Nintendo

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

Ranked #6 in Game Controllers

575 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

First-party build quality that survives years of abuse, held back only by the full-size shell's limited appeal to some hand sizes.

Consolidated from 38 cited sources across 37 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

1 glowing source
1 enthusiastic source
20 positive sources
8 mixed sources
6 unconvinced sources

See the sources

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Pros & cons

✓ Full-size shell avoids the Joycon-style build failures community threads document
✓ Nintendo first-party pads have an exceptional record of surviving a decade of use
✓ Excellent build quality
✓ The default serious pad for Switch 2 owners
✓ Nintendo first-party build quality

✗ Some community members find the Nintendo pad too small for extended gaming sessions
✗ Runs small for extended sessions
✗ Carries a first-party premium for conservative hardware
✗ Too new for long-term durability verdicts

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found. 2 outlets wouldn't let us check their links.

Evidence 4 articles, 32 video reviews and 2 community sources

1 glowing source

TechStomper Stuart Cullen · reviewer

With the launch of the Switch 2 , Nintendo have also tweaked their Pro Controller and released it alongside the console – Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. My go-to on the Switch has always been the Pro Controller. I’ve used it across the original model, Lite, and OLED. It’s a solid bit of kit, offering great in-hand feel, durability, and reliable control across nearly everything I played.

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1 enthusiastic source

GamesRadar+ Article

So far, my appraisal of the Switch 2 Pro Controller has been nothing short of glowing, but this is where it gets a little ugly.

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20 positive sources

F Facebook Kyle Kennedy · owner

Highly recommend the switch 2 pro controller, honestly prefer it over my dualsense controller. Insane battery life.

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WULFF DEN WULFF DEN · 982K subscribers · Jul 2025

I wanted a little more THOCK to my buttons, so I popped this sucker open and replaced the membranes with some tactile switches. It's actually not too hard once you know how to do it.

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wwjoshdew wwjoshdew · 292K subscribers · Jun 2025

This controller feels AMAZING!

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GVG GVG · 227K subscribers · Jun 2025

It's so perfectly molded to your hands, and everything just rests in the right place. The Xbox Series controller has a really nice texture, too. But look at the gaps between my fingers when just casually resting on the sticks. But with Switch 2, I am hugging this thing by default. a big tight cuddle. And the sticks, you got to feel these sticks.

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128KB 128KB · 150K subscribers · Jun 2025

It is a massive improvement over the original. So, we've got a complete redesign of this controller. They've taken inspiration from the Gamecube controller with the slimmed down horns. So, this is actually more slim. It's more tucked in. It's smaller overall.

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RetroRaconteur RetroRaconteur · 87.5K subscribers · May 2026

And I would say if you're someone who plays mostly on a TV with the Switch 2 docked, then my answer is an emphatic yes. You absolutely need a different controller. There are a number of viable alternatives, but for me, the included Joy-Cons just don't cut it. As much as they're an upgrade to the original Switch Joy-Cons, the new grip might actually be a bit of a step backwards.

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Anton Retro Anton Retro · 80.3K subscribers · Oct 2025

The Switch 2 Pro controller has a matte finish compared to the original slightly textured and glossier surface as well as the handles having a different texture, but I definitely prefer this matte finish and I've gotten used to it. But it is something to keep in mind. Personally, I think it feels much nicer.

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JSkeleton's Nintendo World JSkeleton's Nintendo World · 59.8K subscribers · Jun 2025

And the first thing when I first unboxed this, if you watch my unboxing of the Nintendo Switch 2, which includes an unboxing of this, the first thing I said is that it feels so so nice. Kind of feel like really glidey.

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Garrett Lindsay Garrett Lindsay · 55.9K subscribers · Mar 2026

I was just playing a bit of Pokémon, but yeah, I've been really enjoying this controller. This is a honest review after owning it for a few months and enjoying it and having a good time with it. So, battery power I found quite good. I've had zero issues of connectivity.

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Garrett Lindsay Garrett Lindsay · 55.9K subscribers · Oct 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is finally here — and it might be one of the best controllers Nintendo has ever made.

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LegendaryBadass LegendaryBadass · 37.1K subscribers · Jun 2025

Join me as I dive into the brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller! In this detailed unboxing and review, I test out the controller’s feel, responsiveness, and innovative features, including its upgraded sticks, programmable back buttons, HD Rumble 2, and 3.5mm audio jack.

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ZRZ ZRZ · 27.3K subscribers · Jun 2025

I think this just looks much more sleek and very smooth and comfortable in the hand. In terms of the button layout on the front, you can see it's more or less exactly the same. Very familiar layout. Um, nothing really has changed except the addition of the C button at the bottom there. As you can see, that's for your chat, so you can access your chat easily on the Switch, too.

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Nicholas Fornaro Nicholas Fornaro · 19.8K subscribers · Jun 2025

How do the buttons feel? They feel really good, too, honestly. But yeah, overall first impressions of these new controllers. Let's try it in this mode here, cuz I know they're a lot easier to play in one hand or just with the one Joy-Con itself. And yeah, these are a lot bigger. They feel a lot better. They feel higher quality as well. And honestly, I have to say I'm a fan.

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It'sTheTRIPP! It'sTheTRIPP! · 11.5K subscribers · Jun 2025

I love the feel of it. It's definitely a different material than the Nintendo Switch One Pro Controller. Here's a comparison. This is the old Pro Controller, and here's the brand new one. It's still black, but the buttons on top are gray. As you can see here, the joysticks are not as loud either. So, these definitely have a different feeling to them.

