The Best Nintendo Switch 2 Controllers

Like the Joy-Con 2s, there's a sense of continuity from the original Switch to the new generation's Pro Controller. At a glance, it's essentially the same—a more conventional controller in the mold of those used on Xbox or PlayStation, perfect for Switch 2 games that don't require the unique features of the Joy-Cons. However, this is crammed with clever adjustments and design tweaks that make it feel substantially different from its predecessor.

Chiefly, it feels smaller in the hand thanks to slimmed-down grips that sit at a slightly tighter angle. It only weighs 11 grams less than its predecessor—235 versus 246—but seems much lighter. Subtler but still impactful tweaks include larger face buttons, and smoother, more responsive thumbsticks—although these still don't use Hall effect or TMR technology, meaning drift remains a risk. It feels great to hold, though, thanks to an almost seamless design, a choice that has the benefit of leaving few ridges or component joins where hand sweat can accumulate after long play sessions.

The big changes are the addition of a 3.5-mm audio jack at the base of the controller, allowing a headset or mic to be connected—tying in perfectly with Nintendo's social gaming push with its integrated GameChat feature, accessed through the new, central C button—and the addition of new GL and GR buttons on the underside. These inputs can be customized on a per-game basis—simply hold down the Home button, and they can be remapped on the fly. Modifications are remembered per user, per game, which puts the “pro” in Pro Controller. These upgrades come at a literal cost, but this is one of the best ways to play on Switch 2.

This third-party offering from peripheral maker PowerA offers one big upgrade over Nintendo's controllers: Hall effect technology. Not only does that remove any risk of dreaded drifting on its thumbsticks, but it makes for better, more reliable performance, as the sensors can far more accurately track the degree of movement applied to the sticks.

Like the official Pro Controller, this features programmable buttons on the underside of the hand grips. It also features a 3.5-mm audio jack, but goes one better with onboard audio controls, allowing you to adjust headset volume, mute your microphone, and switch between three equalizer modes—standard, bass boost, and immersive (though overall audio quality will depend on your headset).

There are some compromises to consider, though. It's a wired-only controller and must be connected to the Switch 2 dock, and although it comes with a 3-meter (10-foot) cable, that still limits range. It also rearranges the Switch 2's system buttons—the Home, Capture, Plus (+), Minus (-), and C buttons—to a single row at the base of the pad. While that allows for some bold and colorful designs spotlighting Mario and pals, the different orientation and smaller design of these buttons are hard to get used to. It also lacks HD rumble or motion control features, and there's no NFC reader built in, meaning it can't read Amiibo figures. Still, for the performance boost thanks to that elusive Hall effect, this is a strong alternative to the Pro Controller—especially at this price.

The launch of Switch 2 brings with it a selection of retro GameCube games for subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online service. As it did for the NES, SNES, N64, and even Sega Genesis/Mega Drive when games from those platforms joined the library, Nintendo has released a perfect recreation of the original controller, allowing you to play those classic games as authentically as possible.

For anyone who was gaming when the GameCube was first around, it's slightly surreal to now have a perfect recreation of the original controller that's wireless but not the bulkier WaveBird model. It's no bad thing, though, and decades-old muscle memory will soon kick in. Younger players might find the unusually-shaped controller odd at first, with its tiny nub of a C-Stick and its chunky, rounded shoulder triggers, but after a few laps of F-Zero GX, you soon realize how perfectly tailored the controller was for its games.

For the modern update, Nintendo has tweaked the design slightly, incorporating controls specific to the Switch 2–namely the Home, screen capture, and C buttons—at the top of the pad, and added a tiny new ZL button on the left-hand shoulder. That helps make this GameCube pad broadly compatible with some modern Switch and Switch 2 games, though not a perfect match—the Start button here mimics the Switch 2's plus (+) button, there's nothing to replicate the minus (-) button, and it lacks newer features such as clickable thumbsticks.

However, availability is a problem for this controller. It's only available directly from Nintendo's online store, can only be purchased if you have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription, and is limited to one unit per account in the US, but two per account in the UK.

Not every Switch 2 game requires the motion controls of the Joy-Con 2s, which is why the console comes with a basic grip frame, allowing you to slot the two individual controllers into either side for one, more conventionally arranged, joypad. While that will do in a pinch if you want to play games sitting on the couch, with the console docked to your TV, the official Nintendo Charging Grip offers a few noteworthy upgrades.

One is simply the power delivery feature—connect a USB-C cable into the top of the Charging Grip and you can game for as long as you like, or leave the combined unit to charge when not playing. It comes with a 1.5-meter USB-A to USB-C cable, allowing you to connect this to the ports on the side of the Switch 2’s dock for charging. It also incorporates the new GL and GR buttons on the underside, as found on the Switch 2 Pro Controller. As with that pad, they can be customized on a per-game basis, but in my tests, it doesn’t seem to remember settings between play sessions. Still, it’s a handy feature, and remapping controls is quick and easy. Being able to quickly attach and detach the Joy-Con 2s is also great for any games that switch between various control modes.

In terms of design and ergonomics, it has some weaknesses, though. A translucent shell is an odd decision given nothing else about Switch 2 takes that approach, while the front of the grips—where the base of your thumbs rest—is flat rather than rounded, with an edge that can dig in after a while. It also lacks the 3.5-mm audio jack of the Pro Controller, but given that this is less than half the price, it makes for a good halfway house.

Not strictly controllers in their own right, these shells allow you to slot in a single Joy-Con 2, turning them into miniature steering wheels. Sold in pairs, these are laser-focused on racing game fans—realistically, Mario Kart World, but sci-fi racer Fast Fusion will make good use of them too, and make the motion controls feel that bit more intuitive.

They're smartly designed—despite housing the larger Joy-Con 2s, the wheels aren't much larger than those for the original Switch, while chunky shoulder buttons on the rear of the wheel itself make the SL and SR buttons of each Joy-Con 2 even more accessible. That makes them comfortable enough for older players, but likely to be most appealing to younger players who will enjoy properly “driving” around with these.

They're undeniably a gimmicky purchase, and there's a paucity of games where you're likely to get much use from them, but the Joy-Con 2 Wheels are a nice addition to any living room racing tournament.