Nintendo Switch Pro Controller



The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a controller for use with the Nintendo Switch console. Unlike the Wii U Pro Controller, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller has 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, Minus, 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,.

Compatibility
The Switch Pro Controller is currently only compatible with the Nintendo Switch with currently no confirmation on if they will be made forwards compatible with future consoles. That being said, its bluetooth connectivity allows it to connect to other devices and unofficialy 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.

Input lag
The 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.

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, and Nintendo 64.

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

PowerA GameCube Styled Controller
Released in 2018 by 3rd party controller manufacturer PowerA. Has the internal components and buttons of a Switch Pro Controller, but with an outer shell designed after a 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 GameCube controller in frequency in tournaments. Its ease of access compared to the GameCube controller and its required adapter, and its design being preferable to the Joy-Cons that come with the console, make it an attractive option to new players. Its significant design improvements compared to its Wii U predecessor make it generally considered the best of the "Pro Controller" family that started with the Wii. 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, making it a popular choice for play on emulators.

Despite this, some players still have a preference for the GameCube controller, which is mainly due to the GameCube controller having less input lag in comparison to the Switch Pro Controller. However, some players opted to use a Pro GameCube Controller, which is a GameCube controller designed like a Pro Controller but still the mechanisms of the former, thus being able to use a controller designed like the Pro Controller without the input issues from the actual ones.