You’re standing in the aisle at a big-box retailer or staring at a dozen browser tabs, and it hits you: the standard box is a lie. Well, not a lie, exactly. But if you think buying a base model Nintendo Switch with 2 controllers is as simple as grabbing the console and heading home, you're in for a rude awakening the moment you try to play Mario Kart with more than one person who has adult-sized hands.
The Switch is weird. It’s a hybrid. It’s a handheld. It’s a home console. It’s also a logistical headache for families who just want to play together without spending another $80 immediately.
Honestly, the "two controller" terminology is where the confusion starts. Technically, every Nintendo Switch (except the Lite) comes with two Joy-Cons. In Nintendo’s marketing language, that counts as two controllers. But if you’ve ever tried to use a single, sideways Joy-Con for an hour-long session of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you know the truth. Your thumb starts cramping within twenty minutes. It’s tiny. It’s cramped. It’s basically a snack-sized version of a real gamepad.
The Joy-Con Dilemma: Is "Out of the Box" Enough?
When people search for a Nintendo Switch with 2 controllers, they usually mean two functional setups. If you buy the standard V2 Switch or the gorgeous OLED model, you get the Left and Right Joy-Cons. You can slide these off, hand one to a friend, and boom—multiplayer. This works perfectly for games like Snipperclips or Overcooked! All You Can Eat.
But here is the catch.
Not every game supports single Joy-Con play. You can’t play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with half a controller. You need the full set. So, if you want to play a "real" game with a buddy, you actually need a second pair of Joy-Cons or a Pro Controller. That’s the distinction that catches parents and new gamers off guard. You aren't just looking for two plastic sticks; you're looking for two complete input methods.
Let's talk about the Joy-Con Grip. That plastic shell that comes in the box? It’s just a shell. It doesn't charge the controllers. It just holds them in a dog-face shape so they feel like a traditional controller. If you want a second person to have that same "traditional" feel, you’re looking at buying a second Grip or, better yet, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
Pro Controllers vs. Extra Joy-Cons
If you’re expanding your setup, you have a choice to make. It’s a fork in the road.
On one hand, you have the Pro Controller. It’s widely considered one of the best gamepads ever made, despite the lack of a headphone jack. It has a staggering 40-hour battery life. Compare that to the PS5’s DualSense, which barely limps past six or eight hours, and the Pro Controller looks like a miracle of modern engineering. It’s chunky. It’s sturdy. It doesn't drift—or at least, it drifts way less than the Joy-Cons do.
On the other hand, buying a second set of Joy-Cons gives you more versatility. If you buy a second pair, you now have a Nintendo Switch with 2 controllers (pairs) that can actually accommodate four players in games like Mario Party Superstars.
Why Joy-Con Drift Still Matters in 2026
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Drift.
It’s been years. Nintendo has been sued. They offer free repairs in many regions now, including the US and EEA. But the fundamental design of the Joy-Con’s potentiometer hasn't changed much. Dust and wear-and-tear eventually cause the internal sensors to report movement even when you aren't touching the stick. It’s infuriating.
If you are buying a second controller today, check the manufacture date if you can. Or better yet, look into Hall Effect replacements. Companies like Gulikit and 8BitDo have released controllers and replacement sticks that use magnets instead of physical contact. These literally cannot drift. If you’re a heavy gamer, skip the official Nintendo extra Joy-Cons and go for a third-party controller with Hall Effect sticks. Your future self will thank you when you aren't walking off a cliff in Zelda because your controller decided to "ghost" a left-turn command.
Bundle Hunting: The Best Way to Get a Nintendo Switch with 2 Controllers
Retailers love bundles. But you have to be careful. A "bundle" is often just a way for a store to offload accessories you don't actually want.
- The Official Holiday Bundles: Usually, Nintendo drops a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe bundle every November. It includes the console and a digital code for the game. It does not usually include an extra controller. You’re still stuck with the two halves of the Joy-Con set.
- Costco and Sam's Club: These are the gold mines. They often sell a "Mega Bundle" that actually includes a Nintendo Switch with 2 controllers (usually an extra Pro Controller or a second set of Joy-Cons) plus a carrying case and an SD card.
- Refurbished via Nintendo: If you want to save money, buy the console "Nintendo Refurbished" from their official site. Then, use the $50 you saved to buy a Pro Controller separately. This is the smartest way to get a high-quality two-player setup without hitting the $450 mark.
