Here's Why Switch 2 Joy-Con And Pro Controllers Don't Have Analogue Triggers

It was the price we paid to get a simple audio jack.

I mean, I wasn’t expecting them, and honestly, I’m not bothered if they’re not there again. They’ve been gone since the Wii Classic Controller, and there’s little reason to have them back on Nintendo.

You can tell the designers strongly disagree with having to go this route given their love of the GameCube controller.
@Shepdawg1
Other than making GameCube NSO that feature them a mess requiring janky workarounds and making it a pain in the ass for 3rd party devs especially racing game devs.

Absolutely don't care either way. I don't notice having it on ps5 and don't miss it on switch

I never had a preference to be honest. Only thing I care about is if the controller is comfortable and has good build quality.

people are gonna get TRIGGERED over this am I right?

...am I right?

_{...why are people holding up tomatoes?}

I’m super disappointed! If we get GTA 6… it’s going to be a mess…

analog triggers would make players too good in MK to the point it would brake the game.

Most games don’t use analog triggers and those that do usually don’t go to Nintendo. No point in upending design philosophy for such a small percentage. They only used them for two controllers and one was to play the games of the previous controller (if you didn’t have one). Racers aren’t as big as they used to be. Analog triggers isn’t going to make devs that have ignored Nintendo for generations suddenly put their games on switch 2.

Personally i have not seen a benefit to having them on my other consoles, but I don’t play games where they are used anyway.

Literally what is the reason for them not having analogue triggers like everyone else other than stubbornness? It just creates more problems down the road.

It’s never been a problem for me, other than racing games and certain GameCube games, I’ve never really seen it used in a meaningful way.

I am not surprised at this point

If you have played Returnal on PS5 you know the true potential of analogue triggers and how it can be used for different inputs, not many developers take advantage of them but when they do it absolutely makes a big difference.

I wonder how they’ll workaround GameCube games or ports from other consoles that do use or even need this feature.

For most games, I agree, digital is better. But for racing games (other than Mario Kart) analogue triggers would've been great.

Because they'll sell analog trigger joycons and controllers later on.

In short, money.

@Greenspan they have NEVER sell it for wii, wii u & switch.

All I know is I like shooting with R1 more than R2.

@Gamer666 The original Wii actually did have analog triggers on the Classic Controller attachment for the Wii Remote, but they then went back to digital triggers for the later Classic Controller Pro.

Sometimes I do wish they were there but overall I don't really miss them.

That’s what the L and R are for!
If you wanted instancy for a command, then assign that input to the L and R… if you wanted something that needs more finesse… assign it into the ZL and ZR ….

That’s why they were added in the first place.

I always thought it was more of a patent issue with other companies… not out of stubbornness.

I can understand that thought during the GC era in which the only workaround to that was the small purple Z-button…. But now that we have TWO buttons like that you could’ve had the variety.

The analog triggers are like joysticks in which the further you push your character either runs or walks…. (I forgot the term) It’s the evolution for triggers.

There’s a reason why the GC controller is considered one of the best.

My main thought about this is that it makes even more of a nonsense that Gamecube Nintendo Classics need to be exclusive to Switch 2. If the Switch 2 doesn't have analog triggers, there's no need for the Switch 1 not to have GCN games, beyond pushing the new Switch.

Several titles at launch or confirmed to be coming later use the analogue triggers- Wind Waker, F-Zero X, Luigi's Mansion, Mario Sunshine...

I'm sure there will be a workaround for the Pro Controller, but will the GCN controller for Switch 2 have them, I wonder.

I guess I never really thought about it before but I guess outside of racing games I kind of agree. Especially when it comes to playing 3D Mario when the trigger is used for ducking/long jumping/etc. Just using the top shoulder button wouldn’t feel good.

I mostly like dumb arcade racers where you just hold down the accelerator anyway.

I've never actually really missed the analogue triggers. In most games, I do agree that it's better with "clicky" digital triggers. GTA-games is the only type of games were analogue triggers is preferable.

Playing something like shooting games on Xbox or Playstation, the triggers just tires out my trigger finger...

I like the clickie triggers. I remember back on GameCube the only time the triggers made sense to me was in sunshine. In Melee and other games I'd be confused that it received my input before I heard the click.

I don't really play other consoles so I've never "experienced" the joys of analogue triggers so I'm sure they exist.

For anyone who tried the pro controller, how is the D pad?

#Edit:
I read that its the same.

I don't really care about the triggers. For me, if they didn't fix that d-pad, then this thing ain't worth a dime.

Dreamcast/XSX styled L&R triggers with adaptive trigger + Haptics feedback would be the dweam.

Hopefully the GCN online controller has Analog Controls!

Now I know NOT to buy a S2Pro controller!

I mean, it would’ve been cool to get them but it’s no way a deal breaker. Technically there are more input options if they were analog (I.e. metal gear solid 2, light press draw and aim weapon, hard press fire weapon, etc) but I’ve been playing with non-analogue controllers for years. A part of me was hoping for them but it’s fine especially since we’ll have the GameCube controller now. It’s really just games with accelerators/thrusters that are “affected” nowadays.

Call me crazy but I vastly prefer digital triggers.

Honestly I don't really care. But they could've gone the route of the PS DualSense Edge / XBOX Elite controller with configurable triggers.

