The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is worth buying – here’s why you should get it
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is worth buying – here’s why you should get it
Posted on July 19, 2026 by Ethan in Features, Switch, Switch 2
Today, we’re going over why the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is worth your money.
Aside from its controversial directional pad, the standard Nintendo Switch Pro Controller was fairly popular. It was a must-buy for anyone who played their system in docked mode, given that Joy-Con weren’t the greatest alternative.
At a glance, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller looks very similar, except it’s much more expensive at a whopping $90 USD. And yet, for as similar as it looks to its predecessor, it’s so much better.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller features
First, and most importantly: how does the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller feel? And while it’s difficult to fully describe in words, it does feel very elegant and very comfortable. It’s light, the control sticks are hefty and substantial, and the triggers have really nice clicks to them. Even though it looks similar to the standard Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, this one feels even better to hold. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller has motion controls, amiibo support, and HD Rumble just like the Joy-Con 2, so this is going to be the definitive way to play most Switch 2 games – the only exceptions are games with mouse controls like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Pokopia. Even then, these are optional, and a good chunk of players probably won’t bother using the mouse. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller also has GL and GR buttons on the bottom of the controller that you can map to any button you want on a per-game basis. I haven’t used this feature too much, but it could be helpful in games like Mario Kart if you want to accelerate without pressing the A button (or using auto-accelerate). It’s also got a headphone jack that lets you listen to game audio through your controller.
It’s hard to understate just how comfortable the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is. The control sticks have real weight to them, but not in a bad way – they’re incredibly smooth and feel even better if you get fancy little thumb grips for them (I use Savage Raven’s myself).
Better yet, though, the battery life is incredible. One charge gets you around 40 hours, and it only takes a few hours’ worth of charging to get the battery life back up to full. My only real gripe is that the directional pad still isn’t great – it’s still fairly easy to accidentally input the wrong direction. It’s better than the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller’s, for sure, but it’s far from perfect.
If you want to buy your own Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, you can do so from Amazon for $90. The price is definitely another negative, though this controller is one that will last a long time. I’ve had mine for around a year, and it’s still just as good as when I first bought it. I also use tomtoc’s Switch 2 Pro Controller carrying case, which protects the controller and prevents the control sticks from moving if you throw it in a bag or backpack.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller alternatives
If the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is too expensive, that’s understandable – generally, 8Bitdo’s line of controllers are the next best thing. The 8Bitdo Ultimate 2 is one of the best choices you can make – it’s around $20 cheaper than the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, but it’s still rather expensive at $70. Most controllers are around this much these days, unfortunately, and the 8Bitdo Ultimate 2 also works with other devices in case you want to use it for a Steam game or something similar.
And of course, now that the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is a thing, Switch 1 Pro Controllers will at least theoretically start to lose value over time – which might mean it’s easier to find one for cheap. Just keep in mind that Nintendo Switch 1 Pro Controllers cannot wake up a Switch 2 console with the home button, for whatever reason. Only Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controllers can do that!
What do you think of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, almost one year later? Let us know in the comments down below.
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