Like the rest of the gaming community, we love the Nintendo Switch. It’s an incredible console, managing to blend Nintendo’s classic gaming roots with an innovative hardware platform. On top of its excellent gaming library, one of the Switch’s greatest strengths is its flexibility. This strength comes not only in the form of its docked, tabletop and handheld gaming modes, but the array of accessories that these modes provide.
The accessory market for the Switch is diverse, to say the very least, bringing together everything from functional JoyCon charging docks, to downright whacky Labo Kits. And while the crazy stuff might steal the headlines, there’s one Switch accessory that shouldn’t be taken for granted – Nintendo Switch controllers.
If you’re looking a new controller, you’re going to spoilt for choice. While Nintendo is content with releasing only one real controller alternative, the Pro Switch controller (which, as we’ve previously reviewed, is pretty special), the Japanese giant has officially licensed many renowned third-party manufacturers like Hori and PowerA to handle their other peripheral and controller offerings. For the customer, this is great news. These third-party peripherals carry a much lower price than their Nintendo counterparts - though some will argue the prestige and quality of Nintendo’s offerings justify the extra spend. Whichever side of that particular argument you fall upon is of little concern, because no matter your peripheral philosophy or budget, the right controller exists.
We’ve headed out into the marketplace jungle in search of the best Nintendo Switch controllers, and have returned with a considerable haul. Without question, the Nintendo Switch Pro controller was the first one on the list – the in-hand comfort and long battery life can’t be denied. For the sake of getting a good Mario Kart tournament together, we’ve also included some additional JoyCons. The old-school fans amongst us were over the moon when they found not one retro Switch controller, but three, calling back to the NES, SNES and GameCube consoles. We were also surprised by the effectiveness and versatility of an old-school arcade board.
Here’s our selection of the best Nintendo Switch controllers:
What's The Best Nintendo Switch Controller
The best Switch controller for docked mode
Rrp: £69.99
Before our review of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, we were worried that some of the Switch's unique charm would be lost. When we got our hands on one, our worries were instantly thrown aside. The larger size, button layout and offset analogue stick configuration make it one of the most comfortable controllers available for any console today. It sharpens up the gameplay of so many titles, and the battery life beats anything you'll find from even Sony's impressive PlayStation controllers. Despite its conventional demeanour, the Pro controller still offers gyroscopic control and amiibo support, and the singular formed d-pad replaces the JoyCons singular buttons to great effect. This controller is precise and comfortable – a must for any gamer.
An affordable and valuable upgrade
Why should you consider buying a single left-side JoyCon from Hori? Well, if you're a player who spends hours battling in handheld mode, this Zelda-styled addition provides a traditional d-pad, replacing the single arrow buttons found on a standard JoyCon, which can be very fiddly for those with large hands and quick-gameplay styles.
A handheld upgrade for serious gamers
Daemon X Machina is a great title, but this special edition controller from Nintendo's partner Hori is arguably the game's greatest achievement. The Split Pad Pro replaces the JoyCons in handheld mode to offer a chunky grip similar to traditional console controllers. The offset analogue sticks clear the way to the d-pad, and on the underside two programmable triggers sit waiting to give the player a sneaky tactical advantage. If you regularly play the Switch in handheld mode and don't mind the extra size, or the loss of rumble and motion control, this is a great controller option.
The best arcade controller
Fighting games are great, but they gain an extra 'something' when played with a true arcade board. Hori's old-school fight-stick platform will please both combo-junkies and button-mashers, and as a bonus it even works on PC systems. The controller's use isn't restricted to brawling games like Street Fight and Super Smash Bros either – it'll work with almost any title, so long as it doesn't require motion controls.
An essential addition for multiplayer games
Rrp: £78.40
Some of the Switch's greatest games are best shared with friends - an extra set of JoyCons will allow players to double their number with ease. They're available in a range of brightly joyful colours, too.
The legend returns
We all loved our first Nintendo console, and the controller's layout is embedded in our muscle memory – so if the GameCube was your console, why not use your natural advantage and plug in one of these? Our favourite skin is this one, featuring the Zelda Tri-force, but Pokémon and Super Mario are also represented with their own dedicated designs.
Party like it's 1992
Like 8BitDo's NES controller, this throwback to the SNES will have anyone who prefers the Nintendo's 90s catalogue grinning wildly as they smash through another lap on Super Mario Kart. The buttons and d-pad are satisfyingly chunky, and the look is excellent.
An '80s icon, reborn
Nintendo's online retro catalogue is a delight to behold. If you spend far too much time diving in to some classic mid-80s titles like Metroid, Super Mario Bros. 3 or Donkey Kong, consider topping of the retro feel with a this NES-style controller. Replacing the use of a single JoyCon, the N30 provides a larger grip and improved button layout – we're big fans of the improved L and R shoulder buttons and turbo options, too.
A traditional controller experience on a budget
PowerA's officially licensed controller mimics the layout of the Switch Pro controller, while offering buyer's a wide choice of Nintendo character decoration. The controller is rechargeable, and comes with a 10ft cable.
A quick-fix for controller hoarders
This four-port adapter will allow the original GameCube controllers to be hooked up to the Switch, to facilitate a chaotic brawl on Super Smash Bros.
A high-quality JoyCon dock from a gaming giant
This dock will fully charge four JoyCons simultaneously. For anyone with more than one set of JoyCons, this is a necessity, avoiding the need to dock the controllers with the Switch to recharge. Ideal for when the crew is heading over for a relationship-destroying spin on Mario Kart. HyperX is a reputable brand, known for its dedication to quality – this dock isn't going to let you down.