From secret messages to honking sounds, the Switch is full of Easter eggs that only the most dedicated Nintendo fans will know about. So if you want to uncover all the Switch’s hidden secrets, just keep reading.
1. Reveal a Hidden Message Inside the Pro Controller
How many times have you used the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and not realized it has been trying to communicate a secret message to you the whole time? Nope, you didn’t read that wrong. The Pro Controller has a secret message located underneath the right joystick.
The message is imprinted on the controller’s circuit board. And since the controller has transparent housing, if you hold the right joystick down and look at just the right angle, the message will be revealed.
The message is very secret indeed and therefore is quite difficult to see. But with the help of a torch and a little squinting, you can read the message “THX2 AllGAMEFANS” printed on the inside of your Pro Controller.
2. Create a Secret Save File
Many Switch games only allow one save file per user. This is an issue that bugs a lot of gamers, but there is an easy way around it that you might not have thought of. By creating another user for yourself, you can bypass this issue completely.
If you regretted the starter you chose in Pokémon Sword but don’t want to start a whole new game, simply make a new user to test out another starter Pokémon! Unfortunately, this trick won’t work for games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, where you are restricted to one island per console.
3. Use International eShops
Region locks are an issue that plagues many a Nintendo gamer. There’s nothing more frustrating than when you really want a game but can’t get it because it isn’t available in your region. Region locks have been present in Nintendo products for a long time, but thankfully the Switch has a loophole that you can easily take advantage of to access any region’s eShop.
Simply head into the Switch’s Settings, scroll down to System, and select Region. From here, select your region of choice, agree to the terms and conditions, and restart your console.
You can choose from the following regions:
Japan The Americas Europe Australia | New Zealand Hong Kong | Taiwan | South Korea
Your Switch will now be able to access whatever region’s eShop you picked, so you can get your paws on those elusive international titles.
4. Customize Airplane Mode
If you saw the Nintendo Switch ad where the actor was happily playing his Switch in tabletop mode on a plane, you might have been tempted to do the same. You may have also experienced the same confusion that many others did when the system informs you that you can’t use wireless controllers while the Switch is in Airplane Mode.
There is, however, a way to customize your Airplane Mode settings, so you can still use wireless controllers on the plane. To do this, open Airplane Mode once again after it’s activated, select Controller Connection (Bluetooth), and enable Bluetooth communication. You can also enable the use of WiFi and Amiibo while your Switch is in Flight Mode using this method.
5. Combine Screens With Other Nintendo Switch Consoles
The Nintendo Switch is perfectly tailored for multiplayer gaming, making it one of the most versatile consoles to use with friends. We all know about the multiplayer flexibility of the Joy-Cons, but the console screen itself is also designed to link up with others.
Games such as Mario Party Superstars (Nintendo Store) allow you to connect two Switch screens modularly to increase the overall screen size you’re working with. Watching your character wander from one Switch screen seamlessly onto another is a very unique experience and is worth a try if you are ever playing with friends.
6. Find Your Lost Joy-Cons
The Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons are on the small side. They are in fact, the perfect size to slip between the couch cushions and into the abyss. If this ever happens to you, there is an easy way to find your missing Nintendo Switch controllers from within your systems settings.
This handy tip makes your Joy-Cons start vibrating, so you can follow the sounds straight to them and be reunited with your beloved Switch controllers once more.
7. Play Funny Sounds
When you unlock your Nintendo Switch, the system requires you to press the same button three times. While it is tempting to mash A three times, it is thoroughly recommended that you play around with some other buttons to unlock your console.
Every button you push plays a different comical sound, and some of them are sure to make you smile. If you are going to try this trick out for yourself, make sure you try pressing the ZR button, and pushing down on the left joystick.
8. Turn On Your TV From the Comfort of Your Couch
When you are sitting down to start a gaming session, you’re probably ready to relax. So when you get comfy and then realize you haven’t turned your TV on yet, don’t get up! You can actually turn your TV on with your Nintendo Switch, so you don’t have to move a muscle — except to push the Home button down on your controller that is.
9. Customize Your Settings to Save Battery Life
One of the main issues gamers face with a handheld console is battery life. As opposed to a home console that is constantly getting power supplied from the outlets in your home, the Nintendo Switch relies on an internal battery.
The Nintendo Switch has an approximate battery life of around four to five hours depending on the demands of the game you’re playing. If this isn’t enough for you, you can make your Nintendo Switch battery last longer by simply changing a few settings and taking care of your battery.
10. Turn Your Joy-Con Into a Lightsaber
Have you ever noticed the small tab at the bottom of the right Joy-Con and wondered what it is? That is actually an IR sensor. And while there aren’t many games that make use of this feature, it is quite versatile.
The IR sensor seems to be an all-but-forgotten feature of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. But there are a few games on the eShop that make use of it. The IR sensor can become a night vision camera (Nintendo Store), or even a lightsaber, so you can engage in epic battles with a friend using the Nintendo LABO Variety Kit (Nintendo Store).
The Nintendo Switch Is Full of Surprises
Nintendo has consistently been celebrated for its creativity and innovation, and the Nintendo Switch is one of the best examples of this.
Since its launch, Nintendo has constantly been coming up with new exciting features to keep the Switch at the forefront of the console race. This handheld marvel is chock-full of surprises that make it one of the most interesting and quirky systems on the market.
