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When you select to get an additional controller on your Nintendo Swap 2, you possibly can spend rather a lot — and get rather a lot in return. Shopping for Nintendo’s personal $89.99 Swap 2 Professional Controller, for example, will internet you the console’s solely wi-fi controller with a 3.5mm headphone jack, to not point out nice rumble and a slick design. It’s not good, however it’s the overall bundle.
However it’d be a disservice to you to name it a day there. There are a number of third-party choices which are considerably cheaper, but don’t make too many compromises when it comes to options. I’ve frolicked testing a handful of them, and there’s a small batch of fashions that I believe will fulfill most individuals, with a spread of kinds, costs, and options.
Each controller I’ve included on this information is appropriate with each the Swap 2 and the unique Swap (some may even remotely wake the Swap 2), in addition to platforms like PC and cell. Extra importantly, every providing consists of higher, longer-lasting joystick expertise than you’ll get with Nintendo’s flagship controller; the Swap 2 Professional Controller’s potentiometer-based joysticks are vulnerable to degradation over time, in any case, however our picks embody both Corridor impact or TMR joysticks.
What I’m in search of
I put my dear Nintendo Swap 2 Professional Controller away and cycle in every of those candidates for multi-session assessments with a mixture of video games for the Swap 2. I spend time assessing their ergonomics, button location, and the standard of every button press and set off pull. I additionally attempt to check every controller’s distinctive capabilities.
Most individuals would somewhat spend $89.99 on a sport or two, not a single controller. We sought cheaper alternate options to Nintendo’s implausible Swap 2 Professional Controller, however we hate compromising on options and high quality as a lot as anybody. We goal to incorporate wi-fi gamepads that may remotely wake the Swap 2, in addition to choices that characteristic good-feeling rumble and controllers that sport just a few extras, corresponding to amiibo assist.
Our high picks are simply as snug to make use of as Nintendo’s flagship gamepad — maybe extra snug, relying in your style. We’ve included picks with Xbox- and PlayStation-style stick layouts, in addition to one which feels just like the Nintendo Swap 2 Professional Controller.
Nintendo opted for potentiometer-based joysticks with its dear Swap 2 controller, which can lead to “stick drift” afterward, if its last-gen controller tech is something to go by. Each decide on this information builds upon that expertise with both Corridor impact or tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) joysticks, that are drift-resistant by design.
One of the best Swap 2 controller for most individuals
Supported platforms: Nintendo Swap 2, Nintendo Swap, PC, Steam Deck, cell / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector kind: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Sure, two / Software program customization: No / Rumble: Sure, HD / NFC: Sure / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable 1,200mAh battery / Console wake-up: Sure
The EasySMX S10 is almost as succesful and cozy because the Swap 2 Professional Controller, but it’s $30 cheaper at $59.99. It’s filled with surprises, too, together with the very best adaptation of Nintendo’s HD rumble that I’ve felt in a third-party controller. It’s additionally one of many few choices that may remotely wake the Swap 2 from sleep mode through Bluetooth. Lastly, it consists of built-in amiibo assist — one other uncommon characteristic to seek out in a third-party gamepad.
Nonetheless, the S10 isn’t a Swap 2 Professional copycat; it’s rather a lot grippier, each across the grips themselves and on its stick caps. Button presses and set off pulls really feel completely different from most different controllers, too, yielding a softer press and shorter journey, which is prone to be probably the most divisive side of the S10. Certainly one of my favourite points of the S10’s design is its swappable eight-way (round) D-pad, making diagonal assaults in Hole Knight: Silksong significantly simpler to execute than with a four-way D-pad.
If I might change one factor concerning the S10, it’d be the system-level buttons (screenshot, GameChat, and residential). They’re crammed awkwardly slightly below the D-pad and proper stick.
Supported platforms: Nintendo Swap 2, Nintendo Swap, PC, cell / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector kind: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: No / Software program customization: No / Rumble: Sure / NFC: No / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable 950mAh battery / Console wake-up: Sure
Gulikit’s ES Professional is a love letter to the Xbox controller, however for Swap 2. It’s simply $29.99, which is a steal contemplating this gamepad options an eight-way D-pad that’s nice for combating video games, Metroidvanias, and retro titles the place it’s a bonus to simply be capable to goal diagonally (a setting could make it in order that it solely registers inputs for the cardinal instructions, in the event you choose).
This controller doesn’t must do a lot to justify its value, however it does anyway. It options tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) joysticks which are immune to drifting and provide improved energy effectivity in comparison with Corridor impact tech, identical to the EasySMX S10. Equally, it may be set as much as remotely wake your Swap 2 or Swap console from throughout the room utilizing its personal set of unusual, one-time-only directions you can view in its instruction handbook.
