Quick FAQ About Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

There had been so many questions from group members where I am in, regarding which pro controller they have to buy. I hope this explains it.

The above picture is the original wireless pro controllers produced by Nintendo. Are they expensive? Compared to 3rd party controller, yes. Do you need the original pro controller? Depends.

Q: Why do You need pro controller for switch ?

There are various reasons why people decided to use procon. One of them, is to save the life of joycon. Switch’s joycon is remarkably famous for its short life duration of analog stick. Mainly the left one. Play fighting games with joycon? Expect it to be drifting soon. To overcome this, people buy procon instead because they are much firmer, stronger and more durable. The battery capacity is also bigger.

Others, buy procon because it feels comfortable on hand. Right size. Right shape. Gives you confidence in playing serious multiplayer game.

Q: Are there alternatives to original procon that are cheaper ?

Yes. Many. Some may have complete functions just like the original does, including the wake up and NFC/ Amiibo functionalities. Some others are even programmable. You can assign special button to do special task, like turbo, for instance.

Q: How about the build quality of 3rd party procon ?

The above picture is gulikit wireless procon. It is very famous in switch users community. If you are asking my opinion about its build quality, I would say top notch with affordable price.

It does have weakness though. All 3rd party wireless controllers for nintendo switch is having input latency (lag) if the switch is under docked mode. It does not feel too much different under handheld mode though. If you own the original procon, you could definitely feel the input lag difference, like definite. Just my guess but it seems like the dock has interference with 3rd party bluetooth adapter. If you did not read it properly the one I marked bold above, I will repeat again the issue happens to: — ALL WIRELESS 3RD PARTY CONTROLLERS, any brand.

Note: Input latency is the time difference from when you press the button on controller, until the action shows on the switch display/ TV.

How about the wired controller? There has been mixed review on this. Some people are saying the wired one does not have noticable lag. The others are saying the otherwise.

Other reported issues with 3rd party controller are

• Difficult to pair
• Randomly disconnected while playing game
• Rough vibration/ rumble
• 3rd party joycon in handheld mode: sucks battery from switch a lot

Q: What about Nintendo Licensed 3rd party like PowerA ?

Having licensed by Nintendo official makes the price of PowerA controllers similar or even more expensive than Nintendo original pro controller. However PowerA offers lots of different skins, like Apex, Animal Crossing, Zelda, Metroid, Pokemon, etc.

How about the latency? Certain review was actually testing it against original joycon. (https://www.techradar.com/reviews/powera-enhanced-wireless-controller-for-nintendo-switch) The verdict: it still has short, but almost unnoticed longer input lag, compared to joycon. However the reviews from the internet forums are mixed, some are saying the latency is no different with non licensed pro controllers.

Final Question: Which type of pro controller should I buy ?

Buy original pro controller from Nintendo if you

• Have the budget
• Play serious games
• Impatient and sensitive guy with input lag like myself 😆

Buy 3rd party controller (ANY BRAND) if you

• Have limited budget
• Not sensitive with a bit input lag, and don’t mind with other reported issues mentioned in previous chapter
• Prefer controller with decals of your favorite game

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Thanks for reading. Cheers! 🍻