Makes sense, if there’s no big internal studio asking for them then there’s no reason to go back to it

Not bothered at all.

Prefer digital triggers too, but yeah I could see analog being better for racing games. It's the same reason I prefer super flat keyboards like the MX Master Keys over most mechanical keyboards, the shorter press travel time feels a lot more responsive.

They're right and Im relieved that the joycon and pro controller are digital. For most games it's so much better. I used to cut zip ties and super glue them to the back of my PS4 controller because I hated how much travel distance the analog triggers had. Good but did they fix the dpad?

@Yoshi3 it is not fun to tap l and r for shooters. So uncomfortable.

But that’s not true. It’s a nonsense answer. Analogue triggers can just be set to digital and they’ll register a press as soon as you move them.

Agree with Nintendo not to include them. Analogue triggers serve little purpose outside racing games, and even there, you mostly go full squeeze. On the Game Cube, they would piss me off with Mario Kart by requiring the full squeeze into the second phase click to do a slide. Except for Rogue Leader, I can't recall them too beneficial.

Brilliant! There goes any chance of a decent racing game then. All these high end ports the S2 will be getting and racing fans will be stuffed... once again. Oh wait, just buy an adaptor and use a 24 year old GC controller. FFS just use trigger stops and put this issue to bed.

@Dang_69 I agree with you there… but then why do shooters feel more comfortable (and are more popular) on Xbox and PS?

I remember that Metroid Prime felt better with analogue triggers when charging your beam … felt more realistic.

They're right. How about all the analog defenders stop pretending you're playing nothing but racing games.

Sounds reasonable, especially for a company, which makes a lot of action games, where instant input can be a life saver.

The real way to play racing games, is with a racing rig, wheel and so on.

@N00BiSH in my experience, people can be triggered by anything, so there’s a high chance this will trigger someone enough to make another YT video about it

I don't think I ever bothered with the questions of how hard I pressed a button or not, or utilised it in any way, or even knew it existed... Only when running around using the movement stick.

So... no problem for me either way.

In a way, I get it. I don't particularly relish playing a lot of PS1 and PS2 games on PS3, and it's largely because of the mushy triggers. I think it's a worthwhile compromise for the functionality it brings, but there is an appeal to digital shoulder buttons, all the same.

@Gamer666 Nintendo released a Gamecube adaptor for the Switch, and reissued Gamecube controllers, complete with their analogue triggers, subsequent to release of the console. Nintendo therefore did actually leave out analogue triggers and then sell a solution to add them back in, later on down the line, the exact thing you're claiming they did not do.

I honestly can’t tell much of a difference when using the pro controller compared to the PS5 controller. There are some exceptions, but most games really don’t take advantage of their adaptive triggers or whatever they are called.

@chiptoon

Thats not good neither. You need that micro switch-click as a feedback, analogues just can't mimmick that. That's why I dislike "mushy"-face buttons too.

Maybe they're saving it as the gimmick for switch 3?

This was a disappointment for me from the reveal, I would really prefer analog triggers after using them for abit on steam deck in racing games

Analogue triggers are mostly needed for realistic racing games, but I would say they are needed for every vehicle game.

On Switch several games are nearly impossible to play.
Of course there are many racing games like GRID, WRC or Wreckfest.
But also playing Trials Gold ist a pain. Or MudRunner.
Livery editors, e.g. in Hot Wheels Unleashed, are often using analogue triggers for sizing or rotating elements. It is driving me mad on the Switch, it feels like fighting against the game.

If I think of other platforms, something like Elite Dangerous or Euro Truck Simulator would be very difficult if not impossible to play. I also remember strategy games using them for smooth rotating, but I think these were older when there was no second analogue stick…

I am clearly team analogue trigger!

An if it is about direct input, you could also argue against the sticks, as I still see many people using them like they were digital.

@RasandeRose
The GameCube controller has both: a trigger with a click at the end, which could be used for a second action. So you could lock on an enemy with the trigger and then shoot with a click

@vanYth Indeed, plenty of people prefer D-pad over analogue stick for 2D games. Similarly, a lot of people (me included) prefer digital triggers for digital actions.

Yes, analogue triggers are great for racing games, but digital triggers are better for vast majority of games.

I don’t really care since at least it means full compatibility with old joy cons/pro controllers.

Plus I can’t really think of a game I’ve played on Steam Deck in the 3 years since I bought it that used the analogue feature of the triggers and if anything they don’t feel as good as a click for most games even if you don’t need to fully press them to activate. Not big into racing games which is where they’re used mostly so whatever

They are really for 'gamers' who like the games with the expensive cars.

Even with the Gamecube controller being probably my favorite one I've never been fond of pressure-sensitive buttons. I'd rather they just have the one function.

@rvcolem1 interestingly enouguh to get good times on the astrobot racing levels, you need to switch them around with l1/r1, to get more speed because of instant access...

If nintendo would add it, they also whould have to make l1/r1 equal to l2/r2, .

@vanYth and Trails indeed does support them, so it;s just a question of which controller to buy, and nintendo just produced a new beautful analogue controller as well... it's purple!

So Mario Sunshine won't be playable without the GC controller?

