The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller - All New Features Revealed

hopefully it has a better d-pad

That C button is never getting pressed by me. 😅

They never said anything about Hall effect as I was curious how strong magnets nearby would affect that possibility. I guess they will still drift. :-/

I'll hold out for a themed variant.

Glad to know that they based this controller on the GameCube controller. They definitely know what peak is.

Now the question is - will the existing Pro Controller work with Switch 2? That's important to know if I should pass it together with the console to family members or keep it for Switch 2.

Will the previous Pro Controller still be compatible? Likely yes, so it's good for those who don't want to spend more.
This does look really good though, and it reminds me a bit about the PS5 controller.

Is it weird that this is what I'm most excited for? And the GameCube controller. I was not expecting paddles. I haven't used them yet on modem controllers, so I'm not sure if I'll even like them, but I guess we'll find out. Anyone else liking paddles on other controllers?

@Jack_Goetz not intentionally

@Gryffin I really like using paddle buttons on PC games - they are easier to reach than shoulder buttons.

I just hope the d pad is actually good this time.

@Greatluigi if they truly knew peak, they'd have brought back the octagonal gates on the sticks.

@N00BiSH true.

Lack of analog L/R is a bummer.

I just read the the enhanced versions of Zelda will be free for NSO expansion pack holders…

The sticks are all that matter to me. Both of my pro controllers have succumbed to drifting. If these sticks still use old tech that allows drifting, they haven’t been improved at all imo

accessory page has a list of compatible controllers from switch 1 - pro controller 1 is.

D-Pad better be better. Can't be pinnacle of controllers as it doesn't seem to have analog triggers. Some improvements but not major upgrade.

hopefully OG switch pro controllers work, I have 2 of those, and would love to just reuse them on the new switch 2, don't really need chat as I mostly play solo games, or in the living room with friends and family

I'm not spending a dime on this until we know if they fixed that absolutely awful d-pad.

I really have no interest in the communication button, I’ll stick to the Switch 1 pro controller and use my £80 for food or electric.

Will get one at launch.

@Sylamp the D-Pad in the Pro Controller made me realize that reviewers are super lazy these days. I see that trend in reviews of everything - movies, devices, games, music. They just repeat after one another and I'm doubtful whether they even use the things they're reviewing for enough time to have an honest opinion. I haven't seen a single review of the Pro Controller which would mention the awful D-Pad. Yes, awful. It's unusable in some games. I found it out during my first hour of playing with it. So not sure how the "reviewers" tested it to not be able to notice such an obvious flaw. And that's too bad, because I'd never buy the Pro Controller if I knew about how bad the D-Pad was. We live in the times of content farming, media are all about quantity, they don't care about quality anymore.

@Thomystic Do Pro Controllers have drift issues? I’m still using my 2017 launch Pro Controller with zero problems.

nice.... Soooo stick drift is a thing of the past right?.....RIGHT???

@HammerKirby I bought a newer model of the Pro controller after my first one packed in and the D pad is a lot better than the launch one I bought. I can even play Tetris with it, which I couldn't do before.

@kalosn Yes, it’s been confirmed that both Pro Controller and Joy-Cons from Switch 1 are compatible with the new console.

@Thomystic I’ve had my Pro Controller since launch in 2017 and never had an issue. The battery life on them is incredible.

You can use your old Pro controller for Switch 2 games right? Because £75 is nuts.

I just hope the d pad isn't as clicky as the current.

@RenanKJ yes, the original Pro controllers work with the Switch 2. You will not need to get rid of them if you don't want to.

How to play F-Zero propperly without analog triggers?

Its certainly handsome. I do hope the dpad is better. Although, I only play handheld, only plugged a switch in once to the tv, just see how it looked, so no interest to me. Hope we get some good grip controllers

It's nice, but not "I'm spending $80 extra on something I can bring over from the Switch 1" nice. Unless my current controller starts having issues.

...Is the D-Pad on the current Pro really that bad? I typically use the analogue sticks.

Please let it be a better pad this time no drift please
At that price they should never drift

@imgrowinglegs They have. I updated mine to HallEffect ones. Now they work basically forever

Smooth-gliding stick drift?

