Nintendo Switch Pastel Joy-Con
The new way of doing things.
Nintendo Joy-Cons are versatile, colorful controllers that attach to the Switch or work wirelessly. They pack a punch with HD rumble, motion controls, and an IR sensor, making them perfect for multiplayer fun on the go or at home.
The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
A traditional alternative.
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a sleek, comfortable gamepad with all the essential buttons and features. Its long battery life, NFC support, and ergonomic design make it ideal for extended gaming sessions in any Switch game.
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Did you recently get your hands on aNintendo Switch? Or has it been a while, and you’re just bored with the current setup? Either way, it’s never too late (or early) to…switchthings up. Speaking of which, one of the easiest ways you can do that is to alternate between Joy-Cons and traditional style controllers.
However, it can be quite a bit of a hassle to choose between the two because they both have a lot of compelling features. And so, we spent a few months locked in a cabin in the Himalayas to bring you the answer. You can read more about it right below.
Portability
Purely based off of the size, the Joy-Con controllers are handy and travel-friendly.In addition to slotting onto the Switch for handheld gaming, they’re also compact enough to take on-the-go. Whether you’re commuting or looking for an easy way to game on a break, Joy-Cons are ideal due to their small size and modern design.
What sets Joy-Cons apart is their multiplayer capability. Each of them serves as an independent controller, allowing two players to engage in a game hassle-free. A great choice for spontaneous gaming sessions.Another strong feature of Joy-Con controllers is their wireless nature. You can detach them and play your games within a range of 20 feet from your console.
Now, on the other hand, the Pro Controller might not be as handy, but it definitely offers a more traditional gaming experience.It’s shaped like your typical gamepad, giving you an intimate grip that’s exceptional for extended gaming. However, it is a tad bigger and weightier than Joy-Con controllers, making it less portable.
Motion Controls
The Joy-Con controllers come packed with features such as an accelerometer and a gyroscope, which allow them to recognize different types of motion. They are quite keen, capturing even the smallest movements for a more interactive experience.Again, what stands out with the Joy-Con controllers is their ability to recognize intricate hand moves and gestures. This feature is due to an IR motion camera equipped with the right Joy-Con, which tracks the motion and location of elements before it.
Take the game 1-2-Switch, for instance, where players can participate in multiple mini-games heavily reliant on motion controls. One activity may require players to simulate milking a cow, while another may involve a quick-draw shoot-out. It’s the advanced motion control of Joy-Con controllers that make these games feel authentic and interactive, allowing players to engage using typical hand gestures.
While the Pro Controller also incorporates motion control, it may not match the advanced and intuitive nature of the Joy-Cons.There’s also the fact that it fails to incorporate the IR motion camera,restraining its capacity to recognize complex hand movements.
Regardless, the Pro Controller is still super useful for certain games, especially for racing games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe where players can leverage the Pro Controller’s motion controls to navigate their kart just by tilting the controller to the sides.
Battery Life
Both Joy-Con and Pro Controller can recharge via a USB-C cable. The Joy-Con controllers offer a battery life of about 20 hours, which is quite good for most gaming sessions.They pack this impressive power despite their small size and high-tech features like HD rumble and motion sensing.
However, the actual battery life of Joy-Con controllers can change based on what games you’re playing, the volume of the sound, and the usage of vibration feedback. Also, keep in mind that features like motion controls or HD rumble can quickly drain the battery, and wireless use can also affect playtime.
On the other hand, the Pro Controller offers double that capacity, clocking in at an impressive 40 hours per charge. If you’re a gamer who enjoys extended play, the Pro Controller could be your best choice.
Thanks to its larger size and battery, the Pro Controller is great for prolonged play sessions. With this controller, battery life is one less thing to worry about during your gaming sessions.
Durability
Ah, durability. You know what? The Pro Controller actually tends to outperform in this area, thanks to its strong build and high-grade materials. Its tough, classy matte finish doesn’t show wear and tear easily, and the buttons and analog sticks are built to last, which means you know they’re reliable even after hours of use.