@PlayerOne
Maybe they change input like in the Super Mario 3D All Star collection

@vanYth

Yeah, but they got way too much travel until you reach the switches, make them feel very sluggish in shopting games. Im sticking with that digital triggers are superior in ~95% of the games.

Based on my experience across the likes of Vita, Switch, Deck and PS4, analogue triggers feel like the themes and shop music of physical controls - neat when around but no skin off one's back in absence. Even Grid Autosport and Wreckfest play fine without it, so it's odd to see other comments lament "GTA-type games" with their even more arcade-flavoured driving. Cyberpunk itself is often classified among them, and CDPR clearly weren't deterred by the joycons here.

WT* Nintendo!
"You lose a little bit of instancy."
YES that's what they are supposed to do. GRADUAL control.
You want instancy, use the shoulder BUTTONS instead of the TRIGGERS.

Beyond tonedeaf.

@Ham-n-jam You already got shoulder BUTTONS (R1 and L1) why need a second set?

@vanYth 100% this and I don't really get why there is an argument about it. It's 2025 and the only way to play racing games somewhat well without an expensive wheel setup is having analogue triggers.

@Shepdawg1 Forza series is rumored to come to Switch, unplayable without a proper analogue input. I mean come on it's industry standard.

Imagine this whole thing from the perspective of "having a mushy d-pad". Oh I don't care because I prefer analogue stick anyways. Yeah well, but having a decent d-pad makes the retro and platformer crowd happy, without taking away anything from anyone.

Same thing with good analogue triggers.

I hope that at least analogue INPUT from the triggers is recognized and supported by Nintendo when using a SN30 Pro2 for example by 8bitdo.

Seriously. This is a major blunder. Even First Person Shooters are more immersive when you need to actually "pull the trigger".
Okay then do away with gyroscope and rumble too, because hey it's niche anyways and more direct if you just press the D-pad.

Nintendo...

@Farts_Ahoy Oh yes... I spent most of my time in GTA 5 Online racing others, nothing like the feeling of "riding your car on the edge" while taking tight corners. Impossible without granular analogue control on the gas and brakes.

This is disappointing but expected. Luckily I have PS5 for all my “proper” car racing game needs.

@N00BiSH Just when you think this site has poked the hornet's nest enough...of course it was gonna be triggering lol! It's like it thrives on meltdowns.

Another idiotic and backwards decision... There's literally another button next to it that could be used by said "fussy developers" who wanted an instant click.

You'd think having weaker performance in their third party games compared to their rivals they'd at least want to have things like analogue controls and achievements to put them on a more level playing field. Sometimes Nintendo lives too much in their own bubble for their own good.

As someone with a Dualsense edge who now 99% of the time keeps the triggers locked on the lowest pressure setting, I can attest that analogue triggers are not really worth it. If you really need them that much for a racing game you're better off getting a specific controller or wheel. Forcing it for every other game for one specific genre makes no sense at all.

Additionally, they tend to break and get loose much quicker too.

I disagree with this design choice. I’ll be racing F-Zero GX on NSO with my original spice orange GC controller and GC adapter. Or I’ll go back to my original GC + GC Carby plus mClassic on original hardware (forced to output 480p upscaled to 1440p with mClassic) for the (somewhat) authentic experience and still unbelievably beautiful game.

Wow I now understand why there's not that many driving games for Nintendo's system. This also means that any GameCube remastered that's coming to Switch 2 that once utilize analog triggers won't play like they use to such as Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, etc.

@Old-Red
I would be ok with that if there IS the possibility for analogue triggers for 3rd party controllers. In Switch 1 this was not possible. Only way was to support GC controller with adapter, but you lose L1 and HD-rumble.

„Additionally, they tend to break and get loose much quicker too.“
Never had this problem with Saturn 3D, Dreamcast, GameCube, MFi, Xbox 360, One or Series controller, some of them bought used. Sticks, yes, but not triggers.

As someone who plays a lot of Rocket League, this is very disappointing.

Analog beats digital unless you're just looking for more face buttons like a fighting game or maybe an online game that needs instant reaction times (at that point your internet latency is going to be the issue for most people not your finger on an analog trigger. This can be overcome with trigger stops like the pro controllers for other systems/3rd party. They're beyond useful outside racing (which they're basically required for if you want anything beyond arcade level control). They don't have to be a key feature, they add an analog level of control to any action you do that doesn't require moving your thumbs (for example how hard to pull a slingshot). Also for shooting games, it's literally a trigger. How much more immersion or perfectly designed control can you ask for. Did I expect it, no, the switch already ditched them and they would've added bulk to the joycons. But the amount of people saying they don't miss them is from those who've never seen them used (probably because they're too young or play a specific type of game). There's simply no other way to interact with games in a smooth, continuous manor than with triggers outside of analog sticks (which are already taken for movement and camera). With the logic I've seen above we should be using double dpads. And as ridiculous as that sounds, that's what it feels like to those of us who see the benefit of analog triggers. If they're digital, they're not even triggers, just a second bumper that limits the way gamers can interact with the game world). And for the record, pressure sensitive face buttons SUCKED.

Dualsense Edge has switches on the back that let you make the triggers digital. Could have been done.

