Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Feels Like a Necessity

When you get a Switch or Switch 2, you’re basically getting two controllers with it that can work in a pinch, but the Pro Controller options always appeared as something of an extra luxury. If you aren’t planning on prioritizing handheld mode, play more intensive and competitive games, or will play with other people, it’s always recommended. While I love the Switch 2 and think it is an upgrade in almost every way, I also feel like this time around a Pro Controller is a necessary expense.

A big part of why I think the Switch 2 Pro Controller isn’t optional is due to the launch library. While we’ve seen a lot of Nintendo console debuts with really intensive games, I think this one especially prioritizes experiences that rely upon precision and the kind of investment that also means a lot of hours spent with titles. Mario Kart World is the big draw and, while it is fine with a Joy-Con 2, the level of demand it places on a player means a Pro Controller is way more comfortable. Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, Split Fiction, Street Fighter 6, and Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut involve a level of intensity with inputs that makes it way more comfortable to rely on the larger grips, better button spacing, and GL and GR buttons for extra mapping. 

Said button layout is also a big deal. Now, for a sense of scale, I am an adult woman with I guess normal size hands? From the tip of my pointer finger to the base of my palm on each one, it’s about nine inches. Basically, my hands are just big enough to make playing on a Joy-Con 2 alone or with the two together for a long period uncomfortable with certain games. It’s especially bad with Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077, and Street Fighter 6. The spacing for the buttons on the Pro Controller is absolutely perfect, and the tactile nature and the feedback resistance is really satisfying. It’s basically building upon the already great original model for the Switch. There’s no texture on the grips, which I miss a bit, and I also appreciated the translucent touch to other Pro Controller models. Still, this is incredibly comfortable to hold and use.

I also love the placement of the new buttons on the controller. The C button for GameChat is perfectly placed. It doesn’t get in the way of the Home and Screenshot buttons I use frequently. The height and placement of the d-pad and right analog stick meant my thumbs never accidentally slipped off and grazed it. At the same time when I do need it, it is in easy reach without disrupting muscle memory from other controller layouts. And if I do ever forget somehow, it’s directly above the 3.5mm audio jack as a reminder.

As for GL and GR, a person’s left and right middle fingers naturally fall into position on them due to the positioning of the grips. There’s texture on the lettering on them, so you can tell where they are. But at the same time, neither one is an intrusive or obvious lump disrupting the lines of the grip on the Switch 2 Pro Controller. Assigning it is so easy too, as you can do so by pressing and holding the Home button while in-game or via the main menu options. I honestly love and prefer the in-game one, since otherwise you need to go to Button Mapping in the Accessibility menu. Doing so while in-game allows an opportunity to experiment and play around with the setting to make sure it feels comfortable. Though if you do go through Accessibility options, you can save the mapping as a preset, which is convenient. 

I really just love everything about the Switch 2 Pro Controller. It feels great and offers a degree of comfort that many of the launch games are begging for. The design of it is fantastic and comfortable for adult-sized hands. The new buttons for GameChat and GL/GR mapping also fit perfectly into the layout and really add to the experience. Especially since assigning the GL/GR buttons is such a seamless, painless process. There are only pros and no cons with the Switch 2 Pro Controller.

The Switch 2 Pro Controller is available now.