Guide: The Best Nintendo Switch Controllers

I do love me my 8bitdo SF30 Pro.

I just wish my official Nintendo Joycon didn't have the drifting issue. They are too expensive to just go buy another one every time they go bad.

Great little summary of the options on the market! I'm really happy with my setup of Mario Odyssey Red Joy-Cons plus a dark blue Hori D-Pad Left Joy-Con for retro gaming on the go and one of the original Game Boy themed 8BitDo SN30 Pro controllers for playing on the big screen. =)

Just a note though, the Retro-Bit Power Stick linked to in the arcade stick section is for the NES, not the Switch.

Guide = PLEASE BUY ONE!!

The website hosting costs must have gone up lately, because you guys have really been pushing these Amazon links this past week

Can we please stop pretending the GameCube controller is the best for smash

@PharoneTheGnome, this gave a completely new life to my controllers, all the drifts are gone: https://www.amazon.es/WD-40-Specialist-34380-Limpiador-contactos/dp/B01N4554M2?pd_rd_wg=SmGsn&pd_rd_r=566199aa-603e-4a5d-bf6c-577d240c9e24&pd_rd_w=najFM&ref_=pd_gw_simh&pf_rd_r=PHKNB84PATPZ75HAHW7V&pf_rd_p=00bb574d-f0d5-5c3e-9f71-a9c92c1ace15, at first tried with alcool they re-appeared on week later, with e electronic cleaner, they are gone. GL

Not gonna lie, I'm not a fan of these glorified catalogues disguised as editorials. How is this the "best" anything? You literally listed every available option with a link to purchase.

Any opinions on the 8Bitdo NES30 Arcade Stick? I read varying reviews with some saying its brilliant and others talking about input lag and connectivity issues.

Keen on getting one, but importing to South Africa makes it a hell of an investment.

Anyone have one? Is it good?

@jly1987 Why would we do that, when they are the best controller for Smash....and many other games.

So....you only list 3rd party GameCube controllers? And not the official Nintendo ones? Waaaaaaa?

Graaaaahhhgh

Finally emailed Fangamer today to ask what has become of my Flipgrip and they had forgotten to send it! Now I must wait some more

@jly1987

Who's pretending?

Water is wet
Sand is unpleasant to eat
Sweatpants are for sundays and eastern europeans
And the gamecube controller is the best controller ever, including for Smash.

😜

Can you guys make another guide listing every single physical Switch game available for purchase on Amazon? That would be equally informative.

"True Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fans would only consider playing the game with a GameCube controller of course!" And yet the official one isn't on there. Which is the one everyone uses.

Was this an old post? It has the special edition pro controllers that have long been out of stock. And it has SNES classic only controllers (no Bluetooth).

@KennyBania well if you really want that, you could go on to amazons site and type Nintendo switch games. Hope this helps you 😉

I have the Black GC Pad (with Analogue Triggers) but no GC Adaptor. Still waiting for it to be sent

I'm getting old maybe, but I don't find GC controller any good, my left thumb hurts after a 2-hour online session, I'll stick with Pro Controller, way better than GC, never got tired/hurt after 3-4 hours playing online.

@Sihy I had a gamecube, and i still don't understand the love the controller gets. It's dpad is even more worthless than the X360 one, and that one gets a lot of bad rep.

Viewtiful Joe could have been so much better with a more appropriate controller.

I used to use a PowerA wired controller in the mario style, but then my brother got me a hori (I think) wired controller with changeable shells for christmas, and I've been using it ever since. I really need to pick up more shells, but I just love the blue one that came with it!

@Sihy Why does it hurt? The increased stick tension?

Pro smash players (specifically Melee, but othera as well) prefer the newer Gamecube controllers with a type 2 or 3 stick. They have higher tension and are better for pulling off some moves.

I'm not that advanced so it doesnt matter to me.

@Skegg I can't remember a single game that actually even uses the D pad for anything more than additional buttons on the GC.

If I made this article: Buy a Pro Controller. End of article.

@Dissident lo. yes... simple as that. nuff said

@PharoneTheGnome How’d you go about using the WD40? I have the same issue and it’s bugging me.

Also, 8bitdo makes adapters for using Wii/Wii U controllers. The Wii U pro controller is a good alternative to the Switch one, because better dpad.

I am shocked my favorite third party controller is not listed, the PowerA Wireless Controller GameCube Style .
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GXLBCC3

Thought it was even recommended as one of the best GameCube style controllers by Nintendolife too.

I just will never understand the joycon. They hurt my hands, my wife’s, all 6 of my cousins’, my brother and sister, and even my 9 year old niece can’t stand them and refuses to use them. It’s just amazing I can find one person near me who likes them.

@Yorumi I find them extremely comfortable as a pair, allowing me to use half a controller on each hand. I have never once used them as independent controllers.