@dePaige22 Been gaming for almost 40 years now with varying genres of games across all platforms. Outside of racing simulation, I never found a genre where a game was lacking because it didn’t have analog trigger capabilities.

Even the Gamecube era, I didn’t really “use” the Analog Triggers - almost always a full press with everything (well, unless fully clicking in the analog trigger did something different)

PS5 is the same. Honestly, if the Adaptive Triggers didn’t force me to use them due to resistance, I wouldn’t even notice.

Xbox games are always a full press, too.

🤷‍♂️

I really hoped they would change course on digital triggers. These are really missed for racers (playing with right analog is just not the same), and even if they are not part of joy-cons I would pay extra for Pro Controller that offers full range analog+short trigger modes.

Aside from racing games, this won't change much for me. At least it's got a very cool audio jack....we're living in the future....

Yeah right. If the game don't have analogue input, then it will work just as well as digital.
Super Mario Sunshine was a perfect example, of what you can do with a proper analogue trigger. And racing games are way better with them. On PS5, you can adjust the strength of pullin the bow in Horizon, or similar functions in other games. In Ratchet and Clank the amount of pressure, gives you the option to use one bullet, or full blast on guns.
Would have been a great addition to do something similar in a future Zelda or Metroid game.
It's been a standard on most consoles, since the dualshock was introduced, almost 30 years ago, and the analogue trigger on the GameCube controller was great.

When I first went hands on with the switch in January of 2017 this was the first thing I checked for, and my first major disappointment of that generation… ah, the joy cons only have digital triggers? Better run and check the pro controller, maybe that one wil…. Ahhh. Nope. Ok.

8 years later and here we are making the same mistake again. Classic Nintendo. Oh, and you can’t even use the GameCube controller they are making with other switch 2 games. Brilliant!

They somehow find ways to make their own system the least fun to play games on. I am thinking of all the titles I would have bought on switch that simply make so much more sense on ps5 now.

Doesn’t make sense that their own games on NSO will now be unplayable with the regular system controller. Now you NEED the accessory controller, and it’s only functional for those games. Awesome. They might as well cut out all pretense and just give you the middle finger during the next Nintendo direct.

am I wrong, or are there TWO additional buttons on the back of the controller on switch 2 that are also digital?

This is BS and a HUGE fail for Nintendo. this console is 150 dollars more expensive and has NONE of the hardware features outside of more horsepower that I've seen people asking and waiting for over many years.

frankly, I'm shocked that they showed up with a console that has no analog triggers and ZERO concrete attempt to fix the sticks. "they feel great and they arent hall effect" is about the most we've gotten AFAIK. and now, "digital triggers are actually better" when GameCube NSO is probably the biggest requested feature that they actually delivered on and they completely soured the deal.

@RasandeRose I get what you're saying. The 8bitdo Ultimate controller allows for both options, and I personally have no issue with how it works.

I get your point on some tactile feedback, but they have all that fancy HD rumble tech that they barely use, which would easily provide that. Much the same as a Mac track pad.

My point is just that there are alot of solutions. The image of this long line of 'fussy' developers demanding that there not be analogue triggers is ridiculous, and definietly not the reason.

I used to be bothered about this but actually digital buttons are better for most situations like if the button is assign for attacking motions as it’s more instant.

It’s really only racing games that suffer.

That genuinely sucks. Won't be buying one then, I'm fine with my Switch 1 pro controllers

It's good for certain games but not deal-breaker. Motion controls, in other hand, are essential for shooters.

Analog triggers on controllers have been standard since Dreamcast (I know they did exist even before that. I'm saying when they became expected.), and it is absolutely backwards that Nintendo does not include them on their controllers. I could kind of understand a durability argument in regards to including them on the joycons (but not really), but there's no excuse not to include them on the pro controller.

I remember trying to play Watch Dogs on the Wii U gamepad. The first time I got in a car, those digital triggers made it feel so bad to play.

The obvious answer was cause its also a mouse, but sure lets go with this one.

@GamingFan4Lyf So you've never needed to adjust thrust while flying in space, control the energy of your laser to maximize power efficiency, control the intensity of a water flow to solve a puzzle, adjust the height of a platform while still maintaining control of your character, solved a lock picking puzzle by manipulating the trigger just right? That's just off the top of my head experiences that under digital triggers just become an interactive movie where I press a button and a script plays out, and others just aren't possible because you've reduced it down to yes/no press or need to give up control of the stick. Is it required, no, obviously the switch exists and work around have been made, but it isn't the same experience.

Well, there went any hope for a port of GRID Legends.

I promise you, it is not, under any circumstances, the "better option"

@Moonlessky

holy s*🙀 yet another knock-on effect. no dpad because of "tabletop mode," no 60fps because of "hybrid design," no hall sensors because of magnet attachments, practically no driving games because of digital triggers, and now no analog triggers because of mouse 😫

How the hell did we survive the PS2 times?

Nearly every button was analogue and noone was thinking the inputs were delayed.

I mean i would think either they were in the joycons or there is not a ton of point as you're just fragmenting things then

@TimelessJubilee,

This new pro controller looks ace. And an audio jack is a great addition.

@Geit_de I never feel much input delay when playing emulated games, but apparently I’m just blind.

I’m not disappointed. I never play any games that benefit from analogue triggers, but it would be nice if they had a modern alternative controller with them.

