The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a video game controller developed by Nintendo and produced by various manufacturers[4] for use with the Nintendo Switch console. It serves as an alternative to the Joy-Con controllers.
 A standard Nintendo Switch Pro Controller | |
| Developer | Nintendo PTD |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Foxconn[citation needed] |
| Type | Gamepad |
| Generation | Eighth/Ninth |
| Release date | March 3, 2017 |
| Lifespan | 2017-present |
| Input |
|
| Connectivity | |
| Power | 1,300 mAh,[2] USB-C connector (recharge)[3] |
| Predecessor | Wii U Pro Controller |
Design and features
editThe Nintendo Switch Pro Controller incorporates a button layout similar to the Wii Classic Controller Pro, but uses a staggered analog stick layout used by the GameCube controller and Microsoft's family of Xbox controllers. Up to eight Pro Controllers can be used at a time with the Nintendo Switch.[5] The Pro Controller also supports near-field communication for use with Nintendo's Amiibo toys,[6] as well as HD Rumble and motion controls.[7] The controller's battery takes around 6 hours to fully charge, and is user-replaceable with the same battery (CTR-003) as the 3DS/2DS handheld game consoles and Wii U Pro Controllers.[8] When fully charged, the battery duration for the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller lasts for around 40 hours.[8]
The controller uses a USB-C connector for charging. It comes with a USB-C to USB Type-A charging cord, which can be connected to one of the USB-A 2.0 ports on the Switch dock.
PC and phone support
editThe Pro Controller can also be paired with or connected to a PC for use with PC games, such as those on Steam which added support for the Pro Controller through a beta client update on May 9, 2018.[9][10] Official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller support was added to the iPhone and iPad, alongside other Bluetooth video game controllers as part of the iOS 16 update.[11]
History
editThe Nintendo Switch Pro Controller was unveiled along with the Nintendo Switch on October 20, 2016, and was released on March 3, 2017.[12][13]
A new version of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller was spotted in stores around October 14, 2019, although the only changes to it were slight parts changes, and its Universal Product Code being updated from 104889D to 104889E.[14] As of 2024 revision is up to 104889G.
Special editions
editThe base version of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is only available in black, but special color editions of the controller have been released, including:
- Splatoon 2 edition: green handle (left), pink handle (right) with an ink splat design
- Xenoblade Chronicles 2 edition: pink handles with a Pyra-inspired design
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate edition: white handles with a white Super Smash Bros. logo design
- Monster Hunter Rise edition: black with a gold Magnamalo design
- Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak edition: black with a silver Malzeno design
- Splatoon 3 edition: blue handle (left), neon yellow handle (right) with an ink splat design
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom edition: black handle (left), white handle (right) with a black Hylian crest and logo on it and gold circles.
A special Splatoon 2 edition Pro Controller with golden handles was awarded to the winning team of the PAX East 2019 Inkling Open.[15]
A special Pro Controller imprinted with the Super Smash Bros. logo was awarded to the winners of the Super Smash Bros. tournament at PAX East 2019,[16] as well as to Shuto Moriya, the winner of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament at EVO Japan 2020.[17]
Reception
editTechRadar and IGN similarly praised the controller's handling, build quality and battery life, but criticized its high price.[18][19] They also criticized its rear triggers for being too shallow.
Secret message
editOn the controller's motherboard, if a player holds down on the right stick and looks closely into the transparent plastic surrounding its socket while shining a light on it, there is a hidden message that reads "THX2ALLGAMEFANS!". The message was first discovered by Japanese Twitter user Geo Stream on March 4, 2017, one day after the Switch's launch.[20]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Gurwin, Gabe. "How to connect a Nintendo Switch controller to your PC". Digital Trends. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ Gurwin, Gabe. "How to get the most from your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller battery". Digital Trends. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ Abent, Eric (6 April 2018). "Nintendo issues Switch USB-C cable warning". SlashGear. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ Taguiam, Rhenn (14 September 2020). "Nintendo: The 9 Best Third-Party Switch Pro Controllers". Game Rant. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "Controller pairing FAQ". Nintendo.com. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ Donaldson, Alex (11 April 2019). "Zelda: Breath of the Wild guide – how to use amiibo". VG247.
- ^ Keach, Sean (2017-03-03). "Deal: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller already discounted to just £54.99". Trusted Reviews. Archived from the original on 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
- ^ a b "Nintendo Support: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Power Issues". en-americas-support.nintendo.com. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
- ^ Good, Owen (4 May 2018). "Switch Pro Controller support comes to Steam". Polygon. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ Greenwald, Will. "How to Use a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller on a PC". PCMag.com. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ "Connect a wireless game controller to your Apple device". Apple Support. 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
- ^ Gartenburg, Chaim (20 October 2016). "A close look at the Nintendo Switch's wild modular controller: the Joy-Con". VG247. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ Abent, Eric (25 January 2017). "Nintendo Switch Pro Controller released for sale [UPDATE: Sold Out]". SlashGear. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ Craddock, Ryan (2019-10-14). "A Revised Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Has Been Spotted In Stores (But it doesn't look like much has changed)". Nintendo Life.
- ^ Burch, Jennifer. "PAX East Smash and Splatoon winners announced, special Pro Controllers given as prizes". Nintendo Wire. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ Burch, Jennifer. "PAX East Smash and Splatoon winners announced, special Pro Controllers given as prizes". Nintendo Wire. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ Craddock, Ryan (January 27, 2020). "Random: Smash Ultimate Evo Japan Champion Drops Golden Prize Controller On Stage". Nintendo Life. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Lynch, Gerald (2018-04-12). "Nintendo Switch Pro Controller review". TechRadar. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
- ^ McCaffrey, Ryan (2017-03-13). "Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Review". IGN. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
- ^ Barder, Ollie. "There Is A Hidden Message On The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-05-11.