@imgrowinglegs In theory yes, it's just less likely to happen because the sticks are much bigger than the Joycon. Unless it's using tech like hall effect, all analogue sticks have the potential to drift with time and use.

Still no analogue triggers?

@Sylamp This is also my concern.

I would be using the joy cons until they bring a pro special edition

• You can use Switch 1 Pro controller on Switch 2
• You can't use Switch 2 Pro controller on Switch 1
• Price is 90€ in Europe (I don't know why it isn't mentioned in the news)
• It has HD Rumble 2 which is presumably better than the one from the Switch 1 Pro controller

@Tyranexx it's not the worst d-pad ever, but it has a habit of misreading inputs and accidentally inputting diagonals.

@imgrowinglegs mine does not drift

@beartown

I actually sent my pro to Nintendo to fix back in 2019 and they denied all dpad issues. So hope they have done something so you don't end up going in a different direction to what you press, especially in retro games, on this one.

Wait so no analogue triggers? How will that work with the gamecube games on nso then? Please dont tell me I have to buy their gamecube controller too. If that's the case nah fam I'm out.

@dazzleshell did Nintendo pretend they didn't know about the issue? That would be the way Apple treats their customers. Making a faulty device and then pretending it's rare. Apple Support was also trained to pretend they haven't heard about the issues.

«Could it really be the "pinnacle of all controllers"?»
No left octagonal analogue stick... So, nope.

@beartown Yes. They said there was no fault with it. Anyone who has used the dpad (except most reviewers) know this.

Mad as they invented the thing. 😁

@Gryffin

They're on my Hori Split Pads and I don't really use them. I have them programmed but I just never reach for them.

I don't play a lot of racing games for the analog (the CORRECT way of spelling it) trigger. Other than that, I'm happy for the extra buttons. Especially for the games always wanting the player to click the thumb sticks all the time.

I'll continue to use my current Pro Controllers for multiplayer, but the AUX Jack is a game changer for me! No need to use a wireless headphone on TV, back to the good and more reliable wired one!

@dazzleshell yeah bro that sucks. I'm pretty sure they'll fix it in the Pro 2 though.

Also hopeful they'll fix the D pad issues. I didn't play many games where it really mattered, but I still experienced erroneous D pad inputs with both my old pro controllers. Either way though, I'll probably wait for them to release an attractively colored special edition before I buy. The Switch pro controller is the most ergonomically comfortable controller I've ever used (very important to me, having bad arthritis), and this looks like it's the same shape so I'm sure it'd be great too. The paddles look interesting. I wish it had analog triggers too, since I use my pro controller with Steam a lot for PC games, and often miss them there. But yeah, I'll probably still get one at some point. But not a day 1 purchase. I don't think I'll use the C button features much anyway.

@N00BiSH Ah, that makes sense why it would be annoying. I've used the D-Pad but don't really recall having a lot of issues with it. I suppose it depends on the game.

Beautiful, and great price!

Literally not Hall Effect nor TMR sticks. Pissed.

@Tyranexx

The D-pad isn't fantastic. It's ok for 2D platformers I've seen (just beat DKC2 with it) and stuff like RPGs, but it's trash for fighting games.

@B_Lindz If you are inclined to open up your controller, there’s a relatively easy fix for the D-pad. Cut transparent (‘scotch’) tape into tiny squares and affix them to the outer half of the four contact points on the circuit board for the D-pad.

It seemed counterintuitive to me, but it worked. I barely ever noticed a wrong input register after I added the tape, whereas mishits were all too common before.

@OrtadragoonX Seems like it's an issue with games where precision and timing are very important. I tend to mostly play action/adventure games, RPGs, and the occasional platformer or puzzler, so that could be why I've not had many problems.

This looks cool, but it also looks a bit cheaper. Maybe it’s just the screenshots?

So no analogue? Thats a shame.

And still no analog triggers ...

@Clark2k GameCube pad that's being released

@Simu001 Super Mario Sunshine works perfectly well without analog triggers after people said it would be unusable so what are you worried about?

