Looking for a new controller for your Switch? Look no further!
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The Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons are fantastic controllers, but not everyone likes them. The buttons are small, and people with larger hands may find that annoying or difficult to handle. Of course, Nintendo did design the Pro Controller as a more traditional gamepad for people who wanted something bigger, heavier, and a little more conventional; however, it's $60. If you want a more conventional gaming controller for your Switch, and you want to spend less money, you do have other options. Here are our favorite third-party controllers for Nintendo Switch.
Affordable wired option
PowerA Wired Plus Controller
As its name suggests, the controller is indeed wired, meaning you'll have to plug it into the USB port on the back of your dock; however, the included cable is eight feet long, giving you ample length to work with. Plus, the thumbsticks come in three different lengths, so you have some customization to how the physical sensitivity feels. Unfortunately, the PowerA Wired Controller doesn't support NFC (so no amiibo) and doesn't have motion controls.
Classic GameCube feel
PowerA Wireless GameCube Style Controller
For some Nintendo fans, the GameCube controller will always reign supreme, and the PowerA Wireless GameCube Style Controller brings that classic style and feel to the Nintendo Switch. With motion controls on board, it feels much more like a Nintendo Switch controller than other gamepads; however, no rumble and no NFC capabilities. Plus, instead of being rechargeable, it needs two AA batteries.
Solid wireless controller
PowerA Enchanced Wireless Controller
This is likely the closest you're going to get to the Nintendo Pro controller. It's wireless and has motion controls, 30 hours of battery life, and the same layout as the Pro controller for the switch. Like PowerA's other controls it also takes two AA batteries.
No frills gamepad
HORIPAD Wired Nintendo Switch Controller
If you are okay with sacrificing rumble, motion-control, and NFC capabilities, the HORIPAD Wired Nintendo Switch Controller is a very budget-friendly option. Although the HORIPAD is not wireless, it comes with a 10-foot cable, making it long enough to sit a comfortable distance from your TV. The weirdest part of the HORIPAD Wired Nintendo Switch Controller is the detachable directional pad. When you take it off, it leaves a big indent and reveals four individual buttons, which allow you a little more precision, but isn't the most practical.
Perfect for retro games
8Bitdo SN30 Pro
The Nintendo Switch has a ton of retro and retro-styled games available in the Nintendo eShop, so why not use a controller that embodies that nostalgia in a perfect way? The 8Bitdo SN30 Pro takes the retro Super Nintendo controller and brings it into the 21st century. It has all the buttons you need to control the Switch, including a home and screenshot button cleverly tucked away at the bottom of the controller. The select and start buttons function as the - and + buttons respectively, and the 8Bitdo SN30 even adds two joysticks so you can play all your games just like a Pro Controller.
Use your own controller
Mayflash Magic-NS
Perhaps you are one of those folks that are totally in love with the Xbox controller or even the PS4 Dual Shock. Or maybe you just don't want to buy one more controller. Fortunately for you, there is a solution which will allow you to use those controllers on your Nintendo Switch. The Magic-NS will allow you to wirelessly connect a PS4, PS3, Wii U Pro, or Xbox One S controller to your Nintendo Switch. This is a nifty little third-party dongle which will kick open the doors of possibility for controlling your Switch.
As you can see, there are plenty of great options for third-party controllers for the Nintendo Switch that there's no reason to dish out $60 on the Pro controller if you don't want.
I really like the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro for playing platformers and retro games on the Switches extension library, make me feel like a kid again.