In case you’re trying so as to add a little bit of oomph to your Nintendo Change expertise with out fully upgrading the console, the very first thing you need to do is think about the controllers you’re utilizing. Possibly you’ve simply been utilizing the Pleasure-Cons that got here with the system; whereas they’re completely serviceable, there are extra ergonomic and extra customizable choices on the market that can swimsuit each play fashion. Whether or not you need a greater grip whenever you’re battling armies of Bokoblins in Tears of the Kingdom, otherwise you need reasonably priced and comfy spares for impromptu Mario Kart competitions with mates, you’ve got loads of choices. We’ve examined a bunch of Nintendo Change controllers over time and these are our favorites.
Nintendo Change Pleasure-Cons
Nintendo
Usually one of the best controller is the one you’ve got, and the Pleasure-Cons are versatile and cute. However, in case you purchased a Change at launch, chances are high your controllers are affected by that dreaded “drift” downside. You will get them mounted, nevertheless it doesn’t damage to choose up an additional pair regardless. They arrive in vivid colours like vivid pink and pastel inexperienced to match your private fashion – I snagged the blue and yellow ones and I completely adore how my Change seems to be in handheld mode now. They usually’re far much less prone to undergo from drift.
$50 at Amazon
Nintendo Change Professional Controller
Engadget
Typically you simply need a typical controller to play your favourite motion titles. By “standard,” we imply one thing such as you’d get packed in with an Xbox, with grips for the heels of your arms, shoulder buttons and triggers, two thumb sticks, a set of 4 buttons on the proper and a D-pad on the left. Nintendo is aware of that, which is why it created the Professional Controller. This primary-party gamepad pairs simply with the Change and includes a D-pad on the left, whereas nonetheless sustaining options just like the infrared sensor and HD rumble performance which may go lacking on third-party options. The one draw back of the Nintendo Change Professional controller is the $70 worth, however avid gamers of titles like Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will respect the refined {hardware} and elevated consolation.
$69 at Amazon
8BitDo Professional 2
8Bitdo
In case you’d want to equipment out your system with a PlayStation-style controller, then you may’t go fallacious with this retro-style gamepad that copies the final button structure of a traditional SNES controller in a wide range of colours. Although it’s retro-styled, it’s not quaint in any method. It has a lot of fashionable options, like twin thumb sticks, palm grips, again buttons, management remapping and even sensitivity changes. It’s the Swiss Military knife of Change controllers – or any system, because it’s additionally appropriate with Home windows, Mac, Android, Raspberry Pi and even the Steam Deck. Even non-Change gamers ought to hold this gamepad of their toolkit.
$50 at Amazon
8BitDo SN30 Professional
8Bitdo
The Change On-line service ensures that retro followers can have a lot to play, due to its ever-expanding library of NES, Tremendous NES, Recreation Boy and, in case you shell out for the Growth Pack, Nintendo 64, SEGA Genesis and Recreation Boy Advance titles. It’s loads, so you may want a controller particularly suited to the duty. For that we advocate the SN30 Professional, which is formed like an SNES gamepad however provides twin thumbsticks and wi-fi connectivity for a straightforward and comfy retro-gaming expertise. It provides all of the childhood nostalgia you might need whereas nonetheless supplying you with the good thing about fashionable conveniences.
$45 at Amazon
8BitDo Lite SE
8Bitdo
Not all players have the identical degree of mobility of their arms, making “standard” controllers onerous to make use of. The Lite SE places all of the buttons on the face so you may lay it down on a desk as an alternative of holding it in a dying claw. It even has grips on the underside so it doesn’t slide round throughout frantic play. This controller is certainly price having to make sure that all of your family and friends can be part of within the enjoyable, and it even works with methods past the Change, together with iPad, Mac and Apple TV.
$33 at Amazon
GameCube Controller Tremendous Smash Bros. Final Version
Nintendo
Whereas the 8BitDo controllers are superior for his or her versatility, for some gamers nothing however the utmost historic accuracy will do. Nintendo’s recreation of its traditional GameCube controller makes use of a USB-C connection, however in any other case it feels precisely such as you keep in mind, from the button association to the stellar construct high quality. For some, that is the one method to play Smash Bros, however even of us who play different forms of video games like Pikmin 1+2 may discover this a welcome blast of nostalgia.
$69 at Amazon
PowerA Wi-fi GameCube Type Controller
PowerA
If the value of the official GameCube gamepad is simply too wealthy on your blood, otherwise you want one thing wi-fi, PowerA’s controllers are fairly nice too. They provide strong construct high quality, responsive buttons and even are available a wide range of colours in case you’re style-conscious. It’s the closest you’ll get to an old-school Wavebird expertise wanting plugging just a few RF dongles right into a GameCube adapter. And also you’ll undoubtedly respect it with so many GameCube classics being reissued on the Change, like Remaining Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Baten Kaitos, Metroid Prime Remastered, Tales of Symphonia and even Ty the Tasmanian Tiger. It’s a reasonably nice time to be a GameCube fan.
$60 at Amazon
HORI D-pad
HORI
In case you play largely in handheld mode, a standalone controller isn’t going to do you a lot good. Happily, HORI makes its personal Pleasure-Con like peripherals you may slide proper in place in your system. If all you actually need is a d-pad for old style gaming, the HORI d-pad does precisely that, changing the small constellation of buttons on the left Pleasure-Con with a dependable d-pad. And it’s fairly reasonably priced too, because you solely have to purchase one as an alternative of a full pair. However at below $30, you may end up choosing up just a few additional anyway, particularly in case you’re affected by the dreaded Pleasure-Con drift.
$24 at Amazon$24 at Walmart
HORI Break up Pad Professional
Hori
For these gamers searching for a extra premium, Steam Deck-esque expertise with their Change in handheld mode, the Break up Pad Professional provides in a contoured, easy-to-grip again, a d-pad on the left, and even turbo buttons. And it’s out there in a bunch of enjoyable colours and designs – in case you wished to point out off your love of Pokémon, Mega Man, Sonic and even old style Pac-Man, HORI has you lined. It’s good to know that even handheld players can nonetheless get a higher-end accent expertise.
$50 at Amazon
HORI Break up Pad Compact
HORI
If the Professional is a bit too strong for you or simply too cumbersome, the compact model of the Break up Pad will match loads simpler in each your arms and bag. It nonetheless provides the identical choice of buttons, like a d-pad on the left facet and twin turbo buttons, however in a much less aggressive-looking type issue. Which means barely muted colours like a delicate purple or grey – although you may nonetheless snag Mega Man and Pokémon designs. It’ll slide properly into no matter bag you select to hold your system in, whether or not it’s an Amazon Fundamentals clamshell or an costly Waterfield case.
$35 at Amazon