Playing video games, a great gamepad is critical to the overall experience. Nintendo offered this with all their consoles, including the Nintendo Switch with its Pro Controller. Offering a great grip, responsive buttons, and insane battery life, it was the go-to controller for Nintendo fans.
With the Switch 2, Nintendo released the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. This controller promises to improve the original Pro Controller in many areas while offering some nice quality of life features. Does this premium gamepad improve on the original Pro Controller? And is it worth the high asking price?
The See-Through Gem – The Original Pro Controller
Releasing alongside the Nintendo Switch 1, the Pro Controller evolved from what Nintendo offered with the alternative ‘standard’ controller options on the Wii and Wii U.
Using a clear see-through casing, it visually stood out amongst the colorful Joy-Con controllers Nintendo flooded the market with. The plastic also felt very grippy, making long gameplay sessions enjoyable.
In addition, the controller included analog sticks that felt better than Joy-Con sticks, a solid implementation of HD rumble, and a battery life that lasted for weeks on end. It was a must-own controller. However, its main issues stemmed from a lack of analog triggers and a bad D-Pad.
This changes with the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
Smooth Like Butter – Analog Sticks on the Pro Controller 2
The biggest improvement is the analog sticks. They feel incredibly responsive, with every little movement feeling smooth. It’s the smoothest feeling analog sticks I’ve ever used. It eclipses the Dual Sense analog sticks while coming close to surpassing the Xbox Series X/S Controller sticks.
Playing long sessions of Mario Kart World, the opening of Hogwarts Legacy, and a few levels of Sonic X Shadow Generations highlighted how great the sticks perform for exploration-focused experiences.
A Directional Advantage – The D-Pad of the Pro Controller 2
One of the only major issues with the original Pro Controller was its D-Pad. Unlike prior Nintendo consoles, the Switch lacked a real D-Pad, using buttons to ensure two-player support when passing Joy-Cons around. So when the Pro Controller came out alongside the original Switch, many got the controller in hopes of a proper D-Pad for platformers and fighters. It was lackluster, to put it lightly.
The Pro Controller 2 is a marked upgrade in every aspect. Fighters feel fantastic using it, as I tested Street Fighter 6 using the controller, and pulled off combos and special inputs without any issues. If I opted for the original Pro Controller, I would’ve had to fight with misinputs.
Meanwhile, it feels fantastic for 2D Platformers, as after testing it with Sonic Origins and Sonic Mania Plus, all my movements felt responsive.
Rear Support – The GL and GR Buttons
While Pro Controller 2 includes inputs and buttons on most console controllers, it features proper back buttons. This is a rare inclusion for ‘standard’ console controllers, as the back buttons are reserved for controllers like the DualSense Edge or the Xbox Elite.
These back buttons are usable on an OS level, with every game having a unique profile accessible via holding down the Home Button when in-game. Testing these buttons for many games, they are quite helpful. Tears of the Kingdom, Sonic Frontiers, and many others benefit from those extra options.
The best part about them is that they cannot accidentally be pressed when resting your hands on the back of the Pro Controller 2.
The Haptic Factor – Improved HD Rumble
One improvement on the Nintendo Switch 2 that the company didn’t highlight much is improved HD rumble. This predates the Haptic feedback usable on the DualSense controllers, adding extra texture and immersion for the games that support it. On the Pro Controller 2, this improved HD rumble present on the Joy Con 2s carries over.
Most impressively, this doesn’t come at the cost of a lesser battery. So you can enjoy more immersive driving adventures in Mario Kart World without worrying about your controller dying in four or so hours.
The Dolphin – Controller Shell/Body on the Pro Controller 2
Something I’ve never experienced on a controller is how smooth the Pro Controller 2 feels. It’s almost as if the controller was designed to absorb moisture from your hands after long play sessions. It was a strange feeling, but I grew to appreciate how nice it felt on my hands.
Although the original Switch Pro Controller offered a standard plastic body that could be better for longer play sessions, the smooth-feeling Pro Controller 2 is a nice alternative, giving a unique, premium feel that the original Pro Controller lacked.
Lack of Pressure – Triggers/Shoulder Buttons
One change many hoped for with the Pro Controller 2 was the inclusion of proper analog triggers. They’re in the DualSense and Xbox Series X/S controllers, adding additional responsiveness for racers and shooters. With the Switch 2 Pro Controller, Nintendo opted once more for digital triggers.
They feel great for the Switch and Switch 2 titles, but this was one area where the Premium quality that most Switch 2 products have felt missing.
Moving Around – Improved Gyro Controls
Many games on the Nintendo Switch heavily used gyro controls, most infamously the Splatoon series. With the original Pro Controller, Gyro controls were on par with the original Joy-Cons, but calibration still needed to be reset often.
With the Pro Controller 2, gyro controls are improved across the board. Any game that used them on Switch 1, like Mario 3D All-Stars or Splatoon 3, is more responsive with the Pro Controller 2. The key thing is that tracking for the gyro features is more stable when compared to gyro on Switch 1.
So, regardless of whether the tech in the Pro Controller 2 is improved or if the Switch 2 itself rectifies the problem, using gyro controls with this new controller feels great.
A Powerful Charge – Battery Life
Similar to the original Pro Controller, this has an insane battery life. Even with the improved HD Rumble and other quality of life additions, the battery life can last multiple days. I have only fully charged the controller twice since I got mine.
Meanwhile, the DualSense needs daily charges, and the Xbox Series X/S controller needs weekly charges.
Exclusive – Lack of Compatibility with Non-Switch 2 Devices
Sadly, these improvements are exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, as the controller does not work with Nintendo Switch 1 or on PC platforms. This is a real shame, as the improved D-Pad, Gyro Controls, and GL/GR buttons would be awesome to try with various games in my Steam library.
A Golden Thumb – Price Concerns
While the Pro Controller 2 is a leap in every regard over the original Pro Controller, that controller can still be used on Switch 2. Same with many other third-party controller alternatives. The $85 price point for the Pro Controller 2 is a step purchase decision.
It’s more expensive than the DualSense and Xbox Series X/S controllers, making this the most expensive ‘standard’ controller in the console market. You are getting a premium product, but at the cost of a premium price point.
Closing Thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
After going hands-on with the controller during the Nintendo Experience event, I had to get this with my Switch 2. And after spending several hours with it, I was impressed. While the price point may be higher than most controllers on the market, its premium build quality and improvements over the original Pro Controller make it a great companion to your Nintendo Switch 2.
This controller was reviewed using one purchased by the reviewer.
Score – 8.5 out of 10
Pros:
- Fantastic Build Quality
- Improved D-Pad
- Improved Gyro Controllers
- Smooth Feeling Shell
- GL & GR Buttons Are a Fantastic Quality of Life Inclusion
- Insanely Long Battery Life
Cons:
- Smooth Feeling Shell might not be Ideal for those preferring the Plastic Pro Controller 1
- The price is higher than most standard controllers
- Cannot be used for PC or Nintendo Switch 1