Kind of weird for the company that introduced analog triggers to go back to digital input while the competition continues using them.
Imo, the triggers on the Pro controller could have been analog, and if you really want digital input, map the triggers to the grip buttons.

@KayFiOS

"Kind of weird for the company that introduced analog triggers to go back to digital input while the competition continues using them."

i think dreamcast was the first controller with analog triggers, right?

"Imo, the triggers on the Pro controller could have been analog, and if you really want digital input, map the triggers to the grip buttons."

this is what i was saying. my understanding is that devs couldve even mapped the same function to both so you could choose wither by default in real time 🤤

@Zaruboggan Out of curiosity, why?
And isn't it technically R and ZR?

Most games don't use the analog function and triggers don't feel great if they are pressure sensitive and the game doesn't use that functionality.

@-wc- The Saturn 3D controller had them, and the Dreamcast controller is obviously heavily influenced by it. They were mostly underutilized on the Saturn though.

@Hawkes142 Position on the controller, responsiveness, and habit, I guess. It's how CoD used to be by default, back when I played it.
As for R1/R2, that's the PlayStation buttons, where I did most of my shooting. But you are correct that on Switch(2), it'd be R/ZR.

@-wc- Oh crap, you're right! It is very easy for me to forget about the Dreamcast, despite how innovative it was with its triggers, vmu, broadband connectivity, etc. not to mention all the games that I would become dearly attached to, like Sonic Adventure 1&2 and Skies of Arcadia, although neither of them really used the analog triggers from what I remember.

Disappointing, but fine I guess. Seems like Nintendo is set in their ways on this one. What I'm questioning is how the hell will Gamecube games on NSO work? I know Sunshine had some workarounds in the 3D All Stars pack, but surely they can't do the same kind of thing for every game, right?

@vanYth that doesn't mean that everyone should suffer just so you can play a few racing games. It's a bit like turning up to a normal gathering in fancy dress just in case it happened to be a fancy dress party.

Get a wheel if you want to play racing games properly, instead of expecting everyone else to have to use triggers that feel bad in most games and cause finger strain.

I agree and I've been saying this for years.

Sure, analogue might be better for some specific genres and use cases (unfortunately one of Nintendo's classic games, Mario Sunshine, being one of them) - but on the whole I would much rather have digital.

@Yoshi3 1) Shooters are more popular on Xbox and PS because they run better there and or Nintendo consoles have been relatively weak and can't run a lot of those games. The consumer base is a little different too. 2) Lots and lots of people on those consoles buy Pro Controllers or Scuffs for trigger stops (and paddles). I have an Elite 2 controller on my series x for this reason. There's built in manual trigger stops to make the analog triggers act like digital inputs. In fact when I'd play shooters on my PS4 I'd cut zip ties up super tiny and super glue them to the backs of triggers so they wouldn't travel as far (rapid tapping of analog triggers sometimes messes up the input).3) the only solution thatd make everyone happy is to have analog triggers with manual trigger stops settings. My Elite controller has an off, medium and high setting. 4) to your point about Prime feeling more realistic with analog....I don't want my shooters to feel more realistic. Just responsive. Especially when playing against ppl online in other games

I have the definitive controler on my gulikit kk3 Which has analog triggers and a switch to stop those trigger buttons halfway if i wanted to. (And LOTS of others customization options) why everyone else does not have one of this vastly superior controller its really, beyond my understanding.

We should have stayed with Atari style joysticks. All those fancy too many irritating buttons and analogue sticks and rumble and motion nonsense
One digital stick and one, maybe two, buttons should be enough for everyone

@dePaige22 What games are you playing?!

Not once have those scenarios ever come up in anything I have ever played - at least..nothing that relied on analog triggers anyways.

Analog sticks, yes, not triggers

I really prefer not having analog triggers tbh. For the exact reason they are giving here. They're good for one super specific style of game and even then there are a ton of racers on the switch even realistic ones and they play well.

@GamingFan4Lyf Apparently good ones? 40 years in gaming playing Madden and Cod lol (it's a joke calm down). Sorry you haven't had any good experiences but I can't believe the idea of more control is a bad thing. Hell, I wish there were 6 back buttons and a scroll wheel. Seriously though, you haven't played a single space game with these types of features? Pretty popular genre for AAA/AA let alone indies who stand out with unique control schemes. You can prefer digital but the idea that its only for a super specific use case is complete nonsense.

@mlt You must not have played any racing games with analog triggers then. The whole point of racing is testing how far you can push a turn before it gives out. Sure you can play racing games on switch, but you give up a lot of control and have to play with assists on, at which point the car might as well drive itself or play Mario kart.

Also why not buy a controller tailored to the game you want? It’s not like a controller is better than a racing wheel to simulate driving. Or better than a flight stick or better than fightstick/arcade sticks. I have a bookcase full of arcade sticks because I simply can’t play pad. Not like any console comes with one.

Surely any press would register as an input on games that don't need analog? Rather than having to press it fully to click the button? I suppose that opens up the issue of accidental pressing though

@dePaige22 I played Descent once on PC and hated it.

Not a flight sim person (space or otherwise). Honestly, not a simulator (of an kind) person at all. The best simulator I ever played was Powerwash Simulator.

