The Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived, and with it, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller. At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s nearly identical to the original, but having been sent one to try myself, I can confidently say that’s not the case.
Coming in at $84.99 / £74.99, it’s certainly not the cheapest upgrade in Nintendo’s lineup, which naturally raises the question: what exactly sets this new Pro controller apart? I’ve already shared my impressions of the console itself, so now it's the controller's turn to be put to the sword...
Design and Build Quality
When unboxing the controller for the first time, what immediately stood out to me was its sleek matte black finish that looks great next to the Switch 2 and its new Joy-Cons. It’s a minimalist, clean design that I have to say looks very premium. However, this sleek finish comes at the trade-off of there being no textured grip on the handles this time around, which makes the controller a bit slippery to hold. It's not really a major issue in the grand scheme of things, but it's worth noting, seeing as the original did have more of a textured finish.
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+ 4That said, the overall feel of it is still pretty high-end, which is helped by a two-tone design with a grey top panel and matching buttons that add a nice visual contrast. The controller is also lightweight, weighing in at just under 240 grams on my own scale. This definitely helps with comfort during long gaming sessions, as it never really feels like a chore to hold. Its weight is even more important if you choose to use this gamepad's motion controls, as its lightness makes the controller easier to move around.
Moving on to the sticks, which I have found to be surprisingly smooth and comfortable to use. They’ve got a clean rubberized finish, which gives a better grip than the controller's smooth body. I’ve seen some people mention that the snap back on the sticks is a bit aggressive, but I personally haven’t had any issues with that affecting gameplay. Movement feels accurate, and the sticks return to center quickly without causing weird input shifts.
One issue, though, is that there is no Hall Effect tech in the sticks (at least not confirmed by Nintendo). It would seem as though Nintendo has included something to reduce drift, as I haven’t had any issues so far, but what that tech is hasn't been revealed from what I've seen online. That said, I have only been using it for a few days, so time will tell whether stick drift ends up being an issue.
Finally, a small but very welcome change for some: the Switch 2 Pro can now power on the Switch 2 from sleep. While it can be easy to accidentally power up your Switch 2 simply by pressing a button on the controller, it's far more convenient than having to go to the console itself to power it up, as you had to do in the past with the original Switch controller.
Button Layout and Responsiveness
One of the most important new features of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller is the addition of the GL and GR buttons—customizable back buttons that weren’t available on the original Switch Pro.
These are one of the biggest selling points for some players, and, on paper, it's easy to see why. You can map them to any button through the Quick Access menu (just hold the Home button to bring it up), scroll to GL or GR, then assign them to the action of your choice. This is incredibly easy and quick to do mid-game, with the buttons themselves great for immediate access to in-game commands.
click to enlarge+ 4Personally, these buttons were most effective playing Fortnite, as I mapped crouch/slide to GL and build to GR for quicker access and to avoid me ever having to take my thumbs off the sticks. In Mario Kart World, I had them set to drift and item use. But the best part is the fact that your button mappings save per game, so you don’t have to reassign them every time you switch between titles.
However, the actual design of the GL/GR buttons isn't for me. They sit almost flush with the controller’s grips, and there’s no texture or tactile feedback to them, which makes them hard to locate by feel. There's barely any travel either, so it’s hard to tell if you’ve actually pressed them, though this is to the benefit of them offering lightning-fast activation. While I wish Nintendo had given them a bit more texture or made them stick out a little more, their placement is good at least. I found they fell exactly where my middle fingers sat on the back of the controller, which negates the lack of tactile feedback they offer somewhat.
Moving on to the capture button, which returns from the previous Pro controller and works just like before. Simply tap to take a screenshot, or hold to save a 30-second video. Quick tip for you: you can assign this to a GL or GR button to capture clips without lifting your thumb off the stick, which is super useful during intense drifts in Mario Karts or final circle battles in Fortnite (can you tell I played these two games the most...).
