Let’s be real for a second. The Nintendo Switch is basically a "friendship-ruiner" in a box, but only if you actually have enough buttons for everyone to play. You buy the console, you get those tiny Joy-Cons in the box, and you think you’re set. You aren't. Honestly, the moment you try to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with four people and realize two of them are squinting at a single sideways Joy-Con that feels like a toothpick, you'll understand why hunting for extra controllers for Nintendo Switch becomes a legitimate personality trait.
It’s not just about having "more" stuff. It’s about the fact that Nintendo’s default hardware is... well, it's controversial. Stick drift is a ghost that haunts every Joy-Con owner eventually. Plus, if you have hands larger than a toddler's, those pack-in controllers can feel like a hand cramp waiting to happen. Whether you’re a competitive Smash Bros sweat or just someone who wants to play Stardew Valley without your thumbs hurting, the market for peripherals is massive, confusing, and filled with some surprisingly great gems—and some absolute junk.
The Joy-Con dilemma and the drift problem
Everyone talks about it. Stick drift. It is the elephant in the room whenever you discuss buying extra controllers for Nintendo Switch. For the uninitiated, this is when your character starts walking off a cliff in Zelda even though you aren't touching the thumbstick. Nintendo has faced lawsuits over this, and while they often offer free repairs now, it’s a massive pain to ship your gear away for three weeks.
When you're looking for spares, you have to decide if you want to stick with the official Joy-Cons or branch out. Official ones are the only way to get the full suite of features: HD Rumble, NFC for Amiibo, and that IR camera that almost no games actually use except 1-2-Switch and Ring Fit Adventure. But they are expensive. $80 for a pair? That’s a lot of dough for something that might start acting up in six months.
Some people swear by the NYXI or Hori Split Pad Pro. These aren't technically "wireless" in the traditional sense—the Hori ones, for example, don't have batteries, so they only work while attached to the tablet. But man, they make the Switch actually comfortable to hold in handheld mode. They give you actual grips. Real sticks. Buttons that don't feel like clicking a ballpoint pen. If you play 90% of your time on the couch in handheld mode, those are the extra controllers you should be looking at, not the standard Joy-Cons.
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The Pro Controller is the gold standard (mostly)
If you play on the TV, just buy the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Seriously. It’s widely considered one of the best traditional controllers ever made, rivaling the Xbox Series X controller for comfort. It has a battery life that is frankly black magic—around 40 hours on a single charge. Compared to the 6-8 hours you get on a PS5 DualSense, it’s a miracle.
But it isn't perfect. The D-pad is kind of trash. If you try to play Tetris 99 or a precise 2D platformer like Celeste, you’ll find yourself hitting "up" when you meant to hit "left." It’s a known flaw.
For the average gamer, though, the Pro Controller is the "buy it once, use it forever" solution. It’s heavy. It feels premium. It wakes the console from sleep mode, which sounds like a small thing until you realize most third-party controllers can't do it. You have to get up, walk to the dock, and press the power button like a caveman. Nobody wants that.
8BitDo and the third-party revolution
This is where things get interesting. You don't have to give Nintendo all your money. Companies like 8BitDo have basically mastered the art of the "better than the original" controller. Their Pro 2 model is a masterpiece. It looks like a classic SNES controller grew handles and went to college.
What makes 8BitDo a serious contender for your extra controllers for Nintendo Switch slot is the customization. They have software that lets you remap every single button. You can adjust the trigger sensitivity. You can even set up macros. Want to perform a complex combo in a fighting game with one button press? You can do that. It’s also usually $20 to $30 cheaper than the official Pro Controller.
Then there’s PowerA. You’ll see these in every Target and Best Buy. They’re usually themed—Mario, Zelda, Pokemon. They look cool. They are officially licensed. But be careful: a lot of the cheaper PowerA models are wired. If you don't mind a 10-foot cable running across your living room, they’re a steal. If you have a dog or a toddler who likes to trip over things, maybe stick to the wireless versions. Just keep in mind that the wireless PowerA controllers usually run on AA batteries rather than a rechargeable internal pack. It’s a bit old school, but some people actually prefer it because you can just swap batteries and keep playing.
What about GameCube controllers?
If you see someone playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with anything other than a GameCube controller, they’re either a casual or a masochist. There is a deep-seated muscle memory in the Smash community that requires that weird, giant "A" button and the octagonal gates around the sticks.
