Latest news with #Switch2ProController
Engadget
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Engadget review recap: Switch 2, Playdate games and a Framework laptop
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been all the rage around the Engadget HQ for the last few weeks. Even the editors who didn't write the official review have had their hands glued to their new toys. Of course, we've been testing other things too, mainly a repairable laptop that's design for student use. Read on to catch up on the reviews you might've missed over the last two weeks. With the Switch 2, Nintendo improved everything we liked about the original while retaining its sleek and portable design. $449 at Walmart Nintendo Switch 2 finally made its way to gamers this month and several of us have been putting the portable console through its paces. Senior reviews reporter Sam Rutherford wrote our full review, noting that the company managed to take everything that make the original model so good and make it better. However, there's still room for improvement, especially with regards to battery life. "The Switch 2 has everything that made the original so great, but now there's more of it to enjoy," he said. "Granted, Nintendo's latest console commands a higher price, but as the successor to the iconic system that revived handheld gaming, this thing is worth it." The Switch 2 Pro controller is clearly the most refined gamepad Nintendo has ever made. It's just a shame that it's so expensive and doesn't have Hall effect sticks. $85 at Best Buy A new Switch means a new Pro Controller, so senior reviews reporter Devindra Hardawar took a deep dive on Nintendo's new accessory. Despite being "the most refined gampad" the company has ever made, he took offense to the price and the lack of advanced design features. "As much as I like the Switch 2 Pro Controller, it's undoubtedly an extravagance at $85 when 8Bitdo's Ultimate gamepad offers even more features for $50," he explained. "But if you're a dedicated Nintendo fan, or you just can't accept third-party controllers, it's also one of the best gamepads you can buy today." Framework's 12-inch laptop is an alternative to low-cost laptops, but it is too expensive to compete. $799 at Framework The Framework Laptop 12 takes the company's familiar spin on modular, repairable machines and puts it in a smaller body with students in mind. However, the price is an issue and overall performance isn't good enough. "The limited performance and battery life here gives me pause and I'm not sure a machine that, right now, needs a stretch to run Fortnite would be too popular," senior reporter Dan Cooper wrote. "My gut tells me Framework had intended to sell this for less before tariffs pushed the prices up beyond what made sense." Weekend editor Cheyenne Macdonald recently proclaimed that there haven't been any flops at the halfway point of Playdate Season Two. The two newest additions are Long Puppy and Otto's Galactic Groove!!, two games that are fun but still offer a challenge. You can also revisit her thoughts on The Whiteout and Wheelsprung or the initial column on Fulcrum Defender and Blippo+.
Engadget
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Switch 2 Pro Controller review: Nintendo's best gamepad simply costs too much
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . For as long as I can remember, Nintendo's gamepads have been a core part of my life. The NES's original rectangular controller was awfully unergonomic, but I still loved it, and it set me down the path of being a lifelong gaming and gadget geek. The SNES's rounded gamepad practically defined my childhood. It's so iconic, you can still see echoes of its layout in most controllers today. I didn't have much love for the Nintendo 64's triple-armed monstrosity (or that system in general), but the Gamecube's cartoonishly quirky controller was fantastic, especially when Nintendo's WaveBird finally made wireless gaming a reality. And while I didn't like the Wiimote or Wii U tablet much either, I can respect the swings Nintendo took with both of them. Nintendo 88 100 Expert Score Switch 2 Pro Controller The Switch 2 Pro controller is clearly the most refined gamepad Nintendo has ever made. It's just a shame that it's so expensive and doesn't have Hall effect sticks. Pros Incredibly smooth joysticks Responsive face buttons Accurate D-pad Comfortable ergonomics Customizable rear buttons Cons So expensive No Hall effect sticks No analog triggers $85 at Best Buy So, believe me when I say this: The Switch 2 Pro Controller is the best gamepad Nintendo has ever made. It feels wonderfully ergonomic and luxurious in your hands, its joysticks are buttery smooth and all of its buttons deliver excellent feedback. It's a huge step up from the original Switch's Pro controller, which felt weirdly cheap and plasticky, especially when rotating its analog