The Pro Controller is also generally resistant to a lot of common controller issues we keep hearing about.The analog sticks are particularly robust, and are less likely to drift or stop responding than Joy-Con sticks.This is all thanks to the Pro Controller’s durable build and superior components, which are built to handle regular usage better.
Coming to Joy-Con controllers, even though they are reasonably sturdy, can have some quality-related problems. A key issue that we all know and don’t love at all being ‘Joy-Con drift’, where the analog sticks become unresponsive over time or move involuntarily when at rest, misplacing in-game characters or cursors. Although Nintendo offers free repairs for impacted Joy-Con controllers, it’s an ongoing worry for numerous players.
The Joy-Con controllers also show signs of wear and tear more easily.Their small, detachable design leaves them open to accidental drops, resulting in cosmetic or even functional damage.Not to mention that the plastic construction may scratch or scuff more easily compared to the matte finish of the Pro Controller.
Customization
Joy-Con controllers are known for their variety of colors. You got all these options, ranging from classic gray to neon red/blue, all the way to even more eye-catching choices such as neon yellow, green, and pink. This lets players customize their controllers to match their style or gaming setup.
If customization is what you’re after, then the Joy-Con is your go-to. This is because you can actually swap out the buttons on different colored ones to create your own vibe.With several sets of different colors to choose from, there are a lot of cool combinations. This allows you to let your creativity shine and adds a unique touch to your gaming experience. Come to think of it, Nintendo has even released special Joy-Con versions themed around certain games, like Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! And Let’s Go, Eevee!
The Pro Controller, in contrast, offers fewer color options. Don’t worry about it being too boring though, because it’s available in different versions, such as black, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Edition, and the Splatoon 2 Edition.And yes, you can swap out the buttonsandanalog sticks on the Pro controller, giving the Joy-Cons a run for their money. Still, can’t help but wonder about what could’ve been in terms of different colors.
Multiplayer
By the way, if you’re into multiplayer sessions, then the Joy-Cons should definitely be your top pick, thanks to their flexibility.You can basically split every controller into two, letting up to four players join in with just one Switch.Games like Super Mario Party, 1-2-Switch, and Snipperclips are built specifically to make the most of these controllers, making them perfect for group play.
On the flip side, while the Pro Controller is also a solid option for multiplayer gaming, it isn’t as versatile. Unlike Joy-Cons, each Pro Controller is designed for single-player use, meaning you’ll need to buy more to accommodate more players.Plus, its traditional design and bigger size may not be as suitable as Joy-Cons for casual, relaxed multiplayer gaming.
That said, the Pro Controller has its own perks for multiplayer gaming. If you’re into more intense and competitive games calling for precision and prolonged play times, the ergonomic design and extended battery life of the Pro Controller could be a better fit than the Joy-Con controllers.
Bottom Line
Both the Pro Controller and the Joy-Cons have different use-cases. For example, are you someone who likes to whip out their Switch on the commute to work? On a break in school? You get where we’re going with this - it’s great for portability! It’s also quite handy if you want to keep it light and maybe tag in a friend or two if you’re bored with your game.
The Pro Controller, on the other hand, is for purists who simply love having that traditional controller feel while playing games on the switch. It does make the whole thing quite a handful, given how the controller doesn’t dock on to your Switch, but nevertheless, a cool alternative for when and if you get bored of the Joy-Cons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any third-party alternatives to the Joy-Con and Pro Controller?
As it turns out, yes. They do exist. Nintendo doesn’t particularly recommend using third-party controllers with the Switch, but there are several of these running amok on the market. But it’s super important to figure out which one is the most similar to the original stuff while also being safely compatible with the switch. Here’s where you can find a list of our top picks forthird-party Joy-Cons. If that doesn’t do it for you, you can also find a list of our besttraditional style third-party controllershere.
Are Joy-Con controllers compatible with other devices besides the Nintendo Switch?
While Joy-Con controllers are designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch, they can also connect to and be used with other devices such as PCs, Macs, and Android phones via Bluetooth.
Is the Pro Controller compatible with PC games?
Yes, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller can be connected to a PC via Bluetooth or USB cable and used to play PC games. However, some games may require additional software or configuration to recognize the controller properly.
