Topic: That Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller...

Ok let's not waste anyone's time and get to the point:
NO analogue triggers? WTF? And almost no professional news outlets (Nintendolife included) mentions it. I mean, it's kinda big deal right? I was pissed the first time around but this time, I just don't get it.

If you enjoy (like I do) racing games other than kart racers and ultra-arcadey stuff, you DO need granular, analogue inputs for breaking and throttle. Every Forza Motorsport or Gran Turismo nut will testify.

So what gives?

I mean, the price is a joke too, but it's anyways with most first party controllers, thats no excuse of course, but honestly I think Nintendo went way too arrogant into their pricing strategy.

How do you feel about an expensive controller with digital inputs only for racing games?

The irony about it all is, Forza Horizon is almost sure to come to Switch 2, AND we do get Gamecube games, all their racing games had analogue inputs and on top of that we get a classic gamecube controller which WILL have analogue input.

I just hope that the situation is different to Switch 1 and at least 3rd party controllers can actually use their analogue inputs.

Seriously wtf.

How do other racing games handle this on Switch? Do they use the right stick for accelerating/braking?

That's the price we paid for finally getting an audio jack.

I hadn't even bothered to look at the accessories because I just assumed the Switch accessories would continue to work. The original Pro Controller is probably fine. Does the job

.....

Just looked at the pricing out of curiosity. That's... basically the same as the Switch. Seems fine to me. Analogue triggers would've been nice but oh well. If I want a racing game (other than Kart) I'll just get it on PC

Regular triggers are good for pinball games at least.

But i love racing games too, guess you can't have both hehe.

So, the joycon grip has GL/GR rear buttons to match the pro controller.

Furthermore, Switch controllers are compatible. So my Mobapad M6 HD joycon connected to an official joycon grip with the rear wings removed to be just a slab in the middle, will work as a pro controller. And it has the BEST d-pad of any controller I've used in my life dating all the way back to the NES. And rear buttons. And HD rumble, gyro, NFC, system wake, HALL Effect analogs, and so much more.

It won't have the Chat button but I can use official joycon for that if needed.

I don't really care about analog triggers, but if the new pro controller has a better d-pad I will snag it because my current pro controller mildly infuriates me.

Nintendo haven't done analogue triggers since the GameCube. For them not to incorporate them on a new system is pretty much what you'd expect these days.

As for how you play racing games, it's either full acceleration or none at all. There's a reason why there's no real equivalent to Gran Turismo or Forza on the Switch.

There is going to be a GameCube controller for the Switch 2 though, that you'll be able to pre-order if you order via Nintendo's store. That's presumably for use with the NSO games, but it might also work with some modern ones that can make use of the triggers.

I'm surprised they didn't apply those cool blue & orange accents below the analog sticks like they did with the Joy-con 2's. Design wise, it's incredibly safe and extremely underwhelming, and a far cry compared to just how inventive, unique and fun controllers looked in the 90's. Be it SNES, the 3-button red accented Genesis controller, N64, Dreamcast, PS1(1995 version without the analog sticks), and then leading into the early 2000's with the Indigo GameCube Controller, which in all honesty was probably the last stand out, quirky looking controller that made you react in such a way once you got it in the hands. It was so weird and bizarre. I loved it back in 2001.

But back to the Switch 2 Pro, I'm really interested in 'HD Rumble 2'(Can it match the DualSense's haptics, like with Astro Bot?), if the D-pad has improved accuracy and if the overall latency/input lag is lower compared to the Switch 1 pro controller. Getting past the boring design, this could potentially be one of the greatest controllers ever, purely based on feel and functionality.

I still think it looks slightly more appealing than the All black launch Switch Pro 1 controller thanks to the white top since that helps break things up. But the lack of colour and XBOX-like design don't do it for me at all. I'm still biting of course, this controller is essential since the Switch 2 Joy-cons in many cases just won't be ergonomic or premium feeling enough. Biggest pet peeve is having to deal with the right analog stick being directly placed beneath the 4 face buttons. The stick always hits my thumb when i reach for them. And the sticks I'm assuming will still be short, stubby and none traditional just like with Switch 1 Joy-cons.

As long as HD Rumble 2 makes enough of a difference compared to regular HD Rumble, if the D-pad accuracy is solid and not mediocre like with the current Pro controller(These cowardly YouTube schills and influencers that reviewed it rarely ever pointed that out) and the latency has been dropped a little, I'll be more than happy. Plus, we'll probably be getting fun colourful variants down the line as well, obviously. With the Switch 1 Pro controller, I only use the Splatoon 2 version, with it's fun summer-time 1990 neon pink & green handles. They do enough to make the controller feel more Nintendo-like.

@Matt_Barber
I'd actually prefer actual L & R triggers like with the Dreamcast or XBOX Series X controller. The XSX controller is hands down one of the worst controllers I've ever used thanks to it's cheap garbage rinky dinky hard plastic unusable d-pad, loosey goosey' analog sticks, and cheaper feeling face buttons. But boy do those L & R triggers feel amazing. Very Dreamcasty'.

