Rather unsurprisingly, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller has been one of the most popular accessory add-ons for the upcoming console since preorders opened last month. Interest in Nintendo’s newest conventional controller has caused multiple retailers to sell out ahead of launch. With two weeks remaining until the Switch 2 arrives, preorders for the Pro Controller are currently available at Target and GameStop.
Depending on your location, you may be able to snag a preorder for in-store, launch-day pickup at Best Buy. The Switch 2 Pro Controller is fully sold out at Walmart, and it doesn’t appear as if it will be restocked prior to the controller’s (and console’s) June 5 launch.
Heads up: If you’re looking to grab an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 Controllers, you will likely need to wait until launch, as we have yet to see a retailer listing for pairs or single Joy-Con 2 Controllers that was actually eligible for preorder.
$85 | Releases June 5
The Switch 2 Pro Controller looks quite similar to the original, but it does have a few notable new features: a pair of remappable back buttons, a C button for the Switch 2’s GameChat feature, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Nintendo made improvements to the controller’s rumble, gyro motion controls, and analog sticks. Unfortunately, the sticks do not utilize Hall Effect sensor technology, but Nintendo says they were designed to offer a smoother and quieter experience. The controller will also have NFC support for Amiibo figures.
The standout upgrades to the Pro Controller are also found on a pair of upcoming third-party controllers. Officially licensed Nintendo Switch 2 wired controllers by Hori and PowerA have remappable back buttons and the C button. Since both controllers are wired, they are substantially cheaper than the official option from Nintendo. The Horipad Turbo is $50, while PowerA’s Switch 2 Advantage Controllers start at $40, have Hall Effect sticks, and come in four different color schemes, including two Super Mario-themed designs.
While the new Switch 2 Pro Controller and the officially licensed themed controllers look cool, it’s reminding current Switch owners that many of the controllers you already own should work with Switch 2. The console is backward compatible with both games and accessories. All first-party and officially licensed Switch controllers are expected to work just fine on the new console. And if you own a Bluetooth controller you’re partial to, it should work without any issues. Controllers that connect via 2.4GHz dongles could be hit or miss, depending on the manufacturer, but it’s unlikely that you’ll run into any problems with major accessory brands like 8BitDo.
As such, you may want to consider a cheaper alternative to the Switch 2 Pro Controller. At the moment, the best controller for Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED, regardless of price, is the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller. Released earlier this year, the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth is a major iteration of 8BitDo’s flagship controller series.
The Ultimate 2 has four remappable buttons–two back, two shoulder–adjustable trigger locks with two stopping points, TMR electromagnetic sensors (better than Hall Effect), RGB lighting rings, and robust customization features via 8BitDo’s software suite on PC and Android. You can set up three custom profiles, modify stick and trigger sensitivity, create deadzones, alter rumble intensity, and set up different lighting effects/colors.
The Ultimate 2 Bluetooth comes with a matching charging dock that holds an optional USB-C dongle for 2.4GHz Wireless. It’s unclear if the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth will work with Switch 2 via 2.4GHz Wireless, but Bluetooth and wired connections should be seamless.
If you’re interested in using the new GameChat feature with video chat, check out our breakdown of the official Switch 2 cameras releasing in June. There are three options to choose from: Nintendo’s first-party camera, Hori’s Piranha Plant Camera, and the travel-friendly Hori USB Camera.
Nintendo Switch 2 preorders have been sold out for nearly a month now, and it doesn’t seem like the console will be restocked until launch.
If you managed to secure a preorder and are interested in pairing your console with more accessories and games, check out our roundups of first-party Switch 2 gear and all the Switch 2 physical games you can preorder now.
