Verdict
Just just like the console it launches alongside, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller demonstrates refinement, moderately than reinvention. Great ergonomics, the identical stellar battery life however with quicker charging, and helpful additions like built-in audio and again buttons, assist justify its excessive asking worth.
Comfortable and exact really feel
Excellent battery life
Impressively quiet
Not effectively suited to bigger palms
Still liable to stick drift
Price
Key Features
Review Price: £74.99
Approximately 40 hours of use per cost
Matches the wonderful battery lifetime of its predecessor, however recharges in about half the time.
Programmable again buttons
The new GL and GR buttons will be mapped to reflect another button on a game-by-game foundation.
Integrated 3.5mm audio jack
You can plug instantly into the controller for GameChat or sport audio, over wired headphones.
Introduction
If you’re contemplating the brand new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, you’re both in possession of the unique Switch Pro Controller and are tempted by this era’s long-overdue upgrades (like its programmable again buttons and built-in audio). Or merely can’t get together with the Joy-Con 2’s clunky ergonomics; when hooked up to the included grip or in any other case.
Like the earlier mannequin, the brand new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller will greatest serve those that have a desire for docked, couch-based play. That stated, due to the Switch 2’s bigger show, these now extra tempted to play in tabletop mode when out and about may additionally discover added worth in bringing Nintendo’s 2025 Pro Controller alongside for the journey.
The authentic £59.99 / $69.99 Nintendo Switch Pro Controller was an distinctive providing in its personal proper, with an avid fan base that, to at the present time, praises its nice ergonomics and excellent battery life. In some ways, it’s a troublesome act to observe, not least due to the generational worth hike the complete Switch 2 {hardware}, accent and software program lineup calls for.
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The Switch 2 Pro Controller arrived at a generationally-costlier £74.99 / $79.99, however US tariffs have since pushed Nintendo to revise American pricing by an extra $15, to $84.99.
It’s additionally price highlighting that, though Nintendo manufacturers this as its “Pro” controller, it doesn’t provide the identical diploma of performance or customisability as both Sony’s DualSense Edge or Microsoft Xbox Elite Series 2 gamepads. Both of those first-party rivals price considerably extra at launch, nevertheless. The Edge arrived at an eye-watering £209.99 / $199.99, whereas the Elite Series 2 price at £159.99 / $179.99, and though costs for each have fallen, they nonetheless go for considerably greater than Nintendo’s new controller.
Design
Smaller and lighter than authentic Pro Controller
Matte darkish gray plastic with shiny mild gray accents
New C, GL and GR buttons
Those accustomed to the 2017 Pro Controller will instantly recognise the silhouette the 2025 follow-up strikes; particularly with these rounded grips and corners. In spite of this generational coherence although, Nintendo claims (in accordance with Welcome Tour) to have redesigned the Switch 2 Pro Controller “from the ground up”.
The geometry has been slimmed down, with a thinner cross-section and fractionally narrower grips (supposedly impressed by the unique GameCube controller). On the one hand, this offers more room in your fingers to relaxation beneath, with out danger of crowding. On the opposite, the entire controller is fractionally smaller, which means larger-handed gamers who already discovered the unique Pro Controller in any respect cramped, may wrestle with extended gaming classes.
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In observe although, I liked dealing with the brand new Pro Controller. The up to date design makes use of fewer seams, which means your palms at all times really feel like they’re touching a repeatedly clean floor. The lightly-textured plastic used solely holds onto sweat for a matter of moments earlier than evaporating, and fewer grooves additionally imply much less filth accumulation over time; it feels improbable.
The solely caveat is that – as revealed by quite a few impartial teardowns – a heavier reliance on adhesive makes this era somewhat more durable to restore at dwelling.
Sure, I miss the translucent smoke black plastic of the earlier mannequin, however aesthetically the Switch 2 Pro Controller in any other case seems clear, elegant and useful. The darkish gray semi-matte plastic of the physique is, this time, properly contrasted by shiny mild gray accents across the base of the thumbsticks and throughout the complete prime face of the controller.
Knowing a couple of of the Switch 2 titles which are but to launch, I’m additionally excited to see what particular variants of latest Pro Controller Nintendo has up its sleeve; maybe a Metroid Prime 4 version with purple accents, or a Donkey Kong Bananza flavour with a yellow physique?
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The elephant within the room right here is that the Switch 2 Pro Controller has additionally gained a couple of new buttons. On the highest face, the brand new C button sits bottom-centre, simply above the brand new 3.5mm audio jack. This helps you to use wired headphones for the Switch 2’s new GameChat function, and as a solution to wirelessly stream sport audio too.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Perhaps one of the crucial notable additions that feels really ‘Pro’ here’s a new pair of again buttons set into the underside of the controller grips. GL and GR – as they’re labelled – are positioned in order that your center fingers relaxation on every comfortably; extra on these in a bit.
