Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a controller designed for use with the Nintendo Switch console. Unlike the Wii U Pro Controller, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller has built-in near field communication (NFC) functionality, allowing the use of amiibo with games. The layout of the controls resembles that of the GameCube controller, with an analog stick and A, B, X, Y, Plus (also known as Start), Minus (also known as Select), Home, and Capture buttons on the top, and a D-pad and another analog stick on the bottom. The controller also has L, R, ZL, and ZR buttons along the top.

A special variant of the controller with a Smash livery released alongside Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Additionally, a limited edition variant with a gold Smash livery was awarded to the winner of EVO Japan 2020, Shuton.

Compatibility

The Switch Pro Controller is officially compatible with both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, circumventing compatibility issues with certain games. Its Bluetooth connectivity also allows it to connect to other devices and unofficially be used as a controller for compatible games, though additional drivers may need to be installed for a smooth experience.

In Ultimate, the buttons on the Pro Controller can be remapped in the Controls menu to perform other functions. As of Nintendo Switch hardware version 10.0.0, every button on the Pro Controller can be remapped via the system's settings, further diversifying its customizability.

While otherwise fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller cannot be used to wake a Nintendo Switch 2 console from sleep mode, unlike the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

Standard controls

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller controls menu in Ultimate.

L	Move
	Standard attacks
	Special moves
R	Stick-smash
	Jump
	Grab
	Shield
	Taunts
	Pause
	Home Menu
	Screenshot
	Nothing

Technical Data

This article or section is incomplete. You can help SmashWiki by expanding or finishing it. The editor who added this tag elaborates: Needs more information on the hardware like the GameCube controller article

Input lag

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller has among the highest latency of all usable Ultimate controllers when used wirelessly, experiencing lows of 92.86ms (5.5 frames) and highs of 112.86 (6.8 frames). It's just slightly worse than the Joy-Con, which has a higher minimum latency of 93.7ms (5.6 frames) but otherwise similar results. If used wired with a USB-C cable, it's ironically worse than if used wireless.

Licensed variants

This article is in need of additional images. The editor who added this tag suggests: Images of each available controller, including each nso variant in a gallery If you have a good image for this article, upload it here.

Nintendo Switch Online Controllers

Released over several years, these are Switch Pro Controllers that are designed like controllers from previous console generations meant to be used with the various classic games on the Nintendo Switch Online service. Different designs include Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, and Nintendo 64.

Hori Battle Pad

Released in 2018 by 3rd-party controller manufacturer Hori. Has the internal components and buttons of a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, but with an outer shell designed after a Nintendo GameCube controller.

PowerA GameCube Styled Controller

Released in 2018 by 3rd-party controller manufacturer PowerA. Has the internal components and buttons of a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, but with an outer shell designed after a Nintendo GameCube controller. This controller is wireless by default, but has a USB-C port to allow a wired connection.

In competitive play

The Pro Controller is arguably the most popular control scheme in Ultimate aside from the Nintendo GameCube controller in terms of frequency in tournaments. The ease of access relative to other options and it automatically being compatible with the console without an adapter unlike the Nintendo GameCube controller make it an appealing option, although its high MSRP pricing many players out has been a sticking point for as long as the controller has been available. In a first for Nintendo, the wired connection uses a standard USB-C port, making this controller compatible with other devices like PC without the use of unofficial adapters. This, along with the design being similar to controllers of competing brands like the Xbox controller, make it a popular choice for PC players, especially with emulators that can play older Smash games online.

Significant design improvements have been made compared to the Wii U Pro Controller, which have made it generally considered the best of the "Pro Controller" family that started with the Wii. The control scheme is much more ergonomically comfortable compared to the GameCube controller, being far more palatable for younger players. Therefore, health risks such as carpal tunnel are significantly lessened.

Like with most other controllers compatible with Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, the Pro Controller has access to Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2's Button Mapping feature, which allows otherwise unusable buttons, such as control stick presses, to be used. This makes many advanced techniques significantly easier to use, such as wavebounced special moves.

However, the previously mentioned price point and relatively high input lag have prevented the controller from becoming the gold standard for Ultimate tournaments, with many still preferring to use the GameCube controller due to experience and less input lag even with the adapter.

Gallery

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  Smash Bros. edition

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  Smash Bros. gold edition.