10 Best Nintendo Switch Special Edition Models, Ranked

From Dragon Quest to Animal Crossing, there is a special edition Nintendo Switch console for everyone.

The Nintendo 64 was the first console from the Japanese titan to experiment with color variants, alongside the small pool of Game Boy Color editions. Now, in 2023, Nintendo fans are spoiled for choice regarding Nintendo Switch models.

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Inspired by the publisher's most popular IPs, from Pokémon to The Legend of Zelda, an array of vibrant and aesthetic variants have been released into the wild throughout the handheld's lifespan. Here are some of the best Nintendo Switch Special Edition models that honor their respective franchises.

Released back in November 2018, Nintendo offered this monochromatic variant to celebrate the release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the console, complete with a custom dock featuring black and gray artistic images of the playable characters, from Yoshi to Samus, and minimalist Joy-Cons to match.

The design is perhaps the least eye-catching on the list, which puts this special edition at the bottom of the ranking, but its celebration of beloved Nintendo characters earned a spot regardless.

Accompanying the launch of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet last year was the release of its pairing Switch model, hitting shelves back in November 2022. The titular colors cover each Joy-Con alongside a white dock sporting the designs of Koraidon and Miraidon.

This Scarlet and Violet edition is one of two Pokémon variants appearing on this list, and while the recent release is a bold entry, its lesser-known featured Pokémon and particular color palette give it a lower position.

The rarest entry on this list has to go to the Trials of Mana special edition console, which was only available to obtain through a competition hosted by Square Enix back in 2020. The Yellow dock features the game's logo and an image of Rabite, paired with Joy-Cons of a darker tone and a custom grip featuring a promotional image from the game.

This Trials of Mana edition earns a place on the list because of its rarity and kawaii design, however, the difficulty in obtaining this console lowers its ranking.

Not to be mistaken for Fallout's colors, this special edition Fortnite console offers blue and yellow Joy-Cons that are pleasing to the eye, and the dock, albeit lacking vibrancy, features a number of characters from the game, including Tomato Man and Skull Trooper.

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Released back in November 2020, the Fortnite variant is an evergreen must-have for fans of the battle royale, but the unique qualities of other editions keep it low in the ranks.

Celebrating the launch of this highly-anticipated remake, Nintendo released the Let's Go special edition console in November 2018, featuring the titular Pokémon, Pikachu and Eevee, on opposite ends of the dock. The Joy-Cons' palette represents the brown of Eevee's fur and the electrically charged yellow of Pikachu.

This edition is a contender for the most aesthetic Switch console on the list and earns the lovable generation one pocket monsters a middle ranking.

Launched in tandem with the release of Monster Hunter Rise back in March 2021, this subtle special edition rocks a gray base color on the dock and Joy-Cons, but it offers the perfect amount of in-game motifs and gold flare to give it a stunning, traditional look.

Despite being one of the more muted entries on the list when it comes to color, the gold flames and embossed Magnamalo design perfectly enhance the handheld without being too garish, and it lands a middle ranking on the list.

Being a Mario fan and partial to popping colors will instantly put this special edition near the top of the list. Released alongside Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, this Mario-themed variant included more than the standard set-up with the Switch screen, dock, and Joy-Cons representing the plumber's red tone and the Joy-Con grips and receivers in blue.

This edition also came with a Mario-themed case and the added yellow accents on the zipper and adjusters do a stellar job of honing the protagonist's color palette.

The most recent Nintendo Switch special edition release was for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which launched in May 2023, and its detail mixed with the franchise-accurate palette is already a winner.

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The white dock layered with gold motifs and the accompanying gold and green Joy-Cons representing Zonai tech awards this special edition third place.

It may be a simple design, but for Dragon Quest fans, it's the only Switch for them. This Japanese-exclusive console offers Joy-Cons in a royal blue, featuring white symbols of Slime paired with a black dock detailed with white images of a sword and shield from the game.

The simplicity of this release mixed with the vibrancy of the Joy-Cons and subtle details is a masterclass on how to design an IP-exclusive special edition Switch and earns second place on this list.

The number one spot has been awarded to the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch for its aesthetic qualities and ability to harness the easygoing nature of the game. Sporting pastel green and blue Joy-Cons with a sand-colored dock featuring Tom Nook, Timmy, and Tommy on an island, this console is as good as it gets.

Able to elevate any home gaming setup or Instagram feed, the picturesque quality of this special edition is a must-have for any collector and a staple purchase for Animal Crossing fans.

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Jo Craig has been in the industry for nearly a decade and finds dissecting Marvel trailers for hours standard practice and still finds time to review, analyze, and research anime, video games and everything on the nerdy spectrum. Writing for TheGamer, CBR, and GRV Media, Jo also maintains a strong social media presence with a passion for contributing to the geek culture community.