Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Review: A Gamepad for the Ages

For as long as I can remember, Nintendo’s gamepads have been a core part of my life. The NES’s original rectangular controller was unergonomic, yet I still loved it, and it set me down the path of being a lifelong gaming and gadget enthusiast. The SNES’s rounded gamepad practically defined my childhood. Its iconic layout can still be seen in most controllers today. I didn’t have much affection for the Nintendo 64’s triple-armed design (or that system in general), but the GameCube’s quirky controller was fantastic, especially when Nintendo’s WaveBird made wireless gaming a reality. While I didn’t favor the Wiimote or Wii U tablet much either, I can respect the innovative approaches Nintendo took with both.

The Switch 2 Pro Controller marks a significant advancement in Nintendo’s controller design. It feels wonderfully ergonomic and luxurious in your hands; its joysticks are buttery smooth, and all of its buttons provide excellent feedback. This controller represents a substantial improvement over the original Switch’s Pro controller, which felt somewhat cheap and plasticky, particularly when rotating its analog sticks. Additionally, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is customizable, featuring two rear buttons that can be quickly programmed for any game. There is even a 3.5mm jack for wired headphones, a feature that has been standard on Xbox and PlayStation systems for years but is new for Nintendo controllers.

However, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is not without its drawbacks. Priced at $85 (up from its initially announced $80 due to tariffs), it may seem less painful than purchasing a new pair of Joy-Con 2s for $95, but it still stings. This is especially true when considering that 8Bitdo’s excellent Ultimate wireless controller currently costs $50 (down from a $70 launch price), is compatible with the Switch 2, has rear buttons, and features Hall effect joysticks, which are impervious to the drifting problem that plagued the Switch 1’s controllers.

Despite gamers’ requests for Nintendo to implement Hall effect sticks for years, the company has yet to respond. Both the Joy-Con 2 and Switch 2 Pro Controller appear to use the same mechanism as the Switch 1’s accessories. In an interview, Nintendo producer Kouichi Kawamoto stated that the company “redesigned everything from scratch” for the Joy-Con 2, and from my experience with the Pro 2 Controller, it also feels significantly different than before. However, I can only hope it does not develop drifting issues. One Reddit user claimed that their Switch 2 Joy-Cons were drifting right out of the box, but this does not seem to be a widespread problem.

Beyond the pricing and technical disappointments, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is a pleasure to use. It significantly improved my Mario Kart World performance, making it easier to drift around corners and hop onto rails without cramping my hands, a common issue with the Joy-Con 2. I was able to play for several hours with the new Pro Controller without experiencing any discomfort, and I could still hold it comfortably as my palms became sweaty.

As someone who grew up playing every version of Street Fighter 2 on the SNES, I also tested the Switch 2 Pro Controller with fighting games. The hadoukens came easily. The controller’s D-pad sits comfortably under my left thumb, allowing for simple clicks and rotations to perform Street Fighter 2 moves. While playing Soulcalibur 2 (now available as part of the GameCube Classics for Nintendo Online subscribers), the Switch 2 Pro Controller was also comfortable while holding my right fingers above the face buttons, similar to an arcade stick. This is a Soulcalibur technique I learned on the Dreamcast and have retained ever since.

Despite being optimized for Mario Kart, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is not ideal for more realistic racing games due to its lack of analog triggers, a feature present in its predecessor. Nintendo engineers have said in interviews stated that the company opted for digital triggers because they respond more quickly. Premium gamepads like the Xbox Elite offer switches that allow users to choose between quick trigger modes and long analog presses, suggesting a potential solution to Nintendo’s aversion to analog triggers. However, implementing such customization would also complicate and increase the cost of gamepads.

At least Nintendo has provided some customization options with the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s rear GL and GR buttons, located just above the handle grips. You can instantly remap their functionality in any game from the Switch 2’s quick settings menu, facilitating actions like switching weapons or jumping without moving your thumbs away from the joysticks. I remapped the drift and action buttons in Mario Kart World to GL and GR, which helped me avoid reaching up to hit the top trigger buttons. Additionally, you can remap all of the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s buttons from the Switch 2’s accessibility menu, where you can create presets for different titles as well.

After approximately 10 hours of playing various games, the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s battery fell to 82 percent. Nintendo claims it can last up to 40 hours, but unfortunately, I haven’t been able to play that much during this review. Based on my observations, however, the gamepad should easily reach the 40-hour mark.

As much as I appreciate the Switch 2 Pro Controller, it is undoubtedly an extravagance at $85, especially when 8Bitdo’s Ultimate gamepad offers even more features for $50. However, if you are a dedicated Nintendo fan or simply prefer first-party controllers, it stands as one of the best gamepads available today.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at Engadget.