Having those styled triggers with the DualSense's haptics & adaptive trigger-feature applied to them would be amazing. I know a lot of people dislike the Dualsense's adaptive triggers, but I'm a big fan of them, as much as I despise the PS5. Being able to feel the recoil and restraint when firing your shot gun in lets say Resident Evil 2 remake, or the subtle haptic feeback that feels as if it's integrated inside the triggers when drawing a bow really adds to the immersion.

As for the NSO GameCube controller. I'm tempted to get it, but if it's anything like the current NES, SNES & Genesis NSO controllers it's going to have high latency. 16ms/1 frame to be exact. it's disappointing, when you factor in 8bitdo's 2.4ghz wireless controllers that are hitting half of that at 8ms or less. Hopefully NIntendo allows fire a wired USB connection that offers less lag. I'd be down for that! I mean, getting a brand new fresh OEM nintendo liscenced GameCube controller that's compatible with Switch is too tempting to pass up.

I really don't get the argument around not having analogue triggers. I mean it's basically standard fare with every other hardware or peripheral manufacturer and makes total sense for racing games. It's seems weird that it's Nintendo of all companies that's treating proper analogue triggers like a tacky gimmick. Heck we got mice as joycons. More options. Okay. And yes maybe there is no room for analogue triggers on the joycons, but that's what the pro controller is or.

I really hope the fantastic SN30 PRO 2 with hall effect thumbsticks and wonderful analogue triggers will work with the Switch 2 and it actually registers the analogue inputs. Oh did I mention it's just 50 bucks too?

The hell with 89,- OG controller...

I am really curious to know how GameCube games such as Mario Sunshine etc work without analogue triggers considering they were designed around them. It’s bizarre not to include it still in the apparently improved and more expensive Pro Controller.

@FragRed In 3D all-stars Sunshine I think they just...ignored it? I honestly didn't notice; the game still played fine.

I'll get one but after recovering from buying the Switch 2 first.

I'm more upset about those bottom buttons. I hate controllers that have these with a passion. Only good for splatoon.

@Kaisarion83
The back handle buttons? I can't stand them either. Hopefully the don't get in the way.
That aside, I'm glad to hear there's an HD Rumble 2, and I Hope the Accuracy of the D-pad has been improved, and just lower latency/input lag in general. The Pro controller was quite high in that area compared to the joy-cons. Won't be using the Headphone jack since i use an actual DAC/Amp for my headphones that can produce much better sound than a controller, and I doubt I'll ever use the chat button since i rarely game online to begin with...While also trying to avoid using those back handle buttons as much as possible.

It's not a looker either, with the near all-black finish, and silver accents. We'll get more fun colorful versions down the line at least, which solves that. lol I'm still rocking my Splatoon 2 Pro Controller, with the Neon pink & green handles. It's easily the most Nintendo-y' looking Pro controller of the bunch. It almost has like a 1990 summer time vibe to it.

@WaveBoy
Have you used a controller with well placed rear buttons and not those gaudy paddles?

Ever since getting the Mobapad M6 HD and Steamdeck I've fallen in love with rear buttons. They're so convenient.

Btw you dont have to avoid the buttons. Simply leaving them unmapped is all one needs to do.

@JaxonH
I used to have a wired 8BitDo Pro 2 controller that had GL & GR buttons, that I'd occasionally use for Switch. It's more to do with those handle buttons just getting in the way even without actually using them. Basically, my fingers would always rub against the indentations/or grooves/lining surrounding those two buttons, and it drove me batty.

Hopefully we'll get a confirmation soon if D-pad accuracy has been improved, along with lower latency. I mean, the smoother gliding sticks & HD Rumble 2(which was completely ignored during the big direct unveil for whatever reason, and is said to be more refined and powerful.) already make it a step up over the Switch Pro 1 by the sounds of it.

And for the peeps who enjoy Online you've got the chat button, and a headphone jack if you don't care to use a dedicated DAC/Amp. If input lag is lower and the d-pad is more accurate than i can see this being one of the greatest controllers ever, uninspired lackluster and ultra bland appearance aside. But that's where the more colourful editions come into play which we'll be getting down the line.

Still, as is, it's nowhere near as hideous as the original white DualSense, and it's still more interesting than even the midnight black DualSense simply because it has analog stick underside silver-white accents, along with the top area, rather than just having an entirely all-black safe controller color scheme. Yet it still comes across like a "I'm a serious gamer controller" Just like Switch 1 Pro did, until the Splatoon 2 Neon pink & green handled' version made it's debut.

This is all I want. I'm a little nervous since as far as I can tell Nintendo never acknowledged these were problems and even amongst players there is a weird myth that Nintendo already fixed the problems which I assume just means most people don't play games where the issues make much difference.

As for the back buttons... I'll just ignore them. I honestly can't think of a game I have played where they would be useful.

This has already been mentioned by Nintendo. They said they modified the d-pad to not mis-register inputs.

Which is great. My concern is pulling off moves in Street Fighter. Which maybe by fixing that it'll work great, but we'll see. Thats why Switch controllers being compatible is so clutch- the Mobpad M6HD connected to a middle grip makes the absolute best pro controller I've ever used. The d-pad is so far beyond anything else- I can't imagine playing a fighter with anything else.

They are designing new joycon for the Switch 2 but who knows how long it'll take. Only 3rd party joycon with a full feature set that's also fatter and ergonomic. Can't wait for that.