The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is an excellent choice if you want a more robust gamepad. However, if you’re going to play for an extended amount of time, those little controllers might get rather uncomfortable.
Nintendo has kept the analog stick position simple with the classic Xbox-style asymmetric design. In addition, there are four face buttons & four shoulder buttons in their regular locations, with no GameCube-style antics to spice things up.
The Joy-Con’s home share, plus, and minus buttons are also present, but you might be forgiven for missing the share & home buttons because they aren’t lifted at all. On the bottom, a row of LEDs reveals the player number the controller is presently assigned to.
A USB-C charging port is placed on the top corner of the Switch Pro controller, along with a tiny LED that flashes orange while charging and turns off after completely charging.
You can also charge the controller using your USB-C phone charging cord, which is helpful if you want to charge it while the Switch is turned off so you can use it immediately the next time you play. The Switch Pro Controller’s handles are also somewhat textured, offering extra grip to the pad.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Price and Availability
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller price fluctuates, but they typically sell for approximately $69.99, and we frequently see Nintendo Switch Pro Controller price dips down to around $49.99 – however, the cheapest we’ve yet seen on the official black model has so far been $42 over at Amazon.
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Features
There are no remappable buttons, additional back buttons, adjustable weights, interchangeable analog sticks, or swappable d-pads. As a result, you could be forgiven for believing the term is deceptive.
However, motion controls are present with the Switch Pro ControlleRumble vibrating effects and NFC functionality.
NFC technology is mainly optional in games, but it’s essential to keep it in mind when using third-party controllers since most of them lack it. In addition, rumble features are frequently lost as well. So, if you want the whole feature set, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is the way to go.
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Performance of Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
The Joy-Con pads, as creative as they are, maybe an act in mastering hand contortion when used alone, and the additional Grip pads still need to make up the gap with the competition.
However, the Switch Pro Controller is far superior. Its sticks have a good resistance level and are well offset, while the face buttons have the proper depth. Since the days of the NES, Nintendo has had the best D-Pad, allowing precise precision in 2D side scrollers.
It’s still present and accurate with the Pro Controller here, highlighting how inadequate the split-button D-Pad effort on the Joy-Con’s right side is.
If there’s one issue, it’s with the rear triggers, which lack the depth we’ve come to anticipate from triggers on other pads. They are much more similar to additional shoulder buttons than deep triggers. That isn’t an issue in many games, but it can be noticeable in shooters and racing games.
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Conclusion
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is fantastic. It’s a must-have if you mainly use your Nintendo Switch at home, but it also works well in tabletop mode.
However, at $69.99, it is one of the most costly pads on the market when linked with rival consoles – but none provide its NFC features or capacious built-in battery capacities. As a result, it’s an expensive addition to your Switch setup but also necessary.