I’ve obtained nearly no qualms with this controller, aside from its dangerous rumble. It simply has no subtlety, rumbling in an all-or-nothing method. I used to be happier utilizing the ES Professional with the vibrations off, which isn’t any enjoyable. Additionally, it’s far much less full than the S10, lacking amiibo assist and a C button for GameChat, however relying in your wants, these omissions won’t matter to you.
Supported platforms: Nintendo Swap 2, Nintendo Swap, PC, Steam Deck, cell / Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired / Connector kind: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Sure, two / Software program customization: Sure / Rumble: Sure / NFC: No / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable 1,000mAh battery / Console wake-up: Sure (however solely unique Swap)
8BitDo’s Professional 3 is a good but dear Swap 2 Professional different with a PlayStation-style stick format. At $69.99, it’s not as inexpensive (nor as a lot of a value-packed buy) as the highest contenders. Nonetheless, the Professional 3 affords numerous customization, some being beauty, whereas different points can impression gameplay.
It has rather a lot going for it, with TMR joysticks, two again paddles, and a complete of three shoulder buttons per aspect because of new customized M buttons. Its analog stick caps may be popped off in favor of shiny arcade stick-style nubs, which have been my most well-liked alternative in combating video games (plus, they simply look cool). Its ABXY buttons may be suctioned off with an included device to swap the format as wanted, and for visible aptitude, every controller consists of coloured buttons to evoke a retro Nintendo console. Additionally, it has set off locks, letting you set triggers to have a brief, clicky pull or the default journey distance.
Skip this if you would like good rumble suggestions. It’s fairly awful right here, to the purpose that I most well-liked to show off rumble completely in video games. Additionally, this can be a small nitpick, however the Professional 3 can’t remotely get up the Swap 2, so that you’ll must stroll over to press the console’s energy button, then head again to the sofa.
Supported platforms: Nintendo Swap 2, Nintendo Swap, PC, cell / Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired / Connector kind: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Sure, two/ Software program customization: Sure / Rumble: Sure / NFC: No / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable 1,000mAh battery / Console wake-up: No
GameSir’s Tremendous Nova is a satisfactory Swap Professional copy that I had a tricky time warming as much as. There’s rather a lot about it that sounds nice on paper. It’s snug, it has rubbery grips and first rate rumble, and it makes use of Corridor impact joysticks. Nonetheless, it has, by a large margin, my least favourite D-pad and buttons to press out of the controllers on this record. The underlying tech is responsive, however they really feel low-cost to hammer on.
That’s a disgrace, as I believe it’s a slick-looking controller, with a magnetic face plate that pops off to allow you to simply swap the buttons round with out the necessity for a device. Its RGB LEDs are dazzling, if not a bit overkill (they are often turned off). The rear triggers have set off stops, which might cut back the journey of every pull. The 2 again paddles are simple to press. It additionally features a charging dock in addition to a USB-A 2.4GHz transmitter, permitting for straightforward connectivity with a PC.
Supported platforms: Nintendo Swap 2, Nintendo Swap, PC, Steam Deck, cell / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector kind: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: No/ Software program customization: No / Rumble: Sure / NFC: No / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable 800mAh battery / Console wake-up: Sure
Gulikit Elves 2 is a compact, Sega Saturn-inspired controller I needed to like slightly greater than I do. This gamepad has a number of the identical advantages because the identically priced ES Professional, together with Swap 2 wake-up and multiplatform assist. However it’s smaller, which might make it a terrific decide for youths or small-handed of us who’ve a tough time wrapping their digits round bigger gamepads.
There isn’t a lot wasted area on this controller, full with a chargeable battery, rumble motors, a gyroscope, and an eight-way D-pad that feels good to make use of. Even for my medium-sized palms, its grips flip this small gamepad into one thing that’s satisfying to carry. I don’t prefer it as a lot for a handful of minor causes regarding long-term consolation, button and set off really feel preferences, and a few lacking performance. In comparison with the ES Professional, it misses out on TMR sticks (it has Corridor impact), its higher triggers, and its swappable buttons.
An organization referred to as GG-Gear (Good Sport Gear) is sending its GG wi-fi Swap 2 controller, and it looks as if it’d give the EasySMX S10 a run for its cash. It’ll price $44.99 and can characteristic TMR joysticks, what it calls “HD” vibration, a 1,000Hz polling fee, amiibo assist, gyroscope assist, and a C button for GameChat, amongst different aggressive options — in enjoyable colours, as well.
The hunt continues for gamepad contenders that pack in a bunch of options with out breaking the financial institution. They’re extra uncommon than you may assume they’re! For example, PowerA lately launched a $69.99 Swap 2 controller referred to as the Benefit Wi-fi Controller. It has Corridor impact joysticks, however seemingly no rumble and no skill to wake the Swap 2. Hori launched a Turbo Swap 2 wi-fi controller in some good colours, every with TMR joysticks. Its spotlight characteristic is a button that may disable the screenshot, dwelling, and plus/minus buttons.