sticks. And, as an added bonus, the Switch 2 Pro controller is also customizable, thanks to two rear buttons that can be quickly programmed in any game. There's even a 3.5mm jack to plug in wired headphones, something I've never seen on a Nintendo controller before (but which has been standard on Xbox and PlayStation systems for decades). Switch 2 Pro Controller Switch 2 Pro Controller The Switch 2 Pro Controller isn't perfect, though. For one, it costs $85 (up from its originally announced $80 price, thanks to the Trump administration's tariffs). I suppose that's not as bad as buying a whole new pair of Joy-Con 2s for $95, and it's not too far off from the PlayStation 5's $75 Dual Sense 2, but it still stings. It's even more painful when you consider that 8Bitdo's excellent Ultimate wireless controller currently costs $50 (down from a $70 launch price), it works with the Switch 2, has rear buttons and it features Hall effect joysticks. That means they're impervious to the drifting problem that plagued the Switch 1's controllers. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement While gamers have been begging Nintendo to implement Hall effect sticks for years, the company still hasn't listened. Both the Joy-Con 2 and Switch 2 Pro Controller appear to use the same mechanism as the Switch 1's accessories. In an interview, Nintendo producer Kouichi Kawamoto said the company "redesigned everything from scratch," for the Joy-Con 2, and from my time with the Pro 2 Controller it also feels significantly different than before. But really, all I can do is hope and pray it doesn't start drifting. One Reddit user claimed that their Switch 2 Joy-Cons were drifting right out of the box, but that doesn't appear to be a widespread issue. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Beyond the pricing and technical disappointments, though, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is a dream to play with. It seriously leveled-up my Mario Kart World performance, since it was easier to drift around corners and hop up to rails without cramping my hands, something that's unavoidable with the Joy-Con 2. I was able to play for several hours with the new Pro controller and I didn't notice any pain, and I could also still hold it easily as my palms got sweaty. As someone who was raised on every version of Street Fighter 2 on the SNES, I also had to put the Switch 2 Pro Controller through its paces for fighting games. And let me tell you, the hadoukens came easily. The controller's D-pad sits under my left thumb comfortably, and it's a cinch to click and rotate to perform Street Fighter 2 moves. While playing Soulcalibur 2 (now available as part of the Gamecube Classics for Nintendo Online subscribers), the Switch 2 Pro controller was also comfortable while holding my right fingers above the face buttons, similar to an arcade stick. (That's a Soulcalibur technique I learned on the Dreamcast and never let go.) Devindra Hardawar for Engadget Despite being fine-tuned for Mario Kart, the Switch 2 Pro Controller isn't ideal for more realistic racing games since it doesn't have analog triggers like its predecessor. Nintendo engineers have said in interviews that the company opted for digital triggers since they're quicker to respond. Premium gamepads like the Xbox Elite have switches that let you choose between quick trigger modes and long analog presses, so there's clearly a cure for Nintendo's analog aversion. But implementing that sort of customization also makes gamepads far more complex and expensive. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement At least Nintendo gave us a modicum of customization with the Switch 2 Pro controller's rear GL and GR buttons, which sit right above the handle grips. You can instantly remap their functionality in any game from the Switch 2's quick settings menu, making it easier to do things like switch weapons or jump without moving your thumbs away from the joysticks. I ended up remapping the drift and action buttons in Mario Kart World to GL and GR, which helped me avoid reaching up to hit the top trigger buttons. You can also remap all of the Switch 2 Pro Controller's buttons from the Switch 2's accessibility menu, where you can create presets for different titles too. Devindra Hardawar for Engadget After around 10 hours of playing a variety of games, the Switch 2 Pro Controller's battery fell to 82 percent. Nintendo claims it can last up to 40 hours, but unfortunately I haven't been able to play that much during this review. Based on what I'm seeing, though, the gamepad should reach 40 hours easily. As much as I like the Switch 2 Pro Controller, it's undoubtedly an extravagance at $85 when 8Bitdo's Ultimate gamepad offers even more features for $50. But if you're a dedicated Nintendo fan, or you just can't accept third-party controllers, it's also one of the best gamepads you can buy today.