To use these as extra controllers for Nintendo Switch, you need an adapter. Nintendo sells an official one, but Mayflash makes a cheaper version that works just as well. There are also "GameCube-style" Pro Controllers from companies like PowerA and PDP. They plug in via USB or connect wirelessly but have the layout of the old 2001 purple lunchbox controller. They are great for nostalgia, but honestly, the triggers feel a bit mushy compared to the originals.
Don't ignore the "Cheap and Cheerful" options
Sometimes you just need four controllers so the cousins can play Mario Party during Thanksgiving. You don't want to spend $240 on three more Pro Controllers. In this specific scenario, the generic brands on Amazon—the ones with names that look like a cat walked across a keyboard—can actually be okay.
They usually lack HD Rumble (they just vibrate like a chainsaw), and they can't read Amiibos. But for a $25 wireless controller? They work. Just don't expect them to last five years. They are "disposable" tech. Useful for kids who might drop them in a bowl of cereal, but not what you want for your 100-hour Elden Ring (if it were on Switch) playthrough.
Hall Effect: The future of no-drift sticks
If you want to be a savvy buyer, look for the phrase "Hall Effect." This is the tech that fixes stick drift forever. Traditional sticks use physical contact (potentiometers) that wears down over time, creating dust that causes the "drift." Hall Effect sticks use magnets. No contact, no wear, no drift.
Companies like Gulikit and Mobapad are leading the charge here. The Gulikit KingKong 2 Pro is a fan favorite because it feels almost exactly like an Xbox controller but works perfectly with the Switch and has those magical magnetic sticks. If you’re tired of buying new Joy-Cons every year, investing in a Hall Effect controller is the smartest move you can make.
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Retro gaming needs retro buttons
The Switch Online library is full of NES, SNES, N64, and Sega Genesis games. Playing Ocarina of Time on a Pro Controller is... fine. But the button mapping is weird because the N64 had that bizarre three-pronged layout.
Nintendo sells "classic" controllers exclusively to Switch Online members. They are almost identical to the originals but wireless. The N64 one is notoriously hard to find in stock. When it pops up, it sells out in minutes. If you’re a purist, it’s worth the hunt. If not, 8BitDo makes a "Lite" controller that is basically just two D-pads and some buttons—perfect for 2D indie games like Hollow Knight or Shovel Knight.
Making the right choice for your setup
Buying extra controllers for Nintendo Switch isn't a one-size-fits-all thing. You have to audit how you actually use the console. If you’re a commuter, get a Hori Split Pad Pro or the Mobapad M6 HD. If you’re a competitive gamer, get the 8BitDo Pro 2 or a Hall Effect controller. If you’re a parent, get some cheap PowerA wired controllers so you don’t cry when they get sticky.
One thing to watch out for: "Latency." Some cheap Bluetooth controllers have a slight delay. In a game like Cuphead, a 100ms delay is the difference between winning and throwing your console out the window. Stick to reputable brands for anything that requires fast reflexes.
Also, consider a charging dock. If you end up with four Joy-Cons and two Pro Controllers, your Switch dock is going to look like a cable nightmare. There are third-party towers that charge everything at once and keep your shelf looking clean.
Actionable Steps for Choosing Your Next Controller
- Check your grip style: If your hands cramp in handheld mode, look for "bins" or "grips" like the Satisfye ZenGrip Pro or the Hori Split Pad Compact instead of new Joy-Cons.
- Prioritize Hall Effect: If you are buying a third-party Pro-style controller, search specifically for Gulikit or 8BitDo models that mention "Hall Effect Sensors" to avoid future stick drift.
- Verify Amiibo support: If you use Amiibo figures in games like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, remember that most third-party controllers (including 8BitDo and PowerA) often omit the NFC reader to save costs.
- Update your firmware: When you get a new third-party controller, immediately check the manufacturer's website. They often release "Day 1" updates that fix connection lag or compatibility issues with new Switch system updates.
- Keep a spare "Guest" set: Don't let your friends use your $70 Pro Controller. Keep a pair of cheaper, wired PowerA controllers specifically for multiplayer sessions to save wear and tear on your primary gear.
At the end of the day, the Switch is about versatility. You don't need to stick to what came in the box. Experimenting with different shapes and sizes can actually make your old games feel new again. Just make sure you're buying for the way you play, not just because a box looks cool on the shelf.