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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So, the Pro Controller 2 has a bit to prove before I’d say the £74.99/€99.99 price tag is worth it. Especially if you already own the original.
Iterative Upgrade
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller sticks to what works, but adds a few features and refinements to suit the new console. Out of the box, you get the controller and a 5ft/1.5m USB-A to USB-C cable. It’s a bit short for some setups, and that’s all you get.
Connecting it to the Switch 2 is simple—plug and play via cable or pair it wirelessly like any other controller.
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Visually, it’s very similar to the original, with subtle changes. The underside of the thumbsticks is now light grey, as are the top triggers and panel, breaking up the solid black. It’s a small touch, but a welcome one. The casing is new too. Gone is the rubber finish. In its place is a textured plastic grip. It feels great in hand: well-balanced, nicely weighted, and the buttons are satisfyingly tactile. The whole thing feels more premium.
Pro Features
A standout addition is the two remappable back buttons, a first for any first-party Nintendo controller. Named GL and GR, they can be assigned to any face button, letting you keep your thumbs on the sticks during intense gameplay.
Mapping is done through the Switch 2 system. It’s quick, easy, and can be customised per game.
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There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom, which is handy given the console’s focus on online and party play. That leads nicely to the new C button, which lets you jump straight into game chat.
Another neat feature: you can wake the Switch 2 with the controller—something the original couldn’t do.
In Practice
I tested it with Donkey Kong Bonanza, Mario Kart World, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, Street Fighter 6, and Super Mario Party Jamboree. It performed flawlessly, and the rear buttons quickly proved their worth.
Still, it felt familiar. Like meeting an old friend with a fresh haircut. Same underneath, but new on the outside.
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Battery life is similar to the original. I got over a week of play, while Nintendo claims around 40 hours on a full charge—far more than the Switch 2 itself. If you’re still using Joy-Cons with the cradle, think of it like this: that’s a Fiat 500, while the Switch 2 Pro Controller is a Ferrari SF90 Stradale. It’s a night-and-day upgrade, and a must-have.
If you already own the original, it’s a nice step up. But aside from the back buttons and a few Switch 2-specific features, it’s not a massive leap, certainly not one that screams £74.99/€99.99.
However, if your current controller is on its last legs, the Switch 2 Pro Controller should be top of your list. It builds on an already excellent foundation.