Ever since I preordered the Nintendo Switch 2, I have maintained that all I needed for the console at launch was the included Joy-Con controllers. I have plenty of old Bluetooth controllers kicking around for local multiplayer, and I truly didn’t think that I needed to buy an $85 controller right off the bat after dropping $500 on the Mario Kart World Switch 2 Bundle. And then I got the console and started playing.
From the moment I received my Nintendo Switch 2, I was completely plugged in toMario Kart World, racking up 20 hours of playtime in just a few days. However, I found my extended play sessions with the included Joy-Cons were interrupted all too frequently by the “low battery” indicator on my screen, which was a major bummer as I was primarilyplaying in docked mode, and had to choose between switching to handheld mode or stopping the game fully.
Begrudgingly, I headed online, found the Switch 2 Procontrolleron sale for $75 at Costco, and made what I thought at the time would be a purchase I would regret later. However, I actually ended up really, really loving the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, and even though it’s admittedly expensive, it may actually be the best controller Nintendo has ever produced. Despite my frugal instincts, here’s why this $85 controller is worth every dollar.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
The official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller
The most frustrating Switch 2 issue isn’t what I expected
I like the idea, but the landing could’ve been smoother.
Ergonomic design and responsive, clickable keys
What more could you ask for?
The Switch 2 Pro Controller may be the most comfortable controller I’ve ever held. That sounds like hyperbole, but I promise it’s not. The ergonomics on this thing are absolutely perfectly suited to my hands, and holding it for long, multi-hour gaming sessions did not result in any hand cramps whatsoever. If you’ve ever had to pause your game because your fingers were getting an annoying tingle, or you had an ache from button mashing too hard, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
And speaking of button mashing, face buttons are nice and clicky and easy to press thanks to a slightly-larger design when compared to the original Switch Pro Controller. I didn’t use the d-pad much while I was testing out the device (largely because I was still mostly playing Mario Kart World) but it seemed nicely responsive when I used it a few times while playing Balatro.
The shoulder buttons are also nice and big, but be aware, there’s no analog functionality here. Still I wasn’t upset by the digital inputs, and the short trigger pulls didn’t hamper my gameplay at all.
However, the pièce de résistance here are the control sticks, which feel smooth and buttery and offer perfect precision when you’re rounding those tight corners in Mario Kart World. They aren’t Hall Effect, which is a bit of a bummer, but I’m hoping that they stand the test of time because they simply feel amazing to use and it would be a shame if they fell victim to drift.
Nintendo Switch 2 shatters console sales records
What a week for tech enthusiasts; from the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 to WWDC and the reveal of iOS 26, here’s everything you may have missed this week.
That big beautiful battery
40 hours of playtime on a three-hour charge? I’ll take that
The initial reason I purchased the Switch 2 Pro Controller was because I was frustrated with the Joy-Con 2’s battery power (or lack thereof) and I can say confidently that this problem has been wholly solved by the Switch 2 Pro Controller, which gets an astounding 40 hours of battery life (per Nintendo) on a single three-hour charge. I play the Nintendo Switch 2 every day and have not had to charge it once since its inaugural charge when I brought it home.
This is on par with the original Switch Pro Controller but miles ahead of most third-party Bluetooth controllers I’ve used in the past. I can charge it once, and game all week, which is honestly perfect.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Welcome Tour is actually worth $10
Paying for a tech demo feels wrong, but you’ll get $10 worth of fun.
I guess I do need a C button
GameChat makes Mario Kart World even more awesome
Though I didn’t think I’d use the GameChat function much when I first brought home the Switch 2, I have been pleasantly surprised thus far with how well Nintendo’s voice/video chat feature works, and I’ve actually been using it quite a bit when playing Mario Kart World online with friends. And fortunately the C button is nicely integrated into the Switch 2 Pro controller, recessed into the button part of the controller between the d-pad and right control stick for easy access. Even if I had stuck with my old Bluetooth controllers, I’m happy I upgraded to a controller with a dedicated C button if only because that means I can access GameChat that much easier.
My only complaint? The C button is off-center. I didn’t notice it until I sat down to write about how much I loved this controller, and now I can’t unsee it. I guess nothing is truly perfect.
Nintendo Switch 2 is a rare sequel that’s better than the original
The OG Switch was a game changer, but the Switch 2 is even better.