Third-Party Options: Are They Junk?
Years ago, buying a third-party controller meant giving your younger brother the "madcatz" controller that felt like it was made of recycled milk jugs. Things have changed.
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The 8BitDo Ultimate is, quite frankly, better than the official Nintendo Pro Controller in some ways. It comes with a charging dock. It has back buttons you can map to different inputs. It works on PC. PowerA is another big name. Their controllers are cheaper because they often lack rumble and NFC (the thing that reads Amiibos), but they are officially licensed. If you just need a "Player 2" controller for when a friend comes over once a month, a $25 PowerA wired controller is a perfectly fine solution. Just remember: if it’s wired, you have to sit closer to the TV.
The Hidden Cost of Multiplayer
When you finally get your Nintendo Switch with 2 controllers, you realize the spending hasn't stopped.
You need a way to charge them. If you have four Joy-Cons, you can only charge two at a time on the sides of the console. Unless you want to play musical chairs with your controllers every night, you’ll need a charging dock. These are cheap—maybe $15—but it's another thing on your desk.
Then there’s the SD card. The Switch OLED has 64GB of storage. The standard has 32GB. That is nothing. NBA 2K alone can take up over 60GB. If you’re playing multiplayer games, you’re going to be downloading updates and DLC constantly. Budget for a 256GB microSD card immediately. Don't buy the ones with the "Nintendo Star" on them; you're just paying a 30% tax for a logo. A standard SanDisk Ultra or Samsung Evo Select is the exact same technology for way less money.
Real World Usage: What Works for Families?
I’ve seen a lot of setups. The most successful one for a household with kids is usually the OLED Switch plus two Pro Controllers.
Why? Because Joy-Cons are fragile. The rails that slide onto the console can wear out. The tiny buttons are hard for clumsy hands. A Pro Controller can survive a drop onto a hardwood floor much better than a Joy-Con can. Plus, the battery life on the Pro means you only have to plug it in once a week.
If you're a traveler, the equation flips. You want the Joy-Cons because they keep the system portable. There are some great "Split Pad Pro" options from Hori that make the Switch feel like a Steam Deck—much more ergonomic. But those don't have batteries, so they only work while attached to the screen. Not great for a Nintendo Switch with 2 controllers couch co-op session.
Getting the Most Out of Your Setup
Once you have your console and your extra controller, you need the right games to justify the purchase.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: The gold standard. It allows for "Smart Steering," so even a four-year-old can play without getting frustrated.
- Stardew Valley: A surprisingly chill co-op experience. You can share a farm and work together.
- It Takes Two: Arguably the best co-op game ever made. You must have two controllers for this; it’s not playable solo.
- Super Mario Wonder: It’s chaotic and fun. It allows for different skill levels to play together without punishing the better player.
Actionable Next Steps for Buyers
Don't just run out and buy the first box you see. Follow this logic to get the best value:
- Audit your needs: Are you playing "heavy" games like Smash Bros or "light" games like Mario Party? If it's heavy, buy a Pro Controller. If it's light, buy a second set of Joy-Cons.
- Check the "Frequent Failures": If buying used, always check the Joy-Con rails for wobbling. If the controllers feel loose when attached to the screen, the locking mechanism is worn out.
- Verify the Model: Ensure you are getting the "HAC-001(-01)" model for the standard Switch. This is the one with the improved battery life. If the box is solid red, you're good. If the box has a white background with a hand, that's the old 2017 model with terrible battery life. Avoid it.
- Skip the "Charging Grip": Nintendo sells a Joy-Con grip that charges the controllers for $30. It’s a waste of money. Spend that $30 toward a Pro Controller instead.
- Shop for Hall Effect: Look for brands like Mobapad or Gulikit if you want controllers that will actually last five years without the sticks drifting.
Buying a Nintendo Switch with 2 controllers is the gateway to some of the best gaming experiences of the last decade. It just requires a little bit of navigation to make sure you aren't stuck with hardware that cramps your hands or dies in the middle of a race. Stick to official Pro Controllers for ergonomics, or high-end third-party Hall Effect sticks for longevity. Avoid the overpriced licensed SD cards, and always, always keep your receipts for Joy-Cons—you’ll likely need that warranty eventually.