@Trajan Blister on my left thumb.

I want a new themed pro controller. Come on nintendo, give me an excuse to throw more money at you.

I recently managed to get a xenoblade 2 Pro controller. Not only do know have an amazing looking controller from one of my favourite ever series, but it's also unbelievably comfortable

The Joycon and Pro controller are the worsts controllers Nintendo has ever produced.

@waluigifan1 Pro controller one controller? What are you smoking it's one of the best controllers they ever made.

@napabar Not really, the gamecube controller is only good for smash and gamecube games while the pro controller can play smash just as well along with a bunch of other games that the gamecube can't with it's gyro, and additional buttons.

The gamecube controller has the be the most overrated controller, I find the pro controller so much better.

@iLikeUrAttitude Joystick drifting and crap d-pad say otherwise.

@iLikeUrAttitude Yes, really. The Pro controller lacks the layout and oversized A button ideal for action games. Sorry, but for certain games, there is no comparison.

@waluigifan1 Joystick drifting is bad yes but without the issue the joycons are decent.
D-pad isn't even bad and even then the gamecubes isn't better lol.

@napabar Smash is the only game where the controller is used competitively.
Also the oversized a button isn't a necessity.
Gamecube (debatable) for smash, pro controller for everything else.

@iLikeUrAttitude The main reason people have problems with the pro controller are the build quality. The d-pad has it's issues, and in terms of ergonomics while it's not uncomfortable it could be molded a little better. Admittedly it does kind of rub me the wrong way that you have such poor build quality on a controller that's so expensive.

@iLikeUrAttitude So, which part about "You're wrong" are you having trouble understanding?

@Yorumi I'll admit that it's ridiculous that problems like this even exist with the price you have to pay for these controllers.
Especially when their older controllers are still used to this day.

@napabar Lol I provide reasoning for my points and when you can't think of any counterarguments so you just say "yOu'Re sTiLl wRoNg!"

I adore controllers and collect nice ones. They are a joy to look at and use. The*right controller* for the right game can make a huge difference to accuracy and enjoyment.

The article missed out the beautiful and comfortable NES controller Joycons sold to Switch Online subscribers. Please add them @NintendoLife!

@PharoneTheGnome it's probably just fluff causing the thumbstick to slow just like on a mouse. Clean it up inside and should be good.

@PharoneTheGnome
You can send them to Nintendo for repairs if it's still in warranty and you kept thw receipt.

@Yorumi I adore Joycons. I find them brilliant for Fitness Boxing and good for Mario Tennis Aces.

Can the 8bitdo pad work with the wii u??

That is one long list of Joy-Con.

This has to be one of the best adverts i have seen in a long while

Can’t see the article for the links!

Maybe NL could consider offering a subscription fee so we can choose not to endure these constant advertorials.

My Switch controllers rank from best to worst with 1 being best and 10 being worst (note that these are not rank according to their quality, just my experience with them):

1. Switch Pro Controller (Smash Ultimate version)
2. 8Bitdo SN30 Pro Controller
3. Pokken Tournament controller
4. Wii U Pro Controller (through Magic Flash dongle)
5. Wii Classic Controller Pro (via GBros.)
6. Switch Pro Controller
7. GameCube Controller (via GBros. or GCN adapter)
8. 8Bitdo NES30 Pro Controller
9. Switch Joycons w/grip
10. Switch Joycon (as individual controller)

@iLikeUrAttitude Try playing Tetris 99 or Puyo Puyo Tetris for a while. They messed up.

@Tharsman It's my favorite too, but I do see it in the list. Maybe it was added later?

@PharoneTheGnome Compressed air to blow inside the joy-con stick can help with that. I did that for a used joy-con and it's helped. It's not perfect, but it makes a difference.

@iconmaster I don't see it, just to be sure I edited my post, as I refer to the PowerA GameCube style wireless controller, not the Pro-Controller style versions (those are listed on the article.)

Wish the NES stuff would let us use the arrows instead of the stick for controls. Maybe that's been addressed but I had so many missed moves with the stick not registering up/down/left/right as expected that it was just an exercise in frustration.

Sadly, the stick broke off of my joy-con and I'm not quite in a place where I can attempt to replace just the stick so ordered a replacement.

No mention of the MagicStick NS? Which, while not an actual controller itself, allows you to use practically any other BT controller.

I prefer the Xbox 1 pad now over all the other with Switch Pro Second. The NS allows us to use whatever we like and there is a pass through to use a wited pad too

It really is amazing. They keep updating the firmware too

Great guide. I just bought them all.

@Tharsman You are completely correct. That's my mistake, then. Yes, I was talking about the PowerA Gamecube controller as well. It's fantastic. It should be on this list. (And the list should be ranked.)