WTF?
AGAIN no analogue triggers?
Oh boy...

It would appear Nintendo trying to future proof their system, such as requiring us to use micro sd express cards for the console, but they continue to keep one leg in the past by not upgrading to Hall Effect joysticks.

Will stick with my Zelda TOTK pro controller for the foreseeable future.

I mean the 8bitdo ultimate bluetooth controller already has more than enough buttons to match with the switch 2 has, and it has hall effect sticks and hall effect analog triggers which this will not have.

Just save your money and go with a superior product like 8bitdo.

I like it's looks and now has audio out something that makes it having now. Will these work with Switch v1 units? That's the next question? Having "C" button that would be something interesting to see.

Super happy with everything about this controller, looks awesome

@Gryffin I know the exact feeling because Im super jazzed about confirmation of another gen of amiibo. That was my highlight and the above pic showing the amiibo with the new controller is confrmation of the confirmation.

@andyg1412 It's not just about the gamecube games. Racing games are much better with analogue triggers. Just imagine mario kart but you can control your speed. You know like any other racing game? Its such a small thing but no nintendo gotta nintendo. This is just pathetic on their part. Every other console has analogue triggers. Mostnpc pads have annalogue triggers. Switch 2 the "improved" console in the year 2025? No analogue triggers .... you expect me.to cough up almost 500chf but give me a console thats basically the same as my current switch? Yeah no...the more I hear an think about the switch 2 the less excited I am for it.

@ThatZeldaNerd
Switch pro controllers rarely ever had drifting

Another fine addition to my collection

I’m betting you can’t chat with a headset and mic using the pro controller jack.

Can’t wait to replace my pro which has had serious drift issues for two years now.

Edit…I can’t see any preorders for pro controller S2

I'll probably wait for GuliKit to introduce a new controller

The best Switch 1 controller I own, and it should work on the Switch 2

@Jokerwolf I prefer it to my 8bitdo

@Sylamp
The Pro Controllers D-pad may feel great to the touch, much better than the DualSense's rubbery indented/concave-ish feel, but accuracy-wise, the Pro's D-pad is a bit of a joke.

I hope that's been improved, i hope there's less latency and 'HD Rumble 2' isn't just HD RUmble rebranding, and it actually means that it's essentialy Super HD Rumble, or some kind of evolution.

Design wise, it's bland, depressing and butt-ugly, just like the original all-black switch controller, but maybe a touch nicer with the all-white top area. I have a Splatoon 2 Pro controller, with the neon green & pink handles since it just looks more nintendoy' and fun.

@beartown
It's funny. The Switch Pro Controllers D-pad feels good to the touch, in fact, much nicer than the rubbery detached convex style of the DualSense's D-pad. But strictly in terms of accuracy, the pro controllers D-pad is an absolute miss fire as you pointed out.

It also has abnormally high input lag, 12ms more than the joy-cons and 7ms more than the DualSense, which rarely anybody points out. And aesthetically speaking, it's such a bland depressing uninspired all-black looking XBOX-thing, compared to Nintendo's long history of unique, inventive innovative controller designs, all the way back to the NES.

Nintendo is a corporate shell of what they once were. They used to be the wild whacky weird fun uncle that would show up at a party, but somebody called them strange, and now they're sitting in the corner wearing an all-black turtle neck and nodding their head away. lol

I'd take analog triggers over a 'prestige look' any day. I like racing games and having analog triggers is such a simple and common solution for improving gameplay without having to get a steering wheel. It's one thing I really hoped Switch 2 would bring back as a control option.

No analog triggers instantly puts it behind Xbox/PS. Why Nintendo? Why?

I can't stand though how PS puts the left stick in an unnatural/uncomfortable position. The XSX is still the best pad out there but it does lack gyro/hd rumble. They were supposed to release a new controller added that, which would have been the ultimate pad ever, but it got cancelled or something.

@Ristar24 It's even more frustrating because Nintendo were the FIRST ONES to do it back on the Gamecube.

Pathetic controller behind it’s time. Sad blunder.