The 10 Best Nintendo Switch Controllers

Monster Hunters, rise! This limited-edition Nintendo Switch Pro USB Controller Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Edition is the bomb for fans of the series. This Pro controller features artwork from the Sunbreak expansion, depicting the mysterious elder-dragon Malenzo, and it looks fantastic.

In terms of the controller itself, if you already own a Pro controller for your Switch, you’ll be familiar with the features. It’s a wireless controller with a button array similar to that of the original Joy-Cons. It has an NFC reader, motion controls, an HD rumble feature, and offers amiibo support.

This is undoubtedly a great first-party wireless controller for the Switch. Although it will set you back more than a few dollars, which is to be expected for a limited-edition item. The silver and black dragon design on the faceplate looks incredible and is more than enough of a pull to satisfy Monster Hunter fans and collectors alike.

Read More

The 8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller with Charging Dock is an excellent third-party controller and charging dock combo. Compatible with the Switch and the Steam Deck, it offers a stable wireless connection and automatically powers off when docked, powering back on again as soon as it’s lifted out of the dock.

With it, you can create and store three custom player profiles and switch between them easily with the custom profile button in the center of the controller. It can be used wirelessly or with Bluetooth, and a two-way mode switching button allows you to select between them. For Switch gamers, there are motion controls too, and a rumble vibration function.

This 8Bitdo controller also features two Pro back paddles which you can reassign an existing button function to if you wish. Additionally, there’s a hall effect joystick that provides smooth movement and should eliminate drift. It will give you almost 22 hours of game time on a single charge and is comfortable to use. And for a quality third-party controller and charging dock in one, this is a great overall package.

Read More

If you’re after a handheld controller for your Switch, don’t want to spend a fortune, and don’t care about it being wireless, then the PDP Rematch Wired Controller is much like Mary Poppins; practically perfect in every way.

This controller is officially licensed by Nintendo and has a cool black and lime green mushroom design, and it glows in the dark. And if that’s not enough to convince you, you’ll find two programmable back paddle buttons here which you can remap button functions too. You can also customize the look of the controller with interchangeable faceplates and thumbsticks.

Volume controls are easy to adjust using the D-pad, and there’s a port for a 3.5mm audio jack so that you can enjoy superior audio with your favorite wired headphones. This lightweight wired controller looks and feels great and is affordable enough to be used as a second or backup controller for your Switch, too.

Read More

A great looking collector’s item for fans of The Legend of Zelda series, the Nintendo Joy-Con the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Edition is the perfect way to add some drip to your Switch console. These blue and white Joy-Cons are embossed with gold pattern effects and insignias from the game.

The right Joy-Con is styled after the Master Sword, while the left features a Hylian Shield motif. With adjustable wrist cords on both controllers, these are easy to use in either hand with little risk of being flung at TVs or other furnishings. Equally suited to regular handheld play, they will liven up the look of any Switch console, making it stand out and showing a little love for Link.

Stunning looks aside, it functions the same as any pair of Joy-Con controllers, with any differences being purely cosmetic. It has a hefty price tag too, which is likely to put off anyone not already a fan of the series. But for Zelda fans, this is a great showpiece controller that you’re going to want to use, the next time you’re hanging out in Hyrule.

Read More

Nostalgia sells, and the GameCube Controller – Super Smash Bros Edition for Nintendo Switch is clearly banking on some of that nostalgia twisting the arms of potential buyers. For retro gamers, there’s an appeal to using a GameCube-style controller with your Switch; particularly with so many GameCube titles now available in the Nintendo Store.

One important point to note here is that you will need a GameCube-style adapter for your Switch before you are able to use this wired controller. Annoyingly, this is not included in the package and requires a separate purchase.

However, once acquired, retro heaven awaits! For fans of the GameCube and particularly Super Smash Bros on the GameCube, this delivers an essential slice of gameplay gold. Ergonomically styled to match the original design of the GameCube controller, this will delight gamers who like to hark back to those glory days.

