you just want to see your console while playing. All you need is a USB-C to HDMI adapter that plugs into the Switch, such as the$22 RREAKA USB Type C to HDMI Digital AV Multiport Hub.
If you want to keep your Switch standing upright, consider getting a stand, like the$20 Lamicall Adjustable Tablet Standor the$22 HORI Compact PlayStand. This setup keeps gaming fun and easy, even without the dock.
Q: What are the best Switch games to play?
Where do we start? There are some amazing games available for the Nintendo Switch. Now that you’re all hooked up, check out our list ofthe very best games available on the Switch right now.