Performance and Features
Larger face buttons and a revised D-pad in comparison with predecessor
Impressively clean potentiometer thumbsticks
Whisper-quiet buttons and sticks
The Switch 2 Pro Controller weighs rather less than its predecessor (235 grams, versus 246), and regardless of its smaller quantity, truly sports activities even bigger face buttons than beforehand.
The A, B, X and Y buttons function what seems like marginally much less journey than on the earlier Pro Controller, leading to extra precision. This is offset by a silicone membrane and an inner silicone encompass, collectively softening their really feel with out muddying the feeling of urgent every button; comfy and responsive.
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The new D-pad is a step in the suitable route too, in comparison with the maligned iteration on the unique Pro Controller. It’s unquestionably extra tactile, whether or not urgent cardinal instructions or aiming for the diagonals. That stated, I’d welcome much more responsiveness and precision on future iterations, as misreads nonetheless occur.
The seize and residential buttons are a tad bigger this time round, whereas the + and – now depend on a raised membrane-based development; making them much less tactile, however simpler to hit with out having to look down.
The L and R shoulder buttons provide a equally soft-but-absolute response when pressed, with the ZL and ZR triggers sporting quick journey and the same really feel to the earlier Pro Controller.
Some followers had been hoping for analogue triggers, however in most video games I believe the present implementation works completely effectively. Racing or flight simulators would possible have reaped the largest advantages if Nintendo had opted for analogue right here, however use circumstances to justify such a change in any other case appear within the minority.
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As for these shiny new GL and GR buttons, in testing they proved expertly balanced. You’re unlikely to actuate them with out which means to, while additionally not requiring an uncomfortable quantity of power to depress them. Not to say choosing buttons as an alternative of paddles – as you’d discover on the likes of the DualSense Edge and Elite Series 2 – makes for a extra responsive and cozy expertise.
Setting them up is simple too. While in-game, simply long-press the Home button and you’ve got the choice to assign another enter on the controller to GR or GL. It’s fast, intuitive and the console routinely saves your mapping on a game-by-game foundation. Being in a position to maintain the accelerator in Mario Kart World proved infinitely extra comfy by utilizing GR, whereas with the ability to extra simply whistle-sprint in Breath of the Wild felt like a welcome improve too.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
It’s time to speak about these thumbsticks and, protected to say, Nintendo has labored some magic right here (though ‘engineering wizardry’ could be extra correct).
The very first thing you’ll discover is how clean they really feel, and all through their full vary of movement too. They’re notably taller than the thumbsticks on the included Joy-Con 2s (sporting higher grip on the caps as well), with offset heights and thinner stalks, leading to clean high-precision, high-control motion.
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Image Credit (TechSwitch)
The inner design signifies that you’re by no means pushing the sticks to their absolute restrict, with an added “sheet” (in accordance with Welcome Tour – see above) that helps keep smoothness at their boundaries, whereas mitigating stick grind.
In truth, virtually the entire gamepad’s key controls are impressively quiet, a lot in order that that is simply the quietest controller I’ve ever used, making it good for late night time gaming classes, even with a child or important different sleeping close by.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
The fly within the ointment for some is perhaps that Nintendo has as soon as once more opted for potentiometer-based enter – the identical know-how that has led to stay drift prior to now. Testing with a calibration device, neither stick on my Switch 2 Pro Controller confirmed any notable deadzone, and each had been naturally dead-centre too.
Nintendo as soon as once more turned to Japanese provider Alps Alpine for what seem like (going by teardowns) custom-made potentiometers. Only extended testing will reveal whether or not these fall foul of stick drift, however from private use; they’re nothing however dreamily clean and splendidly exact.
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As stick drift is such a hot-button subject the place Nintendo’s {hardware} is worried, if the persistence of potentiometer sticks has abruptly rendered the Switch 2 Pro Controller lifeless within the water for you, contemplate 8BitDo’s not too long ago up to date Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller as an alternative. It boasts TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) sticks, Hall Effect triggers, and was simply up to date to assist the Switch 2.
Features and Battery Life
HD Rumble 2 + Home button console wake assist
GL and GR programmable on game-by-game foundation
40-hours use w/ 3-hour recharge
Sticking with really feel for a second, the Switch 2 Pro Controller additionally options upgraded linear actuators to assist HD Rumble 2 (additionally discovered within the new Joy-Cons). While tech demos inside Welcome Tour showcase the flexibility of the expertise (simulating actions like using a bike), the energy of the vibration right here isn’t as pronounced as I’d hoped.
The Joy-Con 2s truly do a greater job of displaying the function off, so – just like the D-pad – whereas it’s a pleasant enchancment over the earlier Pro Controller, Nintendo might have gone additional.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Other options price mentioning are the NFC learn space behind the Switch 2 brand on the face of the controller (to be used with Amiibo), gyroscope assist, and that tweaked Home button. Currently, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is the one gamepad (except for the in-box proper Joy-Con 2) which might wake the Switch 2 from sleep, by merely long-pressing the Home button.This is a helpful improve for these of you planning on grabbing the 2025 Pro Controller, however a seemingly pointless sting for first-gen Pro Controller die-hards, whose controllers miss out on this handy improve. The motive as to why the earlier Pro Controller can’t wake a paired Switch 2 pertains to a distinction in BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) requirements, however why Nintendo couldn’t maybe patch in a workaround appears unclear.