Tom's Guide
13-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is awesome — and I can't play on Switch 2 without it
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($84) is a must-have peripheral for those who primarily play Nintendo Switch 2 in docked mode. While based on the original Switch Pro controller, this Switch 2-specific device features some notable upgrades that make it superior. This controller's slimmer profile and matte-like texture make it more ergonomic and nicer to hold than its predecessor. The bigger face buttons and thin shoulder buttons are very responsive and feel good to press. I'm also a fan of the thick D-pad and smooth thumbsticks. For good measure, the controller also features a pair of programmable back buttons. While great, the Switch 2 Pro Controller isn't perfect. The thumbsticks don't have Hall Effect sensors, which raises questions about potential stick drift. I also wish the controller had analog triggers instead of digital ones, as the latter are better suited for racing and shooting games. The fact that these features aren't on an $84 'pro' controller isn't great. Despite some faults, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is an excellent peripheral that I prefer using over the console's Joy-Con 2 controllers. Yes, it's expensive, but it's great if you prefer using a more traditional gaming controller. My Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review will help you decide if this is the best Nintendo Switch controller for you. Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Price $84 Compatibility Nintendo Switch 2 Connectivity Bluetooth, NFC Mic 3.5mm headphone jack Colors Black Dimensions 5.8 x 4.1 x 2.3 inches Weight 0.51 pounds The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is one of the best controllers I've used, thanks to its ergonomic design, smart button layout and smooth performance. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller might look like its predecessor at first glance. However, a closer inspection reveals some notable design differences. Instead of a translucent shell, the new controller has an all-black matte finish that helps it appear more premium. The matte finish isn't just for looks, as it gives the controller a smoother texture that feels nice against your hands. The slimmer profile and lighter weight also make it easier to hold. There's also a 3.5mm headphone jack located between the hand grips. I'm glad Nintendo didn't completely reinvent the new Pro controller since the previous model was already pretty great. Add in the dual-tone colorway, and you have an overall slick-looking peripheral. The Switch 2 Pro Controller has the same layout as the PlayStation DualSense or Xbox controller. This includes four face buttons and four shoulder buttons. The latter aren't all that different from before, but the face buttons are noticeably larger. The main difference here is the inclusion of two programmable back buttons, which are smartly located where your middle fingers naturally rest. There are also smaller buttons for Select, Start, Home and Share located on the face. Those are also standard for modern controllers, but the new C button isn't. Pressing this button launches GameChat, which lets you talk with friends while gaming. You can read my GameChat breakdown, but it's a crucial feature if you regularly play online with friends. Lastly, there are the asymmetrical thumbsticks and the updated D-pad. The sticks move smoothly and snap back into place with a satisfying spring. The rounded, concave thumb grips do an excellent job of keeping your thumb from accidentally sliding off. The D-pad also has a rubbery texture that feels good against your thumb. The Switch 2 Pro Controller not only looks great, but it delivers phenomenal gaming performance. Holding down the A button to accelerate in Mario Kart World is more comfortable than before, thanks to the bigger face buttons. The larger buttons also let me easily perform combos in Street Fighter 6. Shooting desert bandits in Cyberpunk 2077 is also a breeze thanks to the fluid trigger buttons. The smooth analog sticks and responsive D-pad also ensure swift and precise movement. I tested the controller in wired and wireless modes, and found both equally as responsive. I'm sure there's some input lag in wireless mode, but since I'm not a professional gamer, I didn't notice any. The Switch 2 Pro Controller performs like a dream, no matter what game you're playing. We don't have a standardized battery life test for gaming controllers. Because of that, I used the controller normally and gauged how much battery it had left after a certain amount of time. Nintendo claims that the Switch 2 Pro Controller has a 40-hour battery life. After about 10 hours of playtime, the battery on my controller dropped to about 75%. That being the case, Nintendo's claims seem to be on the money. The original Switch Pro controller has stellar battery life, so I'm glad the new controller maintains this tradition. This is a controller that won't die on you anytime soon. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is undoubtedly great, but it has some notable drawbacks. The original Switch Pro Controller suffered from stick drift, which is when analog sticks move on their own, or 'drift' because the input the controller receives isn't instant, but slow. I prayed that Nintendo would utilize Hall Effect technology to reduce the potential for stick drift. Unfortunately, the new controller doesn't feature Hall Effect sensors. Nintendo says the new controller's sticks are more durable and have smoother motion. I can attest to the latter since the thumbsticks do move smoothly. However, I can't yet say whether the new sticks are as durable as Nintendo claims. This could be a moot point if the Switch 2 Pro Controller has more durable thumbsticks in the long run. That said, the company could have assuaged my fears had it opted to utilize Hall Effect sensors. As I said before, the shoulder buttons are just as responsive and fun to press as the face buttons. However, I can't say I'm enamored with the digital trigger buttons. While these buttons (named ZL and ZR) have a trigger-like shape, they have a much shorter travel distance than the trigger buttons on the PS5 and Xbox Series X controllers. Nintendo says these digital buttons actuate faster than traditional trigger buttons, which is technically true. The short travel distance does allow you to perform actions quickly. However, having a longer travel distance in a racing game feels better since it's more akin to holding down the accelerator. The same is true for shooting games, where you want the right trigger to have analogous movement to a real gun's trigger. I'm all for faster button inputs, but not at the expense of immersion. The Nintendo Switch 2 is already a relatively expensive console at $449. But when you toss in the Switch 2 Pro Controller's $84 asking price, you're digging a deeper hole in your wallet. Sure, you can stick with the system's included Joy-Con 2 controllers. However, if you're like me and find these controllers too small and thin to use, then you might have no choice but to buy a Switch 2 Pro controller. That said, the $69 8BitDo Ultimate 2 seems like a good alternative. If the Switch 2 Pro controller featured Hall Effect sensors and analog triggers, then perhaps the $84 asking price would be easier to stomach. But as much as I love it, I'm the first to admit that it demands a pretty steep cost. Qualms aside, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is a fantastic peripheral for anyone who mostly plays in docked mode or who isn't enamored with the Joy-Cons. Its sturdy build and smart button layout make it great to use with almost every game. The controller also has exceptional battery life, so you can keep playing for hours and hours. And no matter if you play wired or wirelessly, the controller offers phenomenal lag-free performance. While the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is expensive, it will likely last you for the duration of the Switch 2's lifecycle. Because of that and everything else it offers, it's a worthwhile purchase for serious Switch 2 users.
