The perfect Nintendo Change controllers aren’t those that include it. The detachable Pleasure-Cons included with all Change consoles (aside from the Change Lite) are handy since they are often indifferent to make use of as wi-fi controllers for 2 individuals. However their tiny contourless design isn’t that snug for lengthy gaming periods or giant arms. (And don’t get me began on the dreaded Pleasure-Con drift.)

Fortunately, you’ve gotten loads of options, although solely a few of them are value your cash. On this shopping for information, I concentrate on wi-fi controllers which are snug and dependable in addition to a couple of with distinctive options that improve your play, like enter customization and lengthy battery life. I’m not masking wired controllers that plug into the Change’s dock, as they’re virtually all the identical. (PowerA and PDP make first rate ones that I can personally vouch for, however until you detest recharging your controllers, it makes extra sense to go wi-fi.)

In case you purchase a third-party wi-fi controller (as in: not one made by Nintendo), there are particular issues that it doubtless gained’t be capable of do until in any other case famous:

• It gained’t have HD rumble (that is what Nintendo calls its haptics, that are exact and akin to Sony’s DualSense of their subtlety), although some extra restricted rumble could also be current. 
• It could not have movement controls for gestures or gyroscopic aiming in video games that help it or an NFC reader for Amiibo playing cards or figures that unlock particular options in some video games. 
• It additionally gained’t be capable of activate the Change remotely. (You’ll should manually press the console’s energy button.) 
• Additionally, whereas some Change controllers have 3.5mm headphone jacks, getting audio out of them can solely occur by way of a wired USB connection, not wirelessly. For most individuals, pairing Bluetooth headphones to your Change is a adequate (and really straightforward) workaround.

Nintendo Change Professional Controller

Nintendo’s personal Professional controller continues to be the most effective one on the market. It launched alongside the Change in 2017, and it’s my favourite on any console. Other than the Pleasure-Cons, it’s the one wi-fi Change controller that features HD rumble, gyroscopic motion help, and an NFC reader for Amiibo playing cards or collectible figurines. It’s additionally the one controller I’ve examined (once more, other than the Pleasure-Cons) that may energy on the Change with out being plugged into it.

Past these qualities, the Professional controller has consolation and construct high quality rivaling the flagship console controllers of Microsoft and Sony. It’s constructed like a tank, and it has battery life so good that it generally looks like it’ll by no means run out. Nintendo says that it lasts round 40 hours per cost, so it’ll doubtless take informal avid gamers a very long time to run down the battery.

The buttons and triggers have a satisfying bounce, whereas its directional pad is responsive and clicky sufficient to fulfill retro avid gamers. Similar to the Change itself, the controller fees over USB-C. And it’s suitable with a slew of different gadgets you may recreation on, together with PCs, Android gadgets, and Apple gadgets together with Mac computer systems operating macOS Ventura, iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and Apple TV.  

Given the worth, I want that it had different options, like programmable buttons or a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio, although wi-fi audio transmission from the Change to a controller doesn’t appear doable. However at the very least you possibly can join headphones through Bluetooth you probably have not more than two controllers linked to your Change without delay.

The GuliKit KingKong 2 Professional rivals the Change Professional Controller in construct high quality, but it surely feels extra like a contemporary Xbox controller, and its textured rear grips may give it the sting for some. Not like most third-party controllers, it retains Amiibo help, although its rumble shouldn’t be great-feeling. The KingKong 2 Professional can join through Bluetooth to the Change and to PC, macOS, iOS, Android, and different platforms. And since it makes use of GuliKit’s Corridor impact sensors for its analog sticks, it’s proof against drift.

I like to recommend trying out this video at iFixit to see a radical rationalization of the way it works, however in essence, Corridor impact sensors use magnets to change electrical present as a substitute of bodily rubbing on (and ultimately carrying down) a sensor to provide an enter. Whereas I haven’t had an issue with analog stick drift on the Change Professional (but), controllers with Corridor impact sensors will by no means encounter it. (The 8BitDo Final Bluetooth Controller, beneath, additionally makes use of GuliKit’s sensors.)

8BitDo Final Bluetooth Controller

8BitDo’s Final Bluetooth Controller appears like a Change Professional Controller, and it helps each Home windows PCs and the Steam Deck. Its haptics are first rate however not so good as Nintendo’s, and it’s lacking Amiibo help, but it surely provides again paddles that may be personalized with its companion software program. It additionally comes with a charging dock, which shops the two.4GHz dongle when not in use. The Final controller is available in a number of variants, however I like to recommend the Bluetooth one over the two.4GHz or wired choices as a result of the Bluetooth model contains 2.4GHz as properly and since it has GuliKit Corridor impact sticks, which the two.4GHz-only model lacks.

