Wired, budget or premium, for advanced or casual gamers, there are great alternatives to the not always very reliable Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers.
This is the most anticipated moment for Link fans in a while: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom arrives May 12 on Nintendo Switch and these are long trips that await players through the kingdom of Hyrule. And to take full advantage of it, with Joy-Con known for their problems of drift from the beginning, it may be desirable to also afford more reliable controllers.
Fortunately, there are many alternatives available to you. There are switch controllers on the market that are ergonomic, reliable and have unique features, such as the ability to customize their keys. Here is a selection of controllers to make the most of Nintendo’s flagship game, according to your needs and tastes, but also to get you started in wild multiplayer games on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Super Smash Bros.
The editorial staff of BFMTV made this selection independently. BFMTV is likely to receive compensation when one of our readers makes a purchase via the links included in this article.
Official Nintendo Switch Pro
If you are looking for a reliable, practical to use and well-designed controller, the Nintendo Switch Pro controller will delight you. This controller follows the traditional Joy-Con design, but offers a much better grip and comfort of use than the latter, with keys that fall perfectly under the fingers. This makes it possible to optimally indulge in long gaming sessions.
Available in different editions (Xenoblade Chronicles 2editing Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Monster Hunter Rise, Splatoon 2), the controller benefits from welcome features such as HD vibration, the integration of a fairly precise gyroscopic sensor and support for NFC technology.
Compatible with Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite and Switch OLED, the wireless controller can also be connected as a wired controller, via an accessory sold separately, to many devices: PC, Mac, iOS, Android. The Pro charges in six hours via its USB-C port and Nintendo indicates an estimated battery life of 40 hours.
PDP Faceoff Deluxe Zelda
A Switch controller that will delight fans of The Legend of Zelda by displaying the colors of the saga? The PDP Faceoff Deluxe Zelda wired controller sports a design quite similar to the Switch Pro controller, but with a Link faceplate.
The latter is interchangeable: you can choose others to further customize your controller. Ergonomic, the Faceoff Deluxe Zelda is suitable for all hand morphologies and its controls fall easily under the fingers.
On the functionality side, the controller includes a 3.5 mm audio jack, which allows you to plug in a headset. You will be able to enjoy in-game audio and chat functionality. You also have the possibility to adjust the way you play thanks to its two programmable buttons. Its very affordable price makes it an excellent accessory.
NYXI Wizard Wireless Joy-Pad
The design of the NYXI Wizard will bring back fond memories for Nintendo fans. For good reason, this wireless device uses the design and ergonomics of the controller of the late Gamecube. Compatible with Switch, Switch OLED and Switch Lite, this controller offers joysticks with effet Hall for greater durability.
It offers a good grip in particular thanks to its non-slip properties. Designed for performance, the NYXI Wizard’s buttons are precise, responsive, and light under your fingers. In addition, some of them offer lighting effects that you can configure. The controller also has an adjustable vibration function for more in-game sensations.
Although light (248 g), the controller is quite massive, a detail to take into account if you have small hands. According to its manufacturer, this accessory recharges in just under three hours via its USB-C port and its announced autonomy is 58 hours.
Available from $69.99 on NYXI site.
8Bitdo Arcade Stick
If you are an old video game veteran and a fan of fighting games, you will not be insensitive to the Arcade Stick. For good reason, this controller intends to offer you a resolutely vintage gaming experience with its controller design straight out of a 90s arcade room.
From the outset, this hardware, also compatible with Windows and Steam, seduces with its careful design and its excellent finishes. The device, compact and robust (2.1 kg), offers very responsive buttons and its eight-way joystick allows you to be precise in game.
Among its striking specificities, you have the possibility of exchanging the buttons and the stick of the controller. In addition, the latter includes two programmable buttons. Supplied with a USB-C cable, the Arcade Stick, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatible, provides 40 hours of play on a 2.4 GHz connection and 30 hours on Bluetooth.
Togetop
The Togetop wireless Switch controller is distinguished by its translucent appearance and its visible ribs. This controller, available in black or white and compatible with Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED, works wirelessly via Bluetooth, but requires a wired USB connection to use it on a PC.
Intended to improve immersion in the game, the controller has two asymmetrical vibration motors whose intensity can be set on five levels. You can also adjust the brightness level of its LED backlight. To make your task easier during your gaming sessions, the pad incorporates the Turbo functionality which allows you to automate specific actions in game. A very useful option for fighting games.
The controller is also equipped with a function that allows you to turn on your Nintendo Switch remotely by pressing a button on the controller. In addition, its six-axis gyro sensor ensures better control accuracy in action games. The controller is equipped with a rechargeable lithium battery.
Available from 39.99 euros on Amazon.
8Bitdo SN30 Pro
A specialist in retro controllers, 8Bitdo has reviewed the entire Nintendo range, from the NES to the GameCube to the Super Nintendo. And among all the references offered, we find in particular the SN30 Pro, reproduction in Bluetooth version of the Super NES controller with similar dimensions (15.5 x 9.5 x 4.5 cm for 290 g).
But it brings a touch of modernity with the possibility of customizing the buttons and their reactivity, of adjusting the sensitivity of the joysticks or even of creating joystick profiles and switching easily from one to the other.
The SN30 Pro is Switch compatible, but can also be used on PC, Mac and Android. It also comes with a mobile game support to also be used on smartphones to play in Cloud gaming.