@waluigifan1 Huh so a few puzzle games they don't play well on while every other game it does? sounds good to me

@teixeiras The only problem is that that W40 could damage the plastic where the contacts are and you will end up buying a spare stick again, I know this because tired of the drifting I dissasembled mine yesterday and dissasembled the stick cleaned all plastic parts with a qtip and alcohol, and where the contacts are( is plastic like a calculator buttons) just with a dry qtip, assembled it again no more drifting.

This again. Nothing to do with best controller but just all controllers linked to Amazon, unscrupulous business it is. Thanks NL.

Love my Pro Controller (the d-pad is awful though).
Hate my Joy-cons.

I’m looking for a replacement controller.
Probably going to invest in a GC controller for Smash.

@jly1987 It’s cheap, widely available, works on the last four Smash games (five if you count the Wii Virtual Console version of Smash 64), and handles very well thus making it the best Smash controller overall (especially for multiplayer, which demands a lot of controllers).

Alas, if only the Hori d-pad joycon and FlipGrip worked together.

@Euler the pro controller is the best controller for smash. Sorry but the GC controller isn’t. It’s sold off of nostalgia. The same reason why people buy all the virtual console stuff on other Nintendo systems. It’s not better. The sticks are bad, the butting shape and layout are awkward

@iLikeUrAttitude I'm right by the fact Nintendo still makes them, which means people are still buying them, which makes you an outlier. Now shoo! Move along!

This list lacks PowerA's motion enabled Gamecube style controller.

I think I will take my joycon apart tonight and do surgery on it. Wish me luck /(>.<)

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Job done.
Next!?

But seriously. It’s the best and best quality controller ever made by anyone so far.

@Tharsman I got 2 of those too. Love ‘em!

@PharoneTheGnome I did it to my drifting right joy-con and i fixed it. Just be careful and good luck.

@napabar Lol nice fallacy but no. That just proves that there is a demand for the controller still, proving nothing.
I guess the iphone is the best phone simply by the immense sales and the fact that new iterations come out each year (which obviously isn't the case). I pointed out actual, relevant facts that supported my argument like the pro controller having more buttons, features and more compatibility with most games.
You however pointed out something obvious that didn't help you in any way.
Let me know when you're done grasping at straws.

Joycons are terrible for 3d games. They are the product of another "feature" that I have to endure to use a Nintendo console, they've gotta have something like that in every generation. For the 2d indies I play in handheld mode they're just OK but only after I swapped the shell on the left for one with a D pad. Like I get that Nintendo is all about innovation but we all have the same human hands, just put the second thumb stick in a normal place and it wouldn't be the worst thing in world if the buttons could be a tiny bit bigger.

The Pro controller is great for console mode but for $20 I was able to get an 8bitdo adapter that let's me use my ps4 controller and thats been the optimal way to play dark souls and botw.

Thanks for letting me know that PDP released a Princess Peach controller!!! Its on my must have list now.

@chiptoon I have an NES30 arcade stick. No noticeable input lag. The buttons and stick are noticably cheap. I replaced both stick and buttons with Sanwa parts. It's not too difficult and there are a few good tutorials on YouTube. It's a great stick if you're willing to put a little work into it. If you're willing to spend a lot more, the Hori stick is fantastic.

@Sihy

The GameCube controller feels a bit dated. I hate the big clunky push sensitive L & R buttons, the awkward z button placment, no L1 button, plus that micro fraud of a d-pad is a complete fail if anybody plans on using it for side scrollers. It's essentially just fou more regular buttons that are used sparingly.

The GameCube controller is unique(the 4 face buttons especially), and solid overall for anything thats not 2D. But lets get real, The switch pro controller easily has the edge...it would be near perfect if there was a switch that would rotate/switch the d-pad and analog stick placements and blah blah

@shadowharold Hi! A little late but, can you clarify why it would damage the plastic? Just to be sure, it's not regular WD-40, it's the electrical contact cleaner one. I actually tried on mine with a random brand contact cleaner spray and it worked... The right joy-con was pretty annoying, it's as good as new, but now I'm worried.

Edit: on the official site ( https://www.wd40specialist.com/products/contact-cleaner/ ), it says "Safe to use on plastic, rubber and metal"
That's the way to go isn't? It's made for cleaning sensitive electronics without disassembling them

@HexagonSun Thanks! really useful to know. I'd not heard that about it yet :/

@NullPointerExcep to give you an idea of how is the inside of the stick itself, have you seen the inside of a Ps3 controller? The PCB contacts is just a really thin film so the WB could damage it since its not like other electronics motherboards, its a shame I didn't take pictures to show you. While it works now it could stop in the future, luckily you can find replacement sticks on aliexpress

No mention of the Magic-NS? It allows me to use my PS4 controller on Switch and it works pretty well.