I've been playing Pokémon for 18 years — 6 essential pieces of gaming gear I couldn't go without

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the best console to play Pokémon games on. It's the highest-powered Nintendo console to date, gets you access to the latest Pokémon games, and will deliver the best overall play experience with the strongest performance and best graphical fidelity. The hybrid nature of the console also means that you can take your games on the go and then resume your play on your TV screen when you get home.

This bundle gets you a Nintendo Switch 2 console and a copy of Pokémon Legends Z-A, one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games. You'll also save around $20 compared to buying the items separately.

$499 @ Walmart | £429 @ Currys

Pre-order! I love cozy games. I love Pokémon. And I love Dragon Quest Builders, an RPG/crafting game made by Koei Tecmo. The developers who worked on Dragon Quest Builders have teamed up with Nintendo to make Pokémon Pokopia, so I'm beyond excited for it to release.

In Pokémon Pokopia, you'll play as a shape-shifting Ditto who can copy abilities from other Pokémon in order to rebuild an abandoned island. It doesn't release until March 5, but there's no way I can go without adding it to my collection.

$69 @ Amazon US | £56 @ Amazon UK

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet divided opinions on release. I love that the ninth-generation Pokémon games provided a freeing open world and boss battles you could tackle in any order you liked. The story and characters are also extremely memorable, some of the series' best of all time.

But there were also numerous performance issues and glitches to contend with. Over time, these have gotten better with patches, and the game also runs better on Switch 2 than the original Switch. I still recommend picking up Scarlet and/or Violet because while the games aren't perfect, they still have a whole lot going for them.

$44 @ Walmart | £37 @ Amazon

If you ever plan to leave the house with your console (something that is easy to do thanks to the Nintendo Switch 2's portable nature,) getting a case to keep it protected is a must. This PowerA Slim Case is affordable and sleek but will protect your console from scratches and bumps. You can also store game cards inside and there's a built in stand for tabletop gameplay sessions.

$19 @ Amazon US | £12 @ Amazon UK

The GameSir Super Nova has taken over as the main controller I use whenever I'm not playing my Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode. It's comfortable to hold and has super-powerful rumble that makes gameplay feel more immersive. It also includes Hall Effect triggers and thumbsticks, which means it's less likely to develop the dreaded stick drift that plagues Nintendo Joy-Con controllers.

$49 @ Amazon US | £39 @ Amazon UK

Plush may not be an essential gaming accessory for some, but they are for me. Who would want to game without a plush buddy? This set comes with the original trio of starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle all in an 8-inch size. I couldn't find the exact same set on sale across the pond, but there is a Jazwares 5-inch sleeping Pokémon plush set that may be even cuter.

$39 @ Walmart | £29 @ Amazon UK