Here’s why the Nintendo Switch Pro controller is so special
It’s more than just the battery life
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If you’ve spent any amount of time on gaming Twitter this week, you probably ran into posts discussing theNintendo Switch Pro Controller. Particularlythis tweet here, which, in no uncertain terms, praised the gamepad’s absurd battery life.
And it’s true; the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller’s battery life is impressive, capable of clocking anywhere between 40 to 60 hours on a full charge. This alone would make most of thebest Nintendo Switch controllersworth buying. But Nintendo’s first-party gamepad offers so much more than astounding longevity.
This is why I believe the near-seven-year-old controller is enjoying a moment in the sun on social media. It’s the battery life,alongwith its exceptional features, that make it the go-to controller for so manyNintendo Switchowners.
More than the sum of its parts
The Kyoto-based manufacturer pulled out all the stops when designing the Nintendo Switch’s Pro controller. Simply holding the controller feels right, with its comfortable textured grips providing excellent feel and stability while playing the best Nintendo Switch games. It’s got quite the striking design as well; its semi-translucent shell and all-black finish stand out among its competitors.
Furthermore, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller supports all the features you’d find in the console’s handheld-first Joy-Con controllers. That includes HD Rumble and NFC support for collectibleamiibofigures and their in-game bonuses and features. You also get full motion controls, making the controller an excellent choice forSplatoon 3and other fantastic games that make use of gyro aiming, likeThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomandMetroid Prime Remastered.
I also find the Pro Controller’s asymmetric design and button layout to be absolutely spot on. The face buttons (A, B, X, and Y) are relatively large and responsive, and the shallow trigger depth is something I prefer over the longer presses required on theXbox Wireless Controllerand the PS5’sDualSense. Even the Pro Controller’s central Start, Select, Home, and screen capture buttons are perfectly spaced out.
Better still, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is also compatible with PCs via a USB-C connection. So, if you’re after an alternative to thebest PC controllers, it’s a fine choice, especially for games that support the display of the Switch’s button layout.
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Honestly, while I think there are plenty ofthings the Nintendo Switch 2 needs to get right, very little needs to be changed for a Pro Controller revision. The only real change I’d like to see is the usage ofHall effectthumbsticks, which would practically eliminate the risk of stick drift that has plagued Nintendo’s controllers throughout this console generation.
Flying battery
Circling back to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller’s battery life, it’s worth noting that Nintendo is vastly outperforming other first-party hardware on this front. The Xbox Wireless Controller comes at a distant second with a still-impressive 20-30 hours of life. But theDualSenseandDualSense Edgeare nowhere to be seen. In fact, you’re lucky if you’re getting double digits here in terms of hours. Even theDualSense’s revised V2 model, which has appeared at some retailers, seems to be maxing out at a pretty middling 12 hours.
Overall, battery life has been something Nintendo has typically excelled at, at least when it comes to controllers. Remember theWii UPro controller? That thing could last up to a dizzying 80 hours on a single charge. That’s an entireXenoblade Chronicles’ worth of battery life. Going even further back, the Gamecube’s iconic wireless Wavebird controller - asIGN notedin its original review - could clock in around 100 hours on a pair of AA batteries.
Even the Joy-Con controllers put in a very respectable 15-20 hours on average. The fact is that whenever Nintendo develops a wireless controller, it typically ensures that it’ll go the distance on a single charge.
That now leaves us looking towards the future, then, and what’s likely to be an inevitable Pro Controller revision when Nintendo’s next-generation hardware launches. As mentioned, the version of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller we have now is already excellent. So it’s possible Nintendo keeps changes to a minimum; perhaps some tweaks to mechanics under the hood, its ergonomics, or somehow even further improved battery life. Whatever the case may be, I’m excited to see what any revision brings to the table.
Controllers aside, it’s also worth looking into some of thebest Nintendo Switch accessoriesandbest Nintendo Switch headsetsif you’re considering upgrading your play time with the console.
Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.
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