Latest news with #SwitchPro
Tom's Guide
13-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is awesome — and I can't play on Switch 2 without it
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($84) is a must-have peripheral for those who primarily play Nintendo Switch 2 in docked mode. While based on the original Switch Pro controller, this Switch 2-specific device features some notable upgrades that make it superior. This controller's slimmer profile and matte-like texture make it more ergonomic and nicer to hold than its predecessor. The bigger face buttons and thin shoulder buttons are very responsive and feel good to press. I'm also a fan of the thick D-pad and smooth thumbsticks. For good measure, the controller also features a pair of programmable back buttons. While great, the Switch 2 Pro Controller isn't perfect. The thumbsticks don't have Hall Effect sensors, which raises questions about potential stick drift. I also wish the controller had analog triggers instead of digital ones, as the latter are better suited for racing and shooting games. The fact that these features aren't on an $84 'pro' controller isn't great. Despite some faults, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is an excellent peripheral that I prefer using over the console's Joy-Con 2 controllers. Yes, it's expensive, but it's great if you prefer using a more traditional gaming controller. My Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review will help you decide if this is the best Nintendo Switch controller for you. Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Price $84 Compatibility Nintendo Switch 2 Connectivity Bluetooth, NFC Mic 3.5mm headphone jack Colors Black Dimensions 5.8 x 4.1 x 2.3 inches Weight 0.51 pounds The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is one of the best controllers I've used, thanks to its ergonomic design, smart button layout and smooth performance. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller might look like its predecessor at first glance. However, a closer inspection reveals some notable design differences. Instead of a translucent shell, the new controller has an all-black matte finish that helps it appear more premium. The matte finish isn't just for looks, as it gives the controller a smoother texture that feels nice against your hands. The slimmer profile and lighter weight also make it easier to hold. There's also a 3.5mm headphone jack located between the hand grips. I'm glad Nintendo didn't completely reinvent the new Pro controller since the previous model was already pretty great. Add in the dual-tone colorway, and you have an overall slick-looking peripheral. The Switch 2 Pro Controller has the same layout as the PlayStation DualSense or Xbox controller. This includes four face buttons and four shoulder buttons. The latter aren't all that different from before, but the face buttons are noticeably larger. The main difference here is the inclusion of two programmable back buttons, which are smartly located where your middle fingers naturally rest. There are also smaller buttons for Select, Start, Home and Share located on the face. Those are also standard for modern controllers, but the new C button isn't. Pressing this button launches GameChat, which lets you talk with friends while gaming. You can read my GameChat breakdown, but it's a crucial feature if you regularly play online with friends. Lastly, there are the asymmetrical thumbsticks and the updated D-pad. The sticks move smoothly and snap back into place with a satisfying spring. The rounded, concave thumb grips do an excellent job of keeping your thumb from accidentally sliding off. The D-pad also has a rubbery texture that feels good against your thumb. The Switch 2 Pro Controller not only looks great, but it delivers phenomenal gaming performance. Holding down the A button to accelerate in Mario Kart World is more comfortable than before, thanks to the bigger face buttons. The larger buttons also let me easily perform combos in Street Fighter 6. Shooting desert bandits in Cyberpunk 2077 is also a breeze thanks to the fluid trigger buttons. The smooth analog sticks and responsive D-pad also ensure swift and precise movement. I tested the controller in wired and wireless modes, and found both equally as responsive. I'm sure there's some input lag in wireless mode, but since I'm not a professional gamer, I didn't notice any. The Switch 2 Pro Controller performs like a dream, no matter what game you're playing. We don't have a standardized battery life test for gaming controllers. Because of that, I used the controller normally and gauged how much battery it had left after a certain amount of time. Nintendo claims that the Switch 2 Pro Controller has a 40-hour battery life. After about 10 hours of playtime, the battery on my controller dropped to about 75%. That being the case, Nintendo's claims seem to be on the money. The original Switch Pro controller has stellar battery life, so I'm glad the new controller maintains this tradition. This is a controller that won't die on you anytime soon. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is undoubtedly great, but it has some notable drawbacks. The original Switch Pro Controller suffered from stick drift, which is when analog sticks move on their own, or 'drift' because the input the controller receives isn't instant, but slow. I prayed that Nintendo would utilize Hall Effect technology to reduce the potential for stick drift. Unfortunately, the new controller doesn't feature Hall Effect sensors. Nintendo says the new controller's sticks are more durable and have smoother motion. I can attest to the latter since the thumbsticks do move smoothly. However, I can't yet say whether the new sticks are as durable as Nintendo claims. This could be a moot point if the Switch 2 Pro Controller has more durable thumbsticks in the long run. That said, the company could have assuaged my fears had it opted to utilize Hall Effect sensors. As I said before, the shoulder buttons are just as responsive and fun to press as the face buttons. However, I can't say I'm enamored with the digital trigger buttons. While these buttons (named ZL and ZR) have a trigger-like shape, they have a much shorter travel distance than the trigger buttons on the PS5 and Xbox Series X controllers. Nintendo says these digital buttons actuate faster than traditional trigger buttons, which is technically true. The short travel distance does allow you to perform actions quickly. However, having a longer travel distance in a racing game feels better since it's more akin to holding down the accelerator. The same is true for shooting games, where you want the right trigger to have analogous movement to a real gun's trigger. I'm all for faster button inputs, but not at the expense of immersion. The Nintendo Switch 2 is already a relatively expensive console at $449. But when you toss in the Switch 2 Pro Controller's $84 asking price, you're digging a deeper hole in your wallet. Sure, you can stick with the system's included Joy-Con 2 controllers. However, if you're like me and find these controllers too small and thin to use, then you might have no choice but to buy a Switch 2 Pro controller. That said, the $69 8BitDo Ultimate 2 seems like a good alternative. If the Switch 2 Pro controller featured Hall Effect sensors and analog triggers, then perhaps the $84 asking price would be easier to stomach. But as much as I love it, I'm the first to admit that it demands a pretty steep cost. Qualms aside, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is a fantastic peripheral for anyone who mostly plays in docked mode or who isn't enamored with the Joy-Cons. Its sturdy build and smart button layout make it great to use with almost every game. The controller also has exceptional battery life, so you can keep playing for hours and hours. And no matter if you play wired or wirelessly, the controller offers phenomenal lag-free performance. While the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is expensive, it will likely last you for the duration of the Switch 2's lifecycle. Because of that and everything else it offers, it's a worthwhile purchase for serious Switch 2 users.