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Chris Stead Chris Stead · 10K subscribers · Jun 2025

It's one of the best Switch 2 accessories. A full Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review will be coming soon and I hope you enjoyed this Nintendo Switch 2 guide.

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More Dyron More Dyron · 4.2K subscribers · Aug 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller has arrived, and it might be the ultimate upgrade for every Switch gamer.

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Nintendozer Nintendozer · 3.9K subscribers · May 2025

Starting with the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, this is Nintendo's top tier offering. It keeps the familiar Pro Controller form factor, a comfortable, ergonomic design that feels familiar to anyone who's used Nintendo's previous generation Pro Controller. What's new this time around is a suite of feature upgrades that focus on immersion, communication, and performance.

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litratoholik litratoholik · 1.9K subscribers · Nov 2025

And honestly, I think this is the best controller Nintendo has ever made, and probably the coolest one, too.

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Keri Reviews Keri Reviews · 25 subscribers · Jun 2026

Okay, I'm going to review the Switch 2 Pro controller. I love this. We got both of ours off Amazon for me and my boyfriend to play. It is from It is officially from Nintendo, so you're able to click the home button and wake up your Switch if you're like sitting down on the couch. I love how modern and sleek it feels. It matches the same like texture as the actual Switch.

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FINDORA FINDORA · 23 subscribers · Aug 2026

Is the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller worth buying? In this quick unboxing and first look, we cover its premium build quality, quiet buttons, responsive controls, and included USB cable.

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8 mixed sources

C r/consoles Reddit thread Read thread I

IGN IGN · 19.9M subscribers · Jun 2025

But while I still have my gripes with Nintendo's official gamepad, including the jump in price, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is still a well-built gamepad that does some things better than most. And if you mostly play docked, I would even call it an essential Switch 2 accessory since it's much much better than the Switch to Joy-Cons in terms of performance and comfort.

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CNET CNET · 4.1M subscribers · Jun 2025

The Switch 2 Pro Controller Makes a Comfortable Upgrade, but Still Falls a Bit Short

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Spawn Wave Spawn Wave · 769K subscribers · Jul 2025

The Switch 2 Pro Controller Is The Best (And Worst) I've Ever Seen

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Roman’s Lab – PC Builds & Gaming Tech Roman’s Lab – PC Builds & Gaming Tech · 106K subscribers · Oct 2025

Verdict: Switch to Pro Vins on shape, 8bit dolls on grip. It's a draw in the first round. >> Round two.

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Red Bandana Gaming Red Bandana Gaming · 20.4K subscribers · Mar 2026

Now, there is a reason why I think it's justified to buy this controller. Maybe you should wait for it to go on sale. I doubt it.

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iReviewThis iReviewThis · 6.1K subscribers · Nov 2025

I’ll share what’s new compared to the original Pro Controller, what’s improved, and what still needs work. From button feel and comfort to battery life and responsiveness, I cover it all.

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Tendo Tendo · 2.3K subscribers · Aug 2025

After 30 days of daily use, I’ve discovered the good, the bad, and the surprising features Nintendo didn’t put on the box. From the brand-new back buttons to the controversial choice to skip Hall Effect thumbsticks, this is an honest review you won’t want to miss.

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6 unconvinced sources

Notebookcheck Adam Corsetti · reviewer

However, that may not be the case with the more conventional Switch 2 Pro Controller . While it’s a separate concern, a Japanese YouTuber exposed how flaws in its construction can cause sticky analog sticks .

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Austin John Plays Austin John Plays · 2.5M subscribers · Jun 2025

Now, I know what you're thinking. Is Is he click baiting us? No, I hurt myself using the Switch 2 Pro controller. How does someone even go about hurting themsself with a controller? Uh, is probably the thing you're thinking. And you know what? Perfectly valid question. Really is. Spoiler alert. I've been playing video games a long time. Uh, pretty much all my life.

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iFixit iFixit · 1.3M subscribers · Jul 2025

This is a piss-poor excuse for a controller. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller makes promises it can’t keep. It’s Nintendo, so I expect namebrand durability. It has Pro in the name, so I’m expecting performance and longevity.

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Marc The Geek Marc The Geek · 326K subscribers · Jun 2025

Believe me, uh you can still do the same thing with the Switch 2. don't need to buy the Pro 2 controller, but here it is. So, this is how it looks on the cover. Very cool. Over here in the back, you got like some instructions and, you know, some features there. Going to take this out. Of course, I used it and I put it back in the box.

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Drip Media Gaming Drip Media Gaming · 45.7K subscribers · Jun 2025

The answer to that is no.

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Preston Owen Preston Owen · 299 subscribers · Mar 2026

Makes people not want to buy this thing. So, you may be asking yourself, Preston, with all of these cons, why why would you buy the controller? Why did you Why did you buy this? Are you stupid or something? To that I say, maybe a little bit. But, there are reasons why I bought it.

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2 stance not read sources

PCMag Article Read K

Kevin Kenson Kevin Kenson · 822K subscribers · Jul 2025

With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 we also got the brand new Switch 2 Pro Controller, a very similar looking design to the original with a number of updates and new features, some big, some very small. Lets go over everything this Pro Controller has to offer and see if it's really worth grabbing for its increased price, especially if you already own another option.

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Frequently asked questions

It ranks #6 of 23 on our game controllers tier list, in B tier. That placement draws on 38 cited sources across 37 outlets.

6 of the 36 sources with a clear view are critical of it, among them Austin John Plays, Drip Media Gaming and iFixit. Some community members find the Nintendo pad too small for extended gaming sessions. Runs small for extended sessions. Carries a first-party premium for conservative hardware. Too new for long-term durability verdicts.