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Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Playing fast-paced video games – like Mario Kart World – from throughout the room, I by no means seen any discernible enter latency, however for many who contemplate themselves aggressive Fortnite gamers, you do have the choice to plug the included five-foot USB-C to A cable into the Pro Controller and the Switch 2 dock, for decrease latency enter. Nintendo states that this technique is even quicker on the Switch 2 Pro Controller, in comparison with utilizing the earlier mannequin wired, however doesn’t particular by how a lot.
The identical will be stated for audio assist. The comfort of with the ability to throw audio to your favorite wired headphones utilizing the newly built-in (CTIA normal) 3.5mm headphone jack is nice for late-night gaming classes, and likewise helps you to higher admire the main points in a video games’ sound design (or the distinctive Mario Kart World soundtrack, in my case).
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Finally, let’s discuss battery. One of one of the best facets of the unique Pro Controller was its outlandish battery longevity and the identical is true of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
After an preliminary out-of-box recharge, regardless of utilizing the gamepad constantly for the reason that Switch 2’s launch, I’ve solely recharged as soon as, and the battery hadn’t even fully diminished. With the identical promise of 40-hours of use per cost, the Switch 2 Pro Controller leaves noteworthy rivals within the mud, so far as longevity goes.
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Although the quoted output hasn’t modified, the battery behind the brand new Pro Controller’s lengthy life lastly has. For the longest time, Nintendo used the 1300mAh Li-ion battery that originated in its 3DS handhelds. It was utilized by each the Wii U Pro Controller and the earlier Switch Pro Controller, for instance.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Even with the identical 40-hour promise as earlier than, the Switch 2 Pro Controller truly makes use of a smaller however newer 1070mAh cell, which brings the additional benefit of considerably quicker charging; refilling from flat to full in three hours, versus six on the final Pro Controller.
Along with the shoulder buttons, the highest face of the controller performs host to the pairing button, USB-C port, participant LEDs (moved from the underside to make room for the headphone jack), and a cost LED. Confusingly, this LED glows orange when the controller is on cost, and easily turns off when it’s totally charged, which isn’t the clearest indicator (because it might be mistaken for not charging in any respect). However, this smaller oversight is one thing Nintendo can fear about fixing on its subsequent Pro Controller.
Should you purchase it?
Buy it if you need considered one of Nintendo’s greatest controllers ever
Sure, no danger of stick drift would have been good, and even perhaps quicker charging, however the mix of consolation, comfort and precision on provide right here goes to be exhausting to beat for Switch 2 homeowners.
Don’t purchase it if you need mechanical customisability or cross-device comfort
The time period “Pro” is relative right here. Despite being a superb Switch 2 gamepad, it lacks the mechanical personalisation of Sony’s or Microsoft’s most superior controllers. You’ll even have to leap by hoops to make use of this with something aside from the Switch 2, at the very least at launch.
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Final ThoughtsUnless you’re unbothered by the continuing awkwardness of the Joy-Con 2s’ ergonomics, an present first-gen Pro Controller proprietor unimpressed with the various upgrades supplied right here or just can’t abide Nintendo’s continued desire for potentiometer-based thumbsticks, the brand new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is a should.It has the nicest really feel of virtually any gamepad on the market, boasts stellar battery life, gives exact however comfy controls, is impressively quiet, and though maybe overdue, the addition of these programmable again buttons and built-in audio elevate this already-great controller to ‘exceptional’.It’s costly, certain, however when you get your palms on one, you’ll perceive the place your cash’s been spent.
How We CheckWe examined the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller by enjoying quite a lot of video games throughout a large number of genres, using all the extra {hardware} controls the place potential. We additionally made certain to evaluate real-world enter and audio latency variations between wired and wi-fi play. Used constantly since launch Tested throughout quite a lot of video games Assessed enter and audio latency
FAQs
Can the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller be used with the unique Nintendo Switch? No. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller isn’t backwards appropriate (the unique Switch Pro Controller does work on the Switch 2, although). Does the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller work on PC Partially. While native plug-and-play assist isn’t accessible, there are unapproved Github purposes (just like the ProCon 2 Enabler Tool) which might allow Switch 2 Pro Controller assist on PC. Does the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller have Hall Effect thumbsticks? No. Independent teardowns present that the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s thumbsticks use custom-made potentiometers from Alps Alpine. This Japanese firm additionally supplied the thumbstick potentiometers for the unique Switch Pro Controller, in addition to numerous Xbox and PlayStation controllers too.
Full Specs
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Review