Engadget
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Truly completing Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will cost you
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a $10 museum-like experience dedicated to playfully explaining features of the Nintendo Switch 2, and technically, it costs a lot more than $10 to truly finish. As Eurogamer writes and multiple Nintendo webpages note, you can't actually finish the game without using all of the Switch 2's many accessories. All 12 of the different areas in Welcome Tour are accessible whether you're plugging in a camera or not, but to play and beat every minigame, "additional accessories [are] required," according to Nintendo. Those accessories include a USB camera, a controller with GL and GR buttons (the kind in the Switch 2 Pro Controller's grips) and a 4K-compatible TV. If you wanted to go the official route and use Nintendo accessories, that means paying $55 for the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera and $85 for the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, assuming you already own a 4K TV. No one needs to 100-percent complete Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, of course, but it is funny that price was one of the biggest complaints about the Switch 2's answer to Wii Sports , and now to totally complete it you might have to pay even more. The patient among us (who didn't pre-order) can wait and see if the hidden secrets of Welcome Tour are truly worth spending the extra cash on accessories. For the rest, you might be better off spending your time unlocking characters in Mario Kart World .
Business Mayor
23-04-2025
- Business Mayor
The Switch 2 Pro Controller will have the same colossal battery life as the original, with a significantly shorter charge time, according to Nintendo
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller's tech specs have been revealed According to Nintendo, its charging time will be significantly reduced The new gamepad is also ever so slightly slimmer and lighter There's some great news if you're looking to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller to go along with the new console in June. Spotted by Nintendo Life, Nintendo's official technical specifications for the Switch 2 Pro Controller have been revealed on its website. While there are some slight differences in size and weight compared to the original version, the big change here is in battery charge time. On the revised Pro Controller, it's now just 3.5 hours, down from the 6 hours of that first model. You may like Better still, the Nintendo Switch 2's Pro Controller appears to feature the same mammoth battery life (around 40 hours) as the original. Factor in that significantly shortened charge time, and you have a controller that should be ready to go for wireless use more frequently. Here's a breakdown of the key specs between the Switch 2 Pro Controller and its predecessor: Swipe to scroll horizontally Row 0 – Cell 0 Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Dimensions 4.1 x 5.8 x 2.4in / 105 x 148 x 60.2mm 4.2 x 6.0 x 2.4in / 106 x 152 x 60mm Weight 0.52lbs / 235g 0.54lbs / 246g Battery life Approx. 40 hours Approx. 40 hours Charge time 3.5 hours 6 hours Connectivity Bluetooth (wireless), USB-C (wired) Bluetooth (wireless), USB-C (wired) Vibration HD Rumble 2 HD Rumble Nintendo does warn that to achieve that charge time of 3 and a half hours, you'll want to use an appropriate charging method. These include the Nintendo Switch 2's AC adapter or the included USB-C charging cable. Any third-party variants could negatively impact overall charging time. We can also see that the Switch 2 Pro Controller has been ever so slightly refined in terms of size and weight, coming in just a bit slimmer and lighter than the first model. It's a tiny difference, though, and one that won't really manifest unless you have each side by side. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. For more information, see my Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller hands-on preview, where I found the new gamepad to be an improvement in overall feel. It simply felt much more comfortable to hold, and its thumbsticks were sublimely responsive when I tested it with games like Mario Kart World and Street Fighter 6 at a recent Nintendo event in Paris.