There is a new button on the front of the controller, though, that being the "C" button dedicated to the Switch 2's new GameChat function. It’s located at the bottom of the front face panel, which, if you find awkward to reach, can be remapped to GL or GR like the capture button. Being able to open GameChat from the controller is a nice touch, in general, as it lets you stay in-game while accepting or initiating calls, without reaching for your phone or jumping into the homepage settings.
One thing returning Switch users will notice is the A/B button layout. It still follows Nintendo’s layout, which feels unfamiliar compared to Xbox or PlayStation. It does flip when you’re playing non-Nintendo games like Fortnite (e.g., B becomes jump again), but in system menus, you’ll still need to get used to A being on the right and B on the bottom.
That said, the A/B/X/Y buttons themselves feel great to use. They’re satisfying to press, with quick, responsive feedback and virtually no input latency from button press to in-game action. The D-pad feels the same way, and while these buttons don’t seem drastically different from the original Pro controller, I will give credit to how dampened they are. It means you don’t get a loud click every time you press one. It’s a small touch, but it makes a difference.
Haptic Feedback and Motion Controls
I'll start with the HD Rumble 2 feedback here, as I thought it felt very solid overall. It’s not something that immediately blows you away, but it does add something extra to gameplay without going overboard.
According to Nintendo, HD Rumble 2 is meant to respond more quickly to in-game actions and can handle more complex rumble patterns, and I’d say that checks out in actual use. The feedback feels subtle but satisfying, though nothing too intense or distracting. I’ve always preferred light rumble anyway, and this controller delivers that really well. And if you don't like the rumbles, you can turn the feature off completely in the settings.
click to enlarge+ 4As for motion controls, I’ll be honest: it’s not something I care much about in a controller like this. The Switch 2 Pro is clearly designed to be a more gamer-focused controller, where precision inputs matter more than using it as a makeshift Joy-Con. That said, it’s nice that the option is there if you need it, which might happen if you’re playing split-screen and run out of Joy-Cons like I did.
I mainly tested the motion controls in Mario Kart, using tilt to steer, and while I still prefer thumbsticks for accuracy and ease of use, I was surprised by how smooth and responsive the motion input was. It actually felt a bit more natural than a single Joy-Con on its side, probably because the controller’s shape is closer to a real-life steering wheel than a Joy-Con and its much smaller size.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Pairing the Switch 2 Pro Controller is super straightforward via the USB cable through the dock and the sync button on top. You only have to do this once, then after that, the controller automatically connects every time. Plus, as mentioned earlier, you can now power on the Switch 2 directly from the controller.
What is nice is that the Switch 2 Pro controller now features a 3.5mm audio jack, something the original Switch Pro Controller was seriously lacking. Now you can plug in a headset for more immersive audio, and if your headset has a solid mic, you’ll get better comms with friends and teammates—quite a crucial aspect considering the Switch 2's new GameChat function.
The controller also features a USB-C port, and, for reference, the included cable is decently long and feels quite durable. The rubber casing doesn’t feel flimsy or like it’ll break easily, which is quite a big positive, seeing as you'll probably want your Switch 2 Pro controller to last for the entire lifespan of the Switch 2 itself.
click to enlarge+ 4Another nice-to-have is built-in amiibo support, which I didn’t get a chance to test, but it’s good to know it’s included since amiibos are still supported on the Switch 2.
In terms of compatibility beyond the Switch, I’ve seen that this controller might be one you can use with a PC, though it potentially requires extra software. I haven’t tested this myself, but it could be a bonus for anyone looking for a multi-platform controller.
Battery Life and Charging
According to Nintendo, the Switch 2 Pro controller offers up to 40 hours of battery life, which is the same as the original Switch Pro controller. I haven’t had it long enough to fully drain the battery, but based on my usage so far, it doesn’t feel like it’s losing charge too quickly, so Nintendo’s 40-hour claim seems believable.
