PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch - Black, Nintendo Switch Lite, Gamepad, Game Controller, Bluetooth Controller

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It’s also pretty pricey when compared with most third-party options, but if you want the full Switch experience, it’s definitely worth paying that little bit extra. I played through a couple 2D platformers to test the D-pad, and while it didn’t feel perfect, it was definitely serviceable. I didn’t have any input issues during my gameplay, something that even Nintendo’s Pro Controller suffers from at times. The 8BitDo Pro 2 can be used to play games on Steam and mobile, too, making it versatile as well as supremely customisable. Motion controls and rumble (standard, not HD) are both supported and there’s a USB-C cable included to ensure the gaming doesn’t have to stop just because your controller has run out of juice. Slot them into a Joy-Con grip and they function as a single controller, use them as two separate pads when playing with a friend or simply leave them attached to the console, the choice is yours.

Still, that’s a price worth paying for a feature-rich Switch controller that’s among the easiest to grip and use on the market. The controller is designed with Super Smash Bros fans in mind. The GameCube was home to one of the best entries in the series – Super Smash Bros Melee – and the five colourways available pay homage to some of the series’ leading characters: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Zelda and Pikachu.

As a bonus, there are also two programmable Advanced Gaming Buttons on the rear of the controller that allow for on-the-fly button mapping for any game. This brings more of a “pro” feel to the controller than even Nintendo’s first-party offering. Vibration comes courtesy of a pair of asymmetric dual motors, motion controls can be executed via a six-axis gyroscope and there are a few neat lighting modes, too. You can choose to have one of nine colours illuminate the T4 Mini, engage eight-colour or rainbow cycle options or turn off lighting entirely should you wish. READ NEXT: The best Nintendo Toy-Con Labo kits Other features to consider when buying a Nintendo Switch controller Currently would just like to share my personal experience with these controllers and how I got them to work on my own PC. I have two of the models I inherited from some younger siblings that don't use them anymore (1506260-01 and 1507843-01) both of which are wired models. When I plugged them in, I found my PC would recognize the device plugged in, but when I went to play anything, specifically Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, the controls were either screwed up or flat out would not work. I used plenty of keymappers suggested online, (BetterJoy, DS4 Windows, x360ce, reWASD, Xpadder, Steam controls), all would not recognize these as controllers/ gamepads except for reWASD which asked me to pay to even use the thing after the 14 day trial of their tier was up. Extremely frustrated, I spent more hours trying to get anything to work so I didn't have to pay for what seemed to be a pretty basic fix. Finally, I stumbled across a weebly (which honestly I do not even know how I found) that suggested a program nobody had suggested or posted about online called XOutput. Although you manually have to put in the controls, I had already mapped them out in x360ce so I just manually put in the values. Booted up Minecraft, and it worked. No disconnect, no issues, no lag in controls. Although I was happy this finally worked, this program is very bare bones, no fancy settings or anything. However if you are like me and just desperate to find something that works, I would suggest this program since it has been the only free option I have found to work.

If you own a large collection of amiibos and plan to use them rather than simply displaying them, make sure the Nintendo Switch controller you’re buying supports NFC.You can also create three bespoke profiles with different button layouts for specific games and switch between them on the fly at the press of a button. That may prove a step too far for those who struggle to remember a single set of controls, but for those wanting to gain the competitive edge in their favourite titles, it’s a game-changer. Such customisation options are great if you take your gaming seriously and play games that require complex combinations of button inputs. However, the majority of people will find a basic button configuration works perfectly well. You’ll find our favourites listed below, but before we jump into the entries, it’s worth highlighting the key things to consider when shopping for a Nintendo Switch controller. The final component that sets this controller apart from others is the rubberized grips. While many controllers opt for smooth grips or subtle plastic textured grips, this grip is a noticeable step-up. Even during extended play sessions, I never felt like the controller was slipping and was very easy to hold.

Available in two colourways, one resembling the original Game Boy (shown above) and the other the Super Nintendo, the SN30 Pro is a welcome trip down memory lane for those as enthusiastic about gaming now as they were in the 80s and 90s. We were big fans of the original HORI Split Pad Pro but feel the new Compact model is even better. Like the Pro version, the Split Pad Compact delivers something akin to a full-sized controller experience while using the Switch in handheld mode. The officially licensed pads slot into your console in place of Joy-Cons and are smaller and lighter than those of the Pro model, meaning people with smaller hands will find them a lot easier to use.Sadly, there currently aren’t any third-party Switch controllers that support HD Rumble, although there are a number that offer standard rumble functionality. This is less precise and nuanced than HD Rumble but still provides enjoyable vibrations when gaming. The first thing to think about is the mode in which you do most of your gaming. If you primarily use your Switch portably, it’s probably not worth splashing out on a pricey wireless controller – you’ll be better served by investing in pads that can be attached to the console in place of your Joy-Cons.

NFC: Near-field communication (NFC) is what Switch controllers use to interact with amiibos – small figurines that make for great desk ornaments but also grant in-game bonuses. Those bonuses vary depending on the amiibos used and the game being played. Its biggest advantage over the official Pro controller is that it’s available in a wide range of attractive designs. There’s an option to cater for just about everyone, including game-specific designs for titles such as Pokemon, Mario and Animal Crossing. Things take a turn for the worse if you try to use the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller as a pad for your phone. We tried it with two Androids, and the lag was unbearable. The pad’s front LEDs also continued to flash in sequence, suggesting it remained in pairing mode even when connected, which may be the source of the issue. During my time with the controller I did experience a significant issue with the Bluetooth. While playing it would periodically disconnect, or there would be noticeable input lag when pressing any of the buttons. This was remedied by unpairing and re-pairing the controller in the Nintendo Switch menu, but it would inevitably return. I found moving closer to my Switch resolved the issue completely, so it may be an issue with the proximity to the console itself. Oddly enough, I found that plugging the controller into power (not necessarily the Switch itself, any outlet will do) also prevented the Bluetooth issue from occurring. While this is a serious issue for a wireless controller, there are workarounds and it’s possible that this gets fixed before its final release or through a subsequent firmware update.port: If you prefer to play while wearing headphones or a gaming headset, look out for controllers with a 3.5mm port. These allow you to plug a headset into your pad, but you’re limited to wired controllers as the Switch doesn’t natively support wireless audio. The best Nintendo Switch controllers to buy 1. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller: Best Nintendo Switch controller overall But if the Switch has one weakness, it’s the controllers included with the console. The Joy-Con controllers are ingeniously designed and work well for casual play, but those looking to take their Switch gaming to the next level will likely want something more advanced.