Read More

The Guilikit KingKong 2 Pro Wireless Controller is a third-party controller that has some neat features to give your gameplay a boost. The KingKong 2 Pro supports motion sense, letting you tilt and or shake the controller for movement. It also has an autopilot function, that can record various button presses and then repeat them automatically; which is useful for farming items in-game, and so on.

Hall effect sensing joysticks act to prevent any drifting or dead zone issues, using magnetic sensors to provide greater accuracy as well as durability. The controller also has an FPS mode which can be used to allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the joysticks for tighter gunplay.

An NFC sensing function is built-in, and there’s also a one-key wake-up for your Switch console, once it has been paired with the King Kong 2 Pro. Additionally, an interchange function allows for a recalibration of the A-B X-Y button functions to suit your gaming preference. Overall, this is an impressive package, with plenty of pros to recommend it for wireless gameplay.

Read More

A wireless controller that’s as vibrant and colorful as the game series that it’s inspired by, the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller Mario Pop lets you wear your Mario-loving heart on your sleeve every time you switch on your Switch.

There are two mappable back buttons here that can be used to reassign trigger functions to allow for more intuitive gameplay, and motion control is also happily supported here too. You’ll enjoy a whopping 30 hours of gameplay on a full charge too, and a 10-foot USB-C charging cable is also included, in case you’ve not been diligent enough with charging your Mario Pop.

Boasting one of the most colorful designs we’ve seen on a Switch controller, this Mario Pop wireless controller satisfyingly conveys everything that Nintendo is about, fun. You’d be hard-pressed not to have a huge grin on your face with this controller in your hands, and it makes a very trusty companion for endless hours of Switch-based gaming.

Read More

The HORI Nintendo Switch Pad Pro is the perfect controller for Switch gamers who lean towards the handheld style of gameplay. Acting like a supersize Joy-Con, this slide-on controller set offers a full-size handheld experience, making your gameplay feel much more immersive.

Featuring a larger and more comfortable grip, as well as larger buttons, triggers, analog sticks, and D-pad, this feels good to hold. It has assignable rear trigger buttons which offer a small amount of customization, and there’s a Turbo function too; where you can program rapid button presses in various increments per second.

It doesn’t support motion control, and there’s no HD rumble either. However, if you want to enjoy a more grown-up handheld experience while gaming on your Switch, this is a great way to do it. The larger controls here become second nature after a short time. So much so, that you may never want to go back to your original Joy-Cons.

Read More

If you’ve ever lamented the lack of LED lights in your wireless Switch controller, then this is the one for you. The ECHTPower Switch Remote Gamepad offers nine different LED light effects with three different light modes. There are four levels of brightness and a memory function that you can use to program different light cycles.

Six-axis motion control is also supported, and there are four additional and programmable back buttons too, for custom button mapping. Dual vibration motors provide five different levels of vibration feedback, and there’s also a three-speed Turbo Mode for triggering rapid button presses.

One key wake-up makes this controller convenient to use with the Switch, and an auto power-off function helps to conserve battery when unpaired. And speaking of the battery, a full charge provides for around 10 hours of gameplay. An affordable multi-platform wireless controller that works well for the Switch, the ECHTPower controller is worth a closer look.

Read More

This PowerLead Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch has bags of charm and will no doubt have a lot of appeal for fans of games such as Bicho Crossing. The raccoon-inspired design is super cute, but more importantly, there’s a decent amount of functionality here for the price.

Supporting six-axis motion control, with an adjustable vibration function, and a three-speed Turbo Mode, this little raccoon is a feisty customer. It features a breathing light home button and ears to add a little extra fun, and there are options for button mapping too, which all add to its user-friendly appeal.

Battery life is limited to between five and seven hours on a full charge, which although decent, is unlikely to blow anyone away. However, given the fact that this controller is aimed more toward the younger gamers out there, this shouldn’t prove too much of a handicap if screen time is being actively controlled anyway. Great fun, and cuter than fifty kittens playing with a big ball of wool.

Read More