Platformers, adventures, beat-em-ups, survival horror, action RPGs, puzzle platformers, JRPGs, FPS, third-person action games, point and click, Metroidvanias - essentially the bulk of mainstream games since NES days never required analog triggers.

Even PS5 games where adaptive triggers are a thing are purely gimmicks to just pressing the button down (or holding down button for [X] amount of time to get desired result).

I can’t even think of one Xbox title that really needed it outside of Forza - despite having the capability.

I am sure there are some niche titles out there that do cool things with analog controls, but never were in my radar.

I am not against Analog Triggers, I just understand Nintendo’s stance here as to why they aren’t included - it’s a mostly ignored feature (even on consoles that have the ability to use it).

The gameplay on "F-Zero GX" is strictly attached to those analogue "L" and "R" triggers on the Gamecube controller. It is simply impossible to achieve the same precision on the game without them. I am very disappointed with this decision, but I will just have to accept it... as long as a proper new "F-Zero" shows up this generation.

@GamingFan4Lyf

I agree that's it's not always required but it gives developers more options and Nintendo usually solves this through having an interesting mechanic in their hardware. Its a different way to interact and control that doesnt require holding a button as you say. (Anytime i see hold for action I just wish controllers had more buttons) .Having the same setup as others is what landed us in this very standardized box of how games should operate. I just feel triggers are much more useful than things like HD rumble, nfc, or a touchscreen that you cant even use when docked. Part of it might even be i think its more comfortable to pull a trigger for FPS or hold for boosting etc). And it defintiely feels great for heavy attacks since you have to pull the trigger down and not just press another button. Gamecube took great advantage of them and if theres one company id like to see also have them its nintendo. Not surprised they didn't bring them back, but they also didn't even use hall effect sticks so I'm not going to pretend there was even a chance of analog triggers now or in the future.

As for ps5 I've seen some really good uses of them that added to gameplay like in ratchet and clank and Returnal, going back to the idea that being able to have analog control while both thumbs sticks is definitely useful. 3rd parties on the other hand have made me turn them off because they just get in the way sometimes.

This is plain bad as it excludes any serious racing game. Looks like Nintendo doesn't really wanna get into that field.

PlayStation and Xbox doesn’t seem to suffer from that issue. Far to expensive for a ps2 controller

@chiptoon The "fussy developers" could just be the Splatoon developers.

I'm more curious about these fussy developers who pressured them not to go with analogue triggers.

Are they in-house devs? Third-party partners? Hideki Kamiya?

@Yoshi3 I play action games. Having that gap from analog instead of binary makes for a more sluggish feel on games that require quick reflex on all buttons. So I'm happier they aren't there if Nintendo isn't gonna do what they did on the gamecube.

The whole idea of the default game controller for any console is to be able to accommodate the most types of games. Saying, just get a racing wheel for racing games, is crazy. Racing is not some sort of niche market. Plus there are games like GTA or Cyberpunk where it's not a "racing game," but driving is a huge component. Just bring your racing wheel with you when you want to play those segments of this game on the handheld Switch 2. DUH!

@GamingFan4Lyf I’d you’ve never played proper Sim racing games you’re missing out mate. No way you’re bringing a F40 around Nürburgring in Gran Turismo without delicate analogue control of throttle and brakes. And it’s thrilling.

@Ulysses especially since the whole rest of the industry is just fine with analogue triggers. Nintendo is just stubborn and arrogant.

@GamingFan4Lyf except you’re alienating a whole genre of games and it’s fans.

Also one could argue that first person shooters feel more immersive with triggers.

Platformer fans want a precise dpad, let them have it. Racing games fans want analogue triggers.

Nintendo’s argument is so stupid - why even bother having analogue sticks then when most people run full blast all the time in all games anyways?!

Oh the industry has been wrong for the past three decades but Nintendo knows best. Ugh.

@JJtheTexan exactly!!

I don't understand why, at the very least, they don't make the buttons pressure sensitive like on the DualShock 2. It would be better than nothing. You'd still get that immediacy of a digital button, but then you could still have some analog control as well, even if not as precise as a proper analog trigger.

Team Analogue triggers over here. Wish they’d bring them back, especially for the Pro Controller. Not the end of the world, but still disappointing.

This is probably the #1 reason why I don't care about the Switch 2 anymore. They desperately needed to add analog triggers, it's simply an industry standard and most games today are made knowing they're there. If they want their console to be taken seriously as something that's just as capable of playing all the ports and AAA games as Playstation/Xbox it's needed, especially when it comes to certain genres of games that a lot of people happen to be fans of. Otherwise it's like I might as well just stick with my Steam Deck.

Heck Playstation has the best approach for people who like better response with their adaptive triggers, they can be as clicky as you like and it really adds to the immersion. Simply put the industry has evolved to where it's no longer acceptable to be missing them.

@Ryu_Niiyama We're talking about a handheld. Bring up alternative controllers, racing wheels, flight sticks, and arcade sticks seems to miss the entire point of how people use handhelds and ignore the entire convenience factor for using them. Analog triggers have long been an industry standard and it's a lot more convenient for a handheld to simply have them. If you're going to use stuff like racing wheels and flight sticks why even have a console handheld in the first place? Why not just focus entirely on home consoles or a gaming PC?

