17 of the Best Nintendo Switch Controllers (June 2019)

The 8Bitdo SF30 takes the shape and design style of the classic Super Nintendo controller if you didn’t live in the United States – but seriously, how much better did the PAL region SNES controller look! This controller connects seamlessly to your Nintendo Switch and is perfect for playing classic or retro-inspired games. The 8Bitdo SF30 can literally replace your current controller with left and right triggers AND bumpers, so you can relive the glory days of the 90s.

The 8Bitdo Zero 2 is a miniatured-sized controller that roughly replicates the classic Super Nintendo controller. It is tiny and could easily fit in the palm of your hand, so it makes for simple packing for long trips and holidays. The 8Bitdo Zero 2 controller takes approximately two hours to charge and holds charge for up to 18 hours of playtime, perfect for taking it away with you.

Ever wanted to use an Xbox One controller to play Breath of the Wild? A PS4 controller to play Super Mario Odyssey? What if you really like the Wii U Pro Controller and want to use that to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Well, the 8Bitdo Wireless Bluetooth Adapter allows you to do all those things! Simply plug the USB dongle into the Nintendo Switch Dock, pair the controller that you want to play with and enjoy!

Ever wished that when you ‘Share the Joy’ that the Joy-Cons felt like actual controllers? Well, I think that the Fastsnail Joy-Con Grips are the closest to that feeling as we’re going to get. Detach the Joy-Cons, slip them into one of these and game away. They also come with some detachable thumb grips for the joysticks for extra grip.

The Esywen Wireless Controller sets out to recreate the feel of the Wii U Pro Controller, with the two joysticks inline with each other and positioned at the top of the two corners. This controller is fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch and even features motion controls for that gyro aiming in Splatoon 2 and DOOM. It has a 400mAh battery which would roughly equate to 10-12 hours of playtime, so it’s a pretty nifty controller for its price tag.

The Flip Grip is quite a unique piece of plastic. The Nintendo Switch, with its unique design, allows vertical arcade games (both old and new) to be played as they were originally intended. The only issue is that when you rotate the Switch vertically, you’re either leaning it up, lying it down on a flat surface or balancing the screen on your legs. But with the Flip Grip, you can slide the Switch tablet into it, attach the Joy-Cons and play your favourite arcade games safely and efficiently.

Ever since system menu version 5.0.0 was a thing, the Nintendo GameCube controller has been fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch via the GameCube Controller Adapter. That means that every game on the Nintendo Switch can be played with an official GameCube controller… now all we need is GameCube games on Nintendo Switch Online, but at least we can play Resident Evil 4 as it was originally intended.

Ever wish the left Joy-Con had a standard D-Pad? Well wish no more! HORI has made a handful of left sided Joy-Cons that brings back the traditional style of gaming. Not only are they practical, but they also come in some pretty stylish designs: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario and Pikachu (my favourite is the Pikachu one, but that’s just me). The only downside to this Joy-Con is that it only works in Handheld Mode and doesn’t have HD Rumble, but they’re small prices to pay.

The HORIPAD Wired Controller is a great controller for its price. It has a similar layout and feel as the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and the Xbox One controller, but with a detachable D-Pad so that you can recreate the four-buttoned layout of the Joy-Cons if that’s what you prefer. The downsides to the HORIPAD are that it doesn’t have gyro controls or HD Rumble but if you just want a simple and basic wired controller, it’s an easy one to recommend.

For fans of fighting games, especially if you grew up playing them in the arcade, the Hori Real Arcade Pro V Hayabusa is the perfect controller. With this iteration officially licensed by Nintendo themselves, there are a tonne of fighting games on the system that can be played with this controller: Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, SNK Heroines, Mortal Kombat 11 and plenty of Neo Geo Classics that work absolute wonders.

Ever since the Switch launched, fans haven’t been too happy about the fact that they couldn’t charge the Joy-Cons whilst playing in TV Mode. So if you don’t have a Pro Controller, a Joy-Con Charging Grip is definitely recommended to make sure that they don’t go flat at the most crucial of moments.

This one is for all the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe fans out there. When Mario Kart Wii first came out and utilised the motion controls, the steering wheel was the perfect accessory to recreate the feeling of kart racing. With the Nintendo Switch doing away with the Wii Remotes and replacing them with the Joy-Cons, fans of the steering wheels can still play the way they like with the Joy-Cons. And besides, this way you can let everyone know online that you’re using motion controls…

At last, finally a Nintendo Switch controller that has a headphone jack! PDP’s Faceoff Deluxe+ supports in-game audio, as well as USB chat, to make this the perfect controller to use whilst playing any game that supports it. You can also adjust the volume on the fly via the D-Pad, how cool is that! This controller is also officially licensed by Nintendo, so you know PDP isn’t pulling a fast one on us. The only thing is, the controller doesn’t actually release until July 22, so we haven’t actually been able to test it for ourselves as of yet. So pre-order at own risk.

For all you Pokémon fans out there, the PokéBall Plus is a fantastic accessory to accompany your playthrough of Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee. Not only does the PokéBall Plus act as a controller, but you can also put a Pokémon inside it (not physically… just wanted to clarify), allowing you to walk around with it as it counts your steps and levels up said Pokémon. There are also plenty of accessories to go with it (sold separately), such as a charging stand to display your love for Pokémon.

The official Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers can be quite costly, so trust third parties to go and make some of their own pro controllers for a fraction of the price. Some are pretty average, but PowerA’s Enhanced Wireless Controller is a great substitute that come in a wide variety of colours and designs.

The classic GameCube controller is beloved by many and despite its resurgence with the popularity of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the official controllers can be pricey and you have to buy an adapter to go with it. With the PowerA Wireless GameCube Controller, you can replicate the feeling of a GameCube controller with all of the additional buttons needed. The product is also officially licensed by Nintendo, so you know it’s good.

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is arguably the best controller that Nintendo has ever made. If you’re a seasoned gamer who likes to play on many different consoles, you might find the Joy-Con grip to be a little uncomfortable to hold for long play sessions. The Pro Controller, on the other hand, fits nicely into your hands and is perfect for long stretches on time. The Pro Controller also comes in a few different designs, so you can take your pick.