Nintendo Switch Pro Controller should not be confused with Nintendo Switch Pro.
| Nintendo Switch Pro Controller | |
| Developer: | Nintendo Platform Technology Development |
| Manufacturer: | Foxconn |
| Type: | Gamepad |
| Generation: | Eighth/Ninth |
| Power: | 1,300 mAh,[1] USB-C connector (recharge)[2] |
| Input: |
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| Predecessor: | Wii U Pro Controller |
| Release Date: | March 3, 2017 |
| Lifespan: | 2017-present |
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a video game controller developed by Nintendo and produced by various manufacturers[3] for use with the Nintendo Switch console. It serves as an alternative to the Joy-Con controllers.
The 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.[4] The Pro Controller also supports near-field communication for use with Nintendo's Amiibo toys,[5] as well as HD Rumble and motion controls.[6] 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.[7] When fully charged, the battery duration for the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller lasts for around 40 hours.
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.
The 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.[8] [9] 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.[10]
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller was unveiled along with the Nintendo Switch on October 20, 2016, and was released on March 3, 2017.[11] [12]
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.[13] As of 2024 revision is up to 104889G.
The base version of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is only available in black, but special color editions of the controller have been released, including:
A special Splatoon 2 edition Pro Controller with golden handles was awarded to the winning team of the PAX East 2019 Inkling Open.[14]
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,[15] as well as to Shuto Moriya, the winner of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament at EVO Japan 2020.[16]
TechRadar and IGN similarly praised the controller's handling, build quality and battery life, but criticized its high price.[17] [18] They also criticized its rear triggers for being too shallow.
On 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.[19]