Yet another thing on my $250 Retroid 5.

Nintendo ruins third party games on switch again

@JayJ it’s a hybrid. The pro controller is a peripheral in itself for home use. Give it analoge triggers and leave it off the joycons if you have to. Still there are plenty of small handhelds (retroid pocket 5 for example) that have triggers just fine.

@JayJ exactly this!

The main reason I got an Xbox is you can get cheaper 3rd party controllers with trigger stops. It's so much better for almost all genres. Even with Cyberpunk 2077 the acceleration of cars is adapted in a way that it doesn't matter how far you press the triggers. This can also be adapted for the Switch version for any car based games.

Also, Switch Up confirmed in their London Event video that the d-pad was greatly improved while playing SF6.

I don't play racing titles that make use of the analog triggers, so this doesn't impact me one bit. In fact, it's better for shooters (a genre that I do care about) like Splatoon or COD to have digital triggers.

@StewdaMegaManNerd Thats my point. The Argument is *****. An analogue button can be checked just like a digital button. You even can set up the sensitivity.

@Ryu_Niiyama A bit like I have my 6 button MD pad just for fighting games...wouldn't play Street Fighter etc with a Switch controller, I need that 6 button layout.

This is something I think about so little despite switching between PS5 and Switch often. I understand its benefits but I'm not sure it's ever gotten in the way of enjoying a game. I like the haptic triggers on PS5 yet I like how snug and comfy the pro controller is.

@WiltonRoots exactly. Use the tools that best get the job done.

I despise analog triggers, so I've zero issue with this.

Now if only the Pro Controllers had better d-pads...

I love analog triggers and am saddened by this.
Many pro third party controllers have levels of triggers so you can slide the button on the back or top of the controller and you would limit how far the trigger goes. That would have solved this issue and gave us both.

Of all the things Nintendo does to ignore devs and customers, they chose to listen to ‘some Devs’ on triggers and out right ignore all the other existing controllers, and customers that want analog.

The reasons Nintendo gives for decisions still astounds me.

@Scollurio How can an FPS be more immersive with a trigger? You are either shooting or you're not!

Video games are supposed to make you feel powerful and heroic. The whole idea of having realistic trigger behavior can lead to an incredible amount of frustration in a video game standpoint - at least mainstream video games.

DOOM is fun! You are either shooting or you're not. You aren't attempting to get better by having your finger half on an analog trigger to try to shorten your firing ability. It's not about realism.

Shooting aliens doesn't need that realism - it needs rip and tear and feeling like a demon-destroying god!

Now if you were playing some kind of firing range simulator where you want real behavior of a gun - that makes more sense. But those are niche titles with niche audiences. The market is there, but incredibly small.

Nintendo tried analog controls once and decided it wasn't worth the effort. Does it suck for the niche audience who cares? Sure. But corporations don't care about the niche, they care about the masses and I am sure the masses couldn't care less.

@GamingFan4Lyf shooters are not only Doom. Theres the whole rainbow six, advanced warfighter crowd too. You can adjust the deadzones of the triggers in most games so they can be as responsive as you like and fire „early“. Also there is buttons if you want immediacy right next to the triggers. The shoulder buttons.

I’m really sorry but there is no argument. Nintendo messed up and their explanation is beyond lazy. Every other gaming company does triggers for years and plenty console generations - its industry standard really. So they are all wrong and Nintendo is right?

Guess what, many controller manufacturers also think gyros are not worth it. Or HD rumble.

Personally I don’t care much for either but I still want these features in a 90 dollar „pro“ controller for everyone else that likes to have this features.

I hardly care for the dpad because i prefer the thumbsticks but should Nintendo remove either of those because a) no one uses the dpad or b) everyone using thumbsticks is running full blast only anyways?

No!

Again if the switch 2 at least works with third party controllers that have analogue triggers, fine. But this wasn’t the case the first time around. Why is Nintendo charging 90 bucks for their „pro“ controller if you can get the excellent 8bitdo SN30 pro 2 for 50? Because of a headphone jack and a c button?

Oh boy… sorry if this comes over hot, but it really angers me and I am not sure if the Switch 2 will be my console of choice once more. Because i really enjoy and miss racing games.

It's a disappointing move. But it doesn't come really as a surprise.

MS flight sim also rumoured, iirc. It’s frustrating they don’t have analogue triggers. Hopefully the d-pad is better, at least. I may just keep using my Switch 1 pro controller. Was also hoping for a charging stand like 8bitdo includes. If the control sticks are vastly improved I may consider it.

Sorry but that "instant input" argument against analogue triggers is bull since you can just register the input at something low like a 5% trigger press instead of a full press. It also makes driving games or other games that rely on adjusting an input's sensitivity not as easy to implement on the system.

Also having smooth-gliding control sticks instead of implementing something to remove stick drift comes across as tone deaf to what consumers have complained (and gone to court) about.

Look, I like Nintendo and I will be getting a Switch 2, but these decisions are just disappointing. 😔

@N8tiveT3ch I see what you did there

@-wc- First was a PlayStation controller by Namco, then either the Dualshock or the Saturn 3D controller, whichever was first.

Wow, the Switch 2 is just the Grand Central of disappointment.

