Nintendo’s Switch pro controller is designed for those gamers want the look, feel and familiarity of today’s standard console controller.
Overall Features
The overall features of the controller are made to be a solid alternative to using the Joy-Cons. The controller has a similar build with the same button layout of an Xbox or even PS4 design, with two analog sticks, a two-row, two-button setup with shoulder buttons (two on the left and two on the right) and a traditional directional pad on the left side of the controller. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller also has a built-in lithium battery that, as Nintendo states, can have up to 40 hours of gameplay and comes package with a USB cable that can connect to the docking station of the Switch to charge the controller.
Construction
The construction is very sturdy. The buttons are very responsive and have a very slight recoil to them when pressed. The two sticks are very responsive and have minimum lag time when going wireless. The distance of the shoulder buttons feels right, and they’re very responsive when playing. The outer design of the controller is a semi-clear black in which you can see some of the inside of the controller. For gamers that have larger hands, the controller feels comfortable to use. I was able to play games with the Pro Controller (and my larger-size hands) and not feel that my hands were cramping or that the controller was too small for my hands. The controller uses a USB-C style of input to charge the controller, so for those who need more than 5 feet of a cord, you can purchase a longer one online. A quick side note – make sure that it is a rapid charge cord or something that is USB3.0; it is not absolutely necessary, but better to have if you need a travel cord. The higher-power, rapid-charging cords help in the long run (we are testing this, but from what we’ve seen so far, it works well). Also, the rumble feature of the Pro Controller is very responsive, literally the same as using the Joy-Cons on the individual hands. With the weight of the controller being light, it is easier on the hands for longer gaming sessions. Parents, be sure to have your gaming family take a break from gaming every 2-2 ½ hours to rest and stretch their hands!
Special Features
The Pro Controller has the same ability as the 3DS and other Nintendo hardware to scan Amiibo figures from the top of the controller, and it has the HD rumble feature. We have felt the rumble and, so far, it feels the same as most games… only because at the time of writing this review, there are no games we’ve tried that showcase the new HD rumble feature on the Pro Controller, as they are more tailored towards Joy-Con controller use.
“Nintendo has taken their time to create a good look and feel to this Pro Controller. With a solid build and fast response time, this is a great controller for pro and daily users alike.”
Delivery
Nintendo got it right with the Pro Controller, and it’s an easy choice if you are in the market for a solid controller or just to have something other than the Joy-Cons. With it having a similar build to other systems’ controllers, gamers will love the familiarity and, if anything, feel right at home. For those gamers in your gaming family who need more than a Joy-Con as their primary controller, this will definitely suit their needs.
Family Friendly
During our playtest we did not see any issues with any of our gaming family members using the controller. All testers had two comments in common, that it is light and very responsive when playing any Switch games that support the controller (1,2 Switch does not as it needs the motion from the Joy-Cons to work). The only concern is the price of the controller. Retailing around an MSRP of $69.99 is a little high for a controller. Microsoft and Sony sell their controllers at a retail price around $49.99 and up for new (not pre-owned) controllers. Now this Pro Controller is the cost of a game and even the DLC for it, but if you think about the price that 2 Joy Cons cost, and that’s not even with the charger, the Pro Controller is a good buy. Also, since Nintendo isn’t having any 3rd parties releasing any lower-priced controllers at the moment, the other option is going with Joy-Cons, and that can retail for even more with the charging stand at $79.99 for the Joy-Cons and $29.99 for the charger. This all boils down to the needs of your family when it comes to gaming. I can say that for some two-player games that the Joy-Cons work well, but for your gaming family, having some using the Joy-Cons and others using the Pro Controller is a more of a solid option for gaming. Again, this is based on the gameplay and personal preferences in your home.
Closing
The Nintendo Pro Controller is a solid controller that has a light but very strong feel, fast response times and a 40-hour battery. It is a great choice for those pro players who need the familiar feel or any who simply want a good, solid-built controller to use with the Nintendo Switch.
