Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 is an en-lightening third‑party alternative for Switch 2 owners who want more style and features without splashing out on Nintendo’s official Pro Controller. Straight out of the box, the S2’s biggest draw is its customisable RGB lighting. The translucent shell lets the lighting shine through beautifully, giving the controller a striking aesthetic that genuinely stands out.
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Having reviewed many controllers over the years, I can confidently say this is easily in my top three best‑looking pads. The ability to customise colours, effects and brightness adds a slick layer of personality that few controllers at this price point can match.
More than a Light Show
Thankfully, the S2 isn’t just about flashy lights. Under the hood, it packs Hall Effect thumbsticks that use magnetic sensors rather than traditional potentiometers. This improves precision and helps combat stick drift over time, a welcome inclusion and still surprisingly rare in budget controllers.
Feature-wise, Snakebyte has been generous. The controller includes two programmable rear buttons, which can be locked via physical sliding switches to prevent accidental presses.
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My favourite addition is the inclusion of digital trigger stops. They can be toggled with a simple switch and work extremely well. There’s even an old‑school turbo button, letting you assign rapid input to any button, a fun throwback that still has its uses.
Ergonomically, Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 feels great in the hand. The smooth casing is a little unexpected at first, but it quickly proves comfortable during longer sessions. The overall layout mirrors Nintendo’s official controllers closely, so anyone familiar with the Switch ecosystem will feel right at home.
Getting Gaming
Connectivity is offered via wired USB‑C (with the included cable doubling as a charging lead) and a wireless USB dongle for untethered play. Unfortunately, this is where things become a little inconsistent.
I tested it with Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Kirby Air Riders and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and it performed well across the board.
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However, I did experience occasional connection drops and brief disconnections, particularly when the dongle was placed behind my TV. There were also a couple of moments where a slight hint of input lag crept in.
Versus Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
The only major omissions compared with Nintendo’s £74.99/€89.99 Switch 2 Pro Controller are the lack of gyro support and HD Rumble. Considering the S2’s much lower asking price, these feel like acceptable compromises.
At £38.00/€49.99, Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 is a stylish, feature‑rich budget controller that offers solid value. Wireless quirks and missing first‑party features stop it from being a true Pro Controller rival, but Snakebyte has still delivered a well‑built, great‑looking pad that does most things right and looks extremely cool doing it.