Nintendo released their new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller alongside the Switch 2. Nintendo are building on the success of the Switch Pro Controller with incremental improvements, turning the already good Pro Controller into a great one. While the original Pro Controller works well with the Switch 2 small additions and refinements make the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller a must-have purchase to go with your brand new Switch 2 and today I’m going to tell you why.  

At first glance, the design feels familiar. But look closer, and some subtle, meaningful changes reveal themselves.

Sleeker Grips, Better Comfort

The grips are now slightly slimmer—a minor tweak that significantly improves ergonomics. My index fingers naturally rest on the ‘ZL’ and ‘ZR’ triggers, while the rest wrap securely around the handles. The matte black and grey finish adds a premium feel, though it’s a bit of a dust magnet.

Improved Buttons and Layout

The face buttons are fractionally larger—not enough to spot immediately, but the tactile difference is clear. Their spacing allows your thumb to glide easily between diagonal buttons, making quick inputs feel more fluid.

Better Analogue Sticks

The standout upgrade lies in the analogue sticks. Compared to both the Joy-Con and the original Pro Controller, the sticks feel dramatically smoother and offer more travel. It’s hard to capture in words—you’ll know it when you feel it. For a quirky visual, Alex’s video using a bottle and an oily spoon actually captures the sensation well. The subtle grinding from the first model? Gone completely.

Refined D-Pad

Early signs suggest Nintendo has addressed the D-pad’s sensitivity issues. While it still registers ‘up’ and ‘down’ when rocking left or right, it’s far less touchy—striking a nice balance for diagonal flexibility. In Street Fighter 6, inputs felt crisp and reliable, and retro games on Nintendo Switch Online played just as smoothly.

New Back Buttons

On the back, you’ll find two new remappable buttons: ‘GL’ and ‘GR’. These are perfectly positioned where your middle fingers naturally rest, and they’re recessed just enough to avoid accidental presses. You can map them however you like—for example, assigning the capture button or remapping sprint/jump in Breath of the Wild adds a surprising boost to control fluidity.

System Buttons and Layout Tweaks

The Home, Capture, ‘+’, ‘–’, and GameChat buttons are cleanly tucked into the center. The Capture button could be slightly easier to reach, but its placement prevents accidental taps. The new ‘C’ button (for GameChat) sits near the right stick—slightly off visually, but logically aligned with the rest. It’s just far enough away to avoid unintended activation.

Headphone Jack

Finally—Nintendo has added a 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s a long overdue quality-of-life upgrade, especially for late-night gaming. Just make sure your controller is fully updated for the audio to work. Thankfully, the Switch will prompt you to install updates as needed. Placement-wise, the jack sits on the bottom of the controller, away from the USB-C port at the top. That means you can charge and use a headset simultaneously without tangled wires.

Visual Touches

A new white top section houses the shoulder buttons, USB-C port, and sync button, along with white stick shafts—giving the controller a distinct look. It won’t be for everyone, especially if you prefer a uniform black design, but it helps set the Pro Controller 2 apart visually.

Shoulder Buttons and Rumble Improvements

The shoulder buttons remain excellent—responsive and clicky without being noisy. There’s still no analogue input for ‘ZL’ and ‘ZR’, but the digital feedback is snappy and reliable. HD Rumble 2 is another bright spot: stronger, more nuanced, and much quieter. While it doesn’t match the PS5’s haptics, it’s a noticeable upgrade, adding texture to menus and gameplay moments without being distracting.

In Summary 

It’s a premium controller—and time will tell how it holds up with daily use. I’ll be watching for drift or D-pad quirks, but so far, it’s been flawless. After using it for nearly all my time with the Switch 2, I can confidently say this is Nintendo’s best controller to date.

Let me know in the comments what you think about the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.