Tom's Guide
15-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Switch 2 hardware leaks detail more console specs — and finally reveal what happened to Switch Pro
Remember a few years ago, there were countless rumors of a Nintendo Switch Pro that never came to fruition? Well now that the Switch 2 is on the way, and some of the hardware has leaked out ahead of release, it sounds like there's a reason why that console never materialized. According to Digital Foundry, it seems like the Switch Pro was always supposed to be the Switch 2. We just started hearing about the hardware super early. Nintendo has revealed the official specs for the Switch 2, but there are some details that are a little vague. On top of that, there's only so much you can get from hardware specs on their own. But as Digital Foundry notes, alleged Switch 2 motherboards have arrived on various Chinese retail sites — allowing for some testing to take place. YouTubers Geekerman and Kurnal have actually released hands-on videos with those alleged motherboards. In them, they dive into what the motherboard has to offer and start to test its overall capabilities. If you want in-depth technical details about the Switch 2 hardware, check out both the aforementioned videos for a deep dive. But here are the basics of what to expect. Much of the analysis seems to corroborate previous Switch 2 rumors, including the fact it has a custom Nvidia T239 processor, with eight ARM A78-class CPU cores and a custom RTX 30-series Ampere GPU. Six of those CPU cores are available to developers, while the final two are reserved for system software. It's noted that despite concerns that the 8nm chips employed in the Switch 2 would require too much power for handheld use, that doesn't seem to be an issue. Which makes sense for a console that is literally named after its hybrid nature. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Other points of note include 12GB of LPDDR5X DRAM, split between a pair of 6GB modules, though apparently only 9GB is available to developers. Where that other 3GB of memory goes is unclear. The analysis on the motherboard does show one bizarre piece of information, though. Both Geekerman and Kurnal found that the chip was "taped out", or had its design finalized, all the way back in 2021. Which is likely where all those rumors about the Nintendo Switch Pro came from. Stuff will have leaked out much earlier in the production process, and may have got muddled up with the impending launch of the Switch OLED. Because, if you remember all the way back to the early part of the decade, there had been rumors suggesting the Switch Pro could come with a 7-inch OLED screen. Though in the end the Switch OLED came out offering a display upgrade and little else of substance. That certainly tempered the rumors for a little while. As Digital Foundry notes, chips are typically finalized the year before a big release — meaning the Switch 2 could technically have been released three years ago. As to why Nintendo would wait, all we can do is speculate. Presumably the ongoing popularity of the original Switch played a part, because why ditch your existing system if it's still selling in great numbers? No doubt the surge in popularity during the pandemic helped prolong the console's lifespan too. As to why Nintendo can use 4-year old hardware in a console that will likely last the better part of the next decade, Digital Foundry says the "fundamental features are still impressive and clearly do the job." Which is more than most of us can really ask for. It wasn't like the Switch 2 would ever offer PS5 Pro-levels of performance anyway.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Fixes One of the Worst Parts of the Original
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. The Nintendo Switch 2 reveal in early April told us the company is introducing a new controller for the system, but it also confirmed you can use your original Switch Pro controller with the upcoming console. Now, Nintendo has confirmed the technical specifications for the Switch 2 Pro Controller, including a major improvement for charging. The controller is similar to the original version, but a key upgrade means you can charge it in almost half the time. As spotted by Nintendo Life, the Switch 2 Pro controller is said to charge in approximately 3.5 hours. That's almost twice as fast as the estimate of the original controller, which was six hours. The new controller will then work for around 40 hours, depending on what you're playing. The original Switch's controller had a similar battery life. Interestingly, Nintendo has shrunk the battery slightly here from the 1,300mAh one inside the original model to a 1,070mAh cell inside the Switch 2 Controller. We'll have to see whether Nintendo's estimates prove accurate, but this likely means the company has found some battery efficiencies for the next-gen product. Other changes on this new controller include introducing the C button that allows you to turn your microphone on and off for online voice chat, plus two buttons on the underside of the controller called GL and GR for controlling gameplay. Switch 2 preorders go live on April 24. Nintendo recently increased the price of the Switch 2 Pro Controller from $79.99 to $84.99 due to US tariffs. The console is still $449.99, with the Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundle set to cost $499.99.