The 8BitDo Professional 2 is one other nice choice, particularly in case your arms are happiest with a PlayStation-style controller. The Professional 2 has a snug grip, a crisper D-pad than the Change Professional Controller, and two easy-to-press paddle buttons on the underside. It has rumble help (although not HD rumble) and movement management for video games like Breath of the Wild, Fortnite, and Splatoon 3 that enable gyroscopic aiming.

With 8BitDo’s Final software program on a cellular system or a Home windows laptop, you possibly can customise the Professional 2’s button mapping and the sensitivity of its triggers and analog sticks. You’ll be able to even save as much as three management scheme profiles and cycle by way of them with a button situated between the analog sticks. On its rear, there’s a change that lets it toggle between Nintendo Change, X-input for PC, DirectInput, and Mac modes, every with its personal management customizations and Bluetooth profile. This controller presents a lot for $50 (or $59.99 if you would like the extremely cool translucent purple model).

PlayStation avid gamers could recognize that the Professional 2’s left analog stick is towards the underside, identical to on Sony’s controllers, moderately than above the D-pad as on the Change Professional and Xbox controllers.

There aren’t many different gadgets on this class, however this one is the most effective worth. As an alternative of spending $70 on a number of Change Professional Controllers, use this $19.99 8BitDo USB Adapter 2 transmitter to show a Bluetooth controller you already personal right into a wi-fi Change controller. It plugs into your Change dock and helps controllers from the most recent Xbox and DualSense controllers all the way in which again to Wii and PS3 controllers. (Notice: the first-gen mannequin can’t connect with most Xbox Bluetooth controllers because of a Bluetooth incompatibility, so ensure you get the most recent mannequin.)

To my shock, after I paired the adapter with a DualSense controller from my PS5, I didn’t simply get a management expertise that felt just like the Change Professional — I additionally skilled higher than common rumble and responsive movement controls. What’s extra, as long as you’re utilizing one of many newer Xbox Collection S or X controllers, an Xbox One Bluetooth controller, a DualSense, a DualShock 4, or the Change Professional Controller, you possibly can customise their button mapping, analog stick sensitivity, and extra inside 8BitDo’s laptop and cellular app software program. 

8BitDo has an in depth help web page itemizing the steps required to arrange your particular controller in addition to which options of these controllers it helps. In case you plan to make use of a PlayStation or Xbox controller with this adapter, it’s greatest if the Change’s button format by coronary heart, because the format in your controller is not going to match the on-screen prompts in video games.

If you have already got controllers round and don’t thoughts leaping by way of a couple of small hoops to get them linked, this inexpensive adapter deserves a spot in your leisure middle. If you wish to use multiple third-party controller at a time, you’ll want an adapter for every of them (plus a USB hub to offer your self sufficient ports), however you probably have numerous controllers sitting round, it could be value it.

I’m positive there are some individuals who take pleasure in utilizing Pleasure-Cons, however children and small-handed people apart, I haven’t met many who reward them for his or her consolation. I have met various individuals who play in handheld mode and need controls that higher match bigger arms and really feel extra like an everyday console controller. The answer is the Hori Break up Pad Professional, a $50 (or generally cheaper) pair of Pleasure-Con replacements.

The Break up Pad Professional is available in quite a lot of colorways, and it each seems to be and appears like a Change Professional Controller that’s break up in half. One half slides into both sides of the Change console like Pleasure-Cons, however not like Pleasure-Cons, it has huge easy-to-reach buttons and generously sized triggers and analog sticks. It additionally offers numerous grip, which is especially helpful for individuals who both want to essentially get an excellent deal with on the console for quick gameplay or simply to remain cozy for longer play periods.

The Break up Pad Professional doesn’t have batteries or sensors, so it’s utterly ineffective when indifferent from the Change. It’s just for handheld mode until you buy the Break up Pad Professional Attachment that turns it right into a wired controller. I don’t suggest most individuals go that route for the reason that attachment alone prices greater than a Change Professional Controller.

The corporate additionally sells the Break up Pad Compact, a smaller model of the Break up Pad Professional that additionally prices round $50. If you would like one thing as purposeful because the Break up Pad Professional however nearer in dimension to a Pleasure-Con, the Break up Pad Compact could be value ready for.

Up to date February twenty fourth, 4:00PM ET: For 2023, we’ve examined new fashions just like the GuliKit KingKong 2 Professional and 8BitDo’s Final Bluetooth Controller.