That 40-hour battery life puts it in line with other premium controllers, like the Xbox Elite Series 2, which feels like a fair comparison given how the Switch 2 Pro controller is of a similar nature to what the Elite Series 2 is to the Xbox Series X. It’s more than enough for several long gaming sessions, and honestly, it's just convenient not having to think about charging it too often.
When you do need to top it up, charging is done via USB-C and is said to take around 3.5 hours, which I found to be accurate. That’s a noticeable improvement over the original Pro controller’s 6-hour charge time, and is ideal if you game in the morning and evening—just plug it in between sessions, and you’re good to go. Considering you can't use the provided USB to play while charging from the Switch 2 directly as well, the shorter 3.5-hour charge time is a bit of a saviour.
Comparison to the Original Pro Controller
To make things easier, I've put this comparison into a simple table:
Feature | Switch 2 Pro Controller | Original Switch Pro Controller |
|---|---|---|
Back Buttons (GL/GR) | Yes – Customizable, per-game profiles, but low tactility | No back buttons |
Capture Button | Same function, can now be mapped to GL/GR | Standard capture button, not mappable |
GameChat ("C" Button) | New – launches in-game GameChat; mappable to GL/GR | Not available |
HD Rumble | HD Rumble 2 – subtle, faster, more refined | HD Rumble – functional but less advanced |
Power On Console | Yes – controller can turn Switch 2 on | No |
Battery Life | ~40 hours (claimed); faster 3.5 hr charge time | ~40 hours; slower ~6 hr charge time |
Audio Jack (3.5mm) | Yes – major new addition, supports mic/audio through headset | No |
Is It Worth the Upgrade to the Switch 2 Pro Controller?
I would say if you're already using the original Switch Pro controller, the Switch 2 Pro isn't a must-have, but it is a nice-to-have, depending on your needs.
GL and GR back buttons, the dedicated GameChat button, and the ability to wake the console from sleep are genuinely useful upgrades that enhance the overall experience. Add in the faster USB charging, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and solid HD Rumble 2, and you’ve got a more complete controller for your shiny new console.
That said, at $84.99 / £74.99, it does feel a bit overpriced for what’s actually on offer. Compared to similarly priced third-party Xbox controllers, you're missing features like Hall Effect sticks and more advanced customization options beyond two assignable back buttons.
If budget is a concern, maybe consider the PowerA Advantage Wired Controller. It’s way cheaper, officially licensed, and comes packed with more features, though it does mean going wired. I actually own a version of the PowerA Advantage, and while it isn't the Switch 2-specific one, I can vouch for the Advantage model overall.
So, is it worth the upgrade? If you play frequently, value wireless freedom, and want a more familiar controller to game with, the Switch 2 Pro could be worth the investment. I don't think you're really missing out if you don't buy one, and I probably wouldn't be thrilled to pay $84.99 / £74.99 personally, but I know some people really value having the Pro controller as an option, and with that in mind, I'd say it's definitely worth considering.
Final Thoughts
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller is more of an evolution rather than a reinvention, but that's quite good in this case.
It keeps a lot of what made the first one work, while also addressing missing features. Customizable GL/GR back buttons, a 3.5mm audio jack, faster USB-C charging, and the ability to power on the console remotely all make it an improvement, though not a reinvention, of the original.
It's definitely not perfect, though. The $84.99 / £74.99 price tag is quite steep, and the smooth, gripless finish can be a bit slippery to hold. Also, the flush, non-textured back buttons are a little annoying in that it's hard to know when your fingers are placed on them.
Still, the upgrade to HD Rumble 2 feels good, and the motion controls are solid, though not something I'd necessarily use often, as that's what the Joy-Cons are for.
Ultimately, the Switch 2 Pro smooths out and improves many of the original’s edges. So, if you play frequently, like using a more traditional controller, and want the next-gen upgrades, it’s a worthy, but slightly overpriced, upgrade.
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