I was really hoping for analog triggers and to see how developers would implement them, eg. controlling how hard you draw your bow, how many rounds you shoot, how hard you cast a spell, all that without having to wait.

@Scollurio I have, I just prefer arcade racing - well…if I play them at all.

I get maybe…30 min to an hour of gaming per day, I don’t have time to tinker with cars.

@Razzy

1) I forgot the NegCon had analog shoulder buttons! 👍 (and i own one btw it's right here 😆) good pull.

2) the dual shock did not have analog triggers✌️ the dualshock 2 had fully analog buttons, and so analog L2 and R2, but I would call those "triggers" even less than the NegCon or Gamecube's.

3) history is getting more nuanced by the post:

NegCon may be the first example of index finger actuated analog buttons, but they are not triggers IMHO.

Saturn 3d pad may likely be the first analog triggers ever on a controller.

Dreamcast is almost definitely the first "pack-in" first party controller ever to have analog triggers.

✌️👍

@GamingFan4Lyf

"How can an FPS be more immersive with a trigger? You are either shooting or you're not!"

lol what? 😂 this is one of the oddest couplets ive seen composed on this platform.

a couple random thoughts:

analog control is just as "instant" as digital. this rationalization is an insult to our intelligence.

I can't believe this is the same company that revolutionized the controller itself nearly every single time through the golden age of gaming. shameful.

If you think chasing the broadest possible audience and the lowest common denominator is a just great way to make really cool fun and interesting games... you have "bad taste" in games by definition and you might want to search a little deeper. 👍✌️ if you are Nintendo and you think this... God help us all.

The reality is, if Nintendo had included the haptic triggers instead of Sony (which are not super useful but are occasionally very cool. See: Astrobot), everyone saying they don't like or want analog would be like, "Nintendo does it again! Innovation!" We were all probably fanboys when we were kids. I definitely was. But this is just simply a wrong decision. Analog has been the standard for basically the past two decades.

@GamingFan4Lyf Fair enough, I know exactly what you mean. Still not taking away from your enjoyment of the little time you have if Nintendo had made a proper "pro" controller catering to as many gaming niches as possible.

@-wc- I play FPS with keyboard & mouse. 1:1 movement is way more immersive than sitting around adjusting trigger sensitivity so that I can pop off a pistol faster than my opponent.

I click the button, gun go boom.

@Scollurio I am all for options. But I also understand the mentality.

I have an Xbox Controller, I have a PS5 controller. I have never once found a game outside of racing that actually uses the analog triggers.

@GamingFan4Lyf

Your own lack of imagination is not as strong of a position as you seem to think it is. Enjoy your mousey pointy clicky games, and your digital triggers.

every thing is going your way. 👍

@-wc- I shall! And you enjoy your analog triggers!

Preferences are a wonderful thing! Happy gaming. 👍

@GamingFan4Lyf

I wish! I'm a Nintendo gamer, so the last system I had in real time with actual analog triggers was: (drumroll) Dreamcast 😂

Happy gaming my friend 🥳

@-wc-
Oh man, Dreamcast!

To this day, I kick myself for getting rid of my modded Dreamcast (back before Boot Discs were a thing) - I modded it so I could play the imported version of Capcom vs SNK.

I had the official Sega VGA Box and everything!

Amazing system!

Sword of Berserk needs an HD Remaster.

@GamingFan4Lyf Sword of the Berserk deserves more recognition. Definitely a hidden gem Dreamcast title. I bought it because it was cheap and looked cool, and when I started playing, I was like, why does this game about a huge sword have such a significant story, and why do they seem to act like I already know these characters? Of course, that led me to the anime, and the rest is history.

@no_donatello I already knew of the anime thanks to being introduced to a fan translation showing at an anime convention.

So good!

There is a fan translation out there of the Japanese version (which uses Guts voice actor from the anime) that also apparently fixes some changes in some misinterpretations/changes to the story when being dubbed to English.

I haven’t played it enough to know what’s different. My guess is that it probably ties more to the manga as there was no official Berserk release in the US yet for people to get any of the references.

Don’t know if it’s available to be played on real hardware, but Flycast does the job!

@GamingFan4Lyf There are so many good games "stuck" on Dreamcast. It's a crime.

@Scollurio Indeed. And Saturn is even worse. Panzer Dragoon Saga is easily as good as any of the best RPGs on PS1 (in my opinion, it's one of the best EVER), but it was released in small numbers at the end of the life of a failing console and never rereleased. It should be talked about alongside Final Fantasy 7-9, but instead, most people haven't heard of it, and if they have, they definitely can't afford it. Such a shame.

@no_donatello Ah yes, back in the day I never got around playing them (as you said, came out late to the Saturn party). Good reminder to get into them soon. Thanks.

Really? We're this far in and they still won't fix stick drift? Booooooooooo!

My Dualshock, Dualshock 2, Dualshock 3, Dreamcast, and original Xbox controllers never had stick drift. So, that tells me they're cutting corners to save money because controllers, once-upon-a-time were much more durable. People are still playing on the same NES controllers. I still have the same PSOne controllers. And Nintendo can't (still refuses to) fix stick drift? What a bunch of Scrooges

They indroduced EVERY CONTROLLER standard to date.. this one was introduced and abandoned because it’s over rated